Kanye West ended his self-imposed exile and returned to the stage over the weekend. He performed at the BET Awards on Sunday night (June 27).
His new album, Good Ass Job, comes out on September 14. He performed the first single off the album at the award show.
No doubt meant to represent his triumphant return, West performed atop an erupting volcano. He also wore an oversized phoenix necklace. The phoenix rising from the ashes represents a miraculous comeback.
Symbolism aside, ClashMusic.com reports: "New single Power features Dwele and, in what is surely a first for any hip hop artist, samples prog royalty King Crimson." Power was leaked online last month.
West’s fifth studio effort also features some big name collaborations including a cameo by Wu Tang Clan’s RZA and a guest appearance by Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest.
Kanye West has a few legal troubles to deal with too. He is being sued on a few fronts. First, there’s a little known artist suing for copyright infringement in relation to his mega-hit Stronger. Second, he is being sued by Suge Knight. The head of Death Row Records was shot in the leg during a party at West’s house.