Wireless Festival Promoter Defends Kanye West as Headliner as Sponsors Pull Out, Asks Brits’ ‘Forgiveness’ for Rapper’s ‘Abhorrent’ Past Statements

Home Music News Apr 6, 2026 1:44pm PT Wireless Festival Promoter Defends Kanye West as Headliner as Sponsors Pull Out, Asks Brits’ ‘Forgiveness’ for Rapper’s ‘Abhorrent’ Past Statements By Steven J. Horowitz Plus Icon Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer speriod Latest Lil Nas X to Have Assault Charges Dismissed After Continuing Mental Health Treatment 57 minutes ago Sabrina Carpenter, Margaret Qualley and Madelyn Cline Steal a Grammy, Ransack a Mansion in ‘House Tour’ Video 6 hours ago Zach Bryan Cancels Tulsa Concert Due to ‘Extreme and Dangerous Weather’: ‘If I Had Any Say in This, Things Would Be Different’ 3 days ago See All Getty Images for Ralph Lauren A managing director for the organization behind Wireless Festival has come out in support of Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, asking that people “offer some forgiveness and hope” to the rapper as sponsors have begun dropping out of the event. Melvin Benn, who serves as managing director at Festival Republic, the U.K. promoter behind Wireless, issued a statement to Variety on Monday defending Ye based on his own experiences dealing with people who suffer from mental health issues. “I have witnessed many episodes of despicable behaviour that I have had to forgive and move on from,” he wrote. “If I wasn’t before, I have become a person of forgiveness and hope in all aspects of my life, including work.” Related Stories Shudder Acquires Girls' Trip Thriller 'Find Your Friends' (EXCLUSIVE)