As fireworks broke out across the Alamo City in celebration of July Fourth, the Alamodome was ignited with fireworks and cheers as controversial hip-hop star Ye performed his greatest hits.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones tried to cancel the concert of the artist formerly known as Kanye West, citing years of his controversial and erratic behavior – including making antisemitic comments and saying that slavery sounded “like a choice.” He’s also sold merchandise with swastikas and released a song titled “Heil Hitler.”
Jones said the Alamodome is a public, taxpayer-subsidized venue and Ye’s antisemitism does not reflect the values of San Antonio residents. The majority of the 10-member council was opposed to such a move. Council members condemned the rapper’s past comments but raised concerns about censorship if the show were canceled.
Ye apologized for his actions in a full-page ad in the January edition of the Wall Street Journal, where he attributed his outbursts to his bipolar disorder
Despite his history of problematic behavior, Ye proved at Saturday’s concert that he can still pack a stadium.
Many expected a candid outburst from the hip-hop star, but Ye did not go on any rants or address the controversy with Jones. He hardly spoke to the crowd at all. When he did, it was only to encourage the crowd to sing along, like during the chorus of “Flashing Lights.” There was little pause in his setlist, with the songs flowing into one another.
READ MORE: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones calls for cancellation of Ye concert, citing performer’s antisemitism
In moments of pause, where he had the opportunity to rant, Ye was silent – a still silhouette mounted on an inflatable stage disguised as the world, or the moon or a dark orb. And even if Ye had made a provocative comment, it’s likely that it wouldn’t have changed much for his fans – many of whom were frank about their support of Ye.
“I just don’t really care,” Royale Jackson, 29, said about Ye’s inflammatory statements.
It was Jackson’s first-ever concert, which he attended alongside Jonathan Hernandez. The lifelong San Antonian, who was wearing a black San Antonio Spurs hat, said that it meant something for the global star to choose to play in San Antonio.
“He’s just such a legend,” Hernandez said. “I’m from here. So for someone so big to come to my hometown – I can’t miss it.”
It had been over a decade since Ye played a show in Texas. He was supposed to play at the AT&T Center, now the Frost Bank Center, in December 2016. But that show, and his remaining concert tour dates, were cancelled due to a “psychiatric emergency,” first responders said.
RELATED: Ye concert still on at the Alamodome despite blowback from Mayor Jones, others
For concertgoers like Dimitri Augustus, 34, and Selina Zapata, 31, it was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to see one of their favorite artists, the duo said.
Ye launched into the hip-hop scene with his 2004 debut studio album “College Dropout,” which became a classic. He has since dropped an additional 11 solo studio albums, as well as collaborative albums with artists like Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and Ty Dolla $ign.
His current tour follows the March release of his latest album, “Bully.”
The last time Ye played in San Antonio was 2013, during his “Yeezus” tour. Miguel Alejandro, 35, was there. He sees Ye’s antics as a “cry for help,” he said.
“He’s an incredible artist,” Alejandro said. “It’s unfortunate that geniuses are misunderstood.”
For Ye fans like him who have been loyal listeners for decades, Alejandro said that Ye’s provocative comments felt like a friend saying something unfortunate.
“You’re like ‘Dang, that’s really how you feel?’ or ‘What’s going on?'” he said. “Like, I forgive you. I don’t know what you’re dealing with.”
READ MORE: Councilwoman Misty Spears asked for free Ye tickets days before denouncing rapper
Ye has always resonated with him, said Alejandro, who’s been drawn to the artist’s creative catalog of music, merchandise, art and shoes. When asked about efforts to cancel the concert, he said: “Look at the revenue.”
Ticket sales for Ye’s Alamodome concert totaled 61,077, not including suites, according to Alanna Reed, director of communications and engagement for the city of San Antonio, who confirmed the number Sunday afternoon. The venue was set up for 64,000 seats.
A quarter of those ticket sales were by Bexar County residents. More than 46% of sales were by fans from throughout Texas and 27% were made by fans from other states, Reed said via email Sunday afternoon.
While Alejandro said it was important to hold people accountable, he questioned why Jones allowed for the recent Turning Point convention. Another concertgoer, 20-year-old Ashton Deemer, brought up Chris Brown performing at the Alamodome. He said that while Ye had apologized, “Chris Brown’s still doing it.”
Also in Saturday’s crowd were fans like Judy Palmer, who was celebrating her 67th birthday. She said all the controversy had changed how she engaged with Ye, but it was her daughter’s idea to celebrate her birthday there.
She appreciates his older music like his upbeat hit “Gold Digger,” while also noting that his older lyrics were introspective and made people think.
RELATED: San Antonio officials condemn Ye’s planned July Fourth show over antisemitic history
“Everybody loved Kanye in the beginning,” Palmer said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of music that resonates.”
The July Fourth show, which opened with the national anthem and featured fireworks igniting inside during songs like “All of the Lights,” 40-year-old James Michael drew a parallel between the problematic hip-hop star and the president of the United States.
“The things that (Ye) has gotten away with, no other rapper could’ve gotten away with,” Michael said. “The same way that Trump has done a lot of things that no other politician has gotten away with – and he still has a cult following. If you look around and you see everybody dressed in black. There’s a cultish feeling to this night.”
He continued: “Let’s be honest, who else in hip-hop could get away with what he got away with?”
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This article originally published at Ye fans ‘forgive’ controversial hip-hop star, packing Alamodome for July Fourth show.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
