Rapper Offset, best known as one of the members of the rap group Migos, announced on his Instagram story he would play a show in Russia next month, three years after his label Universal Music Group announced it would cease operations in the country over its invasion of Ukraine.
Offset announced on his Instagram story he would perform in Russia next month. (Photo by Paras ... [+]
Offset announced on his Instagram story he would perform a show at MTC Live Hall in Moscow on April 18, for which tickets are already on sale.
The rapper is signed to Motown Records, a label under the Universal Music Group umbrella, which announced in March 2022 it would cease operations in Russia and close its offices in the country, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In its March 2022 statement, UMG said it wished an “end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible” and would adhere to “international sanctions” targeting the country.
It’s unclear whether Offset’s label was involved with scheduling his Russia performance, but many music industry companies, including labels and streaming services, have pulled out of the country following the Ukraine invasion, and many Western artists have refrained from performing there.
Forbes has reached out to UMG and Offset’s management for comment.
Many companies announced they would stop doing business in Russia. In addition to UMG, the other two of the three major record labels—Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group—also suspended operations in Russia in March 2022. Spotify also ceased operations in Russia in March 2022, though it cited the country passing legislation “restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and criminalizing certain types of news.” Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many artists canceled planned shows in Russia, including Louis Tomlinson, The Killers, Green Day, My Chemical Romance and Iron Maiden.
Few Western artists have traveled to Russia and performed since the country invaded Ukraine. Rapper and former billionaire Kanye West reportedly traveled to Moscow in June 2024, according to Russian media outlets, though multiple Western media outlets could not independently verify he was there. CNN reported West would have been the first major Western star to visit the country after its invasion of Ukraine. Rapper DaBaby performed in Russia last week, according to posts he made on Instagram. Some Western DJs performed in July 2024 at a Russian festival, Outline, The Guardian reported. Several of these DJs defended their performances, including Belgian DJ Alexandre Guisson, who told The Guardian: “I don’t think you should label a place where free spirits come to share music [with]
Offset’s planned concert comes as the United States’ foreign policy toward Russia has largely shifted during President Donald Trump’s second term. Some of Trump’s recent remarks—including calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator,” telling him he is gambling with World War III in an Oval Office clash and cutting U.S. intelligence to Ukraine—have been interpreted as friendly to Russia. A Kremlin spokesperson said earlier this week Trump’s foreign policy “largely aligns with our vision.” Trump, at his address to Congress Tuesday night, said both Ukraine and Russia are ready for “peace” and that Ukraine is ready to negotiate a still-unsigned minerals deal with the United States.
Here Are All the Music Companies Halting Business in Russia (Billboard)