Italian authorities have cancelled two concerts featuring U.S. rappers Kanye West and Travis Scott that were scheduled to take place next month in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, citing public security concerns and the risk of protests.
The decision was announced on Saturday by local prefect Salvatore Angieri, who ordered the cancellation of the events planned for July 17 and 18 at the RCF Arena, one of Europe's largest outdoor concert venues.
According to Italian authorities, the measure was taken following concerns raised by consumer protection group CODACONS and representatives of the Jewish community in the nearby cities of Modena and Reggio Emilia, particularly regarding West, who now performs under the name Ye.
West has faced mounting controversy in recent years over a series of antisemitic remarks, including comments praising Adolf Hitler and the use of Nazi-related imagery. Several of his planned appearances across Europe have been cancelled or disrupted amid public backlash.
Authorities said the close timing of the two concerts, combined with the expected arrival of tens of thousands of spectators within a 24-hour period, created additional public order challenges. They also cited what they described as a concrete risk of demonstrations linked to West's planned appearance.
The cancellation adds to a growing list of European setbacks for the rapper. Earlier this year, British authorities denied him entry to the country, while planned performances in France, Poland and Switzerland were either postponed or cancelled.
Despite the controversies, West continues to perform in countries that have allowed his appearances to proceed. He was scheduled to hold a concert in Istanbul later on Saturday and is also expected to perform in the Netherlands next month after Dutch authorities said there were no legal grounds to prevent his entry.
Travis Scott's planned participation in the festival also drew attention due to ongoing scrutiny surrounding concert safety issues following the deadly crowd crush at the Astroworld Festival in Houston in 2021, which left 10 people dead and hundreds injured.
Neither West, Scott nor the organizers of the Pulse of Gaia Festival immediately commented on the Italian authorities' decision.
