The British government has blocked Kanye West from entering the United Kingdom, where he was due to headline the Wireless Festival in July, the BBC reported Wednesday.
The Home Office rejected the rapper’s Electronic Travel Authorisation application because “his presence would not be conducive to the public good.” The decision follows weeks of mounting pressure from politicians, Jewish advocacy groups, and sponsors.
West, who released a song titled “Heil Hitler” last year, had offered to meet with members of the Jewish community in an attempt to salvage his booking. He published a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal in January, attributing his behaviour to manic episodes caused by bipolar disorder.
The commercial fallout has been swift. Presenting partner Pepsi, which co-branded the festival as “Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless” for over a decade, confirmed its withdrawal, followed by Diageo, Rockstar Energy, and PayPal.
Actor David Schwimmer praised the departing sponsors on Instagram, urging remaining partners to follow. Jonah Hill separately called West’s 2023 post about him “bizarre” while still calling West “the greatest artist to ever live.”
