Even in France there is talk of a ban on Kanye West

The troubles for Kanye West do not end: as reported by Le Monde citing AFP sources, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez is exploring “all possibilities” to prevent the rapper’s concert from taking place on June 11, due to the anti-Semitic statements made by the artist in recent years. The decision is not yet final, but the minister is said to be determined to block the event and even the city mayor has declared himself against it

The case comes after what happened in the United Kingdom, where the government banned the rapper from entering, deeming his presence not “in the interest of the public good”. The ban led to the cancellation of London’s Wireless Festival, where Ye was expected to headline, with tickets refunded.

In recent years, Kanye West has been at the center of numerous controversies for anti-Semitic and racist statements, including interviews, posts on social media and songs such as “Heil Hitler”. After a new public apology, the artist proposed a meeting with representatives of the Jewish community, but several organizations reiterated their opposition to his concerts, underlining the seriousness and continuity of his utterances.

Kanye West is expected in Italy, at the Rcf Arena in Reggio Emilia on July 18th for the Hellwat Festival. Despite the protests of local associations, Victor Yari Milani, founder and artistic director of the Festival, made it known that the event is confirmed: “Hellwatt Festival is a space of free artistic expression, open to the great personalities of global music. We have put together an ambitious program that looks beyond national borders and aims to position the Italian festival alongside major global events. With music we want to unite people from all over the world and of all generations, not create divisions.” And again: «Kanye West has confirmed his presence next July 18th at the Hellwatt Festival for his first big concert in our country and we are happy to host him for a show that promises to be unique. Surely the artist’s comments in the past have provoked a legitimate reaction, but we also want to remember that Ye formally apologized in the Wall Street Journal, stating that he is not a Nazi or an anti-Semite but that he suffers from a bipolar disorder. The values of the festival must not be questioned: respect and inclusion”.