Russian rapper Navai Bakirov, known as Navai, has been detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling.
Police in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region said Bakirov was detained at a border checkpoint as he entered Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan after drugs were found in his car. He was taken to a temporary detention facility.
Navai was scheduled to perform in Astana on October 14. Organizers said the concert had been postponed indefinitely “for technical reasons.”
Baza, citing checkpoint staff, reported that 10 grams (about 0.35 ounces) of marijuana was found in Navai’s car. His manager and driver were also in the vehicle.
Navai Bakirov is best known as a member of HammAli & Navai, a hookah rap duo active from 2016 to 2025. Bakirov launched a solo career after the duo broke up.
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