Snoop Dogg has teamed up with a popular dancer to create a new organization aimed at keeping at-risk youngsters off the streets.

The rapper has recruited entertainer Tommy the Clown to form the C.L.O.U.T. Foundation (Changing Lives One Youth at a Time), which they hope will prevent teens turning to drugs or crime.

The star is planning to hold a Battle Night every month in Los Angeles, where local students can take the stage to show off their poetry, dance or drama skills. And Snoop, who was a member of the notorious Crips street gang in high school, has credited a former teacher with inspiring him to provide opportunities for underprivileged kids.

He tells AllHipHop.com, “As a youth I had one teacher who really pushed me to be the best and gave me an outlet to really feel like I could be somebody – and I became successful partly because of his belief in me. I want to give that to the kids so they know there is more to life than the street hustle or crime. I have been friends with Tommy the Clown for years and see what he has done for so many people; this partnership is very important to me.”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Snoop Dogg will be permitted to tour Australia with Ice Cube in October, having been granted a visa.

The rapper, real name Calvin Broadus, can now embark on a series of concerts after immigration officials conducted an assessment of his character.

He received clearance for the dual headlining tour in August, just a year after he was refused permission for a visa application to host the MTV Australia Video Music awards.

But following a spate of public complaints about his criminal record, immigration officials announced a plan to reconsider their decision.

“The department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behavior while in Australia,” said a department statement on Thursday.

The 36-year-old’s “charity work” and “any likely risk to the Australian community” were assessed, the statement explained.

“We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa.

“Mr Broadus will need to abide by Australia’s laws and he will be formally counselled before his arrival about his visa conditions and our expectations relating to his conduct.”

Australian actor and Oscar-winner Russell Crowe wrote to the department of immigration during their assessment in support of Snoop Dogg’s visa application.

“I submit to you that Snoop Dogg poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country,” he said.

Snoop was sentenced to five years of probation relating to gun and drug charges in April 2007 and was denied entry to Australia later that month, after the country’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship cited concerns regarding his previous criminal convictions.

He was also cautioned for affray at London’s Heathrow airport in April 2006, when Snoop and his entourage vandalized a duty-free store by throwing whisky bottles after some members of the group had been denied entry to the British Airways first class lounge as they were flying in economy class.

Complaining about the August 2008 decision to allow Snoop Dogg into Australia, Angela Conway, of the Australian Family Association, told the Herald Sun newspaper: “Snoop Dogg trades in toxic messages of menace, violence, misogyny and lawlessness.”

Source

WENN

Snoop Dogg’s Australian tour has been thrown back into jeopardy – officials down under are re-considering their earlier decision to lift a ban on him visiting the country.

The rapper – real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. – was left free to complete a planned tour with fellow hip-hop star Ice Cube in October after Australia’s new government lifted his ban on Tuesday.

The Drop It Like It’s Hot hitmaker was barred from obtaining a visa because of his criminal record, which include drugs and firearms offences dating back to 1990.

But public complaints received from Australian victims of crime groups have prompted immigration officials to question the clearance – initially granted for 17 days from October 21st.

A senior immigration official says: “As a result of public concern and interest, the department has decided that in fact we will be undertaking a more thorough assessment of Mr. Broadus’ character.

“We’ve advised his tour promoter and he and Mr. Broadus will have an opportunity to respond. We clearly will look at his criminal history.”

Source

WENN

Snoop Dogg can finally tour Australia – after officials lifted a ban on him visiting the country.

The Drop It Like It’s Hot hitmaker was barred from obtaining a visa because of his criminal record, which include drugs and firearms offences dating back to 1990.

But he is now free to complete a planned tour with fellow hip-hop star Ice Cube in October after Australia’s new government lifted the veto.

Snoop, real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., was refused entry in 2007, which wrecked plans for him to co-host the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

But officials insist the rapper has been cleared to visit the country for 17 days from October 21.

An immigration officer says, “He has now been assessed under the character test as having passed, so he will be given a visa.”

But victims of crime groups in Australia say they will contest the decision.

Angela Conway, of the Australian Family Association, says, “Snoop Dogg trades in toxic messages of menace, violence, misogyny and lawlessness.”

Source

WENN

Snoop Dogg is following in the footsteps of Sean Combs and Jay-Z, by launching his own clothing line.

The first Rich & Infamous designs will be shown off at this week’s Magic fashion trade show in Las Vegas.

Snoop plans to promote the line by plugging it in his songs and on merchandise, and showing it off on his reality TV show Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood.

He even plans to stage fashion shows at gigs on his forthcoming world tour, reports Daily Variety.

Source

WENN

Snoop Dogg’s lawyer has hit back at reports the rapper’s tour bus was stopped by police in Texas for expired tags, insisting all registration documents were in order.

The Drop It Like It’s Hot hitmaker’s vehicle was pulled over by state troopers in Dallas on Thursday for what they thought to be a traffic violation.

Two members of Snoop’s entourage were later arrested for marijuana possession following a search of the bus. The hip-hop star was not arrested.

However, his attorney has now spoken out in a bid to clear up inaccurate reports of the incident.

Lawyer Chris Lewis tells AllHipHop.com, “Snoop Dogg and the band appreciate the professionalism displayed by the Texas troopers (Thursday) afternoon.

“The tour bus was stopped for what was thought to be expired tags. Upon further investigation, it was determined the bus was current on its registration and was eventually allowed to continue to Snoop Dogg’s show in Dallas.”

And Lewis is confident the two men who had been taken into custody will be let off lightly.

He adds, “The alleged offense, a Class B misdemeanour, was listed as less than two ounces of marijuana. The young men arrested don’t appear to have prior criminal records. I expect that once everything has run its course, there will be a favorable resolution to this case. The routine stop was otherwise uneventful. Later in the evening, Snoop Dogg and the band entertained a great crowd in Dallas as they performed with 311 as part of the Unity Tour.”

Source

WENN

Maybe Snoop Dogg should’ve popped for the pine-tree air freshener.

Two members of rapper’s entourage were busted for marijuana possession Thursday in Texas after state troopers smelled pot during a routine traffic stop, E! News confirms.

The identifies of the men were not provided, but we know that their ringmaster was not involved.

“Snoop was not arrested,” his manager, Constance Schwartz, told E! News. “Snoop continues to enjoy touring with 311 on the Unity Tour.”

Authorities said that officers pulled the bus over on Route 45 in Corsicana, where the group was on its way from Houston to Dallas, for possibly having expired registration. They then detected an “odor of marijuana.”

According to a Texas State Troopers spokesman, the search turned up two ounces of pot and the two alleged offenders admitted it belonged to them.

They were taken to the nearby Navarro County Jail and booked on charges of misdemeanor possession.

The busful of people, Snoop included, was allowed to continue on its way.

Source

WENN