Recommendations of the Editorial team
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has commented on Kanye West’s recently announced appearance at the Wireless Festival 2026 in London. The rapper, who now calls himself Ye, is scheduled to perform at the city’s Finsbury Park on July 10, 11 and 12.
“We are of the clear opinion that this artist’s past statements and actions are offensive, wrong and simply do not reflect London’s values. This decision was made by the festival organizers and is not one in which City Hall was involved,” a spokesperson for the mayor told Rolling Stone.
On Tuesday, March 31, the annual hip-hop event announced the artist’s appearance. “11 years later, Ye returns to London for a three-day journey through his most iconic records,” says the festival’s website. Given the rapper’s controversial statements and his past anti-Semitic outbursts – for which he has since apologized – the news was met with immediate outrage in the UK and beyond.
Sharp criticism from the Jewish community
The Jewish Leadership Council described the announcement to The Guardian as “deeply irresponsible.” “West has repeatedly used his platform to spread anti-Semitism and pro-Nazi messages… Every venue and festival should think twice before giving Kanye West a platform for his anti-Semitism,” the spokesperson added. Singer and actor Benjamin Haim-Isaac also told BBC Newsbeat: “This really makes you question whether the organizers of this festival support the Jewish community at all.”
Representatives of the Wireless Festival did not initially respond to ROLLING STONE’s request.
Last week, Ye released his twelfth studio album, “Bully,” his first in four years. It is also the latest project after the anti-Semitic song “Heil Hitler” from 2025.
