The UK government on Tuesday blocked US rapper Kanye West from visiting to headline a music festival amid a backlash over his past antisemitic outbursts, according to the BBC.
The rapper submitted an application to travel to Britain on Monday, but it was refused. This was because his presence would not be conducive to the public good, the broadcaster cited the Home Office as saying.
West was booked to play all three nights at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, London, in July. This is part of a European comeback tour.
Organisers of a London music Festival said on Tuesday the event had been cancelled after the US rapper was barred from Britain.
“As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” organisers said on Instagram, using the name West is now known by.
Kanye offers to meet Jewish community
Kanye West on Tuesday offered to meet members of the British Jewish community. This offer came amid a backlash over the US rapper’s previous antisemitic outbursts.
The offer from the disgraced 48-year-old hip-hop star, now known as Ye, came as drinks giants Pepsi and Diageo pulled out as sponsors of the festival.
Previously asked if the government would intervene to ban West appearing, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “All options remain on the table.”
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In an advert in the Wall Street Journal headlined “To Those I’ve Hurt”, West said he knew he had to make amends.
“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music,” he said.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person.”
In May 2025, West released a song called “Heil Hitler” to mark the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
“I know words aren’t enough, I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here,” he added.
Bipolar excuse
West has previously expressed regret over his antisemitic rants, which he blamed on his bipolar disorder.
But British government minister Wes Streeting told UK broadcasters he regarded West using bipolar disorder “to justify his actions” as “appalling”.
Starmer said earlier it was “deeply concerning” that West had been booked despite “his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the group would be willing to meet West if he pulled out of Wireless.
“The Jewish community will want to see a genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at the Wireless Festival,” he said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has faced calls from politicians and the Campaign Against Antisemitism to intervene to stop West from coming to the UK, because his presence would not be “conducive to the public good”.
West’s European tour has already provoked controversy. In France, the mayor of Marseille said the rapper was “not welcome” for a concert there in June.
