ROME, Italy — Italian authorities have cancelled two planned concerts featuring rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, and fellow American artist Travis Scott over concerns related to public safety and security.
The performances were scheduled for July at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, with Scott set to appear on July 17 and Ye on July 18. Local authorities said the decision followed assessments indicating a potential risk of protests and public order disruptions due to the large number of spectators expected within a short period.
Okay News reports that officials also cited concerns raised by consumer advocacy group CODACONS and members of the Jewish community in the region regarding Ye’s planned appearance. The rapper has faced multiple concert cancellations across Europe in recent months following controversies linked to past antisemitic remarks and the use of Nazi-related imagery.
Authorities noted that the close timing of the two events, combined with expected crowd sizes, could place significant pressure on security operations. The cancellation order was issued by Reggio Emilia Prefect Salvatore Angieri after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Ye has previously apologised for some of his remarks and attributed them to untreated bipolar disorder. Despite the cancellations, he remains scheduled to perform in other countries, including Turkey and the Netherlands. There was no immediate response from either artist or the event organisers regarding the Italian ban.
