Ye's upcoming Italy performance to be canceled after UK, France?
What's the story
The Italian government is facing pressure from trade unions and politicians to cancel rapper Ye's (Kanye West) upcoming performance at the Hellwatt Festival. The 48-year-old musician is currently on his comeback tour in Europe, but several countries, including the UK, France, and Poland, have already canceled his performances due to backlash over his past antisemitic remarks. Despite this, Italy has reportedly sold 68,000 tickets for the Reggio Emilia music festival, where the rapper is set to headline on July 18.
Political response
Vice President of European Parliament speaks out
Pina Picierno, the vice president of the European Parliament and a senior member of Italy's Democratic Party, criticized the government's inaction over Ye's upcoming concert. She told La Gazzetta di Reggio, "The United Kingdom denied the visa. France effectively prevented the Marseille concert." "Italy, meanwhile, is just staying idle with 68,000 tickets sold, as if nothing had happened."
Festival defense
Hellwatt Festival director defends booking Ye
Despite the backlash, Victor Yari Milani, the founder and artistic director of the Hellwatt Festival, defended Ye. He described the festival as "a space for free artistic expression." In a statement to ANSA, he acknowledged, "The artist's past comments have certainly provoked a legitimate reaction." "But we also want to remember that Ye formally apologized through the Wall Street Journal in January, stating that he is not a Nazi or antisemite but suffers from bipolar disorder."
Apology details
Ye issued an apology in January
In January, Ye issued a public apology for his past offensive outbursts through a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal. He blamed a brain injury from a near-fatal car crash in 2002 for his erratic behavior, including public antisemitic rants. He also said the brain injury played a role in his struggle with bipolar disorder, which he was diagnosed with in 2016. After Italy, Ye's European tour has four remaining scheduled stops: Turkey, the Netherlands, Madrid, and Portugal.