UK Prime Minister Slams London Festival for Hosting Kanye West Amid Antisemitism Concerns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed alarm over the upcoming performances by rapper Kanye West, known as Ye, who has a troubling history of antisemitic comments and even released a song titled "Heil Hitler."

The 48-year-old artist is set to headline the Wireless Festival in London this July, part of a broader European tour that has already sparked controversy.

Starmer conveyed his concerns in an interview with The Sun, stating it is "deeply concerning" that West has been booked for the festival despite his past remarks and glorification of Nazism.

He emphasized that "antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly," highlighting the need for accountability in the entertainment industry.

In a related development, Pepsi, initially the main sponsor of the Wireless Festival, announced its decision to withdraw sponsorship. However, as of Sunday, Pepsi was still listed as a headline sponsor on the festival's official website, which described their ongoing partnership with the event.

PepsiCo, the parent company of Pepsi, did not provide immediate comments regarding the situation when approached by media outlets.

Jewish organizations and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have voiced their disapproval of West's scheduled performances since the announcement was made last month on social media platforms.

West's European tour has faced backlash in other cities as well; the mayor of Marseille publicly stated that he is "not welcome" for a concert planned there in June.

While West has expressed remorse for his antisemitic outbursts, attributing them to his bipolar disorder, his actions continue to raise significant concerns.

In May 2025, he released "Heil Hitler" to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, a move that led to the song being banned from major streaming services.