Kanye West to Perform in Albania Despite European Cancellations

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is scheduled to perform in Tirana, Albania, on July 11, 2026. The announcement comes amid a series of cancellations for the rapper’s European tour dates following significant controversy surrounding his past antisemitic comments.

On April 30, 2026, Albanian President Edi Rama announced the upcoming performance via a Facebook post. The event is being supported by the country’s Ministry of Culture, which framed the booking as a strategic move for the nation’s financial and travel sectors.

In every aspect, We see our obligation to welcome and facilitate the development of such events that bring numerous benefits to tourism and the economy.

Albanian Ministry of Culture

While the date is confirmed, reports regarding the specific location remain unverified. some indications suggest a temporary venue may be constructed in Tirana to accommodate the show.

European Tour Cancellations

The Albania show is one of the few remaining dates after a widespread collapse of Ye’s European schedule. The rapper had released a new album, Bully, in March 2026 and intended to support the release with a world tour.

The tour faced severe disruption in the United Kingdom after Ye was booked to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival. The decision sparked an intense backlash, drawing criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The controversy led several sponsors to sever ties with the festival, and the UK Home Office eventually blocked Ye from entering the country.

Following the government ban and sponsor exits, Wireless announced the cancellation of its entire 2026 event.

Beyond the United Kingdom, Ye’s planned performances in Poland, Switzerland, and France were also cancelled.

History of Controversies and Apologies

The current tour instability is rooted in a pattern of antisemitic remarks dating back to 2022. Those initial comments led to the suspension of Ye’s Instagram and Twitter accounts and the termination of partnerships with his lawyer, his talent agency, and his record label. Major fashion brands, including Adidas and Balenciaga, also ended their deals with the artist.

Ye’s responses to the criticism have been inconsistent over the last several years. While he initially refused to apologize and suggested that Jewish people should forgive Hitler, he later issued an apology to the Jewish community in 2023. In 2024, he attributed his behavior to the use of alcohol.

In early 2025, Ye retracted his previous apologies and declared himself a Nazi. Shortly thereafter, he posted on X that, after further reflection, he had come to the realisation that I’m not a Nazi. However, within a few days of that statement, apparel featuring swastikas appeared on his X page.

These public statements have been mirrored by legal challenges. Multiple former employees have filed lawsuits alleging extensive antisemitic behavior in the workplace. One former employee claimed Ye stated that Jewish people were working together to hold him back, while another alleged that the rapper praised Hitler and Nazis, a claim for which Ye reportedly paid a settlement.

In an attempt to address the ongoing backlash, Ye shared a fresh apology shortly before the Wireless Festival was cancelled. He also provided an update to a letter titled to those I’ve hurt, which was originally published in the Wall Street Journal in January 2026.