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Kanye's Europe tour cancels numbered shows over anti-semitic controversy
©picture alliance / newscom | JIM RUYMEN
On Saturday, Kanye West, who now calls himself Ye, kicks off his summer tour with a performance at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. Holland is also on the schedule in his first European tour in 11 years. On June 6 and 8, he will take the stage in Arnhem.
Concerts by the 48-year-old American rapper were cancelled in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Poland, among others, following controversy surrounding his anti-Semitic statements.
Ye is therefore welcome in Istanbul. Organizer Erdem Karahan expects a big success with fans from several countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Poland, Russia and Kazakhstan. Organizers are aiming for up to 120,000 visitors. Meanwhile, 75,000 tickets are said to have been sold so far.
West will perform on a unique stage in the shape of a globe. The organizers expect substantial revenues, partly from foreign visitors. Reservations and revenues from hotels, transportation and catering are already soaring. According to Mustafa Karahan, this could generate between $50 million and $100 million. Alcohol will not be sold during the event.
Several Turkish artists are scheduled to perform prior to Kanye West's performance. Karahan also expects American rapper Travis Scott to appear to perform the song "Father" with West. An appearance by North West, the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, is also expected.
West has repeatedly come under fire for anti-Semitic statements in recent years. For example, he previously declared "I Love Nazis" on social media, he sold T-shirts with a swastika through his website and released a song titled "Heil Hitler" last year. In January, he published a full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal, attributing his behavior to manic episodes due to a bipolar disorder.
After the Istanbul concert, performances are planned in the Netherlands, Albania, Italy and the Czech Republic.
©picture alliance / newscom | JIM RUYMEN