Kanye West was supposed to perform – hip-hop festival canceled a few days beforehand
In a few days, Kanye West would have given his only European concert of the year at a festival. The artist is facing massive criticism for disturbing statements. Now, suddenly, the entire festival has been canceled.
A hip-hop festival in Slovakia has been canceled, at which US rapper Kanye West , who has been heavily criticized for his "Heil Hitler" song, was scheduled to perform. Organizers cited "media pressure and the withdrawal of several artists and partners" as the reason for the cancellation on Instagram. The statement also mentioned "logistical challenges" and "unforeseen consequences." They did not directly address the criticism directed at West. The Rubicon Festival also did not provide any further information when contacted by the AFP news agency on Thursday.
The performance at the festival in the Slovakian capital Bratislava would have been West's only European concert this year. The cancellation comes just days before the event kicks off on July 18. Kanye West was scheduled to perform on July 20.
The rapper, now calling himself Ye, released "Heil Hitler" on May 8, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. In the accompanying video, men in animal skins chant the song title, while West raps about allegedly being constantly misunderstood—including in the custody battle with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The song ends with an excerpt from a Hitler speech.
In recent years, West had repeatedly disturbed people with anti-Semitic and Hitler-glorifying statements.
In February, in an hours-long social media rant, he not only declared that he loved Adolf Hitler, but also retracted an apology he had made in 2023 for previous anti-Semitic statements.
The German sportswear manufacturer Adidas and other companies ended their collaboration with the rapper at the time. Last week, West also lost his visa for Australia, where his wife is from, because of the "Heil Hitler" song.
Die welt
