Kanye West has postponed a concert in France “until further notice”.
The controversial rapper had been due to perform at the Orange Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 11, but he’s now called off the gig and insisted the decision was his alone.
In a post on X, the hip-hop star – also known as Ye – wrote: “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice.”
The postponement of the show comes after a backlash over the booking with Mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan insisting he was not happy about West performing in the city due to his previous history of anti-semitic comments.
In a post on X in March, the politician wrote: “I refuse to let Marseille become a showcase for those who promote hatred and unapologetic Nazism. Kanye West is not welcome at the Velodrome, our temple of living together and of all Marseillais.”
French interior minister Laurent Nunez also opposed the booking, with a spokesperson telling Politico the politician was “very determined” to make sure the concert did not go ahead.
The postponement comes a week after London’s Wireless Festival was cancelled after the rapper – who had been set to headline all three nights of the event in July – was blocked from coming to the UK by the Home Office.
It followed criticism from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who went on to defend the decision not to let West enter the country.
In a post on X, he wrote: “This government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.
“We will always take the action necessary to protect the public and uphold our values.”
Wireless Festival organisers announced the cancellation of the event following the Home Office’s decision to bar the Stronger rapper from entering the UK.
A statement from festival organisers read: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.”
It added: “As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time. “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 UK.”
The decision to book West for the Finsbury Park festival led to sponsors such as Pepsi and Diageo withdrawing their support for the event but the star – who previously expressed admiration for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler – had vowed to bring “peace, and love” to Wireless and offered to meet with “members of the Jewish community”.
In a statement released before the Home Office’s decision, the 48-year-old rapper said: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.
“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
