“Did Kanye cut the power?”: What Kazakhstanis are joking about amid the Almaty blackout

A significant power outage in Almaty and the surrounding Almaty Region of Kazakhstan on August 14 caused widespread disruption, but also sparked a wave of humorous speculation online, with users jokingly blaming rapper Kanye West.

As electricity failed around 3:00 p.m., residents took to social media platforms like Threads to share their experiences. The jokes intensified when a photo emerged of West dressed as an electrician, holding pliers near electrical equipment. Memes circulated suggesting the artist had personally inspected Almaty's power grid before his scheduled concert.

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Did Kanye cut the power everywhere?

"Did Kanye cut the power?" became a recurring question, with users humorously questioning if the blackout was connected to his performance. Some memes depicted West holding a large glowing sphere with cables seemingly extending to Almaty and its districts, labeled "Almaty Without Power."

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Almaty, how are you enjoying life without electricity?

While the online community found levity in the situation, some attendees expressed genuine concern about reaching the concert venue. Worries about dead phones, inability to order taxis, and potential disruptions to concert logistics like showers and laser shows were shared.

Official sources attributed the blackout to an accident on 500 kV overhead power transmission lines owned by KEGOC. The incident resulted in a total load disconnection of 300 MW, affecting numerous districts in Almaty Region and causing traffic light failures, communication disruptions, and traffic jams in Almaty itself. Power restoration efforts were underway, with specialists working to resolve the issue.

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People of Almaty, how are we supposed to get to the concert? Our phones are dead, we can’t order taxis. Ye won’t be able to shower at the Ritz. The lasers won’t work, what are we going to do?