Topbilet.kz, a ticketing operator, accused Russian rapper OG Buddha of halting a concert in Astana and allegedly fleeing Kazakhstan with proceeds from ticket sales. The company contended that the artist left the country with the money, while OG Buddha countered that the organizers who failed to meet contractual terms caused the show’s cancellation.
In a post on Instagram, a platform linked to Meta, Topbilet.kz announced it had filed a police complaint against OG Buddha. The statement hinted at forthcoming legal actions and a press conference intended to disclose the real reasons behind the artist’s absence from the venue and his alleged departure from the country. The company also signaled plans to pursue a class-action case over perceived obscene language used by the performer during the events. The post suggested that additional lawsuits were on the way and that the public would soon be given a detailed account of what happened. [citation: company statement published on social media]
OG Buddha offered his side of the story, noting that two concerts were scheduled in Kazakhstan during the preparation phase. He acknowledged successfully performing the first show in Alma-Ata but described serious problems with the organizers. He claimed they failed to meet rider requirements, left the technical team unready, did not provide a proper dressing room, and did not ensure adequate security. The rapper recalled repeated interruptions caused by crowd surges, explaining that he had to pause the performance after each track for six to eight minutes while security and organizers remained unresponsive.
Following the Alma-Ata show, OG Buddha said he issued fines to the organizers for noncompliance and other issues, only to see them refuse payment. He also referenced a later sound-check in Astana that confirmed a repeating pattern of issues. He stated that safety had become the priority and that he rejected a possible repeat of the problems. According to the artist, the organizers accused him of scamming them and threatened to block future international travel arrangements, implying influential connections would protect the plan and that the artist would regret resisting. The portrayal of the situation, he described as the dirtiest and ugliest chapter of the dispute. [citation: artist interview and social media statements]
Meanwhile, Topbilet.kz released footage from the concert hall with a bold caption suggesting the evening was ready for the performance but that the artist refused to take the stage. The clip and accompanying words contributed to the narrative of a canceled event and heightened tensions between the promoter and the performer. [citation: promotional video and statements]