Kanye West Cuts Meadows Festival Performance Short: A Firsthand Account Of What Really Happened

On Sunday night, Kanye West took over New York City as the headliner of the inaugural Meadows Festival in Queens, New York. But while the “Life of Pablo” rapper’s set was full of highlights, it was the way it ended that got everyone talking.

Going from “Wolves” to “Heartless,” Kanye interrupted his performance nearly 20 to 30 minutes before its scheduled end time, telling the crowd, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. There’s a family emergency. I have to stop the show.” After starting his set 30 minutes after the scheduled 8:15 p.m. start time, many fans, including me, were left in disbelief as Kanye cut the show short.

The audience in the sold-out, packed crowd could be heard questioning what just happened, as many assumed West was joking. The audience could be heard asking what just happened while others begged West to come back on stage.

Right after his announcement, some fans began to head for the exits as others stuck around hoping West would come back on the stage. But shortly after West shocked the crowd, it was announced that the rapper had actually left the venue and the festival was over. While the crowd had no idea what was going on, people not at the festival quickly learned that Kanye had to end his show after learning that his wife Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris.

With the concert now cut short, this began an exodus of people leaving the venue. With barely any room to move in the crowd, the time it took to get to the exit was a lengthy and tiring process. But while Kanye’s late start and abrupt end mixed with a restless, packed crowd may have made for a headache, all was forgiven by Kanye’s performance.

Yeezy opened up with “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” and gave fans a memory they wouldn't forget when he took the stage with live fireworks going off behind him. With just a 50-minute show, that included many of his “Life of Pablo” tracks such as “Famous,” “Facts” and “Freestyle 4,” plus songs from the “Yeezus” album, Kanye put on a better show than many artist’s full-length sets.