Maybe it was the fact it was Kim Kardashian’s birthday or perhaps it was because the festival was titled Life is Beautiful.
Kanye West, Foo Fighters To Headline Las Vegas’ Life Is Beautiful Festival
Either way, the rant that has become synonymous with a Kanye West performance was toned down quite a bit as he headlined the opening night (Oct. 24) of the second annual Life is Beautiful Festival in downtown Las Vegas. Rather than have a mouthful of vitriol for the haters, Mr. West instead offered some words of inspiration and declared that he was a happy man.
“This is the part that gets me in trouble,” Kanye West said after performing “Runaway” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Wearing his trademark mask, the rapper explained how aware he was of the attention his rants have been receiving.
“Everybody has a right to their own opinion, so why do I get in trouble for speaking mine? It just makes me feel like the media doesn’t want anybody to express no real motherf—ing opinions.”
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It was far different than West’s usual 20-minute ramblings that have become just as popular as a new song from the artist. Perhaps he is growing weary of the ridicule that comes shortly after his sometimes hyperbolic and obnoxious streams of consciousness. So, on this night at least, he kept his opinions short and sweet and focused more on being portrayed as a villain for speaking his mind.
“I think I’m just lazy,” West continued. When you have to put up some kind of facade, you have to think a lot about what the lie is. F— that, I’d just rather tell the truth. But the media wants you to think I’m a bad guy. Like bad in the same way as people who kill other people.”
West went on to explain that all he’s ever done is try to give people inspiration to be whoever they want to be and hopes to see more artists voice their opinions no matter what the media says about them. Although there was a smattering of boos amongst the thousands in attendance, West opted to close his under 10-minute speech with a declaration.
“Y’all just have to understand how happy I am right now in all actuality,” West said. “I’m just happy to see my daughter’s first smile and how happy I am to see my beautiful wife, who is here with me, and we’re going to celebrate her birthday again at Tao tonight.”