Kanye West, The Controversial Genius - Comeback But Disappoints Fans

Kapanlagi.com - The name Kanye West, now known as Ye, is back in the spotlight of the music world after his comeback in Shanghai in mid-July 2025. After a long absence from live performances, the concert was expected to be a momentum for Kanye's return to the big stage.

However, unfortunately, the concert in Shanghai received criticism and disappointment from fans. Many audience members complained about Kanye's nearly 45-minute delay from the scheduled time.

Not only that, during the performance, Kanye was suspected of lipsyncing and even left the stage for about 20 minutes while the music continued to play.

1. Audience Requests Refund

The audience was left confused and frustrated, especially those who had purchased VIP tickets at a fantastic price. Disappointment peaked when Kanye performed wearing a mask and only utilized a small portion of the stage area, making it difficult for many attendees to see his performance clearly.

This situation led the front-row audience to chant "refund" en masse as a form of protest. According to reports from Page Six, many fans felt that the concert was one of the worst performances they had ever witnessed, and they demanded compensation for the poor experience.

The incident in Shanghai was not the only failure for Kanye on the music stage this year. Previously, he was also scheduled to be one of the headliners at the Rubicon festival in Bratislava, Slovakia, which was set to take place from July 18–20, 2025.

2. Song 'Heil Hitler'

Kanye West © TPG Images

However, the festival was canceled after an online petition emerged opposing Kanye's presence due to his controversial new song titled "Heil Hitler." The song, released to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Nazi defeat, incorporates excerpts from a speech by Adolf Hitler from 1935 in its lyrics.

The Slovak community, which has a dark history related to the Holocaust, responded strongly to the song. The petition against Kanye's performance was signed by thousands of citizens, and public pressure led several sponsors and other artists to withdraw from the festival. Ultimately, the organizers decided to cancel the event to honor the historical sensitivities of the local community.

The song "Heil Hitler" became the peak of a series of controversies that have surrounded Kanye in recent years. Released in May 2025, the song was immediately banned on several digital music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and SoundCloud for being deemed to spread antisemitic narratives and glorify the Nazis.

3. Rejected in Australia

Nonetheless, the song continues to spread widely on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), which still allows the song to circulate. The platform owned by Elon Musk has even faced harsh criticism from the public for being deemed ineffective in curbing the spread of harmful content.

According to reports from Business Standard and Times of India, the song was viewed over 10 million times on X just within a week of its release, reflecting how viral it became despite being heavily criticized.

The controversy surrounding the song “Heil Hitler” has also brought legal and diplomatic consequences for Kanye. The Australian government, for example, officially revoked Kanye's visa to perform in the country because the song was deemed to violate the humanitarian and historical values of the nation.

4. Dramatic Novel

Kanye West © TPG Images

This is not the first time Kanye has been denied entry to Australia. In 2022, he was also rejected due to his antisemitic statements, which led several major brands like Adidas, Balenciaga, and the CAA agency to terminate their collaborations.

Several music observers state that Kanye's controversies not only tarnish his image but also threaten his existence in the global entertainment industry. On the other hand, Kanye's tumultuous personal life has also never been out of the spotlight.

The divorce from Kim Kardashian, his second marriage to Bianca Censori, and his eccentric behavior that often sparks controversy make Kanye's life resemble a dramatic novel unfolding in the real world.

5. Successfully Making a Big Impact

However, behind all his controversies, it cannot be denied that Kanye West is one of the most influential figures in 21st-century music. Since releasing his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, Kanye has broken many boundaries in the hip-hop and pop genres.

He is known for his skill in sampling techniques and his courage to blend elements of soul, gospel, and electronic music in his works. Albums like Late Registration, Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy not only received critical acclaim but also shaped the musical tastes of the younger generation of his time.

Kanye has also won over 20 Grammy Awards and sold millions of album copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling and most influential artists of all time.

6. Visionary Figure

Kanye West © TPG Images

In addition to the music world, Kanye has also ventured into the fashion world with the Yeezy brand, which once collaborated with Adidas and became a global phenomenon. Although his partnership with Adidas has now ended due to antisemitism issues, the influence of Yeezy on streetwear trends and sneaker culture remains significant.

Kanye is also known as a visionary figure in terms of visual aesthetics, concert production, and multimedia experimentation. In many ways, Kanye is an innovator who has changed the landscape of the modern entertainment industry.

However, his genius is often overshadowed by the controversies he creates himself, as if to prove that within Kanye, genius and destruction always go hand in hand.

(kpl/tdr)