Kanye West concert in Italy cancelled over ‘public order and safety issues’

A Kanye West concert in Italy has been cancelled over “public order and safety issues”. The 48-year-old rapper, who changed his name to Ye in 2021, was due to perform at the Pulse of Gaia festival at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia on 18 July, but the city’s prefect, Salvatore Angieri, stopped the gigs after “concerns” from the local Jewish community over previous antisemitic remarks by West. A concert on 17 July by West’s fellow US rapper Travis Scott at Hellwatt festival has also been cancelled due to the two festivals being scheduled on consecutive days. Scott faced criticism after 10 people aged between nine and 27 died at his Astroworld festival in Houston, Texas, in 2021 after fans surged towards the stage. A translation of a statement issued by the government of Reggio Emilia after a meeting over the concert’s future read: “The meeting was dedicated to examining the public order and safety issues associated with the American artist’s (West) concert and the Travis Scott event, also scheduled at the RCF Arena. “Based on the assessments made during the committee meeting and further investigations into safety and security aspects, the prefect … (ordered) the prohibition of both concerts. …