* Il·lu·mi·nate
1. To provide or brighten with light.
2. To decorate or hang with lights.
3. To make understandable; clarify
4. To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
5. To endow with fame or splendor; celebrate.
6. To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, miniatures, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
A mess. Too long. Church ceremony. Theatrical. Exaggerate like his ego. This pretty much sums up Kanye West’s performance of last night at the Bell Center. Some will say that it was pure genius (with Sideshow Mel’s voice).
The eight thousands of fans who attended yesterday can agree that the decor was a visual delight. A high mountain (which reminded me of the old 10 commandments movie) was placed at the back of the stage. In front, Kanye chose a triangular stage who was lifted and transformed into a cliff. Dramatic touch.
It was nice to get such an interesting decor compared to the none existing ones you’re used to seeing in rap concerts. It somewhat reminded me of the spaceship he brought us a few years ago for the Glow in the Dark Tour.
As for the theatrical aspect, it looked like a Broadway music play about the story of Jesus. None only that the Christ was ”there” but a few nones too. Let’s also not forget the ladies all dressed in nude onesies who lifted the rapper in the air while performing ”I am a God’. Yeah, that’s Kanye for you.
Kanye was definitely on time. As promised, around 8:00pm, the Chicagoan took the stage to perform the latest hits from his last effort, Yeezus.The first part of the show was not as welcoming for the fans than it was when Jay Z came last month. West was not connecting with fans and sounded alone on his mountain. He even laid on the top of the cliff, pouring his heart out, signing Coldest Winter (808 & Heartbreak,2008) with snow coming down on him. Emo Kanye. He also wore a mask for the first hour. Annoying for some, true fashion sense for others.
A few memorable moments of the show was the creepy-red-eye-monster (some say devil) walking slowly across the mountain. When Blood on the Leaves came, the hill transformed into a red hot volcano who, with the impressive lightning effects exploded loudly and almost made me lose my eyesight.
In the second act, we kinda sorta got our old Kanye back. Performing Through the Wire, All Falls Down and Get em high really made me reminisce the mornings I used to wake up to that College Dropout playlist. Oh yes, Kanye also took about 20 minutes to talk about why he was doing/acting like what he was and that he is part of the great ones, like Walt Disney or Steve Jobs. It was a positive message, indeed. Just a bit long Kanye.
Now, a lot of people say that Kanye West is just another member of that ”not-very-secret society”. We should just embrace the creativity, even if it means using Christianity. Now let Jesus walk with you.
The stage
Kanye finally removed his mask later on during the show.
Happy to attend Yeezus show. Forever21 tank top.
THE M.U.L.A. GRADE: 9/10. Besides the sound behind a bit tooo loud at times, or the 20 minute rant this show deserves a perfect score. Kanye is by far one of the greatest artist of our generation. He knows that already.
M.U.L.A. 