Why is Kanye West's Istanbul show facing backlash? Here's what allegedly went wrong amid 'occultism and dark symbols' criticism

Kanye West's, aka Ye's, show saw nearly 120,000 fans packed at Istanbul's concert ground, but what began as a night of music and spectacle quickly spiralled into a national controversy. The event sparked a massive outrage after sections of the crowd allegedly joined in chanting, "I am God," prompting sharp criticism from a senior Turkish official. The backlash has since ignited a heated debate over the limits of artistic expression, cultural sensitivities and the influence of global celebrities in a country that is deeply rooted in its traditional values. Well, amid the buzz, let's find the 5 things that went wrong at the show as per social media.


According to Straits Times, American rapper Kanye West's blockbuster concert at Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium has sparked a sharp reaction from Turkish authorities.

Oktay Saral, the president of Turkey, took to his X (formerly called Twitter) to share a post on June 3, 2026, that read, "The concert 'could not be regarded as a mere musical event.'" He highlighted that a large crowd participated during the performance, chanting lyrics of 'I am God', which, according to him, is a matter of concern.

"118,000 young people, having paid for admission, were effectively made participants in a spectacle featuring discourse and symbolism that

stand in direct opposition to our faith and civilisational values. The scene—in which tens of thousands of people enthusiastically chanted the

'Lyrics to "I am a God" present a situation that demands serious and careful scrutiny,' he goes on to write.


"Moreover, the involvement of Michèle Lamy, a figure frequently associated with occultism and dark symbolism—in the periphery of this event demonstrates that the matter at hand extends far beyond the realms of mere music and entertainment,” the chief advisor to the Turkish President added."

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According to Prime Timer, the X post was later flagged with a Community Note, the platform’s user-driven fact-checking tool, which challenged the claim.

As per the note, Kanye West did not perform I Am A God during his Istanbul concert. It further stated that the track was last included in one of his live performances back in 2014.

Turkish officials criticised the alleged chanting of Ye's 2013 song 'I Am a God' during the concert. They argued that the lyrics conflict with the country's religious and cultural values.

Officials also pointed to the involvement of French designer Michele Lamy. Her presence and artistic style were cited as examples of alleged occult symbolism in the show.

The government claimed the concert represented a wider cultural influence on Turkish youth. Particular concern was raised over the participation of conservative audience members.


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