A performance by rapper Ye is being planned in the capital. Not only part of the public is against it, but also some politicians.
Recently, rap fans learned that Kanye West, who goes by Ye, is supposed to arrive in Prague. However, this announcement raises many doubts, partly because he was recently denied entry to the United Kingdom and Australia, and had other concerts canceled in France, Poland, and even Slovakia. Why does this American musician provoke so much controversy?
Local rap enthusiasts don't have it easy. Their stars usually avoid the Czech Republic. That's why the news that Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform at the racecourse in Prague's Chuchle on July 25th came as an even bigger surprise.
Previously, they had the best chance to attend his planned performance last year at a festival in Slovakia. However, organizers canceled the entire event nine days before the planned start, citing unspecified unforeseen circumstances. In response to the previously announced Slovakian show, there was even a petition. Its authors described the musician as one of the most well-known antisemites, who, among other things, praises Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. It's no surprise that a similar petition has now emerged here as well.
Some politicians, including Prague's councilor for culture Tomáš Slabihoudek, are also protesting. He mentioned in this context that he currently does not have information that this artist's concert in Prague is officially confirmed.
Achievements and Missteps
At the start of his career, Kanye West first gained fame as a producer, collaborating with artists such as rapper Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson. He then ventured into creating his own music. As a result, he sold over 20 million albums and 140 million singles. At the same time, he received 24 prestigious Grammy music awards. Time magazine even included him among the 100 most influential people in the world. According to Forbes, his wealth was estimated at 2 billion dollars, making him the richest musician in the world.
A turning point in his career occurred in October 2022. He accused rapper Diddy of being "controlled by Jews." At the same time, he made a statement that he would "go death con 3 on Jews," which, according to some media, was a reference to the DEFCON readiness scale used by the U.S. armed forces, where level three represents increased readiness compared to normal. American Jewish organizations called his words an "atrocious anti-Semitic attack." Gradually, he lost collaborations with several major brands, such as Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga.
However, he was already sparking controversy before that. His well-known clashes with paparazzi even led to him receiving a two-year probation in March 2014, mandatory anger management courses, and 250 hours of community service.
Moreover, he faced possible charges for assaulting an eighteen-year-old man who allegedly insulted his then-fiancée Kim Kardashian with vulgar language. The dispute ultimately ended with the rapper offering the man a settlement of $250,000. Two years ago, his former personal assistant Lauren Pisciotta sued him for alleged sexual harassment that supposedly occurred in 2021.
Apology Doesn't Help
The fact that at the end of January this year, the artist publicly apologized for his previous antisemitic statements is apparently not working so far.
Organizers in France and Poland have canceled his planned performances. The British government then denied the rapper electronic travel authorization to enter the country. Due to his views, he also lost his visa to Australia.
He attributed his problems to an undiagnosed brain injury and poor mental health. Ye published the apology titled "To Those I've Hurt" in the form of a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal.
"I am not a Nazi or an anti-Semite. I love Jews,"
he wrote in a January apology, which was shared in full by the newspaper The Guardian.
Will the Prague "setback" change everything?
Despite the criticism, it may happen that one of his few performances will be in Prague. The director of the Chuchle racecourse, Zuzana Rambová, confirmed to ČTK that the concert should take place there in July.
„Yes, we have the contract and the date as well. It will be July 25th,"
she said, without wanting to comment on the controversies such an event might provoke. She only added that the concert's capacity is 50,000 people. The concert is to be organized by HUGO Productions, with whom the racetrack has signed a contract. The horses will reportedly be moved at that time, as the racetrack has arranged with the State Veterinary Administration.
One of the few people who can likely intervene in the preparations at this moment are local politicians. The Culture Councilor provided the server Page not found with the following statement:
“I would like to assure you that if such an event, where this singer is to perform, is to take place on the grounds of the City of Prague, the city will not allow such an event. Prague will not provide a space for performers associated with such controversial and hateful expressions. We continue to monitor the situation within our competencies."
Slabihoudek stated. The fact that tickets for the event had not even started selling at the time of preparing this article is indicative of how successful his effort might be.
Sources: original article, The Guardian, Page not found, Wikipedia
