Kanye’s Upcoming Italy Concert Prompts Commotion
Photo Credit: RCF Arena
Kanye West's upcoming concert in Italy is causing an uproar due to the rapper's descent into antisemitism, after the UK and France already cancelled gigs.
Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, is scheduled to headline the Hellwatt Festival on July 18 at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, Italy. With a capacity of 103,000, the venue is notably one of the biggest arenas in which the controversial rapper will appear — even across his entire career.
But the city's Jewish community, as well as anti-fascist resistance groups, trade unions, and even politicians, are in an uproar, calling for the concert to be cancelled. Previously, the UK had already denied West entry to headline Wireless Festival, which was subsequently cancelled. The rapper's show in Marseille, France, was also postponed, while authorities were reportedly looking to cancel it altogether.
"The United Kingdom denied the visa. France effectively prevented the Marseille concert," said Pina Picierno, vice president of the European Parliament and a senior member of Italy's Democratic Party. "Italy, meanwhile, is just staying idle with 68,000 tickets sold, as if nothing had happened."
While the city of Reggio Emilia was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor in 1950 for its role in the Italian resistance against the Nazis during World War II, the city's current mayor, Marco Massari, is purposely remaining neutral. Massari said he was "distancing himself" from the rapper's behavior and remarks, but noted that any decision regarding his entry into the country and his performance in the city lies with the Ministry of the Interior.
Meanwhile, Hellwatt Festival artistic director Victor Yari Milani defended the decision for Ye to headline, calling the event, "a space for free artistic expression."
"The artist's past comments have certainly provoked a legitimate reaction, but we also want to remember that Ye formally apologized through the Wall Street Journal in January, stating that he is not a Nazi or antisemite, but suffers from bipolar disorder," Milani added.
Over the last few years, Ye has said he loved Nazis and identified as a Nazi, praised Hitler, released a song called "Heil Hitler," and sold t-shirts with a swastika on his merch website. He was dropped from lucrative partnerships with the likes of Adidas and Balenciaga.
Even after issuing yet another apology for his behavior, which he largely attributed to his mental health and a car accident from over two decades ago, numerous human rights organizations are not convinced.
Hellwatt Festival is also anticipated to see performances from Travis Scott, Martin Garrix, and Rita Ora. West still has scheduled stops in Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, as well as a show planned in India.
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