New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Legendary artist/activist Talib Kweli has canceled his Kansas City date at the Riot Room, after learning from fans that the venue had also booked white nationalist band Taake. Taake has been well documented bearing Nazi symbolism and has repeatedly written/performed anti-Muslim lyrics. While other venues have been issuing statements denouncing the band, Riot Room still refuses to publicly denounce Taake and apologize for booking such an act.
Talib states, "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."
Kweli will be continuing in other cities on his tour, performing songs from his critically acclaimed new album, Radio Silence.
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