Kanye West is headed to Russia.
According to Billboard, the artist, who now goes by Ye, is planning a trip to Moscow later this year to meet with President Vladimir Putin and host Sunday Service shows. The multi-hyphenated superstar is also reportedly looking to expand his business ventures into the country.
“He will be spending a lot of time out there,” Ye’s confidant and strategic advisor Ameer Sudan told Billboard.
Per Sudan, the “Bound 2” rapper is also involved in business dealings with billionaire real estate developer Aras Agalarov and his son Emin. Agalarov is often referred to as “Trump of Russia” because he self-brands his buildings. The Yeezy creator also plans to collaborate musically with Emin Agalarov in an effort to raise his profile in the U.S.
As far as Sunday Service, this would be the first time the Grammy-award-winning rapper performs in Russia in his 25-year career. It’s something he’s reportedly wanted to do since he first launched the Sunday Service project back in 2019. He plans to invite Putin as a special guest.
Kanye visiting Russia comes to no surprise as he previously referred to himself as “Young Putin” while as a special guest on the Drink Champs podcast.
Despite the criticism that may come Ye’s way and the U.S. Department of State categorizing Russia as a Level 4: Do Not Travel region, Sudan says the DONDA rapper is going regardless.
“This is Ye, Ye is going to get there regardless. What are they going to say?” Sudan said. “Kanye knows what’s going on more than the average human being, he’s well aware of things. And it’s nothing against the United States or to cause conflicts, but Ye is Ye—he can’t be controlled.”
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