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Ye, formerly known as rap star Kanye West, is no stranger to controversy. And over the past several months, he has made several racially charged statements. And while West may have thought that his actions would come without consequences, that notion has proven to be a falsehood.
Ye Barred From Performing in Prague Over Antisemitism
According to an August 19 report from All Hip Hop, 15,000 citizens from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, signed a petition for the Grammy winner to perform a concert there. However, despite the overwhelming support for Ye, public officials are uninterested in having the rap star host a concert there, citing his past antisemitic comments.
“There is no requirement for us to hold such a concert, and if we were asked to do so, we would not do it,” Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib said
While Prague’s Mayor’s reasoning was short and sweet, their Deputy for culture, Jiří Pospíšil, went into even more detail about why he felt it was inappropriate.
“Prague is not a place to celebrate Nazism. We experienced the horrors of World War II firsthand, and now we should not give space to people who glorify these crimes,” He said. “I am strongly against Kanye West performing in Prague. A person who does not hide his admiration for Hitler has no business in Prague!”
Lyor Cohen Slammed West Over Antisemitism
Kanye’s antisemitism has known no bounds. He has been very vocal about his disdain for the religion. But none more direct than when he dropped a song titled “Heil Hitler” earlier this year. Amid his antics, famed jewish music executive, Lyor Cohen, Put Ye on blast about his antisemitism.
“With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate,” he penned in a letter to West.
Cohen also implored West to consider the “rich history” of some of the greatest music collaborations coming from people of black and Jewish descent.
“The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture,” the letter added.
“So I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities.”
