The American rapper Kanye West, who in May released a song titled Heil Hitler that has been widely condemned for its references to Nazi imagery and rhetoric, is set to perform at a rap festival in Bratislava, Slovakia in July, organisers have confirmed.
Calling West's appearance a "global sensation", the organisers said it was his only confirmed live performance in Europe this year.
West, the winner of 24 Grammys over the course of his career, has faced widespread criticism in recent years for making anti-Semitic statements and promoting hate speech.
The 48-year-old, who has legally changed his name to Ye, released Heil Hitler on 8 May, the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
"Hip-hop visionary, cultural icon and controversial genius YE will perform July 20, 2025 exclusively at the Rubicon Festival in Bratislava," the organisers said on the event's website.
More than 3,000 people have signed a petition against West's performance in the Slovak capital.
The rapper - a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump - is "repeatedly and openly adhering to symbols and ideology connected with the darkest period of modern global history", two groups behind the petition said.
"Kanye West's concert in our city and our country is an insult to historic memory, a glorification of wartime violence and debasement of all victims of the Nazi regime," the petition reads.
In the Heil Hitler clip, dozens of black men - wearing animal pelts and masks, and standing in a block formation - chant the title of the song as West raps about being misunderstood and about his custody battle with ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
The song ends with an extract of a speech by the Nazi dictator.
The Rubicon festival runs from 18-20 July.
Source: AFP
