The prime minister has said it is “deeply concerning” that Kanye West has been booked for a London music festival “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism”.
The 48-year-old rapper – who has not performed in the UK since he headlined Glastonbury in 2015 – will top the bill for all three nights of Wireless festival in July.
In the time since he last performed on UK soil, West has drawn criticism for antisemitic X posts, a Super Bowl advert directing people to a swastika t-shirt and a song referencing Hitler.
Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: “It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.”
West, also known as Ye, has been barred from X over antisemitism on multiple occasions.
West’s last UK performance was 11 years ago. Pic: AP
In December 2022, the Power rapper’s account was suspended after a post showing a swastika inside a Star of David.
Adidas, which worked with West on his Yeezy trainers, cut ties with him after the incident and donated more than $150m (£117m) to anti-hate groups.
In February last year, West deleted his account after being criticised for posting “hate-filled” remarks about Jewish people, as well as writing “I love Hitler” and “I’m a Nazi”.
Weeks later, he drew criticism over a TV advert that directed people to a website selling a swastika t-shirt and released a song titled Heil Hitler.
In January, West took out a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal to apologise to Jewish and black people, titled: “To Those I’ve Hurt.”
“I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” it said. “I love Jewish people.”
Read more:
Men in court over attack on Jewish charity ambulances
Antisemitism claims in city known for inclusivity
The 48-year-old attributed his previous outbursts to his bipolar-1 disorder, writing: “In early 2025, I fell into a four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life.
“I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret.”
“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change,” he continued. “It does not excuse what I did though.”
Wireless Festival was contacted for comment.
