Black, boots and vests: Fans Recreate Kanye West Universe in the Algarve

Rshorts or miniskirts, futuristic sunglasses, and boys with false bulletproof vests, ‘cargo’ pants and combat boots, “dressed” black to arid landscape surrounding the stadium in Loulé that today welcomes the American who now presents himself as Ye.

Fábio, 29 years old, is dressed exactly like this and explains to Lusa that his costume is inspired by the aesthetics of the album “Donda”. For Brazilians, Kanye West's genius is constantly creating new musical genres and inspiring generations of artists.

“ I think the biggest names of 'hip hop' nowadays, of rap, if we think of Kendrick [Lamar], Drake, Travis Scott, they all had an inspiration in some Ye album, because his sound changes from album to album. And each album is a new invention, it is a new genre that he, in quotes, invented at that time ", considers.

With regard to the polemics that have marked the rapper’s career, particularly due to the spread of anti-Semitic messages, by suggesting that slavery was a choice and being against the covid-19 vaccine, Fabio stresses that he has already “forgave” and manages to separate the artist’s work itself.

“ I have to believe what he said. What he said was he had a bipolar, autistic diagnosis, and he apologized. He's doing everything he can to recant with the people he's been offensive to. He's done what he can to recant. And since this retraction there has not been, until now, a moment that shows that this change of perspective is not legitimate”, he recognized.

Also Ana, 20 years old, who came from Porto to see the concert, says she manages to separate Kanye's music, which says she is “iconic”, from her controversial personality and excuses it for less happy moments, because she considers that “the most revolutionary artists are the ones who suffer the most mentally”.

“Of course I recognize that there are things he says that are not exactly right to say and can offend a lot of people, but I also recognize and have empathy for the fact that he has mental illness that may have caused him to say these things. In a way, excuses ", says.

Sergio, 19 years old, traveled, with his friend Roman, 18, more than 700 kilometers to see Kanye West perform in the Algarve, just a week after they saw him in the Spanish capital: “Kanye West is my favorite artist ever. First is Michael Jackson, and then Kanye West,” says Sergio with conviction.

The young Spaniards, native to Madrid, are dressed strictly in this case as black, are also condescending: “I don’t think he’s anti-Semitic, for example. He simply sometimes ‘passes’ because of the pressure he has on him. There is no artist of your level who is not crazy, it is impossible ", says Sergio.

In the area where doors are waiting for entry, little population is seen above the age of 30, but those who see themselves, for the most part, came with their children, such as the British Andrew and Lynn, in their 60s, who are in the Algarve on holiday and went to the concert to celebrate their son's 18th birthday.

Dad says he doesn't know Kanye's music well, but the polemics do. Questioned about what he thinks of the question involving the dissemination of anti-Semitic messages, he answers: “I support Palestine, so I think many people are silenced when they criticize Israel or anything that has to do with Israel. Anyone who shows any kind of anti-Israel rhetoric is silenced and criticized ", defends.

In April, the British government banned the entry of the musician into the country, due to anti-Semitic statements, something Lynn says to disagree “absolutely”, because she considers that freedom of expression is very important and that people should be free to say what they like, or not.

“ I don't think music should be affected by politics. I don't agree with that. Just as I don't think sport should be affected by politics. And I also believe that if we stop having bad politicians, then it goes away. We have to let people say what they think is responsible for their words ", stressed.

Kanye West is currently playing at the Algarve Stadium in Loulé as part of a new international tour with the album “Bully”.

This will be the third concert of the American rapper in Portugal, after debuting in 2006 at Cool Jazz Fest (Oeiras), and having returned in 2011 to the festival Sudoeste (Zambujeira do Mar).

Over the past few years, the artist has made several statements of anti-Semitic content, conspiracy theories about the Jewish community, and statements of apology to Nazism.

These statements resulted in the suspension of their social networks, the cancellation of contracts with global brands such as Adidas and even the ban on entering certain countries.