Kanye West live at Koko, London

Kanye West brought London to its knees last night, bringing a host of guest stars onstage during his last-minute surprise gig at Camden’s Koko.

Welcoming the likes of Vic Mensa, Wu Tang’s Raekwon and Big Sean to the front (the latter who’s currently here promoting his third major studio collection Dark Sky Paradise), the evening’s ‘big moment’ undoubtedly came early on in the set, where Kanye brought along the likes of JME, Skepta, Meridian Dan and more for a rousing performance of Skepta’s 2014 cut That’s Not Me alongside Dan’s German Whip. It’s clear from this, alongside West’s invitation at last week’s BRIT Awards, that he’s completely confident of the UK grime scene, and that’s absolutely something we need to applaud and embrace.

Back to the festivities, though. All-in, last night’s surprise show seemed to do the trick – Brits being Brits, the crowd started to [understandably] become agitated at West’s late arrival (with doors opening at 11pm, Kanye appeared almost two hours later!). However, with the aforementioned guest appearances, cares seemed to gently float away. Last night (or was it this morning?!) was a big deal, and thanks to Kanye bringing along some of the finest in his repertoire (Jesus Walks, Can’t Tell Me Nothing), alongside new material (multiple performances of All Day, and the premiere of new track U Mad, featuring Mensa), he’s given us realization to the fact that, when he’s not being an egotistical prick, he’s one of the best in the business.

Kanye’s upcoming studio album So Help Me God is set to land ‘imminently’. For now though, check a quick glimpse of last night’s actions below, alongside Skepta, JME, Novelist and Meridian Dan hitting the stage for It Ain’t Safe.

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