UK rapper’s tour sparks backlash over domestic violence conviction

A UK rapper convicted of domestic violence will tour Australia next month, performing at venues including the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, drawing criticism from women’s rights activists who say it platforms gender-based violence.

British rapper Dizzee Rascal, born Dylan Kwabena Mills, was found guilty of assaulting his ex-fiancée in 2022 after pushing her to the ground during a heated argument while he was holding his son.

After the verdict, Mills left the courtroom and allegedly took the camera from a press photographer and threw it on the road, smashing it, according to the BBC. The rapper, best known for songs including his 2009 hit Bonkers, appealed the conviction, but it was rejected in January 2023.

Although the incident drew backlash at the time, Mills’ career has largely continued unabated.

The rapper will tour his ninth studio album We Want Bass, starting at Sydney Opera House on November 29. He will then visit Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Byron Bay, with the tour ending in late December.

Sherele Moody from Australian Femicide Watch said no man who abuses his partner should be allowed to enter Australia.

“The minute that he laid hands on her … is the minute he should have been banned from Australia. He just shouldn’t be coming into Australia. No offender of violence against women, particularly domestic violence, should be allowed to enter our country,” Moody said.

Moody also challenged Australia’s visa eligibility structure. Typically, those who have served more than 12 months in jail for a crime will fail the character test, but shorter sentences don’t automatically prevent authorities from refusing entry.

“We know that domestic violence offenders often don’t go to jail for the first time. They may not go to jail even after multiple convictions. So that part of the character test is where our glaring hole is,” Moody said.

The government has previously revoked visas for high-profile musicians based on failed character tests.

In 2015, US rapper Chris Brown was banned from entering the country because of his history of domestic violence, including against megastar Rihanna. Brown was then forced to cancel his Australian tour.

Moody said domestic violence and sexual violence perpetrators rarely serve 12 months in jail.

“It’s a very arbitrary amount,” she said. “A lot of [domestic violence] perpetrators just literally don’t go to jail for any significant amount of time. They’re lucky if they spend a couple of weeks on remand.”

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said, for privacy reasons, it “does not comment on individual cases” when asked if Mills had passed the character test.

Sydney Opera House said it “acknowledges the seriousness of the issues raised”, but that the artist was booked directly via Live Nation.

Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, meanwhile, said it did not book or contract individual performers.

“We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors and don’t condone violence in any form,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Philippa Lysaght, one of three artists behind the viral Sculptures by the Sea exhibit Sweethearts which raises awareness of violence against women, said Mills tour demonstrated how endemic the issue is in Australia.

“If we’re allowing people who have been convicted of abuse or violence against women to be able to be given platforms or stages in our country, I think that’s horrendous. But it continues to happen,” Lysaght said.

Representatives for Mills have been contacted for comment.

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