The artist formerly known as Kanye West staged two sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California this month, with the back-to-back performances coming on the heels of his long-teased Bully album’s official release.
The shows proved fertile for headlines, with a focus on special guests like Lauryn Hill and North West, and came three months after the publication of a full-page Wall Street Journal ad from Ye in which he detailed his struggles with bipolar disorder. Beyond the States, however, Ye’s Bully-era live comeback has proven far more complicated, with critics emphasizing the 24-time Grammy winner’s past hateful remarks.
Below, we take a closer look at how Ye’s current redemption arc has played out, Wireless Festival cancelation and all.
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Ye opens up about bipolar disorder struggles, says he’s “not a Nazi or an antisemite”
“I lost touch with reality,” Ye wrote in a full-page WSJ ad originally published in January. “Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to love someone who was, at times, unrecognizable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self. In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it.”
Ye continued: “One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-I are the disconnected moments—many of which I still cannot recall—that lead to poor judgment and reckless behavior that oftentimes feels like an out-of-body experience. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite.”
Ye releases Bully, which debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200
Bully, released in late March, opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. On the current chart, the album is at No. 13, having fallen from its No. 3 position last week. It also debuted in the top five of several other countries’ charts, including in Australia and Ireland.
Ye performs at SoFi Stadium
For his SoFi Stadium sets, Ye included Bully tracks and highlights from across his catalog, even reaching as far back as his 2004 debut, The College Dropout. Special guests included Lauryn Hill, North West, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and more.
Ye issues statement amid Wireless Festival controversy
“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” Ye wrote in a statement that was billed as an update to his WSJ letter from January. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music. I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough — I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”
At the time, Ye was facing heightened criticism over his planned three-night Wireless stint, leading to sponsors distancing themselves.
Wireless Festival is canceled
Shortly after Ye shared his WSJ ad addendum, the festival was confirmed to have been canceled.
“The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom,” a Wireless rep said in a statement shared with Complex on April 7. “As a result, Wireless Festival is canceled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders. As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time. Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognize the real and personal impact these issues have had. As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.”
Ye postpones France show in response to pushback
Later that same month, amid similar pushback in response to a Marseille performance slated for June 11, Ye announced that he had made the decision to postpone the show “until further notice.” In a post shared to X at the time, he acknowledged that it will take time “to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends,” adding that he takes “full responsibility for what’s mine.”
Current status of additional Ye shows
A planned stadium show in Poland has also been called off, as has one in Switzerland. Ye’s official tour page lists upcoming shows scheduled for New Delhi, Istanbul, Madrid, and elsewhere as of this writing.
