LONDON - The UK government on April 7 blocked American rapper Kanye West from visiting the country to headline a music festival due to his past antisemitic outbursts, forcing organisers to cancel the event.

He had submitted an application to travel to Britain on April 6, but it was refused on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good, the BBC cited the Home Office as saying.

The organisers of the Wireless Festival in London, where West, now known as Ye, was booked to play all three nights in July, swiftly cancelled the event.

“As a result of the Home Office banning Ye from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” organisers said on Instagram.

It added all ticket holders would receive “an automatic full refund”. Tickets only went on sale on April 7.

As the row heated up earlier on April 7, West had offered to meet members of the British Jewish community.

The offer from the disgraced 48-year-old hip-hop star followed a decision by drinks giants Pepsi and Diageo to pull out of sponsoring the festival in the British capital.

“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music,” West said in a statement.

“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person.”

In May 2025, West released a song called Heil Hitler to mark the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

“I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here,” he added.