Oxxxymiron, a Russian rapper and activist with a significant following in his home country, has canceled his first headlining tour in five years in protest of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, The New York Times reports. The sold-out shows were set to take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg. (TheFader)
“Saturday Night Live” paid tribute to Ukraine in its cold open by featuring a folk chorus singing a traditional anthem from the embattled Eastern European nation while a cluster of candles spelled out “Kyiv.”
The 13th episode of the late-night mainstay’s 47th season opened with stars Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong introducing members of Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York as Variety reports.
A group of male and female singers, wearing intricately embroidered traditional outfits, sang the rousing choral selection “Prayer for Ukraine,” reflecting the resilient spirit of the nation that has been under attack from Russian on multiple fronts since earlier this week.
“Prayer for Ukraine” performed by Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York pic.twitter.com/5pi2l1Olpx
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 27, 2022
The somber setting on the “SNL” stage featured a cluster of candles and bouquets of yellow flowers, evoking Ukraine’s national colors of yellow and blue. After the song ended, McKinnon and Strong returned to deliver the opening “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night,” while the camera zoomed in on a cluster of candles that spelled out “Kyiv,” the Ukrainian capital.
