Kanye West's permission to enter country for London festival being reviewed by U.K. government

Pop Culture NewsKanye West's permission to enter country for London festival being reviewed by U.K. government, source saysThe rapper was announced as the headliner of the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park, drawing condemnation over his history of antisemitic remarks and behavior.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Kanye West.Rich Fury / Getty Images for Vanity Fair fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 6, 2026, 2:04 PM EDTBy Daniella Silva and Sean NevinU.K. government ministers are reviewing Ye’s permission to enter the country, a U.K. government source told NBC News on Monday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The move comes amid fierce backlash over the decision to have the hip-hop artist formerly known as Kanye West headline a music festival in London this summer.Ye was announced last week as the headliner of the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in London between July 10-12. The announcement drew swift condemnation from some over Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks and behavior.He released a song called “Heil Hitler” last year and previously featured a T-shirt with a swastika symbol on it for purchase on his website.Ye publicly apologized for his history of “reckless” antisemitic comments earlier this year, attributing his behavior to an undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues.In a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” he said in part: “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”In the advertisement, he said: “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.”ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleDaniella SilvaDaniella Silva is a national reporter for NBC News, focusing on immigration and education.Sean NevinSean Nevin is an assignment editor for NBC's foreign desk based in London.