'I've never heard of him': PM on controversial US rapper Tyler, The Creator

It's a good thing Tony Abbott hasn't heard of Tyler, The Creator.

The last time the controversial rapper graced Aussie shores, police got involved, and a campaign to have him kicked out of the country went gangbusters.

Tyler, who's been criticised for lyrics which some believe promote rape, was accused of verbally abusing an Australian feminist campaigner at a Sydney performance in 2013.

Now the US artist is set to return for a series of concerts in September - but it's news to the prime minister.

"I've never heard of him," Mr Abbott told Radio 3AW on Friday.

"I presume this guy is a foreigner of some sort?"

When Tyler's credentials were explained, Mr Abbott confessed he wasn't naturally a supporter of rap music.

"My phase kind of ended with the Traveling Wilburys."

Asked if he would consider banning the rapper this time around, Mr Abbott said it would be based on how outrageous his comments were.

"We do ban people from time to time on character grounds, I guess it would depend on what we thought of his character," he said.

With lyrics like "keep that b*tch locked up in my storage, rape her and record it", the prime minister may just give Tyler his marching orders.