AP Yonhap

AP reported on the 7th (local time) that the UK government had denied entry to U.S. rapper Ye (Ye·formerly known as Kanye West), who has stirred controversy with anti-Jewish remarks. Citing the UK Home Office, the BBC reported the same day that entry was refused because a travel authorization for Ye “would not be in the public interest.”

Ye was scheduled to headline the ‘Wireless Festival’ to be held in Finsbury Park, London, from July 10∼12, performing before about 150,000 attendees. The festival organizers announced that the event was canceled that day and that tickets would be refunded. Earlier that day, before the UK government decision, Ye issued a statement saying, “I know words are not enough. We need to show change through action.”

After Ye’s performance schedule was made public, the UK government took issue with his praise of the Nazis and anti-Jewish remarks, and companies withdrew sponsorship of the festival. U.S. soft drink company Pepsi, energy drink brand Rockstar Energy, drinks company Diageo, and online payment company PayPal decided to halt sponsorship or not allow use of their brands.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier expressed concern when Ye was confirmed as a ‘Wireless Festival’ performer, saying it was “very concerning.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer had hinted at blocking entry, stating, “Anti-Semitism is abhorrent in any form and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.”

Since 2022, Ye has posted on social media writings that appeared anti-Semitic, such as “going into DEFCON 3 against Jews.” He released a song titled with the Nazi slogan “Heil Hitler” and also sold T-shirts emblazoned with the Nazi symbol, the Hakenkreuz.

As criticism spread that he praised the Nazis, Ye placed a full-page apology advertisement in The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in January, explaining that his behavior was due to mental health.