On Saturday, July 2, G.O.O.D. Music CEO Kanye West took the stage to headline this year’s Essence Music Festival. In between wowing the crowd with his dazzling stage show (nearly two dozen dancers, pyrotechnics and elaborate lighting scenarios) along with chart-topping hits, West took time share to his thoughts on the media’s “lies,” his VMA scandal and his former girlfriend Amber Rose.
According to The Boombox, during his show stopping set, the “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” chewed the fat about his run-ins with the media and thanked his fans for supporting him despite the media’s “lies.”
“It feels good to be home,” he told the crowd, who at their peak, spilled out of their seats and into every open aisle hoping for a closer glimpse of the rapper. “When I say home, I’m talking about with my people. I been around the world… got into a little controversy here and there. Even though the media tries to lie to you every day, I just wanna say I thank ya’ll for standing by me and supporting me even when they said my career was over.”
West also comically addressed his infamous MTV VMA scandal with teen pop star Taylor Swift. “I had a little bit to drink that night,” he said and explained why he no longer does interviews, saying the press wants to kill him.
“I don’t do interviews anymore because the press be trying to kill me, I let the music speak for itself,”
Although the “Monster” emcee supposedly wants nothing to do with the media anymore, West made sure to provide them with a jewel of a quote when he took another jab at ex-girlfriend Amber Rose while his DJ spun the classic Bell Biv Devoe track, “Poison.”
“Never trust a big butt and a smile, why ain’t I listen to the song?!” West remarked.
Showing his softer side, the Chicago emcee also dedicated his performance to his late mother, Donda West.
“This show tonight and every show is dedicated to one special person,” he said before performing “Hey Mama.”
West may have a bit of a loose tongue, but at least the man knows how to put his heart into a show. –nicholas robinson
