Ye, the artist previously known as Kanye West, has decided to delay his upcoming performance in Marseille, France, following the announcement by French authorities of their intention to prohibit the concert. This choice by Ye comes after facing a ban from entering the United Kingdom, where he was set to headline the Wireless Festival in July, due to backlash surrounding his history of antisemitic statements.
Expressing his decision on the social platform X, Ye stated, “After careful consideration, I have chosen to postpone my Marseille, France show until further notice.” He emphasized the need for time to appreciate the sincerity of his efforts to make amends. The rapper, who officially changed his name in 2021, was initially slated to perform at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome on June 11.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed their 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, citing concerns about promoting hatred and Nazism.
Ye has faced significant backlash for his past antisemitic remarks and expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. Notably, he released a song titled “Heil Hitler” and promoted a swastika T-shirt on his website. Following the release of the single, Australian authorities revoked Ye’s visa in July. In a public apology published in the Wall Street Journal in January, the 48-year-old attributed his actions to a manic episode resulting from his bipolar disorder.
In his recent X post, Ye took responsibility for his actions while expressing his desire not to involve his fans in the controversy. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and anticipated forthcoming performances, stating, “My fans mean everything to me. Looking forward to the next shows. See you at the top of the globe.”