Jay-Z Joins Kanye West During G.O.O.D. Music SXSW Takeover
Over the weekend, Kanye West stole the show at SXSW, the 4-day music conference that brings hundreds of bands and thousands of spectators to Austin, Texas each year. Kanye used the fest's hype, and, along with VEVO, threw his own unofficial after-hours showcase for his G.O.O.D. Music imprint at the city's old power plant.
In the days leading up to the event, people were told to text "VEVO" to a certain number to secure entry. "Kanye fans, IT'S ON Reply KANYE to guarantee entry to the line for Saturday Night's show! Good luck!" read one text message in the queue of many. Crowds clamored and many -- even those who had sent numerous texts to secure entry -- were refused once the venue reached its 3,000-person capacity. But, those that were able to make it in were treated to one of the best hip-hop concerts of the year that included special guests Jay-Z, John Legend, Mos Def, Kid Cudi, Big Sean and the Clipse's Pusha T.
The party would go on until 4:30AM, an indication that when it comes to music, Kanye parties hard. Most songs during his set were off his latest chart-topper, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.' Legend provided maybe the only calm during the storm, when he came out for the mellow 'The Blame Game.' The sound was blaring so loud that it went out during the beginning of 'Power,' at which point 'Ye left the stage (to throw a fit we presume.) The raucous crowd didn't like that one bit, so they decided to takeover on the intro ("Oh hey, Oh hey, Oh hey, Hey Hey ... ") that had just died out. Over and over the crowd chanted, finally making Kanye reappear on stage. Things only got crazier from there. He distorted the beginning of 'Runaway,' and brought up a drumline, who added extra punch for 'All Of the Lights.'
Then came the best part: Jay-Z. Kanye and Jay have only released one track, 'H.A.M.,' from their in-the-works joint album 'Watch the Throne.' The hip-hop acronym stands for going 'Hard As a Motherf---er,' and that is what the duo did during the song's live rendition. They also breezed through collaborations like 'Monster' and 'Swagger Like Us' before Jay-Z stole some of Kanye's spotlight with his own hits 'Public Service Announcement' and 'Big Pimpin'.' But the final treat was the addition of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon for the closer 'Lost in the World,' where West improvised on their willowy vocals.
In the past, Kanye has had problems playing late night at music festivals. He was infamously dogged out for making fans at Bonnaroo, in 2008, wait for several hours before he started, and the next day 'F--- Kanye' was spray-painted around the fest grounds. However, his "SXSW Power Station" concert only had the fans screaming "F--- yes! Kanye West!"
Watch Kanye & Jay-Z Perform at the VEVO Power Station Party