Kanye West, the renowned rapper and fashion icon, has been seen in Moscow, sparking speculation about a surprise performance and a possible meeting with President Putin. The sighting has also coincided with the birthday celebrations of Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy.

Local media outlets reported Kanye’s arrival in the Russian capital, with footage showing him navigating the Moscow subway. One source suggested that his visit is primarily to celebrate Rubchinskiy’s birthday rather than to perform.

In December 2023, Kanye appointed Gosha Rubchinskiy as the creative director for his Yeezy brand, marking a significant collaboration in the fashion world. The official statement from Yeezy emphasized Rubchinskiy’s influential role in the brand’s evolution.

Kanye’s visit to Russia is particularly noteworthy given the general avoidance of Moscow by many Western celebrities following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Various reports indicate that Kanye is staying at a luxurious hotel near the Kremlin, having arrived via private jet.

Russian social media has been abuzz with pictures and videos of Kanye in Moscow. He is reportedly staying in the Presidential suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, a suite costing £10,150 per night.

Prominent Russian producer Yana Rudkovskaya confirmed Kanye’s presence in Moscow, expressing excitement about the possibility of a performance at Luzhniki Stadium. However, stadium officials have denied any imminent concert plans.

Rumors of Kanye seeking a meeting with President Putin have circulated for years. In a 2022 interview with Billboard, Kanye’s advisor Ameer Sudan revealed that the rapper has wanted to meet Putin since 2018 and hopes to invite him to a Sunday Service performance.

Kanye has previously likened himself to Putin, calling himself “Young Putin” during an interview on the Drink Champs podcast. Despite the buzz surrounding his visit, his wife, Bianca Censori, was not seen accompanying him.

There has been some backlash from Putin supporters, with Ekaterina Mizulina quoted expressing disapproval of Kanye’s presence in Russia. Despite mixed reactions, Kanye’s visit has certainly captured widespread attention and curiosity.