Worldview

Kanye offers to meet Jewish community in UK after Wireless controversy

In a statement, the rapper now known as Ye said he had been "following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly".

Kanye West has said he "would be grateful" to meet members of the Jewish community in the UK after controversy over his headline booking at this year's Wireless Festival.


In a statement, the rapper now known as Ye said he had been "following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly".


"My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music," he continued.


Ye offered to meet members of the community in person "to listen", adding: "I know words aren't enough - I'll have to show change through my actions. If you're open, I'm here."


The controversial rapper has caused outrage for almost half a decade of anti-semitic and pro-Nazi comments.


Amongst his many incendiary statements, West released a song called Heil Hitler, and sold merchandise featuring the swastika.


He apologised in a lengthy statement published in the Wall Street Journal in January and blamed manic episodes caused by his bipolar disorder.


Since then, he has been seeking to a return to mainstream public view.





Last week, he played two sold out concerts at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, with guest appearances by Travis Scott and Lauryn Hill.


West did not explicitly mention his history of anti-semitic comments on stage, but told the audience: "Tonight we're going to put all this behind us, ain't that right LA?"


The backlash over West's scheduled appearance at Wireless in July has seen multiple sponsors pull out of the event and criticism from politicians.


On Sunday, the managing director of the festival defended the decision to choose West as a headliner, encouraging people to offer the rapper "forgiveness".


However, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday, Melvin Benn admitted that his company, Festival Republic, had failed to consult with Jewish communities in the UK before making the booking.


"Potentially we should have done," he said, "and that may prove to be a mistake that we made."


Benn added that Pepsi, the festival's headline sponsor, had originally "signed off" on West's appearance - although it has since distanced itself from the event following the controversy.


He agreed that West's past behaviour was "abhorrent" and "disgusting", but highlighted the role that the star's mental health may have played, and asked for understanding.















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