Kanye West, now known as Ye, delivered two sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 1 and April 3, 2026. The concerts marked his first major U.S. performances in nearly five years. On the second night, he brought out music icon Lauryn Hill for their first-ever live performance together, along with Travis Scott, CeeLo Green, and his daughter North West. Over 70,000 fans attended each night, and Ye took a moment to express deep gratitude to those who stayed by his side through years of public controversy.
“I want to thank y’all for sticking by me all these years. Through the hard times, through the low times,” Ye told the crowd at SoFi Stadium. “I love you for that.”
A Night of Firsts: Lauryn Hill Joins Ye On Stage
The biggest surprise of the evening happened when Lauryn Hill walked onto the massive globe-shaped stage. The two artists performed “All Falls Down” together, a 2004 hit that originally sampled Hill’s voice. Ye had wanted Hill on the track back when he made The College Dropout, but he could not clear the sample at that time. Instead, Syleena Johnson re-recorded the vocals for the official release. Twenty-two years later, Ye finally got his wish.
Hill did not stop there. She delivered solo performances of “Lost Ones” and “Doo Wop (That Thing)” before reuniting with Ye for “Believe What I Say,” his 2021 song that samples her classic track. She then brought out her sons, Zion Marley and YG Marley, to perform “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.” Fans watching from the stands and those streaming live on Instagram witnessed a rare moment from the reclusive singer, who rarely performs live anymore.
Social media exploded within minutes. One fan wrote, “Only Ye could get Lauryn Hill rapping in 2026 man this is just crazy.” Another joked, “Lauryn Hill might be the only person alive who can make Ye walk off his own stage.”
Surprise Guests and the 80,000-Voice Choir
Before Hill’s appearance, Travis Scott joined Ye to perform their collaboration “Father.” Scott also delivered a high-energy version of his hit “Fein,” bouncing around the orb structure and hyping up the massive crowd. Later, CeeLo Green and André Troutman walked out unexpectedly, adding a funky soul flavor to the night.
The most emotional moment came during “Heartless.” Ye pulled the microphone away from his mouth and pointed it toward the audience. 80,000 people sang every word from beginning to end without missing a single lyric. Videos of the singalong spread quickly across social media, with fans calling it the concert highlight of the year.
“That’s what 80,000 people sound like, ladies and gentlemen. … They said I’d never be back in the States. Two sold-out concerts, baby!” Ye said from the stage.
A Stage That Stood Above the World
The production design added another layer to the experience. Ye performed atop a massive rotating half-orb that changed visuals throughout the show. At times, it showed a detailed image of Earth. Other moments, it turned into a glowing moon or a smoking sphere. Smoke swirled underneath him as fireworks and lasers shot across the stadium.
Aus Taylor, Ye’s longtime creative partner, helped design the stage. Taylor described his role simply, saying, “Ye & Aus — I’m just a vessel.” The visual presentation turned SoFi Stadium into what fans called a “sci-fi fever dream.” Ye also livestreamed the entire concert on Instagram, allowing fans worldwide to watch for free.
From Night 1 Struggles to Night 2 Triumph
The first show on April 1 felt different. Ye seemed tentative in his rapping, and he stopped the performance multiple times to address technical problems. At one point, he called out the lighting crew during “Good Life,” asking, “Is this like an ‘SNL’ skit or something?” He reset songs several times to get the sound right.
Night 2 showed a more confident artist. Ye moved smoothly through a setlist of over 40 songs spanning his entire career. He performed early hits like “Through the Wire” and “All Falls Down,” alongside newer tracks from his latest album “Bully,” which released at the end of March. The difference between the two nights was clear. Night 1 felt like a warm-up. Night 2 felt like a statement.
Fans Explain Why They Stayed
Outside the stadium, fans shared why they continued to support Ye despite his past statements. Vince Da Prince, a rapper from Downey, California, put it simply.
“You gotta back your family no matter what. He’s a part of our fam since we were little kids.”
Another fan, Yovani Contreras, said he separates the artist’s personal views from his music. “I don’t really bring into politics or the way someone’s personal opinion are. I’m into the music artistry. Ye is always gonna be Ye. Kanye is always gonna be Kanye.”
Luis Velasquez admitted he felt troubled by the controversies in recent years but believed Ye’s apology was sincere. “Yeah he did apologize. He’s taking the medication I think is what he mentioned. For me as a fan that’s, like, respect, right? I think that’s cool enough to bridge that gap.”
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A Comeback Built on Music and Memory
Ye lost most of his major business partnerships after a series of statements and social media posts starting in late 2022. Adidas, Balenciaga, and Gap all cut ties with him. He faced widespread criticism and lost many fans. In January 2026, he published a full-page apology letter in The Wall Street Journal, taking responsibility for the harm he caused and attributing his behavior to a manic episode related to his bipolar disorder diagnosis.
The SoFi Stadium concerts showed that a large audience remains ready to separate the music from the man. Ye did not address the controversies directly during the show, aside from one line. He told the crowd, “Tonight we’re going to put all this behind us, ain’t that right LA?” The crowd roared in agreement.
He closed both nights with “Runaway,” his 2010 hit about his flaws and mistakes. After the final song, he walked off stage with his wife Bianca Censori and two of his children. The crowd kept cheering long after he disappeared from view.
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