Kanye “Ye” West is staying stateside.
While the rapper was scheduled to headline the U.K.’s Wireless Festival in July, the British government—in light of West’s antisemitic remarks—has pulled his ETA visa, barring him from entering the country.
"I know words aren't enough," the 48-year-old said in an April 7 statement to the BBC, noting he would like to meet with members of the U.K.’s Jewish community. "I'll have to show change through my actions. If you're open, I'm here.”
Following the news West was blocked from the region, Wireless Festival canceled the entire event, noting all ticket holders would be refunded.
“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time,” the festival said in its own statement to the BBC. “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.”
The statement continued, “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."
E! News has reached out to West’s rep for additional comment.
In the days after Wireless Festival announced West as its headliner March 30, Pepsi and Diageo—a British alcoholic beverage company—withdrew their sponsorship, with Diageo telling CNN it had “informed the organisers of our concerns."
Back in January, West—dad to North West, 12, Saint West, 10, Chicago West, 8, and Psalm West, 6, with ex-wife Kim Kardashian—spoke out about his antisemitic remarks, saying he was “deeply mortified” in an essay published as an ad in the Wall Street Journal. He attributed his actions to a previously undiagnosed brain injury.
“In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold T-shirts bearing it,” West, who was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, said. “One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments - many of which I still cannot recall - that led to poor judgment and reckless behavior that oftentimes feels like an out-of-body-experience.”
He continued, “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. I love Jewish people.”
At the time, he said he would be committing himself to creating “positive, meaningful art” moving forward.
“I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” he concluded. “I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”