The American rap star Kanye West, who uses the stage name "Ye," planned to hold two shows in Russia, but the saga from last week's announcement to an event venue's withdrawal just days later has attracted attention across the country. Russian authorities are divided over the possibility of the shows going ahead.
West was banned from entering several European countries due to past anti-Semitic comments. He would have been the biggest Western musician to perform as a headliner in Russia since Moscow launched its offensive against Ukraine in 2022.
Some Russian authorities supported the planned shows, hoping to dispel the idea that Russia is isolated because of the war. Other authorities expressed concern over the rapper's previous comments glorifying Nazi Germany, a sensitive issue in Russia.
