Turkey Criticizes Kanye West Concert in Istanbul Over ‘Spiritual Sensitivities’

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkish officials have voiced concern over a recent concert by American rapper and producer Kanye West in Istanbul, arguing that elements of the performance conflicted with the country’s religious and cultural values.

The criticism comes despite the event attracting nearly 120,000 fans, making it one of the largest concerts of West’s career in recent years. The show, held at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium, marked his first performance in Turkey and his first major European appearance in more than a decade.

Turkish Official Raises Concerns

The backlash was led by Oktay Saral, a senior adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In comments shared on social media, Saral said the concert featured rhetoric and symbolism that he believed contradicted Turkey’s faith-based and civilizational values.

One of the main points of concern was the audience’s participation in chants linked to West’s 2013 song I Am a God. Saral described the enthusiastic chanting by tens of thousands of concertgoers as an issue that deserved closer examination, particularly in a predominantly Muslim society.

Concerns Over Symbolism

Saral also criticized the involvement of French designer Michèle Lamy, who has collaborated with West and appeared at the event. He suggested that her artistic image and associations with dark or occult symbolism contributed to concerns surrounding the concert.

The adviser urged Turkey’s tourism authorities to exercise greater caution when approving events that may affect the spiritual and cultural sensitivities of the nation.

Ongoing Controversies Surround Kanye West

The Istanbul concert arrives amid continued scrutiny of West’s public statements and actions. The rapper has faced international criticism in recent years for antisemitic remarks and content that drew accusations of promoting Nazi ideology. Several European appearances have been canceled or blocked as a result.

In April, British authorities denied West entry into the country, leading to the cancellation of a planned festival appearance. Concert plans in France and Poland were also disrupted amid political and public opposition.

Earlier this year, West published a public apology in a full-page newspaper advertisement, rejecting accusations that he supports Nazism and attributing some of his past behavior to untreated mental health issues and a previously undiagnosed brain injury.

Massive Crowd Despite Criticism

Despite the controversies, the Istanbul concert demonstrated West’s continued ability to draw large audiences. According to reports, fans traveled from across Europe and the Middle East to attend the event, highlighting the rapper’s enduring global appeal even as he remains a divisive figure in the entertainment industry.

The debate surrounding the concert underscores the broader tensions between artistic expression, public controversy, and cultural values—issues that continue to follow one of music’s most polarizing figures.