Kanye Under Fire for Show in Kazakhstan

Country ranked among most corrupt
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 2, 2013 10:00 AM CDT

Kanye West dropped by Kazakhstan—or, as TMZ puts it, "Borat Land"—this weekend to play a private show for President Nursultan Nazarbayev's grandson's wedding. He was reportedly paid some $3 million for the show, which has raised eyebrows thanks to the country's reputation, the Huffington Post reports. It's ranked among the most corrupt countries, Complex notes, and its human rights record is said to be terrible. In the Daily Mail, an activist cites torture allegations, media clampdowns, and "continued violations of workers' rights." Indeed, Sting dropped out of a planned 2011 show in the country, pointing to "hunger strikes, imprisoned workers, and tens of thousands on strike," the Mail notes. (More Kanye West stories.)

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