US rapper Kanye West postponed his concert in the southern French city of Marseille, following reports that the country's interior minister was seeking to block the performance due to take place on 11 June.
France's interior minister Laurent Nunez was seeking to block West, also known as Ye, from performing in the southern port city in a concert scheduled for 11 June due to his antisemitic remarks, French news agency AFP reported earlier on Tuesday.
The announcement comes a week after the summer's Wireless Festival in London – which West had been scheduled to headline – was cancelled following Britain's decision to block him from entering the country. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had called booking West "deeply concerning."
Last month, Benoit Payan, the mayor of Marseille, said he opposed the controversial performer's visit, saying he refused "to allow Marseille to be a showcase for those who promote hatred".
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Antisemitic remarks
"After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice," the rapper wrote on social media platform X.
West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.
West wrote in another X post on Tuesday that "I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends."
"I take full responsibility for what's mine but I don't want to put my fans in the middle of it," he added.
In May 2025, the rapper released a song called Heil Hitler, months after advertising a swastika t-shirt for sale on his website.
The song was banned by major streaming platforms. West subsequently expressed regret for his conduct, blaming it on his bipolar disorder.
Dutch Asylum and Migration Minister Bart van den Brink said last week there were no plans as yet to bar the rapper from the Netherlands.
(with AFP)
