Russian media says Kanye West visiting Moscow

By AFP 30 June 2024, 2:23 pm

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Kanye West, known as Ye, watches the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

US rapper Kanye West was in Moscow, Russian media report quoting a well-known Russian producer.

Western artists have mostly not performed in Russia during its Ukraine offensive, which led to massive US and European sanctions on Moscow, as well as travel restrictions to the country.

Kanye West, who has stirred controversy with his political statements in the United States, a string of antisemitic scandals and was recently accused of praising Adolf Hitler, has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past.

“Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is great news, he is staying in the heart of the capital,” the state TASS news agency quotes producer Yana Rudkovskaya as saying on social media.

Her announcement followed rumors last month that West will perform a concert in Moscow.

But Luzhniki Stadium, where he was rumored to perform, told state media it does not have information on possible concerts by the famous rapper.