Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Ye’s October Russia Concerts Cancelled Amid Antisemitism Controversy
Ye, who was formerly called Kanye West, was supposed to perform two concerts in Russia in October.
The concerts were planned for St. Petersburg.
The organizer later said the shows could not happen on their scheduled dates.
The venue had also said it had not signed an agreement with the organizers.
Some Russian military bloggers criticized bringing an American performer to Russia.
They pointed to the United States supporting Ukraine during the war.
Maria Zakharova also opposed the concerts because of Ye’s praise for Adolf Hitler.
Ye has apologized for earlier antisemitic comments and said health problems contributed to them.
Say Agency said Ye’s two planned October concerts in St. Petersburg will not take place.
The concerts’ status had been uncertain after the venue said it had no agreement with organizers.
Ye has faced concert cancellations and performance bans after antisemitic remarks and Nazi imagery.
Russian military bloggers and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the planned performances.
Ye previously apologized for his remarks, attributing them to an undiagnosed brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder.
- Who
- Rapper and producer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West; Say Agency was the concert organizer.
- What
- Two October concerts planned for Ye in Russia were cancelled.
- When
- The concerts were scheduled for October; Say Agency announced the cancellation on Thursday after the shows were announced in mid-August.
- Where
- St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Why
- Say Agency said the concerts could not take place on their scheduled dates, while the venue had disputed having an agreement with the organizers. The plans also faced criticism over Ye’s antisemitic remarks and the political context of hosting a US artist in Russia.
Critics and Opponents
Organizers and Planned Performance
Whether the concerts should be held
Critics and Opponents
Russian pro-war military bloggers criticized hosting a US artist while Washington supports Ukraine. Maria Zakharova called the performances unacceptable and accused Ye of glorifying Adolf Hitler.
Organizers and Planned Performance
Say Agency had announced and planned the concerts, but later said they could not take place on the scheduled dates. The article does not provide a detailed public defense from the organizers.
Reason for the cancellation
Critics and Opponents
The cancellation came amid Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks, praise for Adolf Hitler, Nazi imagery, and concert restrictions in several European countries.
Organizers and Planned Performance
Say Agency cited the inability to hold the concerts on their scheduled dates. Separately, the intended venue said it had not signed an agreement with the organizers, leaving the shows’ status uncertain.
- Artist
- Ye, formerly known as Kanye West
- Planned shows
- Two concerts in St. Petersburg
- Scheduled timing
- October
- Organizer
- Say Agency
- Announcement timing
- The concerts were announced in mid-August and cancelled in a Thursday announcement
- Related controversy
- Ye has faced criticism and performance restrictions following antisemitic remarks, praise for Adolf Hitler, and Nazi imagery
- Additional cancellation
- Ye cancelled his scheduled May 23 debut performance in India