Kanye West postpones France concert after Minister’s block call

 

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. 

 

Ye addressed the ongoing backlash in a second social media post on Tuesday, stating: “I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it.” While countries like the Netherlands have not yet moved to bar the rapper, his European comeback tour remains largely in jeopardy as governments react to his 2025 output.