The artist formerly known as Kanye West says his “only goal” with his upcoming three-night stint in London as part of this year’s Wireless Festival is to “present a show of change.”
In a statement shared with Complex on Tuesday (April 7), Ye, whose Bully just debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, also expressed a desire to “show change” through his actions. This comes after Pepsi and other brands, as well as several local political leaders, distanced themselves from the festival.
While brands have largely remained vague in their statements, others, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have been more direct. In previously reported marks, a spokesperson for Khan said that the Wireless booking did not involve City Hall.
“We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values,” the spokesperson said last week. “This was a decision taken by the festival organizers and not one that City Hall is involved in.”
Now, Ye has addressed this ongoing conversation in a statement presented by Wireless Fest reps as an addendum to the full-page Wall Street Journal ad the 24-time Grammy winner initially published in January.
“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” Ye said in the new statement, shared with Complex by festival reps on Tuesday. “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.”
In the original WSJ ad, as seen here, Ye spoke at length about his struggles with bipolar disorder. He also referenced having fallen into a four-month “manic episode of psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior” early last year, ultimately crediting his wife, performance artist and architect Bianca Censori, for encouraging him to seek help.
“I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” Ye wrote in the original statement. “I love Jewish people.”
Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Wireless organizers Festival Republic, has also spoken out in recent days. Per Benn, he has opted to “offer some forgiveness and hope” to Ye despite his past “abhorrent”behavior, and he’s urging others to do the same.
“Having had a person in my life for the last 15 years who suffers from mental illness, I have witnessed many episodes of despicable behavior that I have had to forgive and move on from,” Benn said in a statement shared with Complex on Monday (April 6). “If I wasn’t before, I have become a person of forgiveness and hope in all aspects of my life, including work.”
