Ye’s first hometown shows since 2021 brought out Big Sean, Twista, Future, Kid Cudi and a long list of familiar collaborators.
Kanye West’s return to Chicago this weekend was built less like a solo victory lap than a reunion tour. At Soldier Field, Ye’s first hometown sets since 2021 brought out a stack of longtime collaborators, label-era names and one especially notable guest: Kid Cudi, whose appearance capped a night that leaned heavily on West’s back catalog and old relationships.
Big Sean, Twista and the G.O.O.D. Music era
Night one opened the door to Big Sean, whom West signed to G.O.O.D. Music in 2007. The pair performed “Clique,” then Sean stayed out for “I Don’t Fuck With You” and later joined West and 2 Chainz on “Mercy.” Future also appeared near the end of the set for “Keep It Burnin” and “Fuck Up Some Commas.”
For Chicago fans, Twista may have landed with the most weight. The Windy City veteran joined West for “Overnight Celebrity” and “Slow Jamz,” two songs tied to the early-2000s run that helped define West’s rise. The set also pulled in Andre Troutman, who appeared on several songs across the two nights.
Night one’s guest list was not just a parade of names. It was a reminder of how much of West’s catalog is built around collaboration, and how often those records still carry the room when the right people walk out.
Night two widened the circle
The second Chicago show brought back Sean and Twista, then added Chief Keef, Young Thug, Common, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, GLC, Consequence, Lupe Fiasco and Rick Ross. Kid Cudi’s appearance drew the most attention. He joined West on “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1,” “Ghost Town” and “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare).” After the show, Cudi defended the reunion on X.
The night also made room for more Chicago names. Common appeared on “The Light,” while Lupe Fiasco came out for “Touch the Sky” and “Superstar.” GLC and Consequence joined for “Spaceship,” and Twista returned for the same early-career material that anchored the first night.
A comeback with baggage attached
West’s Chicago dates followed his first U.S. show in five years at SoFi Stadium in April. Since then, he has staged shows in Tampa, San Antonio and New Orleans. But the international side of the tour has been far less stable. Dates in London, Marseille, Prague and Chorzów, Poland have been cancelled, with the cancellations tied to his long history of antisemitic remarks.
That context hung over the homecoming too. West has spent years moving in and out of the live circuit, and this weekend’s Chicago shows made clear that when he does return, he still reaches for the same network of collaborators that helped build his name in the first place. The set lists were packed with familiar records, but the guest spots told the real story: West is still working through the people who helped make those songs matter.
