Organizers are backing the rapper formerly known as Kanye West after sponsors pull out of London’s Wireless Festival over headliner Ye.
Festival Republic managing director Melvin Benn issued a statement Monday supporting his company’s decision to book Ye.
“Forgiveness and giving people second chances are becoming lost virtues in this increasingly divided world,” he wrote. “I hope that people (like me) look back at the comments in the moment that made them feel disgusted at the possibility of him appearing, and give him a degree of forgiveness and hope, as I have chosen to do.”
Ye, who changed her name in 2021, will perform in front of approximately 150,000 revelers during the festival over three nights from July 10th to 12th.
The rapper has come under widespread criticism in recent years for making anti-Semitic comments and praising Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released a song called “Heil Hitler” and advertised the sale of swastika T-shirts on his website. The 48-year-old apologized for his anti-Semitic comments in a letter published as a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal in January. He said his bipolar disorder caused him to go into a “four-month manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior” that destroyed his life.
Wireless sponsors Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo have pulled out of the festival since Ye was announced as the headliner, although lead sponsor Pepsi did not give a reason. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “very concerned” about the appointment.
“Yeh’s music is being played on commercial radio stations in this country, available on live stream and download without comment or vitriol from anyone, and he has a legal right to enter and perform in this country,” Ben’s statement said.
“We are not giving him a platform to glorify opinions of any nature, but simply to play a song that is currently being played on our nation’s radio stations and our nation’s streaming platforms and is being listened to and enjoyed by millions of people,” the statement continued.
Last week, Ye held two concerts at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, marking his first major U.S. performance in nearly five years. There, fans seemed to separate his personal beliefs and public statements from his music, and after an apology in January they were forgiving.
“I don’t really get into politics or what someone’s personal opinions are. I’m more interested in the artistry of the music,” said Yovani Contreras, one of the fans in attendance. “To me, you will always be you. Kanye will always be Kanye.”
A representative for Mr. Ye did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
