Rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, is set to perform two concerts in St Petersburg, Russia, in October, marking one of the biggest appearances by a Western music star in the country since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The performances will take place at the 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena, with tickets reportedly selling out within hours of the announcement. Ticket prices ranged from 9,000 roubles to 160,000 roubles.
West’s upcoming concerts come as the rapper attempts to rebuild his career and public image following years of controversial antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks.
The musician apologised in January, saying his previous behaviour was linked to a manic episode and attributing some of his actions to bipolar disorder and a brain injury.
His return to the international stage has, however, faced several setbacks.
A planned European tour was disrupted after a number of concerts were cancelled following public criticism of his views. In the United Kingdom, the Wireless Festival was cancelled after West was denied entry to the country.
The rapper had been scheduled to headline all three nights of the festival, but the UK Home Office said his presence would not be “conducive to the public good”.
Concerts in France, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic were also cancelled, while performances in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey and Albania went ahead.
West’s concert in Madrid earlier this month attracted significant international interest, with Spanish broadcaster RTVE reporting that up to 60 percent of the audience were foreigners who had been unable to watch him perform in their home countries.
Despite the controversy surrounding the rapper, some Spanish critics praised his performance, particularly the elaborate stage production and his selection of hit songs.
West has been linked with plans to perform in Russia for several years. In 2024, he visited the country to celebrate the birthday of fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, with whom he has collaborated.
His upcoming concerts have nevertheless attracted mixed reactions in Russia.
Conservative lawmaker Vitaly Milonov suggested that West should perform traditional Russian songs instead of his planned setlist, reflecting opposition among some Russian nationalists to Western cultural influence.
Milonov also expressed hope that the rapper’s visit could lead him to abandon what he described as his offensive behaviour.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, major Western artists regularly performed in the country, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Muse and System of a Down.
However, the music industry landscape changed after the invasion, with several international record labels suspending operations in Russia and many Western artists withdrawing from the market.
Only a limited number of international performers have since held concerts there, including Tyga, DaBaby, Akon and rapper Lil Pump.
Jason Derulo also performed in St Petersburg and Moscow last year and indicated that he planned to return to Russia as part of his 2026 world tour.
West’s controversy began escalating in 2022 after he made a series of antisemitic comments on social media, leading to the suspension of some of his accounts.
Several major brands, including Adidas and Balenciaga, subsequently ended their relationships with the rapper.
West later made further provocative statements, including declaring himself a Nazi, releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler” and selling merchandise featuring a swastika.
In January, he apologised in a full-page advertisement published in The Wall Street Journal, insisting that he was not a Nazi or an antisemite.
He described his behaviour as part of a prolonged manic episode involving paranoid and impulsive actions, saying his bipolar disorder had affected his ability to recognise that he was unwell.
However, critics have raised questions about the timing of West’s apology, noting that it coincided with the promotion of his new album, Bully, and the rollout of his world tour.
The upcoming concerts in Russia could thrust West back into the global spotlight as he seeks to rebuild his career while facing continued criticism over his previous remarks and controversial conduct.
Goodness Anunobi
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