Kanye West concerts at Russia's Gazprom Arena officially cancelled
Ye, the controversial U.S. rapper formerly known as Kanye West, had been scheduled to play two shows in St. Petersburg in October — which would have made him the biggest Western artist to perform in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Two scheduled concerts in St. Petersburg headlined by U.S. rapper Kanye West, known professionally as Ye, have officially been canceled, event organizers confirmed on September 30. The shows, set for October 10 and 11, would have marked the biggest Western headlining act in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Say Agency, the event organizer, announced the cancellation in a statement that evening, though they did not provide a reason for the decision. They assured ticket holders that refunds would be issued. However, conflicting reports emerged prior to the cancellation, with Gazprom Arena stating that no rental agreements had been signed for the event.
The venue later contradicted this claim, but event organizers remained firm in their cancellation announcement. There have been rumors about Ye potentially performing in Russia since 2024, following his visit to Moscow to celebrate a fashion designer's birthday. Despite West's past controversy, including antisemitic remarks and a banned song, his concerts in Russia have occasionally taken place, such as with artists like DaBaby and Akon.
Russian law enforcement is reportedly investigating the event organizers for potential fraud, while Ye has apologized for his past behavior and antisemitic remarks.
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