Kanye West only physically appeared onstage the Hollywood Bowl once Sunday during his so-called opera Nebuchadnezzar – for the climactic curtain call.
And the 42-year-old rapper-designer kept the LA audience waiting more than two hours for the one-night only show – technically classified as an oratorio – to begin.
But the Sunday Service founder did narrate all of the action from highlighted pages of the Book of Daniel throughout the Biblical performance, which was streamed live on Tidal.
Sister-in-law Kendall Jenner, Chance the Rapper and Brad Pitt were also all in the audience to lend their support to the rapper.
Kanye West, second from left, only appeared onstage the Hollywood Bowl once during his opera Nebuchadnezzar – for the climactic curtain call, pictured
Throughout the Biblical performance, the Sunday Service founder narrated all of the action from highlighted pages of the Book of Daniel, left. He also all 12 pages of the sacred text for the viewing pleasure of his 29.4M following
Normally elusive on social media, Kanye tweeted all 12 pages of the sacred text for the viewing pleasure of his 29.4M following.
West cast Shopping Spree rapper Sheck Wes to portray the titular ancient king while clad in a striking purple ensemble.
The Calabasas father-of-four first enlisted the Harlem born 21-year-old (real name Khadimou Rassoul Cheikh Fall) to model his Yeezy Season 3 collection back in 2016.
Other featured performers included guitarist-singer Peter Collins and the gospel group Infinity’s Song.
After the show was delayed by more than two hours, fans reportedly began to chant: ‘We want Kanye.’
A number were also disappointed by the show, Pitchfork reports, telling the website they expected more of West’s music. But another said: ‘I really loved it and I have a newfound respect for Kanye I’m going to start attending Sunday Service.’
Classical music critic Mark Swed told The LA Times: ‘What this Nebuchadnezzar lacked was a strong or original point of view other than mere description.’
Pop music critic Mikael Wood added: ‘If this thing had a story, it was pretty hard to tell. The problem for Kanye, of course, is that when he wants to be, he’s a great rapper — by turns funny, profane, sentimental and energizing.
‘But this didn’t allow much of his gift to come through. Perhaps he’ll stick with opera and put more of himself in the next one. After all, who’s more operatic a pop star?’
The bipolar hip-hop star’s sister-in-law Kendall Jenner, left, Chance the Rapper, right, and Brad Pitt were among the celebs in attendance
Nebuchadnezzar was directed by Italian performance artist Vanessa Beecroft, who collaborated with Kanye on his wedding, music videos, fashion shows, and listening parties.
‘Nebuchadnezzar was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and he was still king,’ West claimed to Beats 1’s Zane Lowe last month.
‘So not only was I diagnosed with mental illness, but mental illness was something that was used to…wash me out, to control me.’
Ticket prices for the event, which started at $150, were going for as little as $20 byt Sunday afternoon, USA Today reports.
West – who has dubbed himself ‘the greatest artist God ever created’ – did a nine-day stint for ‘temporary psychosis’ at UCLA Medical Center three years ago.
Jesus is King director Nick Knight designed the Egyptian-themed golden flier, which managed to misspell the names of two of the featured performers.
The Chicago State University drop-out’s new album Jesus Is King scored him his ninth consecutive No. 1. debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Other featured performers included guitarist-singer Peter Collins, pictured
Nebuchadnezzar was directed by Italian performance artist Vanessa Beecroft, left, who collaborated with Kanye on his wedding, music videos, fashion shows, and listening parties. Jesus is King director Nick Knight designed the Egyptian-themed golden flier, which managed to misspell the names of two of the featured performers, right