A massive star in Canada where he has sold over 400,000 records, Kanye West received a rapturous welcome when he took to the stage this week in Toronto. The rapper was in town to perform alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Sam Roberts.
Accompanied by an all-female string section, the Chicago-born singer treated fans to a selection his greatest hits, while urging on the enthusiastic crowd by shouting: "I need to feel the energy".
And it wasn't only the members of the audience who were excited by Kanye's presence at the MTV event in the city's Masonic Temple venue. Home-grown rocker Sam was also clearly thrilled to be performing alongside him. "Sharing the stage with Kanye West is something we never, ever dreamed we would get to do," he revealed midway through his seven-song set.
The Masonic Temple - which has previously played host to the likes of David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam - is the new home to MTV Canada, and Tuesday's concert is just the first of many exclusive events scheduled to be held there.
Photo: George Pimentel
Photo: George Pimentel
