French authorities are moving to block a planned concert by US rapper Kanye West in the southern city of Marseille, over renewed controversy surrounding his alleged antisemitic remarks.
France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, is reportedly seeking to prevent the rapper from performing at the Velodrome stadium on June 11, according to a source close to the ministry cited by AFP on Tuesday.
The source said Nunez is “highly determined” to stop the concert and is exploring “all possibilities” to ensure the event does not go ahead.
The move comes amid mounting criticism of West, who has faced repeated backlash for antisemitic statements and his past praise of Adolf Hitler. The 48-year-old artist, also known as Ye, has been widely condemned by rights groups and public officials in several countries.
In previous developments, the United Kingdom blocked West from entering the country, a decision that also led to the cancellation of a scheduled festival appearance. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had described booking the rapper as “deeply concerning.”
While some European countries have taken steps to restrict his activities, Dutch authorities have indicated there are currently no plans to bar him from entering the Netherlands, according to reports.
In France, the issue has already drawn strong political reaction. Marseille’s left-wing mayor, Benoît Payan, previously opposed the planned performance, saying he would not allow the city to become “a showcase for those who promote hatred.”
The Interior Minister also reportedly discussed the potential ban with regional officials, including the prefect and Marseille city authorities during a recent visit.
West has remained a controversial figure in recent years. In 2025, he released a track titled “Heil Hitler,” which was later banned from major streaming platforms. He also faced backlash after promoting merchandise featuring a swastika symbol on his website.
Following the backlash, West said he regretted his actions and attributed his behaviour to bipolar disorder.
As of press time, neither West nor his representatives have responded to the latest move by French authorities.