Offset Announces Concert in Russia, Despite Label’s Ongoing Boycott

Offset announced that he will be performing in Russia next month. His concert will oppose an ongoing boycott of Russia by his label Universal Music Group, which suspended operations in the country following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Offset’s arena show in Moscow was on his Instagram story, where he posted a link to a Russian-based website with ticket information. This announcement follows President Donald Trump’s increasing efforts to normalize relations between the United States and Russia.

UMG was not alone in cutting ties with Russia following the start of its war with Ukraine. Many other Western labels have done the same, while many artists immediately canceled shows and tours in the country and still have yet to return. “We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible,” a UMG spokesperson stated at the time. “We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region.”

Offset and UMG have yet to comment further on the concert announcement. Offset has remained largely quiet about political matters outside of police brutality. In a since-deleted post on X from earlier this week, he called Elon Musk a “racist bitch” for entertaining the idea of pardoning Derek Chauvin, the police officer who was convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020.