Rapper has history of antisemitic statements, pro-Nazi references that have alienated corporate partners, politicians
Kanye West, now going by Ye, is facing mounting backlash as multiple sponsors withdraw from the Wireless Festival, where he is scheduled to headline a three-night performance in July. The controversy centres on his history of antisemitic remarks and past pro-Nazi references, prompting corporate partners and politicians alike to speak out.
The festival’s primary sponsor, Pepsi, announced it would no longer co-brand the event, ending a decade-long partnership known as ‘Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless’. Shortly after, Diageo, owner of brands like Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, also pulled support. Sources confirmed that Rockstar Energy Drink followed suit, while PayPal will not allow its branding to appear, though it has not fully withdrawn from the festival.
Political leaders in the U.K. have criticised the booking. Keir Starmer described Ye’s headlining appearance as “deeply concerning” given the artist’s previous antisemitic remarks. Other officials, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, have distanced themselves from the festival, calling the booking “offensive” and “not reflective of London values.”
Despite the backlash, the festival website still lists many of the brands, though some sponsors may face pressure to follow Pepsi’s lead. Remaining supporters include Budweiser, Beatbox and Drip.
Ye’s return to live performances in the U.S. earlier this year saw sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium, featuring appearances from Lauryn Hill, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. He has publicly apologised for his previous behaviour through a full-page Wall Street Journal ad and a Vanity Fair interview, citing a mental health crisis as a factor in his controversial actions.
The Wireless Festival performance will mark Ye’s first U.K. shows in 11 years. Jewish leaders and organisations, including the Jewish Leadership Council, condemned the booking as “deeply irresponsible,” arguing the platform should not be provided to spread antisemitic messaging. The situation has left the festival’s future uncertain as sponsors, fans and public officials continue to react.
West was born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago. After dropping out of college to pursue a music career, he became a producer for Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records and garnered recognition for his “chipmunk soul” production style before signing with the label as a recording artist. His debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), received acclaim, and his second album, Late Registration (2005), became his first of eleven US Billboard 200 number-one albums. He has five US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles”Slow Jamz” (2003), “Gold Digger” (2005), “Stronger” (2007), “E.T.” (2011, as a featured artist), and “Carnival” (2024)and was the first rapper to top the chart across three decades. Beyond his musical career, he has collaborated with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Gap on clothing and footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
West’s life has been the subject of significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on social media, at award shows, and in public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and slavery. His Christian faith, relationships, feuds with other celebrities, and mental health have also been topics of media attention. From 2014 to 2022, he was married to Kim Kardashian, with whom he has four children. In 2020, West ran an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign. From 2022 to 2025, West drew widespread condemnationand lost sponsors and partnershipsfor expressing antisemitic views and sympathizing with Nazi ideology, before issuing an official apology in 2026.
West is one of the best-selling music artists, with 160 million records sold, and the 13th-most awarded artist at the Grammy Awards, with 24 wins. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. Rolling Stone listed six of West’s albums The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation (2007), 808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and Yeezus (2013)in its “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list and named him one of the “100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time”.
