What other high-profile performers have been blocked from entering the UK?
Wireless Festival has been canceled after US rapper Kanye West was prevented from entering the UK.
Music fans who purchased tickets for three performances by West, now known as Ye, scheduled for July at London’s Finsbury Park will now receive refunds.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Gold Digger rapper, who used Nazi imagery and faced accusations of antisemitism, should never have been invited to headline the festival.
A statement from organizer Festival Republic reads: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA (electronic travel authorisation) and refused him entry to the UK.
“As a result, Wireless Festival has been canceled and all ticket holders will be refunded.
“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted prior to booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.
“Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent and we recognize the real and personal impact these issues have.
“As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and yet he still hopes to be given the opportunity to start a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.”
The headlines provoked calls for the rapper to be banned from the UK for his behaviour, including releasing a song called Heil Hitler and advertising for the sale of a swastika T-shirt on his website.
West, now known as Ye, is not the first artist to be denied entry to the country.
Tyler, the Creator
The American rapper was banned by the then interior minister in 2015.
He claimed that he was banned due to lyrics he wrote in 2009.
His manager insisted these were “the kind of lyrics he hasn’t written since”, adding: “Highlights of the letter include that his work promotes violence and intolerance towards homosexuality.”
Snoop Dogg
Snoop was banned from England in 2006 due to a disturbance at Heathrow Airport, but the ban was later lifted and he was allowed to play Glastonbury in 2010.
The Drop It Like It’s Hot rapper now co-owns Championship football club Swansea City.
Chris Brown
The R&B singer was denied a visa to enter the country days before her UK tour was due to begin in 2010.
The American star was previously sentenced to collective labor for attacking his then-girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna.
Separately, Brown faces a jury trial on October 26 over allegations he assaulted a former friend at a private members’ club in Mayfair.
At previous hearings Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions; This also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport upon arrival in each country.
Julien Blanc
The American “pickup artist” was blocked in 2014 after his advice on how to attract women sparked outrage.
He was planning to hold seminars in England, but his visa application was rejected.
