Ye, the hip-hop artist formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform in a handful of U.S. cities this summer — including at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Eight shows were on the tour page on Ye’s website as of Monday morning, including one in San Antonio, two in Chicago and two in Tampa, Florida. He will also perform in Albania, Spain and Portugal, according to the website.
Ye’s return to Soldier Field will likely be an emotional one, as he was raised in the Midwestern city and much of his music is a love letter to Chicago. His last show in the city was for his “Donda” listening party in 2021.
The small tour will run from June 26 to Sept. 4 and does not have a name. His latest album, “Bully,” was released in March.
The tour announcement comes about two months after Ye was blocked from entering Britain to headline a summer music festival after backlash over his antisemitic social media statements and songs.
The Tampa shows were previously announced, and not without controversy.
In recent years, Ye has been controversially vocal on social media, including posting numerous antisemitic messages to X and Instagram. At times, his posts even led to his accounts’ being suspended.
He previously offered T-shirts for sale featuring a swastika symbol and declared “I’m a Nazi” on social media.
Earlier this year, he apologized for those comments in a full-page Wall Street Journal ad, citing an undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues.
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida wrote a letter to the Tampa Sports Authority board of directors demanding that no taxpayer dollars be used to fund his performances in the city.
After the tour announcement Monday, Scott spoke to reporters about the robust Jewish community in Tampa.
“Why on earth would we use tax dollars to fund someone who has called himself a Nazi and praised Adolf Hitler? We shouldn’t,” he said.
“Some of the worst sins in human history begin with the words ‘I was just...’” the Senator said. “‘I was just trying to make money,’ ‘I was just following orders,’ No. You can’t do that. You’re not let off the hook. None of us should be let off the hook for hatred and antisemitism.”
Ye has yet to say anything on social media about the new tour dates. The shows in Chicago require registration before purchasing.
