Kanye West and Kid Cudi have reunited onstage in Chicago, bringing an end to years of public tension between the two rappers.
The reunion took place on Friday night during West’s hometown concert, where Cudi joined him for “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1,” “Ghost Town” and “Pursuit of Happiness,” marking their first performance together in seven years.
The two artists previously collaborated on their 2018 joint album Kids See Ghosts and performed together at Coachella the following year.
Their relationship deteriorated publicly in 2022 after West removed Cudi’s contributions from Donda 2, amid West’s objections to Cudi’s friendship with Pete Davidson, who was dating West’s former wife, Kim Kardashian, at the time.
Cudi had previously ruled out a reconciliation, saying in an Esquire interview, “With all due respect, I’m not Drake, who’s about to take a picture with him next week and be friends again, and their beef is squashed. That’s not me. What I say, I mean. I will be done with you. It’s gonna take a motherfucking miracle for me and that man to be friends again. I don’t see it happening.”
The disagreement later extended to West’s comments about the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who was a friend and collaborator of both artists. Cudi publicly criticised West’s remarks, further straining their relationship.
Following the Chicago reunion, Cudi explained his decision to perform with West in a Saturday post on X responding to radio DJ Peter Rosenberg, who had criticised people associated with West following the rapper’s previous controversial conduct.
Cudi wrote, “I understand ur frustration Peter, I fucks w u, but I dont really care if ur disappointed in me. That man is my brother. U dont have a relationship w him like I do. Damn near 2 decades of art and friendship. U not family. So I get it.”
He added, “Ive been around Ye, and I can honestly say talking to him now is how it use to be when I first signed to him, but even better.”
Explaining why he believed the relationship could be repaired, Cudi said, “He was dealing w mental health struggles for years and now hes good. Everyone deserves some grace when they family.”
Cudi also said he had previously held West accountable, adding, “I was the hardest on him out of anybody. I held him accountable. He apologized and it was sincere.”
The reunion comes after a turbulent period for West, including repeated antisemitic remarks and praise for Adolf Hitler, which drew widespread condemnation.
Earlier this year, West took out an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal to apologise for his antisemitic remarks, attributing his behaviour to manic episodes.
The Chicago concert, held as West promotes his latest album Bully, also featured appearances from Lupe Fiasco, Travis Scott, Big Sean, Common, Young Thug, Rick Ross, Don Toliver, 2 Chainz and Chief Keef.
The performance between West and Cudi now marks a new chapter in a relationship that has spanned nearly two decades of music and friendship.
Ademide Adebayo
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