By — Jill Lawless, Associated Press Jill Lawless, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/rapper-ye-blocked-from-entering-britain-to-headline-festival Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Rapper Ye blocked from entering Britain to headline festival World Apr 7, 2026 9:32 AM EDT LONDON (AP) — The rapper formerly known as Kanye West has been barred from entering the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to perform at the Wireless Festival in July. It came after government officials condemned Ye's history of antisemitic remarks. READ MORE: Pressure grows to remove Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, as the headliner of London summer music festival The festival's organizers confirmed the ban and said the entire three-day festival was being canceled as a result. Ye's travel authorization had been blocked on the grounds that the performer's presence in the U.K. would not be "conducive to the public good," the BBC said, citing the Home Office. Ye was booked to perform in front of around 150,000 revelers July 10-12 at the open-air festival in London's Finsbury Park. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Jill Lawless, Associated Press Jill Lawless, Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — The rapper formerly known as Kanye West has been barred from entering the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to perform at the Wireless Festival in July. It came after government officials condemned Ye's history of antisemitic remarks. READ MORE: Pressure grows to remove Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, as the headliner of London summer music festival The festival's organizers confirmed the ban and said the entire three-day festival was being canceled as a result. Ye's travel authorization had been blocked on the grounds that the performer's presence in the U.K. would not be "conducive to the public good," the BBC said, citing the Home Office. Ye was booked to perform in front of around 150,000 revelers July 10-12 at the open-air festival in London's Finsbury Park. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now