US rapper Kanye West said on Tuesday (local time) that he “would be grateful” to members of the UK’s Jewish community, days after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concerns about him headlining the festival, the BBC reported.
Starmer expressed concern following West’s anti-Semitic remarks in the past.
Kanye West, who is now known as Ye, said in a statement that he had been “following the conversation around Wireless and wanted to address it directly”, adding: “My only goal is to come to London and put on a show of change that will bring about unity, peace and love through my music.”
Read also | Kanye West likely to perform in India for the first time in April 2026: Report
Kanye West at a meeting with Jews in Great Britain
West has now offered to meet in person with members of the Jewish community to “listen”, adding: “I know words aren’t enough – I’m going to have to show change with my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
Melvin Benn, chief executive of Festival Republic, which promotes the Wireless Festival, said the 48-year-old rapper had reportedly been granted a visa to perform in the UK “in the last few days”. However, he noted that the Home Secretary can cancel his visa and restrict his entry into the country. “If she’s going to do it, she’s going to do it, and then there’s the issue of his appearance,” Benn added.
The BBC reported that the Home Office noted that it was “not aware of any immediate plans” for West to visit the UK, but “his entry clearance is currently under review”.
Read also | Kanye West to perform in UK: Starmer expresses concern; here’s why
The West Stokes Controversy
For almost half a decade, the American rapper has been causing controversy after a series of anti-Semitic, racist and pro-Nazi comments. In addition to his many inflammatory statements, West also released a song called “Heil Hitler” and sold swastika merchandise. After the release of Heil Hitler, he was banned from entering Australia. He also declared himself a Nazi on various occasions. But he apologized in a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year.
He wrote: “I’m not a Nazi or an anti-Semite”, adding that bipolar disorder can cause a person to be unaware of their illness during manic episodes, adding that he has “lost touch with reality”.
Starmer expresses concern over West’s UK tour
Starmer expressed concern, saying on 5 April that Ye had been enrolled “despite his previous anti-Semitic remarks and glorification of Nazism”. He noted: “Anti-Semitism in any form is abhorrent and must be dealt with firmly wherever it occurs.
Sponsors withdraw from Wireless Festival
Amid strong opposition and criticism from politicians, several sponsors pulled out of the event. Benn said Festival Republic failed to consult members of the Jewish community before booking West to headline three days of the event.
Among the sponsors that have pulled out is Pepsi, the festival’s main sponsor, the report said. The promoter, who also runs Reading & Leeds Festival, agreed that West’s past behavior was “abhorrent” and “disgusting”, but highlighted the role his mental health may have played and asked for understanding.
Read also | Kanye West in hot water over ‘Heil Hitler’ track; Australia cancels visa
Jews willing to meet the West on condition
Phil Rosenberg, chairman of the board of British Jews, told the BBC he was only willing to meet Kanye West if the rapper agreed to cancel his show. He said: “The Jewish community will want to see real repentance and change before they believe that the Wireless Festival main stage is an appropriate place to test that sincerity.”
However, it remains to be seen whether the British government will cancel West’s entry into the country.
