This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News
Kanye West criticised for Kazakhstan show
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 6 September 2013
Kanye West has been criticised by the Human Rights Foundation for performing at the wedding of the grandson of Kazakhstan’s president Nursultan Nazarbayev last weekend. West reportedly received a fee of $3 million for his appearance.
In a statement, HRF President Thor Halvorssen said: “Kazakhstan is a human rights wasteland. The regime crushes freedom of speech and association; someone like Kanye, who makes a living expressing his views, would find himself in a prison under Nazarbayev’s rule. This particular dictator’s ruthless behaviour includes kidnapping the families of dissidents to his rule and abusing judicial systems across the world in persecuting his opponents”.
By the way, any media referencing Borat in headlines when reporting this story, please stop it now. “Kanye West paid millions to play in Borat Land” was a particularly low point.
