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DW: Albanian Prime Minister Defends Ye's 4 Million Euro Concert, Why Are Countries Banning Kanye West?

Politiko 2026-07-08 22:08:39

DW: Albanian Prime Minister Defends Ye's 4 Million Euro Concert, Why Are

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the decision to financially support a concert by controversial American rapper Kanye West.

In a public Facebook post on Wednesday, Rama attempted to address public anger over the event by arguing that a 4 million euro ($4.56 million) investment in the concert was good for the country.

"We allocated 4 million euros at the last minute to avoid embarrassing Albania in the eyes of nearly 25,000 foreign visitors from 80 countries who had already purchased tickets to see Kanye West, while many others were wary that the concert could be canceled," Rama said on Facebook.

Albania is the latest country to allow the rapper to perform, after several others refused. The concert is scheduled for July 11 and will take place just outside the capital Tirana, in a makeshift stadium built specifically for the event.

Why are countries banning Kanye West?

Albania's decision to invest in Kanye West's concert comes at a time when several European countries have banned his performances. The rapper, who is most recently known as YE, has been banned due to his provocative comments in the past, which have included anti-Semitic remarks, praise for Adolf Hitler and content with Nazi imagery.

Kanye has distanced himself from his past actions, saying they were related to his bipolar disorder. He apologized for posting anti-Semitic content on social media last year, saying he regretted any pain his words had caused and asked for forgiveness.

Rama says Kanye will bring in revenue 

However, countries like France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland banned his performance or did not allow him to enter the country. But since last year, he has been able to perform in countries like Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Georgia.

Prime Minister Rama defended the event, arguing that it would generate at least 100 million euros in revenue for the country, which he linked to an increase in accommodation bookings around the time of the concert.

Rama has already been criticized for his plans for a luxury resort by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Strong opposition to the project has prompted daily protests in Tirana against the Kushner family and perceived corruption within the Albanian government./DW

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