Kanye West's Sold-Out Russia Concerts Canceled After Backlash
Kanye West's two sold-out concerts in St. Petersburg, Russia, have been canceled, the event's organizer confirmed Wednesday. The rapper, who now goes by Ye, had been scheduled to perform at Gazprom Arena on October 10 and 11.
The shows had faced uncertainty since they were announced in mid-August, amid pushback from Russian officials over the artist's past antisemitic remarks and use of Nazi imagery in recent years.
What the Organizer Said
Say Agency, the company behind the concerts, announced the cancellation on the messaging app Telegram.
"Friends, it is with sincere regret that we inform you that the YE concerts in St. Petersburg will not be able to take place on the scheduled dates," the agency said, according to Reuters.
The organizer did not give an official reason. It said ticket holders would receive refunds.
Tickets had ranged from 9,000 rubles, or about $107, to 160,000 rubles, or about $1,900, according to Newsweek.
A Venue Dispute
Questions about the concerts began weeks ago. Gazprom Arena initially promoted the shows on social media, but on August 24 the venue said it "did not sign any stadium rental agreements for the event."
State news agency Interfax later reported that the arena said the contract to lease the venue had never been signed.
Local St. Petersburg media reported that high-ranking government officials had not approved the concerts. Russian business outlet Kommersant reported that law enforcement had opened a preliminary fraud investigation into the organizers, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Pushback From Russian Officials
The concerts drew criticism from Russian politicians and pro-war military bloggers. Promoting Nazism is a criminal offense in Russia.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the performances would have been unacceptable and at odds with Russia's official stance against Nazism and fascism.
A Western superstar playing a stadium in Russia would also have been rare. Russia has faced growing cultural and sporting isolation since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including a ban on competing as a nation at the Winter Olympics this year.
Ye's Years of Controversy
West has faced backlash since 2022 over a string of antisemitic statements that cost him major business partnerships. In 2025, he released a song titled "Heil Hitler" that was pulled from most streaming platforms.
Concerts in several European countries were canceled after his remarks and his use of Nazi imagery.
In April, the United Kingdom barred West from entering the country, saying his presence would "not be conducive to the public good." He had been booked to headline all three nights of London's Wireless Festival in July, and organizers canceled the entire event as a result.
"The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders," a festival spokesperson said, according to Gulf News.
In January, West published an apology in The Wall Street Journal. "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite," he wrote. He attributed his past comments to an undiagnosed brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder.
Another Canceled Show in the Family
The cancellations come two months after his daughter North West's first headlining tour was called off just days before it was set to begin. No reason was given for that cancellation.
West has not publicly commented on the canceled St. Petersburg shows. It is unclear whether Say Agency plans to reschedule them or whether Russian authorities would allow it.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.