In a surprising turn of events, American rapper Kanye West has reportedly been spotted in Moscow, according to Russian media.
If these reports are accurate, West's presence in the Russian capital could be seen as a significant propaganda victory for President Vladimir Putin. This comes at a time when most Western celebrities have chosen to avoid Moscow, a city that was once a lucrative destination for performers, due to Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
According to the Daily Mail, footage allegedly showing West in the Moscow subway has surfaced, with Russian entertainment outlet Moskvichka suggesting that the rapper's visit was to celebrate the birthday of Russian designer Gosha Rubchinsky. The reports also indicate that West was seen at a luxury hotel near the Kremlin after arriving by private plane. "Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is super news! Staying in the very heart of the capital! Fingers crossed for the show at Luzhniki! [stadium]," exclaimed Yana Rudkovskaya, a prominent producer.
West reportedly took in the sights of the Kremlin and Red Square from a viewing platform atop the GUM department store. Later reports suggested that the rapper was residing in the presidential suite of the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow, a room costing 10,150 per night with a breathtaking view of St Basil's Cathedral. West's wife, Bianca Censori, 29, is said to be accompanying him on this trip, although she has not been seen in public, according to Russian media.
However, not all are thrilled about West's alleged visit. Ekaterina Mizulina, a close Putin supporter and unofficial moral guardian, expressed her disapproval in May, stating, "We don't need any Kanye West with his naked woman. We have enough of our own 'naked' parties." Despite this, other Putin loyalists view the potential of a performance by the renowned singer in Russia as a triumph.
RIA Novosti, a state media outlet controlled by Putin, and Zvezda, a channel often seen as a mouthpiece for the Russian defense ministry, have both reported West's presence in Moscow. However, Luzhniki stadium has denied that West will be performing a concert there in the near future.
In 2022, Russian media claimed that West intended to make Russia his "second home," a claim that was vehemently denied by West's representative, Pierre Rougier. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Rougier described these claims as "entirely fabricated."
If West's presence in Moscow is confirmed, it could be perceived as a significant boost for Putin's regime. However, Mizulina, a London-educated art historian who leads the Safe Internet League, a group dedicated to censoring the web and combating prohibited content in Russia, remains opposed to welcoming the star.
Despite the controversy, Tina Kandelaki, a Putin-supporting TV presenter and media manager, remains optimistic. In May, she claimed, "Kanye will soon be with us Our Russian brands are already sewing swimsuits with a fleece for the wife of the outrageous musician." She also warned rival broadcasters that her TV channel already had rights for a Kanye West tour to Moscow.
As the daughter of a fervently pro-Putin and anti-Ukrainian senator, Mizulina is at the forefront of Putin's drive to return Russia to traditional values. The question remains whether West's alleged presence in Moscow will bolster these efforts or stir further controversy.
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