For his or her headlining set opening the Rolling Loud California pageant in Los Angeles on Thursday night time, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign merely stood onstage for an hour whereas pre-recorded music from their already launched first album performed over the loudspeakers.
Whereas the wording within the official announcement of the late-added efficiency was unspecific — “Vultures headlining new Thursday night time,” the since-deleted submit learn — it’s secure to say that most individuals anticipated the duo, who’ve been working collectively below the identify Vultures, to at the least ship vocals. However as an alternative, the pair — clad in darkish hooded outfits, with West sporting his now-familiar hockey masks — merely roamed the round stage at SoFi Stadium for an hour whereas their “Vultures 1” album performed. After the duo had left the stage, a DJ performed hits from earlier in West’s profession because the stage crammed with dry ice.
The pair defended their look in an interview on Huge Boy TV within the early hours of Friday, with West claiming, “Individuals simply got here for the expertise.”
See moreKanye West and Ty Dolla Signal communicate on performing their listening experiences with no microphone.“It’s nonetheless higher than different folks reveals which have a mic.”pic.twitter.com/hi2N3dNMoc
— XXL Journal (@XXL) March 15, 2024
Sources inform Selection that the pageant had anticipated a extra standard efficiency as nicely, and even erected a particular stage with a round lighting rig for the set, which was introduced on Feb. 15 and added as a stand-alone Thursday night time present for the three-day weekend pageant, months after the total lineup was unveiled. Many individuals criticized the pageant for internet hosting West, resulting from his antisemitic remarks over the previous months, which have left him with no label or publishing deal and price him all of his high-profile endorsement offers.
There was no rapid affirmation of stories that the pair have been to be paid $10 million for the looks.
Whereas the format was just like his public album-listening periods that he’s staged for almost each launch because the run-up to the “Lifetime of Pablo” album in 2016, they’ve all the time been marketed as such — and have by no means earlier than featured solely beforehand launched music, or taken place at a pageant. It was unclear whether or not the transfer was an announcement concerning the album — which West has gloated about reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200, regardless of his detractors — or some type of dig at Rolling Loud, a pageant he has carried out at twice earlier than.
Given West’s often-contrarian nature, it will not be stunning to see him take the stage with one other artist later through the pageant, which kicks off in earnest tonight and runs via Sunday with acts together with Nicki Minaj, Put up Malone and the duo of Future and Metro Boomin.
Not surprisingly, many followers have been enraged whereas others defended West, though hardly ever particularly about Thursday night time’s format. Thursday-only tickets have been offered for the occasion, though followers who had already bought tickets for the pageant’s fundamental three nights didn’t pay further for admission. Attendees say venue entrances have been very congested earlier than the present, inflicting many followers to reach late.
Reps for Rolling Loud didn’t instantly reply to Selection’s request for remark.