BWW Reviews: Kanye West Debuts 'Yeezus' at GovBall NYC

If there is one thing that Kanye West is not, it is humble. In classic Yeezy fashion, West took to the stage in a way that can only be described as avant-garde in nature. No one else in hip-hop does what Kanye does in terms of live performances. He only took up about 1/4 of the stage with the rest of it taken up by a gigantic display of lights and the DJ booth.

Kanye started his huge 21-song set list with his new songs, 'Black Skinhead' and 'New Slaves.' 'Black Skinhead' had some of the most visually striking images plastered across the giant video screens onstage that I had seen in some time. In the song, Kanye takes aim at society. He takes shots at those that criticize him for his relationship with Kim Kardashian, his fellow rappers that seem to have fallen into the same monotonous 'trap music' style of rapping. While Kanye spit these lyrics, visually striking images blasted across the screen, most notably three black men in Ku-Klux Klan style hoods.

While making certain to let the crowd know that his new album was coming, he played four different songs from 'Yeezus', he made time to play the hits his fans love him for. Songs like 'Can't Tell Me Nothing', 'All Falls Down' and 'Mercy' were blared across Randall's Island and down the East River to many cheers.

True to this new era of Kanye, he took to center stage for a heartfelt, auto-tune heavy, rant about romance which then transitioned into a rendition of his 'Heartless.' If there is one thing that Kanye knows how to do especially well it is get the crowd involved in his performances. Around the main stage at Governor's Ball there were thousands in attendance, all singing along with Ye' during much of the show. He knows how to draw a crowd in even without telling them to go along with a beat or sing with him.

As he let the beat of his compilation hit 'Clique' ride, he ranted about personal problems as he often does. 'With this album we ain't drop no single to radio. We ain't got no NBA campaign, nothing like that. Sh*t, we ain't even got no cover. We just made some real music. Like, back when I used to make albums and sh*t, a couple years ago, we'd go away and work on the album for months or something. We'd always have to hold the album to like August, or September or till the perfect moment and sh*t. Because it mean that 'I think would sell more if it get more audience and sh*t.' But honestly at this point when I listen to radio, that ain't where I want to be no more. Honestly at this point, I could give a f**k about selling a million records as long as I put out an album for the summer that y'all can rock to for all f**kin' summer... At this point I don't really give a f**k about outside opinion.'

Whether or not he is sincere about whether or not he has given up on being loved in the courtroom of public opinion remains to be seen but he is very serious about his lyrics. These new songs are vintage Kanye with the lyrics driving at political and societal issues rather than just fashion, cars and wealth. While there is plenty of references to those within the songs, there is a much deeper issue being driven at here as well.

All in all, Kanye's performance at Governor's Ball NYC was a quite an amazing one. While it did lack a kind of personal depth to it, the emotional heartbreak rant felt a little contrived considering he had done it all before, it was still a great performance by one hell of an artist.

Click here to check out West's performance!

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