U.S. rapper Kanye West has arrived in Moscow for the birthday celebrations of fashion designer Gosha Rubchinsky.
Rubchinskiy is the head of design for the rapper’s fashion brand Yeezy.
West himself allegedly posted on the Russian social media website VK on Sunday saying, “Hi, Moscow,” according to state media RIA Novosti. However, his account on VK is not verified.
The news followed rumors last month that West will perform a concert in Moscow.
Western artists have mostly stopped performing in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which led to massive U.S. and European sanctions on Moscow, as well as travel restrictions to the country.
It’s a move that bucks the trend of Western artists in recent times but when was that ever an issue for Kanye ‘Ye’ West? While others are steering clear of Russia during its illegal Ukraine offensive
Kanye West, who has stirred controversy with his political statements in the United States and was recently accused of praising Adolf Hitler, has expressed admiration for 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 quoted Russian television presenter Yana Rudkovskaya as saying on social media.
Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian television anchor, published a short video on Telegram she said showed the rapper observing Red Square from the roof of the GUM department store.
It said it was a private visit and no concerts were planned.
She said West was in Moscow to celebrate the 40th birthday of his friend Gosha
Rubchinskiy, a Russian fashion designer.
“Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is great news, he is staying in the heart of the capital,” Russian state news agency TASS quoted local music producer Yana Rudkovskaya as saying, in an allusion to rumors that spread weeks ago suggesting West would perform in Russia.
But Luzhniki Stadium, where he was rumored to perform, told state media it does not have information on possible concerts by the famous rapper.
The visit would make Kanye West the first major American celebrity to visit Moscow since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
West has repeatedly surprised with political statements and appearances that have gotten him into trouble.
His statements, including praise of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and a seeming denial of the Holocaust, have contributed to the demise of collaborations with Adidas and others.
West has expressed praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past.
While the specifics of West’s agenda in Moscow remain as elusive as the details of a secret concert, his arrival in Russia is pretty clear. Whether he’s there to perform, celebrate a birthday, meet with officials, or simply add another entry to his long list of unexpected antics, Kanye likes to keep the world guessing. And in Moscow, at least according to Rudkovskaya, that seems to be a welcome trait.
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