Kanye West’s Australian Visa Cancelled Over Antisemitic Song

The rapper drew the attention of the minister’s office after the release of a song titled ‘Heil Hitler.’

Kanye West arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2020. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

U.S. rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, has had his Australian tourist visa revoked after releasing a song titled Heil Hitler.

The track, released independently on May 8, was immediately banned across major streaming platforms.

Its lyrics reference the Nazi salute multiple times, alongside comments about West’s personal life, including custody issues and social media controversies.

The song’s cover art appears to resemble a swastika and follows a recent release of swastika-emblazoned T-shirts by the artist.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing on July 2 that the song triggered a review of West’s visa by his department.

“He’s got family here. It wasn’t a visa for the purpose of concerts,” Burke said. “But if you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia.”

Burke added that even though the visa was a low-tier category, officials decided to cancel it.

“We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry,” he said.

Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 17, 2024. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

West, who is married to Australian architect and model Bianca Censori, has previously been condemned for antisemitic remarks.

In 2022, he tweeted that he would go “death con 3” on Jewish people—a likely reference to the U.S. military’s DEFCON alert system.

The term stands for Defence Readiness Condition, in which case level three denotes an increased state of readiness that could escalate to a higher level if needed.

A Political Stunt?

Australian Jewish Association President Robert Gregory told The Epoch Times he supported the move, but questioned the government’s consistency.

“The shocking hatred spread by Kanye West won’t be missed in Australia,” he said.

“However, the government is simultaneously allowing others with similarly detestable views to enter.

“This raises serious questions about whether the Albanese government’s move is less about combating anti-Semitism and more about creating a political stunt to give the appearance of action.”