Kanye West's upcoming Italy gig sparks debate after U.K. denied rapper entry

World Kanye West's upcoming gig at Italy festival sparks debate after U.K. revoked rapper's entry over antisemitic remarks By Elena Giuliano April 8, 2026 / 12:43 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The rapper formerly known as Kanye West being denied entry into the U.K. amid an uproar over his past antisemitic remarks has raised questions over the star's upcoming performance in Italy this summer.The rapper, who changed his name to Ye, was scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival in London in July, but the event was canceled after the U.K. government withdrew his authorization to enter the country on Tuesday."Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement posted to social media.The decision was preceded by criticism over Ye releasing a song last year called "Heil Hitler" and selling T-shirts on his website featuring a swastika. In January, he apologized in a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal and said he experienced a four-month-long manic episode that "destroyed my life."In northern Italy, Ye is set to headline the region's main music event, the Hellwatt Festival, on July 18.People in the Emilia-Romagna region where the festival is being held have raised concerns to a major labor union about Ye's scheduled performance."We are listening to the many workers and citizens who have contacted us in recent days, asking for clarity on the matter," Rosamaria Papaleo, a representative of the Italian Confederation of Workers' Unions in Emilia-Romagna, told CBS News. Kanye West arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Feb. 9, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Papaleo said the concerns have centered on hosting an artist associated with antisemitic remarks in Reggio Emilia, the regional capital, which has a strong anti-fascist identity. "It seems quite contradictory that an artist known for his antisemitic remarks can be hosted by our city, which has always strongly adv...