Ye Earned $20M From Canceled St. Petersburg Gigs, Kommersant Reports

Oct. 8, 2026 Kanye West. Monica Schipper / Getty Images via AFP Controversial American rapper Ye earned approximately $20 million from two canceled concerts in St. Petersburg and is unlikely to return the funds, the business newspaper Kommersant reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Originally scheduled for Oct. 10-11 at Gazprom Arena, Ye’s shows were canceled late last month following weeks of venue disputes and backlash from conservative Russian politicians over his past public support of Nazism. One source told Kommersant that Ye’s $20 million performance fee includes budget allocations for his staff. Another said Ye is unlikely to return the money because his contracts typically do not contain these types of clauses. State media previously estimated Ye’s performance fee, excluding the musician’s rider and other expenses, at 1 billion rubles ($11.7 million). Say Agency, the Moscow-based event organizer, announced it would begin refunding tickets next Monday, Oct. 12. The first court hearings of at least nine civil lawsuits against Say Agency and ticket operator Intickets are scheduled to begin early next month. Russian law enforcement agencies have launched a preliminary investigation into Say Agency over possible fraud, Kommersant reported. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, previously visited Moscow in 2024 to celebrate the birthday of fashion designer and collaborator Gosha Rubchinskiy. Rumors of a performance at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium circulated at the time. The rapper has drawn controversy in recent years for his antisemitic remarks. He has previously voiced admiration for Adolf Hitler, and in May 2025, he released a song called “Heil Hitler.” Ye has faced concert cancellations and performance bans in several European countries this year following his comments. Ye apologized for his remarks in January, attributing them to his undiagnosed brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: St. Petersburg , Music Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Ye Shows in St. Petersburg Officially Canceled After Weeks of Conflicting Reports The shows, originally scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11 at Gazprom Arena, triggered immediate backlash from conservative Russian politicians due to Ye’s past... 2 Min read Feature After Arrests for Anti-War Songs, a Young Street Band Is Rebuilding Its Life in Exile Stoptime members Diana Loginova and Alexander Orlov spoke to MT about emigration, anti-war sentiment in Russia and their plans for the future. 8 Min read ‘Carousel Arrests’: Inside Russia’s Tactic for Keeping Detainees Locked Up The St. Petersburg street band Stoptime's members are the latest people to face repeated administrative arrests in Russia. 5 Min read ‘You’re Afraid of Poems and Love’: Singer Monetochka Pens Verse in Support of Jailed St. Petersburg Street Musicians Monetochka read the lines condemning the authorities at a concert in Valencia on Sunday. 2 Min read