US rapper Kanye West has postponed his scheduled concert in Marseille following mounting pressure from French authorities over his past controversial remarks.
The 48-year-old artist announced the decision late Tuesday via his X account, stating, “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice.”
The move comes amid reports that France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, was seeking to block the June 11 performance due to the rapper’s history of antisemitic comments.
West has faced widespread criticism in recent years for making offensive statements, including expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler, sparking global backlash.
In the United Kingdom, authorities have barred the artist from entry, leading to the cancellation of a festival he was scheduled to headline. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the booking as “deeply concerning.”
However, officials in the Netherlands have indicated no immediate plans to impose a similar ban, signaling differing responses across Europe.
In a follow-up post, West acknowledged the controversy surrounding his actions, stating, “I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends. I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it.”
The controversy intensified in May 2025 when the rapper released a track titled “Heil Hitler,” which was subsequently banned by major streaming platforms. He had earlier drawn criticism for promoting a swastika-themed T-shirt on his website.
West later expressed regret for his actions, attributing some of his behavior to struggles with bipolar disorder.
The postponed Marseille concert adds to a growing list of disrupted appearances for the artist, as backlash continues to impact his global engagements.
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