As the backlash surrounding Kanye West only deepens further, Pepsi – who had been one of the Wireless Festival’s biggest sponsors – has pulled out over his appearance
Kanye West’s Wireless Festival scandal continues as Pepsi has pulled out(Image: Getty Images for Fast Company)
Kanye West has thrown one of the UK’s biggest festivals into doubt after one of its sponsors announced it would be pulling out. It now means that the festival could be at risk of being cancelled.
The Wireless Festival has been thrust into chaos after it was announced that Kanye West was announced to be headlining the show. The decision has been met with major criticism, with even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer weighing on the debate, saying it was “deeply concerning”.
Now, Pepsi – the festival’s biggest financial sponsor – has confirmed it will no longer be collaborating with the festival after the decision to allow Kanye to play was approved. It now puts the full festival at risk as a major source of income has been lost.
Kanye’s announcement for the Wireless Festival has resulted in Pepsi dropping its sponsorship(Image: Festival Republic)
Pepsi had been a longtime sponsor of the festival, under the branding of “Pepsi Presents Wireless”. But speaking to ITV News on Sunday (April 5), a spokesperson for the company confirmed it would no longer be providing financial support for the event.
“Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival,” the spokesperson said. Pepsi pulling out of the festival now puts the festival in financial jeopardy, unless another sponsor willing to match Pepsi’s financial contributions can be found.
Kanye’s inclusion in the line-up for the festival, set to be held in July in Finsbury Park, has caused uproar due to his celebrations of Nazism and blatant antisemitism. Pepsi’s withdrawal followed comments from the Prime Minister who openly called the booking “deeply concerning”.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the decision to allow Kanye to play is “deeply concerning”(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
The rapper and singer, behind some of the biggest songs in the 2000s, has massively veered to the right in recent years, voicing his admiration for Adolf Hitler on several occasions. He has also slammed the Jewish population several times, leading to several brands dropping all forms of collaboration with him.
Last year, the star leaned into his love for the fascist leader, releasing a song called “Heil Hitler”. It came just a few months after he launched a series of merchandise, including a T-shirt bearing a swastika, one of the Nazi party’s most recognisable symbols.
Sir Keir Starmer was quick to give his reaction to the decision to sign Kanye, also known as Ye, for the festival. Speaking to the Sun, Starmer said: “It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.
Kanye has leaned heavily into antisemitism and the glorification of the Nazi leader(Image: Getty Images North America)
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears,” he added. “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.”
In recent weeks, the Golddigger star has been leaning into more conspiracy theories, including the construction of a “bomb shelter” setting him back £42million. According to one of Kanye’s former project manager, the reason it is being built is for a much darker purpose.
Tony Saxon, who used to work as a project manager for the star, explained that West might want to build the refuge so that he is not a “slave” to the modern world. He also suggested that it might be a way to stop being “accessible” to the government.
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