Kanye West to play Pan Am Games closing ceremonies
Rapper joins Pitbull for Games finale
American rap artist Kanye West will be in Toronto to close the Pan Am Games, organizers confirm.
West will join Miami rapper Pitbull and Toronto-born Serena Ryder in a televised performance for the July 26 closing ceremony.
West has been rumoured to be set for the Pan Am closing event since basketball player Anthony Bennett tweeted the news on Wednesday.
West played the Ottawa Bluesfest earlier in July, despite a petition to get him off the bill for the festival.
West has also made appearances at Toronto's OVO Festival, organized by local rap star Drake. This year's event is Aug. 1-3 in Toronto.
Kanye West. Confirmed. <a href="http://t.co/MUvNQFA8Yr">pic.twitter.com/MUvNQFA8Yr</a>
—@TO2015Pan Am officials would not reveal what West would be paid for the performance. Organizers said that fee is negotiated between Live Nation, the concert booking agency, and West. Pan Am organizers did say the Games will be making a "contribution" toward the fee, but did not disclose an amount.
Immediately after the announcement of West's performance, some Pan Am closing ceremony tickets were reselling nearly double the stated ticket prices.