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Kanye West kept eager fans waiting almost two hours on Thursday evening in Atlanta, as he arrived late for his own album listening party.
A packed crowd filled the event, held at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, only to see West, 44, appear late on the field to say ‘absolutely nothing’ as his tenth album began to play on speakers for 48 minutes, The Daily Beast reports.
USA Today also reported that the rapper ‘sometimes paced in a circle, sometimes trotted a few steps’ as the music played around him, after arriving onstage at 9:50pm, despite a scheduled 8pm start time.
His estranged wife Kim Kardashian, who filed for divorce from the musician in February this year, was also in attendance and was pictured with their children daughter North, eight, and son Saint, five, and sister Khloe.
Late to the party: Kanye West ‘arrives almost TWO HOURS late’ to his Donda album listening party in Atlanta… then says ‘absolutely nothing’ while remaining ‘relatively still’ onstage
The Wall Street Journal picked up on West’s still movements, writing: ‘For much of the night, Mr. West remained relatively still atop a white tarp in the venue, though he also kneeled at times and danced at others.’
The review added: ‘Overall, Mr. West’s minimalist presentation conveyed a sense of isolation and melancholy.’
It was also noted that the use of smoke machines used to haze during the event – where the was a 71,000 seat capacity – made it difficult for some fans to catch a glimpse of West, who dressed in red with a balaclava-style net over his face.
Meanwhile, HipHopDX reported how some fans were unhappy with over-priced items from a ‘Donda’ snack bar list.
Why are we waiting? Kanye’s estranged wife Kim Kardashian was seen in the audience with their daughter North for the listening party in Atlanta
Tense: At one point, Kanye looked emotional when a personal song was played featuring lyrics that appeared to hint at his relationship with Kim and the kids
Crowds: A packed crowd attended the event, held at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, only to see West, 44, appear late on the field to say ‘absolutely nothing’
Appearance: Reports said the rapper ‘sometimes paced in a circle, sometimes trotted a few steps’ as the music played around him
The themed-food tied to the album featured included sweet and salty kettle corn for $35, an assorted snack basket of $65, crispy chicken tenders at $50 and cookies and brownies for $45.
However, there was some emotion to the event, as at one point West appeared to fall to his knees while the track ‘Love Unconditionally’ was played to the audience.
The poignant lyrics could be heard: ‘I’m losing my family / I’m losing my family / I’m losing my family,’ which seemed to be a not so subtle nod to his estranged wife.
Watch me listen: The rapper appeared to be stuck in a stance while the music played
Haze: Some fans in the nosebleed seats found it difficult to see the rapper because of the use of a smoke machine, according to reports
That’s all folks: Kanye stood on stage for 48 minutes before leaving
But despite the very personal track the YEEZY founder had given Kim a ‘heads up,’ and she reportedly gave her ‘input,’ on it.
‘Kanye did write a song about Kim and their marriage and Kim gave her input about it,’ an insider told E! News. ‘He was respectful and gave her the heads up, and did not want to blindside her.’
And as evident in his lyrics he is reportedly trying very hard to ‘keep the family unit,’ despite him predominantly residing at his Wyoming ranch while Kim maintains ownership of their Hidden Hills mansion.
As his album came to a close, West is said to have calmly walked off stage to cheers from the audience.
Although he is associated with being from Chicago, West was born in Atlanta, where there are currently no restrictions for large gatherings.
The rapper is said to have gifted 5,000 tickets to faculty, staff and students from some Atlanta HBCUs including Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, Morris Brown and the Interdenominational Theological Center, according to USA Today.
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