Wireless Festival booking of racist rapper Kanye West ‘completely unacceptable’
Antisemitic musician, who has repeatedly expressed Neo-Nazi sentiments, announced as headline act for the Finsbury Park event in July
Racist rapper Kanye West is to headline a major music festival in London this summer, in a move described as “completely unacceptable” and “deeply irresponsible”.
The Wireless Festival, set to take place in Finsbury Park, announced on Monday that the rapper, who has become infamous for antisemitic and Neo-Nazi outbursts, would be appearing “live” for “three nights”- 10, 11 and 12 July.
West has had two major and extended episodes in which he has described himself as a Nazi and publicly disparaged Jewish people. During the first, in 2022, he talked about going “Deathcon 3 [sic] on Jewish people”, claimed that he was being targeted by “the Jewish media” said “I am a Nazi”, and “there’s a a lot of things I love about Hitler”. He was ultimately dropped by sports giant Adidas, with whom he had previously enjoyed a successful and highly lucrative partnership, via the “Yeezy” trainer line.
Having apologised to the Jewish community in 2023, in 2025 West publicly revoked that apology, saying, “I’m never apologising for my Jewish comments. I can say whatever the f— I wanna say forever”. He went on to describe himself as “a Nazi” again and in May 2025 released a song called “Heil Hitler”. He purchased a Superbowl ad which directed people to buy merchandise from his website, including clothes featuring a black swastika. As a result, West was dropped by his talent agency and banned from entering Australia.
In early 2026 West issued a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal, blaming his behaviour on a previously undiagnosed brain injury.
A spokesperson for CST said: “It is completely unacceptable that Kanye West has been announced as a headliner for Wireless Festival despite his well‑documented record of antisemitic comments, including the release of a song titled ‘Heil Hitler’. While he has since apologised, this does not erase the impact of his words or actions and there is little confidence that he will not repeat his appalling views in future.
“We saw last summer the damage that can be done by major music festivals giving a platform to people with extreme, hateful views. Antisemitism causes real harm to Jewish communities and decisions like this risk signalling that anti-Jewish racism is welcome in the music industry.”
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council said: “It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless Festival to be headlining Kanye West. 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.
“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 apologising previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”
Jewish News has contacted both Wireless and its sponsor, Pepsi, to ask whether they had considered West’s repeated behaviour when deciding to choose him to headline the festival. They were also asked whether they had considered the possibility that West might again engage in antisemitic and explicitly neo-Nazi behaviour, including on stage underneath their logos. At the time of writing, neither had responded. Similarly, Jeremy Corbyn, MP for North Islington, which includes Finsbury Park, did not respond to a request for comment. Last weekend Corbyn spoke at a rally “against the far right”.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Kanye West has dedicated years of his life to trying to incite his followers to hate Jews. He has more followers than there are Jews on Earth, so his incitement has a huge impact. His cycle of apology and relapse has become a routine, so as with any addict once again we must wait to see if this time is any different.
“What is notable is that the latest apology came on the eve of the release of a new album. It is disappointing that venues have been so quick to invite someone who was so recently peddled conspiracy theories, Hitler worship and bigoted lies – including now one of the UK’s biggest festival stages. If he remains on the right path and makes more effort to make amends, that is well and good, but if he returns to his old ways these venues will have much to answer for.”
A Board of Deputies spokesperson said that the organisation “will be writing to the organisers of the Wireless festival to raise our concerns around Kanye West’s previous comments around Jews, as well as seeking assurances that the safety of Jewish attendees at the festival will assured.”
Jewish News has also contacted the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for comment.