France Considers Banning Kanye West from Performing in Marseille
France is considering banning rapper and singer Kanye West, known professionally as Ye, from performing in Marseille due to his history of making antisemitic remarks. The artist is scheduled to perform at the Velodrome stadium on June 11, but this event has sparked significant backlash.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has expressed strong determination to explore all available options to prevent the concert from taking place. A source close to the minister told AFP that the government is looking into every possibility to stop the performance, which would be the only one Ye has planned in France this summer.
The city’s socialist mayor, Benoît Payan, previously stated that Ye is “not welcome” in Marseille. He took to social media to express his stance, saying: “I refuse to let Marseille be a showcase for those who promote hatred and unabashed Nazism.”
Ye, who changed his name to Ye in 2021, faced criticism last year after releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler” and advertising a swastika T-shirt on his website. These actions have drawn widespread condemnation from various groups and individuals.
France’s decision to block Ye from performing in Marseille follows a similar move by the United Kingdom. The UK government barred him from entering the country, leading to the cancellation of his planned performance at the Wireless Festival in July. Festival organizers canceled the three-day outdoor event, offering refunds to ticket holders.
West had applied for an electronic travel authorisation to visit the UK, but it was denied because his presence would not be “conducive to the public good.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented on the situation, stating: “Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless. This government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.”
The festival was expected to feature Ye’s first UK dates in over a decade, with around 150,000 attendees anticipated over three nights. Other acts for the festival had not yet been announced when the decision was made.
Organizers faced pressure from sponsors and politicians to cancel the gigs. Ye has been widely criticized for his antisemitic remarks and admiration for Adolf Hitler. In January, he issued an apology through a letter published as a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. He attributed his behavior to a four-month manic episode linked to his bipolar disorder.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described Ye’s actions as a “pattern of behaviour,” citing both the song and merchandise. He also accused Ye of using mental health as an excuse for his actions.
Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn had previously called Ye’s comments “abhorrent” but defended the booking, arguing that artists should be given second chances.
Jewish groups welcomed the visa decision. The Board of Deputies of British Jews emphasized that meaningful engagement requires genuine remorse, while the Jewish Leadership Council condemned the booking amid a rise in antisemitic attacks.
Ye has not performed in Britain since headlining Glastonbury in 2015. Sponsors such as Diageo, Pepsi, and Anheuser-Busch InBev withdrew support for the Wireless Festival, and PayPal stated its branding would not appear in future promotions.
This is a breaking news story, and more updates are expected.
