Kanye West under political pressure and accused of anti-Semitic remarks, postpones his concert in Marseille scheduled for June.
The rapper faces a backlash due to his anti-Semitic comments in recent years.
New controversy for Kanye West: under political pressure and accused of anti-Semitic remarks, the rapper postpones his concert in Marseille, while several countries close their doors to him. 15.04.2026, 09:18 15.04.2026, 09:22
Facing opposition from city authorities and the government denouncing his anti-Semitic remarks, “Ye,” also known as Kanye West, announced on Tuesday the postponement of his concert scheduled for June 11 in Marseille, southeast France.
The popularity of the 48-year-old American rapper has been tarnished in recent years due to his anti-Semitic and racist remarks. “I know that it takes time to understand the sincerity of my desire to redeem myself. I fully assume responsibility for my actions, but I don’t want my fans to be caught in the middle of all this,” he explained in another message, adding that he is “ashamed to be at the upcoming concerts.”
The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, had previously expressed being “very determined” to ban the artist’s performance. Following the announcement of his visit, several political figures in Marseille declared him persona non grata.
“I refuse for Marseille to be a showcase for those who promote hatred and Nazi decomplexification. Kanye West is not welcome at the Velodrome, our temple of coexistence and all Marseillais,” stated the left-wing mayor of the city, Benoît Payan.
Banned from entering the UK at the beginning of the month for similar reasons, the organizers of the Wireless Festival, where the rapper was the headliner, canceled the event that was supposed to take place from July 10-12 in London.
However, the Netherlands have no plans to ban Ye’s concerts on June 6 and 8, arguing that a potential risk to public order or national security is necessary to prohibit anyone from entering the country, according to the Minister of Asylum and Migration, Bart van den Brink.
Author of a song celebrating Adolf Hitler on May 8, 2025, banned by major streaming platforms, Kanye West assured that he is “neither a Nazi nor anti-Semitic,” citing his bipolar disorder and a “manic phase.”
“We feel like it’s others who are exaggerating. We feel like we see the world more clearly than ever when in reality we are completely losing our minds,” he defended in a letter to the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, the artist with 24 Grammys, once celebrated for his original music writing and successful productions.
“I regret my actions in this state and I am deeply mortified. I commit to taking responsibility, seeking treatment, and making real and lasting changes,” Kanye West stated. In 2023, Kanye West already claimed to “love Nazis” and sold a t-shirt adorned with a swastika on his website.
Hot off the press! The latest celebrity news!
A framed photograph of Prince Andrew ended up at the Louvre.
26 absolutely kitschy cars spotted in Miami.
