Kanye West adds second ‘808s & Heartbreak’ show at Hollywood Bowl

A few days after would-be President Kanye West announced he was dipping into his back catalog to perform his 2008 album “808s & Heartbreak” at the Hollywood Bowl, the rapper-provocateur has added a second show. In addition to the Sept. 25 set, West will do it again the next night.

The second show was added “due to overwhelming demand,” which is an understatement. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, West ruled the weekend conversation with his rambling Sunday night speech during the MTV VMAs. In accepting his Video Vanguard Award, West issued a non-apology to Taylor Swift for storming her acceptance speech during the 2009 VMAs and delivered unscripted thoughts on art, speech and the meaninglessness of award shows. Then he jokingly (?) floated a potential 2020 presidential run.

The icing? When the show was over, West announced the Hollywood Bowl concert. Released the same month that fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama was elected president, “808s & Heartbreak” was a departure. A tense but subdued production that tackled the untimely death of his mother, Donda, and the breakup of his relationship with his then-fiancée, Alexis Phifer, the album is far removed from the sonic incitements he’s now known for.

It’s also one of the most influential albums of the ’00s. West’s velveteen beats and trippy AutoTune vocals introduced new textures to hip-hop. It’s since become one of the most beloved albums of the era, one that likely will prompt Hollywood Bowl rap-along “Love Lockdown” bliss come late September.

Tickets to the Sept. 26 concert go on sale Friday. Seats are still available for the Sept. 25 set.

Follow Randall Roberts on Twitter: @liledit

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