Ice-T, 1992
When gangsta rapper Ice-T visited Auckland in 1992 Police Commissioner John Jamieson wanted him banned after the US controversy over his sideline metal group Body Count's song Cop Killer. He still played - Cop Killer wasn't in his hip-hop set. He came back in 1993 and 1995 with Body Count and played Cop Killer both times. Ice-T now plays a cop on television show SVU.
Black Eyed Peas, 2001
A pre-Fergie Black Eyed Peas were scheduled to perform at the 2001 Big Day Out. Only Apl.de.Ap didn't make it into the country after being found 3.7 grams of cannabis at Auckland Airport. Police reportedly used their discretion to give him a warning and, after referring him to immigration officials, he was put on a plane back to the United States.
The other two members of the BEPs performed the show without him.
Beenie Man, 2010
Jamaican singer Beenie Man was scheduled to perform at the 2010 Big Day Out, but had his performance pulled after an outcry over lyrics that included, "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays". Despite saying he had renounced those sentiments, the Big Day Out still pulled his performance because of "the depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups ... would be divisive among our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many".
