American rapper Kanye West’s planned concerts in Russia have been cancelled after weeks of uncertainty over whether the controversial performances would go ahead.
The rapper, who now goes by Ye, was scheduled to perform at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on October 10 and 11.
However, organisers confirmed that the shows would no longer take place, ending speculation over the fate of what would have been one of the biggest performances by a Western artist in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
Concert organisers Say Agency announced the cancellation in a statement shared on Telegram, expressing regret that the shows could not proceed on the scheduled dates.
The uncertainty began after Gazprom Arena said in August that it had not signed a rental agreement with the concert promoters and would not host the event.
The venue also acknowledged receiving complaints about West’s planned appearance.
The planned concerts had attracted criticism in Russia because of Kanye West’s past controversial statements and actions, including comments and material that drew accusations of antisemitism and praise for Nazi imagery.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticised the planned shows, questioning whether the country should host an artist accused of glorifying Adolf Hitler.
Kanye West has previously apologised for some of his past comments, saying he had “lost touch with reality.”
The rapper has not publicly commented on the cancellation.
The Russia concerts are the latest in a series of setbacks for West, whose performances have also faced cancellations or restrictions in other countries.
