Offset has announced a major performance in Russia, set to take place on April 18 at Moscow’s MTC Live Hall.
The rapper, whose real name is Kiari Cephus, confirmed the news via Instagram, sparking controversy given the ongoing restrictions imposed by major music labels on operations in Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Offset is currently signed to Motown Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG), which previously declared that it had suspended all business in Russia as part of international sanctions.
In a statement made shortly after the invasion, UMG announced the closure of its Russian offices and expressed support for humanitarian relief efforts aiding refugees.
Other music giants, including Sony Music, Warner Music Group, and Live Nation, also halted their business operations in the country, leading many artists to cancel scheduled performances.
Despite these restrictions, some musicians have resumed touring in Russia. Rapper DaBaby, who is signed under UMG’s Interscope Records, recently performed in Moscow, sharing updates from the event on social media.
However, Offset’s show has not been publicly endorsed by Motown Records, nor is it listed on his official website. Instead, tickets for the event are being sold through a dedicated event site and the venue’s official page.
Offset, who gained fame as a member of the rap trio Migos with hits like Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry, has been focusing on his solo career since 2017.
His latest album, Set It Off (2023), was followed by his first solo headlining tour last year.
Ticket prices for his Moscow show range from 5,000 to 45,000 Russian roubles (£40 – £400).
The event’s promotional material describes Offset as “a showman who turns a concert into a theatrical performance” and emphasizes his evolution as an artist “striving to become more confident, aware, and full of energy.”
BBC Newsbeat has reached out to UMG and Offset’s representatives for further comment on the nature of the performance and whether it aligns with the label’s stated policies on Russia.
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