Bratislava, July 10, 2025: The Rubicon Festival, a major hip-hop event scheduled for July 18-20 in Bratislava, Slovakia, has been cancelled, organizers announced today. The festival, which was set to feature US rapper Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, as its headliner, faced significant backlash due to the artist’s recent controversial actions and statements. The decision to call off the event has sparked discussions about artistic freedom, public sentiment, and the impact of controversial figures in cultural spaces.
The Rubicon Festival, promoted as Slovakia’s largest rap festival, had planned to host Ye for his only confirmed European performance of 2025. The announcement initially generated excitement among fans but quickly drew criticism due to Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks, including his release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” on May 8, 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat. The track, which was banned in Germany and removed from several streaming platforms, featured lyrics and imagery widely condemned as glorifying Nazi ideology.
A petition launched by activist groups, including Peace for Ukraine and Cities for Democracy, gathered over 5,000 signatures urging Bratislava’s mayor to block Ye’s performance. The petition described the rapper’s appearance as “an insult to historical memory” and a “glorification of wartime violence,” raising concerns about the potential for extremist groups to exploit the event. Protesters also pointed to Ye’s sale of merchandise featuring Nazi symbols, such as swastika-emblazoned T-shirts, as further evidence of his troubling behavior.
Organizers initially defended their decision to include Ye, emphasizing his influence as a “hip-hop visionary” and stating that he had apologized for past antisemitic comments. However, mounting public pressure and logistical challenges led to the festival’s cancellation. Reports indicate that ticket sales were halted days before the announcement, with organizers citing unspecified issues. Some sources suggest the event may be relocated to Prague, though no official confirmation has been provided.
The Rubicon Festival was expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees and feature other prominent artists like Offset, Ken Carson, and UFO361. The cancellation has disappointed fans but also highlighted the ongoing debate about separating an artist’s work from their personal controversies. In Slovakia, a country with a painful history tied to World War II, including the deportation and murder of over 70,000 Jews, the decision to cancel has been met with mixed reactions. Some support the move as a stand against hate speech, while others argue it infringes on creative expression.
This incident follows a pattern of challenges for Ye, whose planned concerts in South Korea, Taiwan, and Italy were also cancelled in 2024 amid similar controversies. The global music community continues to grapple with how to address artists whose actions spark widespread outrage.
