Ye surprised the crowd with not only a Big Sean reunion on night one of his two Chicago shows, but appearances from 2 Chainz, Future and fellow hometown hero Twista as well. The event marked a significant moment for the artist, as he brought his massive global stage to Soldier Field for the first of his two sold-out hometown shows.
Equipped with a new face mask that features uneven glowing eyes, Ye stood atop the world as he ran through his extensive catalogue for over two hours. At one point, he stopped to tell the crowd, “Had to bring my homie from the D out,” and Big Sean popped out for a performance of “Clique” and then his 2014 solo hit, “I Don’t F**k With You.” Their fellow former G.O.O.D. Music labelmate 2 Chainz then joined in for “Mercy” before performing his 2012 Ye collab, “Birthday Song.”
Future later joined for “Keep It Burning” and “F**k Up Some Commas,” and Twista brought it back to the early aughts with “Slow Jamz” and “Overnight Celebrity.” Ye last performed in his city for his Donda listening party in 2021, making for nearly a five-year gap.
The reunion with Big Sean is particularly notable, as their public falling out dated back to 2021 when Ye dissed the Detroit native during an appearance on Drink Champs. Ye had expressed frustration regarding Sean’s lack of support for his 2020 presidential run, labeling him a “sellout.” Sean, who had already departed the G.O.O.D. Music label, responded by claiming Ye owed him millions and calling the comments “some b**ch-a*s sh*t.”
This homecoming performance arrives amid Ye’s recent efforts to confront his mental health struggles, apologize for past remarks, and repair some of the relationships fractured along the way. The energy at Soldier Field served as a testament to his enduring influence in the city that raised him.