In about 26 hours of writing this sentence, I will be
experiencing the “Yeezus” tour with Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. I have been
a Kanye West fan since one fateful summer day in 2003 when I saw the “Through
the Wire” music video on BET or MTV. Since then Mr. West has grown more and
more as an artist and I’ve grown more and more obsessive with him.
Unfortunately I have not been able to witness Kanye’s
infinite brilliance in form of a live show until this year. The “Glow in the
Dark” tour, which followed his “Graduation” album, happened while I was in high
school and unemployed. Kanye didn’t have a tour following two of my favorite
albums from him, “808s & Heartbreaks” (yes this is a great album, if you
disagree, your opinion is wrong) and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” And I missed out on the extravagant
“Watch the Throne” tour due to schedule conflicts and the lack of funds
(missing them do “N***** in Paris” 10+ times in a row will always be one of my
life’s greatest regrets).
When the “Yeezus” tour was announced a few months ago, I was
very prompt in purchasing tickets for my friend and me. I was counting down the
days until Kanye and Kendrick would arrive in Chicago to perform in the United
Center. Then a week or so before the show, Kanye postponed the date due to
damaged stage equipment. This was unfortunate, but I know that this show is
going to be so bonkers that it will be worth the wait.
What makes Kanye West such a fascinating figure is his
unpredictability. I’ve done my best to avoid reading about the shows he’s
already done, although I’ve seen a few pictures of him onstage with a Jesus
lookalike, Kanye donning a mask and some giant mountain thing. I’m hoping for
some classic rants. I’m hoping he brings a fellow Chicagoan onstage (Chief
Keef, perhaps?). I’m expecting to be confused. I’m expecting to be a little
terrified at some points. But whatever happens, it will undoubtedly be awesome
because Kanye West is the voice of this generation, of this decade.
