Pepsi has pulled its sponsorship from this summer’s Wireless Festival after backlash over Kanye West being announced as the event’s headliner.
The festival had been promoted as “Pepsi Presents Wireless,” but the company confirmed Sunday that it would no longer be involved.
“Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival,” the company said in a statement.
The decision came hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke out against Ye’s planned appearance at the London event, which is scheduled for July.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears,” Starmer said. “Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.”
Diageo, which owns brands including Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, has also backed away from the event. In a statement to the Press Association, a spokesperson said the company had shared its concerns with organizers and confirmed that Diageo will no longer sponsor the 2026 Wireless Festival.
Ye was announced as the headliner for all three nights of the festival. His appearance was meant to mark another step in his return to public life following years of controversy over antisemitic and racist remarks.
Ye became one of the most successful artists of the 2000s with albums including The College Dropout, Graduation, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Earlier this year, he apologized again for past comments. He is currently promoting his new album, Bully, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard charts following two sold-out shows in Los Angeles.