American rapper Kanye West will no longer perform at this summer’s Wireless Festival after U.K. officials blocked his travel to the country.
West, legally known as Ye, applied for entry to the U.K. via an Electronic Travel Authorisation on Monday. However, the U.K. Home Office denied his application, reportedly stating that his presence “would not be conducive to the public good,” according to the BBC.
In response, Wireless Festival announced it was canceling the event. “As a result of the Home Office banning Ye from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel. All ticket holders will receive an automatic full refund,” the organisers said.
The festival also addressed public concerns regarding antisemitism, saying: “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.
As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the U.K.”
Reports indicate that Ye’s travel application was initially granted online but later rescinded after review. The decision follows widespread criticism of the rapper for making antisemitic remarks, including expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released a song titled Heil Hitler and sold a swastika-themed T-shirt.
In January, Ye placed a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal, attributing his previous statements to his bipolar disorder and offering to meet with members of the U.K.’s Jewish community.
Over the weekend, Keir Starmer also criticised the festival booking, calling it “deeply concerning” that Ye had been scheduled to perform despite his previous antisemitic remarks and apparent celebration of Nazism.
