10 ARTISTS BANNED FROM ENTERING OTHER COUNTRIES

 

Furious and fierce can be used to describe some of our artists. They've been described as a soldier that dares to cross territories and gain entry to other countries just to promote their music or increase their fame, but their lack of knowledge or proper investigation and respect for the customs, values, and norms of the countries they are about to step in has to spur them enormous lost forever. Below are the 10 artists that have been banned from entering certain countries.

 

Erykah Badu - Malaysia: The soulful musician was banned from Malaysia in 2010 after a photo showcased the Arabic word for "Allah" written on her shoulders - "an insult to Islam," according to the country's information minister. More importantly, though, do you think she's in a secret hat club with The Pope?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Gettyimage

 

The Beatles – Philippines: While not officially banned from The Philippines, some might say what happened to the Fab Four was worse. Unintentionally snubbing the country’s First Lady (not a good idea) led to crazed locals running the band out of town. They were even forced to pay back their concert fees and were never invited back to the country again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Britannica

 

Madonna – Egypt: Madonna was banned from visiting Egypt in 2004 for visiting Israel (relations between the two nations have been strained, to say the least, since modern Israel’s formation in 1948). Since then, however, her manager Guy Oseary told The Hollywood Reporter: “We would love to play Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria at some point it’s just not possible.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from See.news

 

Akon – Sri Lanka: The ‘Locked Up’ singer was refused entry into Sri Lanka back in 2010 after one of his songs started riots in the capital. The music video for ‘Sexy Chick’ featured a statue of Buddha, which didn’t go down too well with some of the country’s ultra-religious citizens. “I am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended,” said Akon. A bit late now…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Alamy.com

 

Chris Brown – Australia: “If you are going to commit domestic violence and you want to travel around the world there are going to be countries that say to you: ‘You cannot come,” said Australia’s minister for women in September. That means you, Chris Brown: the singer was convicted of assaulting Rihanna in 2009 and despite a strong following down under, was denied a visa to tour there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Vibe.com

 

Miley Cyrus – China: Miley’s been causing a stir as far back as 2006 when she was reportedly banned from China for pulling a racially offensive pose in a photograph with friends. She was banned from appearing in the Dominican Republic because her shows see her “undertake acts that go against morals and customs, which are punishable by Dominican law.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Billboard

 

Bjork – China: For similar reasons to Oasis, Bjork was banned from performing in China for campaigning for Free Tibet. Her song ‘Declare Independence’ particularly upset the authorities there. She also performed the song in Tokyo and dedicated it to Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008, which may have led to the cancellation of her performance at the Serbian festival EXIT that year.

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Image from Spin.com

 

Rolling Stones – Japan: The Stones were barred from Japan in 1973 due to Mick Jagger’s two drug convictions in 1967 and 1970. They were previously banned from appearing in Cleveland when a fan fell from a balcony and died at one of their gigs in the city, but the ban was lifted two years later. Moral of the story: you can’t stay mad at Mick and co for long. Not even border control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Britannica

 

Jay Z - China: Before playing a Shanghai show in 2006, The Ministry Of Culture required the rapper to present them with his lyrics. After reviewing them, they told the rap mogul to sling his hook. He's got 99 problems, China is one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image from Essence

 

Estefan Gloria- Cuba: Gloria Estefan, the Latin pop superstar, has been barred from playing (ie performing) in her homeland of Cuba. Her songs like Dr. Beat and 1,2,3 were also blacklisted, meaning they couldn't be aired on Cuban radio stations. For speaking out against a Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and his administration, Estefan Gloria was eventually expelled from her homeland. Her husband was also banned from visiting Cuba, and the Cuban government labeled the couple as international terrorists. When Fulgencio Batista was deposed by Fidal Castro in 1959, Estefan and her parents escaped Cuba.

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Image from Scotsman