Kanye West could be facing more trouble overseas, as French officials are now looking into legal steps to block him from performing in the country.
On Tuesday (April 14), AFP reported that France’s interior minister, Laurent Nunez, is “highly determined” to prevent the controversial artist from taking the stage at a scheduled June 11 concert in Marseille, citing his past antisemitic remarks.
Back in March, Marseille’s mayor, Benoit Payan, had already made his stance clear, saying he does not support the show going ahead. “I refuse to let Marseille be a showcase for those who promote hatred and unapologetic Nazism,” he wrote on X. “Kanye West is not welcome at the Vélodrome, our temple of living together and of all Marseillais.”
Still, France’s highest administrative court has made it clear that local authorities can only shut down a concert under strict conditions—specifically if there’s a real risk of criminal behavior at the event or a threat to public order.
According to Variety, Laurent Nunez recently met with Jacques Witkowski and Marseille mayor Benoit Payan to figure out what legal options are available to stop the show from happening.
The push to block Kanye West from performing in France follows a similar move in the UK earlier this month. The British government confirmed it would not allow the Grammy-winning artist to perform at Wireless Festival this summer.
The Home Office revealed that Ye had applied for entry through an Electronic Travel Authorization on April 6, but his request was denied. Officials stated that his presence wouldn’t be in the public’s best interest, pointing to his past antisemitic behavior.
Following that decision, Wireless Festival organizers confirmed the London event had been canceled.
Amid the growing backlash, Ye released a statement saying his “only goal” for Wireless was to “present a show of change.”
“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” Ye said in the statement, shared with Complex by festival reps on April 7. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music. I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough. I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
Back in late 2022, Kanye West faced intense backlash after appearing in an interview with controversial conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, where he expressed praise for Adolf Hitler. Rather than walking back his remarks, he doubled down, later releasing merchandise featuring the swastika and recording a track titled “Heil Hitler.”
Earlier this year, Ye also took out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal, issuing a lengthy apology for his antisemitic comments while opening up about living with bipolar disorder and how it has affected his life.
