Ye, the artist previously known as Kanye West, has decided to delay his upcoming concert in Marseille after French authorities indicated they would move to prohibit the event. This comes on the heels of Ye being barred from entering the U.K., where he was set to headline the Wireless Festival in July, due to backlash surrounding his history of making antisemitic comments.
In a statement shared on the social platform X, Ye expressed that he had carefully considered the situation before opting to postpone his Marseille show indefinitely. He emphasized his commitment to rectifying past issues, stating, “I understand that it will take time for my efforts to be truly recognized.”
The rapper, who adopted the name Ye in 2021, was originally slated to perform at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome on June 11. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez vowed to explore all avenues to prevent the concert from proceeding as planned.
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan had previously voiced opposition to Ye’s visit to the culturally diverse city, citing concerns about promoting hatred and Nazism. Payan asserted, “Kanye West is not welcome at the Vélodrome, our symbol of unity and belonging for all Marseillais.”
Ye has faced widespread criticism for his antisemitic statements and expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler. Notably, he released a song titled “Heil Hitler” and advertised a swastika T-shirt on his website last year. Australian authorities revoked his visa in July following the song’s release.
In a letter published as a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January, the 48-year-old artist attributed his controversial behavior to his bipolar disorder, describing a manic episode that adversely affected his life. Ye took full responsibility for his actions in his recent X post, emphasizing his desire to shield his fans from the turmoil while expressing anticipation for future performances.