U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, has postponed his planned concert in Marseille following mounting pressure from French authorities.
The performance, which was scheduled to take place on June 11, 2026, at the Stade Vélodrome, faced possible cancellation after Laurent Nuñez reportedly began exploring legal options to block the event.
Announcing the decision in a post on X late Tuesday, Ye said the postponement was his own. “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice,” he wrote.
Opposition to the concert had been building for weeks. In March, Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan openly criticized the planned appearance, describing the stadium as a “temple of living together” that should not be used to promote divisive messages.
French authorities pointed to the rapper’s history of antisemitic comments and the release of his controversial 2025 song Heil Hitler as key concerns. The track, which contained Nazi-related slogans, was widely removed from streaming platforms.
Although Ye has recently attempted to repair his public image—including issuing a full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal, where he attributed his past behavior to a manic episode—officials in France have expressed doubts about the sincerity of his remarks.
The situation in France reflects broader challenges facing the artist internationally. Earlier in April, the United Kingdom denied him entry, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled appearance at the Wireless Festival in London. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the booking as “deeply concerning,” stating that authorities would act to uphold national values.
Responding to the growing backlash, Ye said in a follow-up post that he did not want fans caught in the controversy. “I take full responsibility for what’s mine, but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it,” he stated.
While some countries, including the Netherlands, have yet to impose restrictions, uncertainty continues to surround the rapper’s planned European tour.