By NICHOLAS NEGRON
Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, Kanye West performed at the Times Union Center. The tour is in support of his sixth solo album, Yeezus.
Anticipation built for weeks amongst the group of friends I shared this amazing experience with. The clothing, weather, and seating all had to be absolutely perfect. Three weeks before the concert, our tickets were upgraded to a better view of the stage. On the day of the concert, nerves and anxiety were at their peak. Snow fell for half the day, but tapered off and left a “warm” 38 degrees for the evening’s festivities. The bus ride to the concert was filled with fellow Kanye fans. Everyone was equally excited for the show.
After our bags and tickets were checked, we frantically made our way to our seats. There was a covered structure with a tilted oval screen above it. Jutting out from the structure was a runway, which connected to the center stage. At around 7:45, background music with an intense base filled the stadium, leaving the crowd with chills. After another hour of strenuous waiting, the lights went out. At this point, the audience erupted into deafening screams of eagerness.
The world seemed to fade away as disciples in nude-colored jumpsuits and white robes walked onto the runway with their face covered. Holy music drew them to center stage as a white beam gleamed down. Appearing last was the star of the show, Kanye West, in a mask. The crowd ignited with roars of happiness as the structure was unveiled. It was a mountain, climbed on multiple times during show. The screen showed various clouds in storm. The show was divided into five sections: fighting, rising, falling, searching, and finding.
The tour was originally from October to December of last year. Kendrick Lamar and A Tribe Called Quest were the opening acts for most dates. Drake, Travi$ Scott, Pusha T, and Busta Rhymes also appeared at certain shows. Pusha T is the opening act for the Australian leg of the tour, scheduled for May of this year. Due to the success of the 2013 shows, more dates were added in the United States and Canada for February 2014. For these shows, West did not have an opening act, thus extending his set list.
Yeezus has sold one million copies as of January 2014, making it certified platinum. Songs from the critically-acclaimed album were featured widely throughout the night. At one point, West said something to the effect of taking it back to the beginning. Songs from his other five studio albums, The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy were also featured. He also performed his verses of various collaborations on his record label, Good Music’s album Cruel Summer. He also performed a song from his collaboration album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne.
The show was filled with equally “turnt” and touching moments. There was a spectacle of fire and fireworks, specifically during the performance of “Blood on the Leaves.” This was a personal favorite of mine. Throughout the show, what looked like a wolf with beaming red eyes climbed onto the mountain. There was a rather intense argument amongst my group of friends on who Kanye specifically looked at most during the show. As for me, I am almost certain the wolf-like creature was glaring at me for most of the night.
Providing background vocals at the show was West’s cousin, Tony Williams. Williams is also an accomplished singer and record producer, having written and contributed vocals for multiple songs throughout West’s career. He performed while being lifted up by the female disciples. At one point, the stage began to rise as West laid down on his back and sang “Coldest Winter,” a song dedicated to his mother, who passed away in late 2007.
West spoke boastfully about being one of the top five rappers, dead or alive. He also acknowledged the many people that are responsible for his success. He thanked his fans for supporting him against the naysayers. His performances of “Flashing Lights” and “All of the Lights” shined with the phones of the audience. He rounded out the night on a happier note with pink clouds and blue skies on the screen above the mountain as he performed “Bound 2.” He even handed the microphone to the crowd to rap and sing along.
As a former critic of Kanye West’s music and antics, I can firmly say that I am now truly a fan. After months of arguing with friends over his persona, I finally gave his music a chance. I was mesmerized by the production and attention put into making such amazing material. Lyrically, he speaks from his past experiences. “Through the Wire,” West’s debut single, is about a near-fatal car crash. On October 23, 2002, West left a music studio in California. He was cut off by a car and drove head on into traffic, colliding with another car. He was taken to the same hospital where the late Biggie Smalls died. He was put on life support and his jaw was wired shut. Thankfully, he was released from the hospital after two weeks. He then went on to record the song with his jaw still wired. While listening to the song you can almost hear the pain and anguish in his voice due to his jaw.
“‘Through The Wire’ is the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened to me, and now it’s the best thing. Look how it exploded!,” said the then 26-year-old West to Yahoo! Music.
West’s relationship with reality star Kim Kardashian has been a tabloid’s dream, and the couple is photographed nonstop. The relationship, mostly from Kim’s perspective, is covered on her family’s reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians on the E! Network. Being associated with the Kardashians has only added to the swarming paparazzi constantly surrounding him.
Aside from this, West has also gained attention as a fashion designer. He has collaborated with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Giuseppe Zanotti. Recently, West designed Nike’s Air Yeezy 2 “Red October” sneakers, which sold out within minutes.
Many are under the false impression that he is angry at the world. There are various reports and interviews accusing and confronting West on his less-than- perfect behavior. He physically defended his fiancé after a teenager in Beverly Hills yelled racial slurs at her. Any type of altercation can be interpreted as a battery investigation.
However, wouldn’t any decent man stand up for his girlfriend in a situation such as this? Not to condone confrontation, but West is commendable for protecting the mother of his child, North West.
The Yeezus Tour was fully worth the $99 spent. I highly recommend anyone to attend a Kanye West concert in the future. Speaking as a former “hater,” I was completely captivated by the night and the distinctive deepness of his music.
