Thursday, April 16, 2026 - U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, announced late Tuesday the postponement of his upcoming concert in Marseille, France.
The decision follows reports that French Interior Minister
Laurent Nuñez was exploring legal avenues to block the performance, originally
scheduled for June 11, 2026, at the Stade Vélodrome. “After much thought and
consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France
until further notice,” the rapper wrote on X.
The push to ban the 48-year-old artist gained momentum after
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan publicly opposed the visit in March, labeling the
stadium a "temple of living together" that should not serve as a
showcase for hatred.
French authorities cited Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks
and his controversial May 2025 release of the song "Heil Hitler"—a
track that featured Nazi slogans and was widely banned from streaming
platforms—as primary reasons for the potential block.
While Ye has recently attempted to make amends, including a
full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal blaming his past conduct on a
manic episode, French officials remained skeptical of the "sincerity"
of his commitment.
The controversy in France mirrors recent setbacks for the
rapper across Europe and Australia. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom
formally blocked Ye from entering the country, forcing the cancellation of the
Wireless Festival in London. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the
initial booking as “deeply concerning,” stating that the government would take
necessary action to uphold national values.
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