TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — Despite a tempest of controversy and calls for cancellation from political figures, Tampa played host to the much-anticipated Ye concert on Friday. The rapper, formerly recognized as Kanye West, has been at the center of public debate due to his antisemitic remarks, igniting significant backlash from community leaders.
Nevertheless, West managed to stage the event as planned.
Among the crowd was Eli Kassis, who expressed his enthusiasm by flying in from Syracuse with his nephew specifically for the concert. “We’re big fans,” he commented, highlighting the loyalty of West’s followers.
The opposition from political leaders remained unwavering, as they vocally condemned both the concert and West’s inflammatory rhetoric.
“Last year, West said, ‘I love Hitler, I am a Nazi’,” said U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL).
The rapper formerly known as Kanye West performed at Raymond James Stadium Friday.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott petitioned to have the show cancelled, saying West has antisemitic views. A mobile billboard circled the stadium, pushing people to the petition. It showed a quote from West saying, “I love Hitler now what.”
Here’s what fans who stood in line for merchandise and packed out Raymond James had to say.
“Say someone likes Kanye, they should be able to come see Kanye live. Say someone’s a Rick Scott supporter, they should be able to go vote for him and support his policies and his agenda,” said Adam Letourneau, a concert goer. “I think you’re able to separate the art from the artists. I think Kanye is one of the great, one of the better producers, songwriters, performers of our time, when at the same time, Kanye can also be a terrible human being.”
Scott wanted the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA), who managed the stadium, to stop the show.
“It’s inconceivable that we actually have to have an event like this to ask people that are elected, appointed to do the right thing,” Scott said.
In a statement, the TSA said they condemn antisemitism from any source; however they also respect free speech. The TSA representative also said no taxpayer money is being used for staging the Ye concert.
“You have people like Morgan Wallen who have had controversies in the past. You’ve had people like Zack Ryan who have had controversies. Kanye also has controversies. But you can’t pick and choose who you’re going to be against and for and things like this,” Letourneau said.
Ye has another concert at Ray Jay on Sunday.