Australia Denies Visa to Rapper **Kanye West**

Controversial artist barred over “Heil Hitler” song

Due to his recent song, “Heil Hitler,” American rapper **Kanye West**, also known as **Ye**, has been barred from entering Australia. The decision highlights the country’s firm stance against hate speech.

Visa Cancellation Details

**Tony Burke**, Australia’s home affairs minister, confirmed that his department revoked **West’s** visa following the song’s release in early May. The song, widely condemned, was a key factor in the decision. The minister mentioned the visa cancellation during a discussion about another person’s visa being revoked due to Islamophobic comments.

“If someone argued that anti-Semitism was rational, I would not let them come here,”

—Tony Burke, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister

Speaking with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, **Burke** stated that officials reconsidered **West’s** visa after he released the song: “But my officials looked at it again once he released the Heil Hitler song, and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia.”

While it remains unclear if **West** faces a permanent ban, each visa application will be assessed individually, according to Australian law. According to a 2023 report, hate speech incidents in Australia rose by 13% (Australian Human Rights Commission).

“I think that what’s not sustainable is to import hatred… We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”

—Tony Burke, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister

History of Controversy

In 2023, **Jason Clare**, Australia’s education minister, criticized **West’s** comments regarding **Hitler** and the Holocaust, suggesting he might be denied entry. The “Heil Hitler” track quickly gained millions of views upon release and has been banned on major streaming platforms.

Though initially titled “Heil Hitler”, **West** released a new version called “Hallelujah,” replacing Nazi-related lyrics with Christian themes. The original music video featured men in animal skins chanting the song’s title, but it was quickly removed from platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Pattern of Antisemitism

**West** has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks, including declaring himself a Nazi earlier this year and retracting a previous apology for similar comments.

Adidas ended its partnership with **West** in 2022 because of his anti-Semitism. Late last year, the company finalized a settlement to end legal proceedings with him.