Police in Rotorua, New Zealand, have expressed their disappointment and concerns over an upcoming concert featuring Compton rapper The Game.
On August 15, The Game is due in New Zealand as part of his tour across Europe.
According to New Zealand’s Daily Post, police are organizing a special “operation” and will have a more noticeable presence when The Game performs.
“I understand [the] concerns of a lot of people. We know from experience having these sorts of performers is not helpful in terms of community safety,” Rotorua Commander Bruce Horne stated. “His message is a very bad one. He is certainly not someone I would be promoting as a role model for our young people. In fact, he is quite the opposite. He encourages them to get themselves into trouble.”
The Game’s gang ties to The Bloods -which he openly acknowledges – and his criminal past have local authorities up in arms over his upcoming appearance.
The rapper’s criminal background is being questioned as well, after an incident in which The Game pulled a gun on a man during a game of pick-up basketball in Los Angeles.
Last year, The Game served a brief sentence in the L.A. County Jail, after he pleaded no contest to a felony charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone.
The Australian promoter who booked The Game called the rapper “a positive role model for youth,” and revealed The Game would visit at least one high school during his stay in the country.
In the past, The Game has been involved in violent feuds with 50 Cent and G-Unit.
He is currently involved in a war of words with chart-topping rap star Jay-Z.