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Ye Defends Jakarta Crowd's 'Rock and Roll' Performance
25 Oct
Summary
- Ye performed for 78,000 fans in Jakarta, his only Southeast Asian stop.
- He defended his concert interaction, calling the crowd's singing "rock and roll."
- Jakarta became a key market after Western market shunned him.
Ye's October 24 concert in Jakarta attracted an estimated 78,000 attendees at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. This event served as the only Southeast Asian stop for his Bully tour, featuring his signature 360-degree Globe Stage production.
Following online discussion, Ye addressed a viral clip of the concert on X, where he guided the audience in singing "Heartless." Some perceived his direction as trolling, but Ye countered that the energetic crowd participation was "rock and roll." This concert marked a notable engagement in Jakarta, a significant market for Ye after experiencing repercussions in Western markets due to his past antisemitic statements.
Earlier in 2026, Ye published a public apology in The Wall Street Journal for his antisemitic behavior and use of Nazi imagery. He attributed his actions to struggles with bipolar disorder and an undiagnosed brain injury, asserting, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people." He also apologized to the Black community and committed to seeking treatment, therapy, and lifestyle changes for stability.
