Travis Scott, making his long-awaited return to the live stage since the Astroworld tragedy in 2018, delivered a monumental concert at Rome’s historic Circus Maximus. The event, attended by a crowd of over 50,000 enthusiastic fans, became an even more remarkable affair with the surprise appearance of Scott’s friend and mentor Kanye West.
The Houston native, in a heartfelt introduction, referred to Ye West as the “only one human being on this motherf***ing planet that has ever walked side by side with me through anything and every motherf***ing thing.”
Dressed in his signature all-black attire and sporting a face mask, Kanye West took the spotlight, immediately igniting an explosive reaction from the crowd. Together, they performed “Praise God” from Donda and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” from Ye’s 2007 album Graduation.
“I want everybody to make some motherf***ing noise for the greatest of all motherf***ing time, Yee!!” Scott said brief intermission. He later added, “There is no ‘Utopia’ without Kanye West. There is no Travis Scott without Kanye West. There is no Rome without Kanye West. Make some noise for Ye.”
West’s appearance marked his first public performance since a series of controversial statements made in 2022.
The relationship between Scott and West goes back years, with a history of fruitful collaboration. Their musical synergy began in 2012 when Scott signed with West’s GOOD Music label. Over time, they have worked together on several creative projects. Scott’s latest album, “Utopia,” also contains several tributes to Kanye West, most notably on the song ‘SKITZO’ in which he raps, “I’m loyal b*tch, I got Ye over Biden,” referencing West’s 2024 U.S. presidential bid.
The Rome concert wasn’t solely a platform for West’s comeback; it also spotlighted Scott’s newest album, “Utopia.” The audience enjoyed performances of standout tracks “Mafia” and “Highest in the Room.”
As the evening unfolded, Travis Scott shared his aspiration of a future joint tour with Kanye West, expressing his admiration by declaring, “Ye West — the illest of all m############ time.”
