Crowd boos Kanye West for issuing drawn out monologue at Wireless Festival in London

Rapper ranted for over ten minutes during mid-set rendition of 'Runaway'

Kanye West was booed as he ranted about Nike and self-confidence during his headline set at London’s Wireless Festival tonight (July 4).

The rapper headlined the opening night of the three day festival in London, performing a career-spanning set which included the divisive rant. West’s speech touched on everything from consumerism to Kim Kardashian and came during a performance of ‘Runaway.’

Taking to the stage at 9pm after performances from Pharrell Williams, Tinie Tempah and Angel Haze on the Main Stage at Finsbury Park in North London, West walked on stage to the sound of a pack of snarling dogs. Pharrell was spotted watching from the front row as the headliner ran through set opener ‘Black Skinhead’ and a cover of Chief Keef’s ‘Don’t Like.’

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Kanye West’s Rants, OutKast’s UK Comeback – Wireless Festival 2014 In Photos

Wearing a white beaded mask over his face for the majority of his performance, West performed in front of a huge red LED tower and wore an acid washed denim jumpsuit with a denim jacket. The rapper ended his performance of ‘Black Skinhead’ laying on his back before moving on to ‘Mercy’ and ‘Cold’ in the opening segment.

Prior to ‘Clique’, West paid tribute to those close to him, saying; “A lot of people are controlled by brands and they wonder how I can go on TV and say whatever the fuck I like. It’s because of my clique.”

Midway through the set West began playing ‘Runaway’ in a performance of the song which ended up running to well over ten minutes. This was mainly due to an extended speech he gave to the thousands of fans watching in which he said: “People look at me like I’ve got a problem. Like I can’t be controlled. It’s like they want everyone brainwashed. They want to steal you from you. As far as I’m concerned, everyone is a star.”

He continued: “How many people here believe they are awesome? What have I ever done but believe in myself? I go to meetings and people treat me as if I’m stupid. I’m not going to name names, I’m not going to dis Nike or anything but don’t discriminate against me. They tell me; ‘Sit in the front row. Wear this jacket I made for you and do as you’re told. That’s why I wear this mask. Fuck my face.”

Moving on to his relationship with his wife and also those close to him, West continued: “Spike Jonze told me I’m going to try and do things, not just say I’m going to do them. But seven years ago I met Kim and told her that I was going to marry her.” The rant was cheered by many fans at the front, however booing was audible from the back of the audience as it ended and the song concluded.

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The set then came to a close with a run of hits including ‘Run This Town’, ‘All Falls Down’ and set closer, ‘Blood On The Leaves.’

West will perform at Wireless in London again tomorrow (July 5) after Drake pulled out of the festival with illness. The rapper will then close the Birmingham leg of the festival on Sunday (July 6).

Kanye West played:

‘Black Skinhead’
I Don’t Like’
‘Mercy’
‘Cold’
‘Clique’
‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’
‘New Slaves’
‘Power’
‘Stronger’
‘Runaway’
‘Run This Town’
‘Diamonds From Sierra Leone’
‘Heartless’
‘All Falls Down’
‘Touch The Sky’
‘Run This Town’
‘Good Life’
‘Bound 2’
‘Blood On The Leaves’

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