Talib Kweli cancels Kansas City gig because Taake booked at venue

by | Feb 21, 2018 | News, Touring, Updates | 0 comments

Unfortunately, the controversy of Taake’s upcoming North American tour continues. After finally resolving their visa issues after two years, the group have been faced with Antifa threats resulting in the cancellation of their scheduled NYC and Chicago shows (and potentially more) along with King Dude no longer supporting the run. While a similar incident happened last year with Marduk, it seems many people including those who are not familiar with the band are taking Antifa’s accusations very seriously. Now even artists unrelated to the tour are protesting performing at venues that booked Taake. Rapper Talib Kweli has cancelled his show at The Riot Room in Kansas City, MO due to the venue booking the Norwegian black metal outfit.

According to Pitchfork, Kweli stated the following:

“My position is that the venue should not want to host that band whether the band cancelled or not, and should issue an apology for even booking the band. The response I received was that the venue did not want to choose sides between a band that sympathizes with racism and bigotry and me. I think it’s time to choose a side. I find it appalling that the Riot Room refuses to apologize for booking this band. I wouldn’t feel safe bringing my team, family and fans into a venue that is sympathetic to white nationalism, so I’ve cancelled the show. It’s a shame because I was really looking forward to performing in Kansas City.”

Taake frontman Hoest has since denied these accusations, including stating it in our recent exclusive interview.

The band also made a public statement on this matter:

“Following the cancellation of the New York show by the venue, Hoest has issued the following statement:

“I have clearly explained many times throughout the years that me wearing a swastika once at a German concert was not at all meant to show support for the nazi ideology.

It was all about doing something extreme for the sake of it, which certainly backfired.

But it has now been 11 years and the band has even performed in Israel (!)

Anyway, similar incidents have not happened in Taake’s 25 year long career and will obviously not happen again. But certain parties seem to find this cold case unforgivable nevertheless, insisting on wilful misunderstanding.

So, once and for all, Taake is not a racist band. Never has been, never will be. Still claiming so is as ridiculous and unfounded as are the attempts at sabotaging our highly anticipated shows

-Hoest-”

Those who are unfamiliar with black metal music will most likely continue to support the rumors and accusations.

You can read a few of Kweli’s Tweets below: