US EditionPepsi withdraws sponsorship of Wireless Festival after Kanye West booking
The sponsor pulled out hours after Keir Starmer condemned the booking, as Jewish leaders and other critics warned of rising antisemitism.
- On Sunday, Pepsi confirmed it withdrew sponsorship of London's Wireless Festival, ending an 11-year partnership dating to 2015 after organizers booked rapper Kanye West as a three-night headliner for July.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the inclusion "deeply concerning," while London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated the artist's past actions are "not reflective of London's values," citing antisemitic remarks.
- Ye has faced widespread criticism for releasing a song titled "Heil Hitler" and selling swastika-branded merchandise; he apologized in January, attributing his actions to bipolar disorder, though online skepticism regarding accountability persists.
- The withdrawal leaves festival organizers facing immediate reputational damage as promotional materials still list Pepsi's branding, while industry observers suggest other sponsors including Budweiser and PayPal face pressure to follow.
- Amid rising antisemitism in the UK, this incident reflects heightened corporate sensitivity to political backlash, as recent attacks including the torching of Jewish community ambulances have intensified scrutiny of public platforms.
179 Articles
179 Articles
Sponsors back out of festival that invited Kanye West to headline despite record of antisemitism
(JTA) — A major London music festival is facing a wave of canceled sponsorships as well as criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer after after announcing that Ye, the rapper with a record of antisemitism, would be its headliner. Ye, who recently apologized for a years-long spree of antisemitic and Nazi rhetoric, is slated to headline all three nights at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, North London, in July. The festival is expected to…
The controversial rapper Ye, also known as Kanye West, has been announced this week as the headliner at the London festival Wireless.
Sponsors back out of London festival that invited Ye to headline despite record of antisemitism
A major London music festival is facing a wave of canceled sponsorships as well as criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer after after announcing that Ye, the rapper with a record of antisemitism, would be its headliner. Ye, who recently apologized for a years-long spree of antisemitic and Nazi rhetoric, is slated to headline all three nights at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, North London, in July. The festival is expected to draw ro…
Pepsi Drops Sponsorship of London Music Festival Headlined by Kanye West, as British PM Keir Starmer Raises Concerns
LONDON (AP) — Pressure was mounting Sunday on American rapper Ye to be pulled from his headline role at a London music festival this summer, after criticism from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The post Pepsi Drops Sponsorship of London Music Festival Headlined by Kanye West, as British PM Keir Starmer Raises Concerns appeared first on Breitbart.
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