Kanye West postpones France gig until further notice
Kanye West Postpones France Gig Until Further Notice
Kanye West, the American rapper, has delayed an upcoming performance in Marseille, France, “until further notice.” This follows the recent cancellation of the Wireless Festival in the UK, where he was slated to headline, due to the government’s decision to block his entry into the country. French media indicated that Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was considering banning the 11 June event. An anonymous source close to Nunez told AFP that the minister was “highly determined” to prevent the concert from taking place.
Controversial Remarks and Public Apology
West, now known as Ye, has faced backlash over years of antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi statements. In a statement posted on X early Wednesday, he said:
“After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice.”
He added in a follow-up:
“I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends. I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it. My fans are everything to me. Looking forward to the next shows.”
West was originally scheduled to perform at Wireless in London and the Marseille gig as part of a European summer tour. His official website still listed performances in Turkey, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal for May, June, and July. Additionally, he had plans to play in New Delhi, India, in late May. However, the UK government’s refusal to grant him travel authorization sparked the cancellation of the Wireless Festival.
Government Rationale and Past Statements
The UK Home Office stated that West’s travel application to enter the country was denied on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good. This decision came after reports that he had made controversial remarks in 2022, including a post claiming he would go “death con 3 on Jewish people” and a podcast appearance where he praised Hitler. In May 2025, he released a song titled “Heil Hitler” and sold swastika-themed T-shirts.
West has been working to regain public favor following a detailed apology published in the Wall Street Journal in January. In the statement, he asserted:
“I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
He attributed his past statements to a “loss of touch with reality” due to his bipolar disorder.
