Kanye West banned from entering the UK
Kanye West has been banned from entering the UK.
Ye is scheduled to headline all three nights at Wireless Festival in July, but has been refused entry to the country.
According to the BBC, the Home Office revealed that Kanye filed an application to travel to the UK on April 6th via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
However, he was blocked because his presence was deemed to not be conducive to the public good.
Last week, it was announced that Kanye would be headlining Wireless at Finsbury Park on July 10th, 11th and 12th.
However, the booking has received backlash following the rapper’s history of antisemitic comments. Various brands withdrew their sponsorship of the event, including Pepsi, PayPal, Rockstar Energy Drink, Budweiser, BeatBox, and Diageo.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the booking over the weekend. “It is deeply concerning Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism,” he said in a statement.
He continued, “Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
Kanye, who apologised for his antisemitic comments in January, later shared a response to the controversy. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music,” he said. “I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.”
He added, “I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”