Wiley's MOBO Awards Performance Sparks Antisemitism Concerns

0:00On March 6th, Jewish leaders in Greater Manchester are raising concerns about rapper Wiley, performing at the upcoming Aboa Awards. The event celebrating 30 years of music from Black Origins takes place on March 26th at Co-op Live in Manchester. Wiley, known as the Godfather of Grime, is set to do a medley with other artists alongside top nominees like Little Sims and Olivia Dean. Wiley received an MBE in 2017 for his music contributions, but lost it in 2024 over anti-Semitic social media posts from 2020. He has apologized, saying the comments stemmed from a dispute with his former manager and were not aimed at all Jewish people. The backlash comes amid rising anti-Semitism in the UK, including a deadly attack on a crump-sauce synagogue last October that killed two men. Jewish community leaders say, giving Wiley a stage, risk-sending the wrong signal, especially after such trauma. This is not the first issue, a Wiley gig in Manchester, Godpost-poned, last February, due to unforeseen problems.

1:07He is also up for Best Grime Award and plans a tribute performance with Chip, Noley, and others. Organizers face calls to rethink the lineup and show leadership against hate as the event aims to unite through music and culture.