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An upcoming concert in Auckland, New Zealand featuring rapper Ice Cube has come under fire by a local politician who is running for Mayor.

Manukau mayorial candidate Len Brown is reportedly putting pressure on the CEO of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau to cancel the August 22 performance, alleging that Ice Cube’s music promotes violence and gang culture that the youth will replicate.

“Ice Cube brings a gangsta message to our community via his gangsta rap,” Brown said in a statement. “This message promotes gangs, gang violence and drugs. We don’t want this in our homes. We don’t want it on our streets. Our community is taking a stand on these issues. There is massive energy and resource dedicated to getting on top of gang activity in many parts of South Auckland. For once we have a cohesive partnership of community, government and police working together to confront this challenge and move things forward for our young people. So let’s be clear we don’t need a gangsta rappa [sic] working against the future interests of our young. It’s time to freeze out the Ice Cube.”

Camilla Anderson, the promoter of the event, disputed Brown’s allegations against Ice Cube, noting that the rapper has shed most of his gangster imagery and has had success as a mainstream actor and director.

Anderson also said that Brown’s attempt to cancel the planned concert was actually an election tactic.

Ice Cube’s appearance at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre is one of several dates the rapper is booked to play in New Zealand and Australia.

The rapper is scheduled to visit Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.

He will then head to Japan for two dates in Nagoya and Sapporo.

In related news, Ice Cube’s lighthearted family comedy Are We Done Yet will hit stores on DVD tomorrow (August 7).