By Rudy West
A number of U.S. rappers have been embraced and nominated by fans at this year’s MTV Australia Awards 2008, including Lupe Fiasco, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Wyclef, who was announced as host today (March 31).
Wyclef will preside over the award ceremony, which will feature eight live musical performances and eleven awards presented across of variety of genres in music, film, television and sports.
In the Viewers Choice category, Lupe Fiasco is nominated for Best Live Performance (Snow Jam), 50 Cent’s "Ayo Technology" is nominated for Video of the Year, while Snoop Dogg is up for the Television Moment award, due to his comedic MTV Citizenship ad campaign.
As Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews was banning the rapper from entering Australia in 2007, MTV Australia was airing the ad campaign, which featured Snoop telling fans he was upset that Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews denied him a visa to enter the country in April of 2007.
The ads featured Snoop on an earlier tour of Australia, as he searched for a home in an exclusive neighborhood in Sydney.
Snoop Dogg appeared in the commercial with Australian Pop star Sophie Monk where he promised to "get the girls ready … and put on the barbecue."
Hometown rappers Bliss n Eso are up for the Good Karma award for their charity single "Bullet and a Target," while Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews is the only candidate for the Bad Karma Award, for refusing Snoop Dogg entry into Australia.
He was nominated for saying "he [Snoop] doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country," for defining ‘bad hair day’ and for all of the above, "especially the hair, and the Snoop Dogg thing."
The rappers join a list of previously announced nominees, performers and presenters, including 50 Cent, Eve, Fergie and numerous other celebrities.
"Look out, I am bringing the Carnival down under for one whirlwind MTV ride" Wyclef Jean said. "You already know that MTV Awards Shows around the world know how to bring the house down....and with me who knows what will happen."
The MTV Australia Awards 2008 will broadcast on MTV on Monday April 28 from 7:00 pm.