American rapper Kanye West, who has repeatedly sparked controversy in the United States, is in Moscow on a private visit, Russian media reported on Sunday.
Western musicians have mostly avoided Russia since the start of the offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, which led to a barrage of sanctions against Moscow and a serious crisis in relations with the West.
“Kanye West is in Moscow! This is great news, he is in the heart of the capital,” producer Yana Rudkovskaya was quoted as saying by the state news agency Tass.
Russian media and cultural figure Ksenia Sobchak posted a short video on Telegram, which she claims shows the American rapper on the roof of the famous GUM shopping mall, looking out over Red Square.
According to her, Kanye West is in Moscow to “celebrate the fortieth birthday of his friend Gosha Rubchinskiy,” a fashionable Russian designer.
A crowd of around a hundred supporters gathered in front of the Four Seasons Hotel in central Moscow despite the heat, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rapper, an AFP journalist noted.
“Everyone is waiting for Kanye West, and everyone is hoping to get pictures or autographs,” said Alexander, an 18-year-old Russian, who calls the rapper a “legend.”
Kanye West, who has previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparked controversy at home after he praised Adolf Hitler in particular.
The artist, also known for his fashion brand Yeezy, has become a pariah in the entertainment world since he made a series of anti-Semitic remarks in 2022. Several brands including Adidas, Gap and Balenciaga have cut ties with him.
