S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West helped put on for hip-hop at last night's publicized 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert in New York City as the event's lone rap act.
Following performances by music icons like Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones, Yeezy put on a memorable one-man show at Madison Square Garden Wednesday evening.
Many were hesitant towards his performance. Which of Kanye’s own songs are even appropriate for such an event. Plus, let’s not forget what happened the last time Kanye was invited to a televised benefit event. But this time, Kanye let his passion speak through his music, with the sound resonating through the stadium louder than most of the grey-haired bands on the bill. While some groups only got five minutes of airtime, Kanye performed a tight 12-track set, kicking off with his latest “Cruel Summer” hit, “Clique.” (Billboard)
Taking note of the event’s overall theme, Kanye stressed love and relationships during his set.
“I got a question for yall tonight, how many people came here with the one they love or their loved ones? I want you to do me a favor… if you love somebody love tonight hold on real tight. If you love somebody tonight, hold on real tight, real, real, real tight. Is there a heart in the house tonight? Stand up, Stand up. Let me know that you understand.” (12-12-12 Sandy)
A lot of attention got placed on Ye’s eye-catching performance attire, which included a kilt.
Kanye West didn’t say anything outrageous at Wednesday night’s star-studded 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden. But his outfit was, well, interesting. West rocked – get this – a Pyrex hoodie (drug reference, maybe?) a black leather kilt (whatever, that was a skirt) and he layered – yes layered – it over skinny black leather jeggings. (The new term out there is meggings man+jeggings, smh.) I’m thinking his sneaks are some form white on white Air-Jeezys. It’s so Alexander Wang meets Rick Owens meets Betsey Johnson. Hip hop has come a long way. Brothers are wearing skirts! To be fair to Kanye, the fashion-obsessed rapper has been trying out differnt versions of the jeggings style at various concerts for about a year now. Some leather. Some glitter. All different. (Philly)
Not including donations, last night’s relief concert generated over $30 million.
Besides the Garden, people gathered in theatres across the region and country to watch the show. The sold-out 12-12-12 concert was being shown on 37 television stations in the United States and more than 200 others worldwide. It was to be streamed on 30 websites, including YouTube and Yahoo, and played on radio stations. Theatres, including 27 in the New York region and dozens more elsewhere, were showing it live. Proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation. More than $US30 million ($A28.55 million) was raised through ticket sales alone. (News Au)
Check out footage of Kanye West’s performance:
