Wireless boss defends Kanye West booking, urges “forgiveness”

The managing director of Wireless Festival has defended the decision to book Kanye West as a headliner, calling on critics to embrace “forgiveness” despite widespread backlash over the rapper’s controversial past.

Melvin Benn, who runs Festival Republic, the company behind Wireless, acknowledged the outrage surrounding West’s scheduled July appearance but insisted the event was offering him a chance to perform music, not promote ideology. “Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world,” Benn said.

West, now known as Ye, has faced condemnation for antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks, including releasing a track titled Heil Hitler and selling swastika-themed merchandise. He later apologized in a full-page Wall Street Journal ad, writing: “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” and attributing his behavior to bipolar disorder.

Benn, who described himself as a “deeply committed anti-fascist” and recalled living on a kibbutz in Israel in the 1970s, said West’s past comments were “abhorrent” but argued that mental illness should be considered. “If I wasn’t before, I have become a person of forgiveness and hope in all aspects of my life, including work,” he said.

Jewish groups rejected Benn’s defence. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the statement “will not reassure many within the Jewish or other communities,” adding: “The two key facts remain that Kanye West proclaimed himself a Nazi, and that Wireless stands to benefit financially from his performance.” The Jewish Leadership Council called Benn’s remarks “deeply disappointing” and accused the festival of profiting from racism.

Sponsors including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo have already withdrawn from the event, while politicians have urged the government to block West’s entry. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the prospect of his headline slot as “deeply concerning,” while the Conservative Party argued that allowing him to perform “sends entirely the wrong message.”

Benn insisted Wireless would not allow West to use the stage to promote offensive views, saying organisers would cut his microphone if necessary. “Wireless Festival is not giving West a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature,” he said, stressing that the performance would be limited to songs “listened to and enjoyed by millions.”

The controversy has reignited debate over whether artists with histories of hate speech can be rehabilitated through public performance. For Benn, the festival is a test of forgiveness. For critics, it is a dangerous gamble with credibility and trust.

Source: BBC

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