Kanye West sparks backlash over London festival appearance

The withdrawal of sponsors and criticism from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: the participation of Kanye West in a London festival this summer has sparked controversy in the United Kingdom, after the American rapper in recent years has been involved in antisemitic and racist remarks.

The 48-year-old singer, known by the stage name Ye, is expected to perform in a series of concerts at the Wireless Festival in London in July, CE Report quotes ANSA.

“It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at the Wireless Festival, given his past antisemitic comments and his praise of Nazism,” Starmer said in the Sunday edition of The Sun.

“Antisemitism, in all its forms, is abhorrent and must be firmly opposed wherever it appears,” he insisted.

Several representatives of Jewish organizations and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, have protested against Kanye West’s presence. “It is deplorable that venues have invited someone who, not long ago, spread conspiracy theories and admired Hitler (...), including onto one of the stages of the UK’s biggest festivals,” commented the Campaign Against Antisemitism on X.