Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is no stranger to controversy, political or otherwise. That said, for some commentators, this is partly why he has shifted his live events to other countries, including China. After his Haikou “listening experience” last year received a warm welcome from both local authorities and the audience, Ye returned to China with a full-scale concert in Shanghai. However, this time the performance was met with outrage and calls for a refund.
If you think the backlash was about the “Heil Hitler” or “WW3” messaging, you’d be wrong. It was mostly due to Ye’s lateness to the stage and the early finish, as there were reports that the venue played the two controversial tracks after the rapper had taken his final bow. The China concert was plagued by a rainstorm that, according to the official Rednote account of Ye, caused a malfunction in the equipment, leading him to start late and interrupt the show three times before concluding. The venue’s playing of the tracks was unauthorised, and Ye had no knowledge of it. He reiterates that he loves China and his fans there.
- #侃爷上海演唱会嫌雨太大提前退场 Kanye leaves early at Shanghai concert because of rain: 120 million views on Weibo, ranking number 1 on the Hot Search list
- #侃爷发文感谢中国粉丝 Kanye thanks Chinese fans online: 37.58 million views on Weibo, ranking number 2 on the Hot Search list
However, netizens and media outlets were left unimpressed with his explanation and gratitude. Aside from Ye being over 40 minutes late for the Shanghai concert, they also complained about the shoddy stage design, muffled sound system, and playback at the end. Many are discussing a refund, amplified by calls from state-owned media accounts. Unprofessionalism and hubris toward fans are commonly mentioned. It is, however, a consistent position, as the Haikou “listening experience” was praised for its bold stage design and ample live performance for a “listening party”. Value, it seems, is still the top priority, even in the entertainment business.