Cardi B, Travis Scott invited to perform in China after Kanye West’s success

China invites Cardi B and Travis Scott to perform after Kanye West’s successful concerts boost tourism.

Several prominent U.S. rappers, including Cardi B and Travis Scott, have been invited to perform on Hainan Island in southern China, following the success of Kanye West’s two sold-out concerts in Haikou, the provincial capital, in September 2024. 

These performances not only drew huge crowds but also generated millions in visitor spending. Capitalizing on this success, local tourism officials are now targeting top-selling U.S. rappers to perform in the region.

Haikou aims to establish itself as a leading global destination for performing arts, with an open and inclusive cultural vision, according to Wang Ke, head of the city's tourism, culture, radio, film, and television bureau. He highlighted these ambitions during a recent government meeting.

Cardi B’s rise to fame was fueled by her bold personality on social media and her role on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York. However, it was the release of her 2017 hit “Bodak Yellow” that catapulted her to stardom. Since then, she has earned Grammy Awards and numerous chart-topping hits, solidifying her status as a key figure in rap.

Meanwhile, Travis Scott’s 2023 album UTOPIA debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Recently, Scott has been involved in a legal dispute with Show Motion Engineering, accusing the company of failing to deliver a custom stage for his tour and exploiting his brand for profit without permission.