Kanye West’s South Korea Concert Cancelled After Backlash Over “Heil Hitler” Song; See Full Details

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has cancelled Kanye West’s solo concert following backlash over his controversial new song praising Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The concert, titled “YE Korea Concert: BULLY,” was scheduled for May 31 at Incheon Munhak Stadium but was abruptly called off due to the ongoing uproar.

Coupang Play, the streaming service organizing the event, announced the cancellation on May 19, stating it was due to “recent controversies involving the artist.” All ticket holders will receive full refunds, and sales of Yeezy-branded merchandise were also halted. This marks another major setback for the rapper, who has faced widespread criticism for his antisemitic remarks and pro-Nazi statements in recent years.

Kanye’s “Heil Hitler” Song Sparks Global Outrage

The cancellation comes days after Kanye, now known as Ye, released a song titled “Heil Hitler“ on May 8—coinciding with Victory in Europe Day, which marks Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. The track features lyrics glorifying Hitler and includes a sample from one of the dictator’s speeches.

Major music platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and SoundCloud, quickly removed the song for violating hate speech policies. However, the video gained over 10 million views on Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), where it remains accessible.

“Hate and antisemitism have absolutely no place on Reddit. We have strict rules against hateful content, including antisemitic content. Our internal safety teams proactively enforce these policies,” a Reddit spokesperson said in response to uploads of the song on the platform.

Concert Cancellation Follows Growing Criticism

The “YE Korea Concert” was set to be Ye’s first solo performance in South Korea in nine years, featuring his new track “BULLY.” However, public backlash intensified after the release of “Heil Hitler,” leading Coupang to scrap the event.

This isn’t the first time Ye’s behavior has cost him business opportunities. In 2022, sportswear brand Adidas cut ties with him over antisemitic remarks, and his Yeezy fashion line faced boycotts. Earlier this year, his website briefly sold T-shirts featuring swastikas, further fueling outrage.

Mixed Reactions From Fans and Critics

While some fans defended Ye’s right to free expression, others criticized platforms for not acting faster to remove his content.

“Don’t nobody wanna hear bout him & his cousin,” wrote one user on social media.
“I honestly don’t understand why anyone would book him, or even want to see him,” added another.

Despite the backlash, Ye continues to promote his music independently. He recently directed fans to Scrybe, a small streaming app, where his songs remain available.

With major platforms distancing themselves from his latest release, Ye’s ability to reach mainstream audiences is shrinking. The cancellation of his South Korea concert highlights the growing consequences of his controversial statements.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Simon Wiesenthal Center have called for stricter enforcement of hate speech policies across social media.

“Tech companies are falling down on the job of protecting the public from hate, incitement, harassment, and intimidation,” said Vlad Khaykin of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

As of now, Ye has not publicly addressed the concert cancellation. His focus appears to be on his upcoming album, “Cuck,” which includes the banned track.

Also Read: John Legend Reflects on Kanye West’s Changed Persona and Their Fallout

Source:  biz.chosun.com

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