Russian stadium says it won’t host Kanye West gigs

The Gazprom Arena, a Russian stadium, has announced that Ye, also known as Kanye West, will not be performing at the venue. This decision comes after the stadium stated that no rental agreement was signed with concert promoters. West's appearance would have marked the first major Western performer to play Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The rapper is attempting to rehabilitate his image following antisemitic remarks he made in 2022, for which he recently issued an apology. Gazprom Arena acknowledged receiving complaints about West's planned appearance and emphasized that they were not responsible for his booking. The sold-out concerts, scheduled for October 10 and 11, were organized by the Moscow-based Say Agency.

However, Say Agency expressed surprise upon learning about Gazprom Arena's announcement via social media. The agency stated that the concert has not been canceled and is trying to contact the venue to resolve the issue. Fans have expressed disappointment with Gazprom Arena's announcement, with one commenting, "This was the shortest concert of my life."

Some Russian politicians have also opposed West's booking, with conservative lawmaker Vitaly Milonov suggesting he perform traditional Russian songs instead of his planned setlist. West's antisemitic remarks began in 2022, leading to the cancellation of his accounts and business relationships with brands like Adidas and Balenciaga.

In January, West issued an apology in a Wall Street Journal advertisement, acknowledging his past behavior as a "psychotic, paranoid and impulsive episode" and expressing deep remorse. Despite the controversy, Say Agency defended its decision to bring West to Russia, stating that it is important to listen to and learn from the person, rather than judge them based on a single statement.