Nine days ago, American rapper Travis Scott announced to his 50.3 million followers on Instagram that he would debut his latest album, ‘Utopia’, at a live-streamed concert at the Pyramids of Giza on 28 July. Tickets were made available shortly afterwards and sold out within 15 minutes of release to the public. Nine days later, Scott’s concert is on the brink of cancellation and Egypt has once again made headlines across the world under negative circumstances after Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate revoked the concert’s license. In its statement, the Syndicate’s spokesperson claimed that the rapper’s values conflicted with “the cultural identity of Egyptian people”, adding that Scott had engaged in “unusual rituals” during his performances. This cancellation, should it take effect, is not only a blow to Scott’s fans, but also a devastating blow to Egypt’s image on multiple fronts. The short-sighted decision by the Syndicate will have far-reaching consequences, impacting the country’s tourism and business sectors and its reputation. Ultimately, Egyptians are the losers, and someone else will claim their spoils. A Lost Opportunity to Promote Egypt to the World The Pyramids of Giza, a symbol of Egypt’s rich historical…
Cancelling Travis Scott’s Concert is Devastating for Egypt’s Image
July 19, 2023
