Kanye West news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Kanye West will perform two sold-out shows at St. Petersburg's Gazprom Arena on Oct. 10-11. He becomes the largest Western musician to play Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Background
Kanye West, now known as Ye, has faced widespread cancellations and bans across Europe due to his history of antisemitic remarks and Nazi imagery. After apologizing in January, he has been attempting a comeback tour, with successful shows in Turkey, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. Russia, which has been largely isolated from Western entertainment since the invasion of Ukraine, has welcomed him, with tickets selling out quickly.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2025West started selling swastika t-shirts, and in May released a song titled 'Heil Hitler', leading to visa revocation in Australia and arrest threat in Brazil.
- Jan 2026West apologized for his antisemitic remarks, attributing them to an undiagnosed brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder.
- Apr 2026West staged his first full live show in the U.S. in five years in Los Angeles, with two sold-out concerts.
- Aug 17, 2026Gazprom Arena announced via Telegram that West will perform two shows on Oct. 10-11, with tickets selling out within hours.
Who’s saying what
- Venue
- Gazprom Arena called West 'the most influential musical artist of our time' and promoted the shows as part of his 'record-breaking world tour'.
- Critics
- European countries like the UK, France, Italy, Poland, and Switzerland canceled or postponed his shows due to his antisemitic remarks and Nazi imagery.
- Supporters
- Some countries like the Netherlands and Turkey maintained his shows, sparking debate on freedom of speech in Europe.
Still unverified
The claim that West's shows in Russia are 'sold out' is based on venue announcements and reports, but exact attendance figures are not yet confirmed.