Rapper Oxxxymiron raises £50,000 with Russians Against War charity show

nme.com:

Oxxxymiron’s recent Russians Against War (RAW) charity show raised more than £50,000.The concert, which took place at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday (March 24) of last week, was a “reminder of the power of music”, according to Mike Malek, the Russian rapper’s agent.Funds raised were donated to efforts supporting Ukrainian refugees impacted by Russia’s February 24 invasion of their country.

The show followed the news that Oxxxymiron had cancelled six sold-out shows in Moscow in protest of the war.“I know that most people in Russia are against this war, and I am confident that the more people would talk about their real attitude to it, the faster we can stop this horror,” he said in a statement to The New York Times.Oxxxymiron, who is also known as Miron Fyodorov, continued: “I cannot entertain you when Russian missiles are falling on Ukraine—when residents of Kyiv are forced to hide in basements and in the metro, while people are dying.”A post shared by Oxxxymiron (@norimyxxxo)Organisers live-streamed the concert, which happened to be the rapper’s first London show in six years, via Twitch, YouTube and Instagram.“Nights like last Thursday are an incredible reminder of the strength of music and how it brings people together for the greater good,” James Ponnusamy, the show’s promoter, told MusicWeek.Ponnusamy added: “Thank you to ticket holders and the Livestream audience who helped raise awareness and show their generosity and support.

All donations received will help those in Ukraine impacted by the War.”Malak also said it was vital to both him and promoters “to put this show on and unify people against war and allow an incredible artist to use his platform.