Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) -- The chief executive officer of Murdercap Records, a Detroit-based music label, sued Canada, claiming border guards harassed him over an 11-year period because he is a black rapper.

Jerome Almon, 41, seeks $900 million in damages and an order prohibiting Canadian customs officials from delaying or barring his entry into the country. He filed the complaint Jan. 12 in federal court in Detroit.

``They're treating us as if we're criminals,'' Almon said today in a telephone interview. ``If the Klan had a police force, it would be the border services.''

Canadian border guards have delayed or blocked rap stars including 50 Cent, DMX and Eminem from entering the country, blaming them for an increase in gang violence and gun murders in Toronto and Vancouver, Almon said. Rappers often are stalled at the border long enough to prevent them from making scheduled performances, he said.

Officials from Canada's Department of Justice didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Almon's lawsuit also named the U.S. State Department and Secretary Condoleeza Rice as defendants, accusing them of siding with Canada against black performers.

``The State Department hypocritically touts rap as the great American ambassador on its official Web site, while selling out its top artists to a foreign government,'' Almon said in a statement.

Almon said he was last in Canada in August 2004. In the complaint, he cites more than 80 instances between 1992 and 2003 during which he was detained and questioned by border guards. Almon said he was falsely accused of having a criminal record and subjected to racist comments.

The case is Jerome Almon v. Elinor Caplan, Minister, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, U.S. District Court (Detroit); Case No. 07-cv-10219.

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Toronto at jschneider5@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 16, 2007 13:58 EST