Famous rapper, producer and songwriter Kanye West is receiving backlash since the UK music festival, Wireless, booked him for a headline slot.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you have probably heard or read by now that Kanye West is headlining Wireless Festival. Since the announcement on Wednesday, 1st April, it has sparked a huge debate online. With comments from credible music industry figures and even British politicians addressing the matter.
What is Wireless?
Wireless is a live music festival that takes place annually in London, UK. It usually covers genres such as hip hop, grime, R&B, and drill. However, as each year passes, it continues to build a wider audience, and has explored genres such as alternative rock, soul and funk. To name a few. Founded in 2005, over the years, Wireless has had performances from music powerhouses. Including the likes of Cardi B, Daft Punk, Drake, Doja Cat and others.
A history of Kanye’s controversy
Over the years, Kanye has made a name for himself for being controversially outspoken. And for a long period of time, this was a characteristic he was praised for. That was until the famous rapper took a dark and twisted turn, spewing harmful hate speech.
The real controversy with Kanye began in 2018, when he was seen on several occasions wearing a ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)’ cap. An accessory affiliated with Donald Trump’s racist theory on the ‘overpopulation of immigrants’ in the United States (US).
And how he seeks to address it by deporting everyone, and essentially making it white again. Despite pushback from industry figures, the rapper doubled down on the fact. Unapologetically expressing how much he “loves Trump.”
That same year, Kanye appeared on TMZ Live, where he made the statement,“You hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years? That sounds like a choice.” A comment that was not only factually incorrect, but caused emotional damage to the entire Black community. During this ‘phase’ of Kanye, many were quick to hold him accountable.
Black Eyed Peas rapper, Will.i.am, addressed the matter during an interview with Good Morning Britain.
“That broke my heart, because I thought about my grandma, who was born in 1920. And her connection with her mum, who raised her, was born in the late 1800s. And, my grandmothers, grandma, who was a slave. When you’re a slave, you’re owned. You don’t choose that you’re owned. When you’re a slave, you’re deprived of education. It’s not a choice. That’s by force.”
Additionally, Human Rights lawyer and author, Ewelina U. Ochab wrote a long-form piece for Forbes titled ‘Slavery Was Not, Is Not, and Never Will Be A Choice.’
