American rapper Kanye West, also known by the pseudonym Ye, has set a new record in the history of stadium performances. On May 30, his concert in Istanbul was attended by 118,000 spectators, marking the largest attendance in the history of such events, according to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
This performance was the artist's first in Europe since 2014 and the first ever in Turkey. The audience included fans from the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland, and countries in the Middle East.
"I just want to say to all of you, we just broke a record, 118,000, the largest stadium performance of all time," West declared on stage.
Concert cancellations and scandals
Despite the triumph in Istanbul, West's summer tour in Europe faced significant challenges. A number of concerts were cancelled in the UK, the Netherlands, and Poland. The reason was the artist's long-standing antisemitic remarks, including praise for Adolf Hitler and the use of Nazi symbolism in his materials. In particular, his release "Heil Hitler" drew criticism.
Public apologies and health
In January 2024, West published a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal, in which he renounced his past fascination with Hitler and apologized for his behavior. The artist linked his actions to an undiagnosed brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder.
Commercial success
Despite the scandals, West's commercial success remains incredible. His latest studio album, Bully, debuted at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart immediately after its release earlier this year. According to Billboard, the rapper has 24 Grammy Awards and 10 albums that have reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, making him one of the most decorated artists in music chart history.