Kanye West breaks silence after Wireless backlash as he calls to meet Jewish community

Lydia Davies
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:59:52 +0000

Kanye West has responded to the backlash over his proposed headline slot at Wireless Festival.

The rapper, whose past antisemitic comments have sparked calls for him to be banned from the upcoming UK festival appearance, has now offered to meet with the British Jewish community to "listen."

In a statement, addressed to "those I've hurt", Mr West said: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly.

"My goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in London in person, to listen."

The rapper continued: "I know words aren’t enough. I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here. Love Ye.”

Mr West's statement comes as corporate sponsors are abandoning London's Wireless Festival in growing numbers following the announcement that the rapper will headline all three nights of the July event.

Pepsi, which had been the primary partner for the Finsbury Park festival under the Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless branding for a decade, confirmed its withdrawal over the weekend.

Drinks giant Diageo, whose portfolio includes Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, swiftly followed suit, informing organisers it would not be supporting the 2026 edition.

Rockstar Energy Drink has also pulled out, according to sources.

The mass exodus stems from Mr West's well-documented history of antisemitic statements and Nazi sympathies, including releasing a track titled Heil Hitler last year and selling swastika merchandise through his website.

Sir Keir Starmer has described the booking as "deeply concerning," stating: "It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Tasha Ghouri opens up on how BBC Pilgrimage changed atheist beliefs: 'Something out there!'

BBC The Apprentice star shares unexpected wish for Lord Sugar replacement: 'She's scary!'

BBC confirms Scott Mills' replacement on upcoming television project following axe

The Prime Minister added: "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."

The Campaign Against Antisemitism is now demanding ministers prevent Mr West from setting foot in Britain altogether.

The organisation responded to the Prime Minister's criticism on X, saying: "The Prime Minister is not a bystander. The Government can ban anyone from entering the UK who is not a citizen and whose presence would 'not be conducive to the public good'. Surely this is a clear case."

Labour MP Rachael Maskell has backed the call for an entry ban.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the York Central representative said: "We cannot allow these performers to have a platform, and that's why it's absolutely right that the Prime Minister has said that that festival, the Wireless festival, should cancel that performer."

Jewish community leaders have united in condemnation.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called it "absolutely the wrong decision" to give Mr West a platform.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said the booking was "causing distress to Britain's Jewish community due to his previous antisemitism and support for Hitler."

Despite the British backlash, Mr West's career appears to be experiencing a resurgence Stateside.

His latest album Bully entered the Billboard 200 at number two last week with 152,000 equivalent album units, while two concerts at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium sold out, reportedly generating approximately $33 million (£24.9 million).

The rapper, who also goes by Ye, took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal in January apologising for his behaviour.

In an open letter, he wrote: "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."

He attributed his actions to a "four-month-long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour" linked to his bipolar disorder.

The Wireless appearance would mark West's first UK performance since headlining Glastonbury in 2015.