Photo Credit: @wirelessfest (Instagram)
Kanye West has been announced as headliner for this year’s Wireless Festival in London. Now, the Jewish Leadership Council has condemned that choice.
This year’s Wireless Festival in London will feature disgraced musician Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, as its headliner for all three nights of this summer’s edition. The event marks a return to UK stages for the rapper after more than a decade away—but it’s also a highly controversial choice, after Ye’s outspoken antisemitism.
The Jewish Leadership Council has condemned the festival for the choice, calling festival organizers “deeply irresponsible.” Similarly, London Mayor Sadiq Khan released a statement clarifying that the decision was made exclusively by festival organizers, and not the city itself.
“We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values. This was a decision taken by the festival organizers and not one that City Hall is involved in,” said a Sadiq Khan spokesperson.
“It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless Festival to be headlining Kanye West,” said a spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council. “The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green, and foiled plots which would have killed many more.”
“West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging,” their statement continued. “His most recent apology must be considered in the context that he went on to sell swastika T-shirts and release a song called ‘Heil Hitler’ after apologizing previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”
Meanwhile, rapper and singer Azealia Banks has used the opportunity to call for a return to UK stages following the announcement that West would be headlining the festival. She suggested that her own trajectory as an artist was interrupted after her appearances were cancelled in recent years for her remarks, especially on social media, that drew public backlash.
“Ok sweet, so… can the UK rebook all of the canceled Azealia Banks concerts?” she wrote. “I was on a roll and about to be prime for the O2 arena.”
Banks has drawn criticism for a variety of comments, including racist and homophobic remarks. Last year, a series of posts seen as Islamophobic drew further condemnation and led to a slew of cancellations.
