ARNHEM, Netherlands (AFP) — Tens of thousands of fans flocked to see US rapper Kanye West perform in the Netherlands on Saturday, despite controversy over his antisemitic tirades that have prompted the cancellation of several European concerts.

West sparked widespread outrage with comments glorifying Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, a song titled “Heil Hitler” and the sale of T-shirts bearing a swastika on his website.

Outside the Gelredome stadium in the eastern city of Arnhem, where 40,000 attended the concert, fans told AFP they wanted to separate the music from the controversial reputation of the 48-year-old artist, known as Ye.

“I’m not supporting all of those things he said, like it’s really controversial,” said Loes Snyers, a 20-year-old Belgian student.

“But for me, I really don’t care about the backlash of all the bad stuff artists do, I really focus on the music.”

The rapper has denied being antisemitic and distanced himself from his remarks on social media,........

© The Times of Israel