Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has decided to delay his upcoming performance in Marseille after French authorities indicated they would move to prohibit the concert. This choice by Ye comes following his recent ban from entering the U.K., where he was slated to headline the Wireless Festival in July, due to backlash over his history of antisemitic comments.
In a statement posted on the social platform X, Ye expressed that after careful consideration, he personally chose to postpone his Marseille show until further notice, acknowledging the time needed for others to understand his genuine efforts to make amends. The rapper, who officially changed his name in 2021, was initially set to perform at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome on June 11.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has affirmed his commitment to exploring all avenues to prevent the show from proceeding as planned. Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan had previously opposed Ye’s visit to the culturally diverse city, emphasizing a stance against hosting individuals who promote hatred and extremist ideologies.
Ye has faced significant backlash for his past antisemitic statements and expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler. He released a controversial song titled “Heil Hitler” and advertised a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website last year, leading to the cancellation of his visa by Australian authorities. In a letter published in the Wall Street Journal in January, the 48-year-old artist attributed his actions to a manic episode induced by his bipolar disorder.
In his recent message on X, Ye took full responsibility for his actions and expressed his commitment to not involve his fans in the controversy. He emphasized the importance of his fans and expressed eagerness for future performances, stating, “Looking forward to the next shows. See you at the top of the globe.”
