After days of back and forth, it’s been officially announced that Travis Scott’s much-anticipated Utopia concert at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt has been cancelled due to construction issues. Despite the concert promoter Live Nation Middle East’s best efforts, the complex production requirements couldn’t be met in the desert setting, leading to a disappointing (but not too surprising) outcome for ticket holders.

Although the statement clearly claimed that production issues were the sole reason for the event’s cancellation, multiple reports say that the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate, which issues the permits, had revoked the permit because the concert “goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.”

In a statement, the Syndicate said that it made the decision after “examining social media opinions and feedback,” along with reports that included “authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by [Scott] during his performance” that go against “our authentic societal values and traditions.” It was unclear which “peculiar rituals” caused offence, but we’re betting it’s got something to do with Freemasonry.

It was only earlier this month that the controversial rapper announced the concert, which would have coincided with the Friday release of his long-delayed Utopia album, the date of which has been set for many weeks but was only officially announced earlier this week. Scott has also released an accompanying film, Circus Maximus, in theatres.

It’s almost impossible to report on this announcement without mentioning the tragedy that occurred during 2021’s Astroworld festival. Despite his role in the deadly crowd crush in which ten people died and hundreds more were injured, it was recently announced by a Houston grand jury that Scott would not face criminal charges.

Many have linked the opposition to the Utopia concert to conspiracy theories that spread like wildfire following the Astroworld tragedy, which claimed that the rapper had orchestrated it as a large-scale satanic ritual.

While Scott’s representatives have not yet commented on the cancellation, the musician took to Twitter and stated: “Egypt at the pyramids will happen, but due to demand and detail logistics they just need a bit of time to set lay on lands. I will keep you posted on a date which will be soon.”

Egypt at the pyramids will happen
But due to demand and detail logistics
They just need a bit a time to set lay on lands. I will keep u posted on a date which will be soon love you alllll

— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) July 26, 2023

Recently, Scott also unveiled the music video he directed for his single ‘K-Pop’, featuring Bad Bunny and The Weeknd. This track serves as the debut release from his long-awaited studio album Utopia, marking his first album in five years. It’s not hard to guess why the rapper had been laying low until now, but it certainly seems like he’s back for good.