Got this from Okayplayer:

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MC reportedly attempts to dedicate 'Hey Mama' to Donda but can't continue song; finishes concert with 'Stronger.

Just a week after the death of his mother, Donda, Kanye West launched a European tour in Paris on Saturday, but broke down after performing for an hour, according to People.com.

Toward the end of the hour-long show at Le Zenith, as "Hey Mama" began, West attempted to introduce the song, saying, "This song is for my mother ... " but could not continue, the magazine reported.

"He said the word, 'Mother,' and just couldn't go any further," Le Parisien journalist Meddy Magloire told the magazine. "A back-up singer, the DJ and a guitar player came over to console him. It looked like he might collapse. He just couldn't continue. He just stood there in a spotlight, crying, while the band continued playing." The song, from 2005's Late Registration, is a dedication to Donda.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Magloire said, the audience offered shouts of encouragement, which grew into applause.

West reportedly restarted the song but was unable to finish. He left the stage, returning after 10-15 minutes to conclude the concert with "Stronger," the magazine reported.

"He was very nervous, seemed to have gathered himself up, and had a lot of energy," Magloire told People. "He kept shouting out to the audience, 'I need you ... I need you right now.' and the public was screaming back. It was magic."

http://www.mtv.com/news/a...anye.jhtml

Video: http://www.youtube.com/wa...nc0YnOB60k

"Those videos are too far away and you can't see much other than figures on stage and the amazing lightshow of the angel in the back so here's what happened: 'Hey Mama' came on and he couldn't rap 'cause he was crying too hard, he covered his face with his hands, and so a few members from the vocals and instruments rushed to him and hugged him. Basically the whole time people kept yelling „Kanye, Kanye“ and sang the song for him while holding lighters. It was a very emotional performance and so beatiful I can't even describe it. He later dedicated a song („to my favorite person – my mother“) for her as well-- a back vocalist sang and he was playing the piano. This man obviously cares about his fans very much as he's going through with the tour."

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Keep him in your prayers y'all..His pain really must be so immense to keep working is probably the best thing he can do. Stronger indeed, I hope he listens to the beginning of that hook.

aaawww..... Damn....that's why I like Kanye...other rappers wudda ran in tha back or just not per4med at all

Did she really die because of a comestic surgery?

That is beautiful.

I hope Kanye the best. That is beautiful what he did that night.

JuliePurplehead said:

Same.

This is just too much. I really hope the best for the guy. One of the sweetest things I've ever read. I really hope he can pull through.

I won't watch the video,,,I don't think I can handle it.

I know how he feels, God Bless him.

I feel so terrible for him.. and the sad thing is she died over something so stupid and vain.. even if it was an illness... but it was plastic surgery and that makes it worst...

when i even hear my mom talking about stupid stuff like plastic surgery... I cut her off. and I WON'T allow my mom to do that kind of stuff...

I just feel bad for this guy... there is NOTHING you can say to make him feel better...

Awww, I feel so bad for him...I just pray he finds the strength to find his way through the pain in a constructive way.

Wow, I'm surprised he was able to perform at all. I thought the memorial service was on Fri or Sat and the funeral on Mon or Tues. It takes strength to even get on a plane let alone attempt to perform.

Poor little baby

I'm only a couple years younger than Kanye... I couldn't imagine losing my mama right now!

i can't imagine the pain he must be feeling right now.

Oh my goodness, I was so moved to tears watching that. I feel for Kanye so much right now, I wanted to jump through into the video and hug him myself.

I know he cares so much about his fans, he probably is trying to work to keep busy, but he may need to take some time off to grieve.

Kanye baby I love you so much, I hate that you are in so much pain right now.....

you have to have a heart of stone not to see this and cry .. wow how sad


im sure with those thousands of people he feels as if hes standing in the room alone when death happens it's indescribeable. my prayers are with him and everyone still mourning loved ones passed on.

Whoa.

What's he doing, trying to perform already? Most non-celebs need time to deal with the first phase of the grieving process...

He's on stage trying to do that song, a few days after her death? K needs some wise counsel. Maybe his mom was the only one who filled that role...

My heart goes out to him.
[Edited 11/18/07 18:05pm]

ThreadBare said:

thats what i thought. he really should've cancelled. he needs a lot of time and family to get through this. i feel really bad for him.

missfee said:

I feel exactly the same. I just want to give him a big hug. The video was so sad...he was crying really hard too.

What a sad and touching story. It's obvious he loved his Mama. At least she knew it, and had time to share in the spotlight with him. May she be resting peacefully now, and may Kanye find peace soon. Wish I could give the Brother a hug.

thats so sad, I hope the best for him
Why is he not taking some time to mourn! a little time off is healthier than jumping back into work and not taking a moment to find piece

My brother was at the concert, he has told me how intense and emotionnal it was and that the whole show was terrific.
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[Edited 11/18/07 21:51pm]

In one word: Heartbreaking.
To Kanye and his family

I'm surprised he's performing already

I've seen a longer version of this. It's very difficult to watch.

I imagine the poor thing is working as a coping mechanism for his grief. It's not uncommon.

Eventually he will have to climb out of the protective cocoon of work and be alone with himself and his raw feelings without the distraction of work obligations. It's the healthiest way to advance through the grieving process and make an attempt at closure.



.

ThreadBare said:

You keep moving because you think if you stop, you'll die.

He'll slow down but we all grieve differently.


as Ottie said above...its really not uncommon but he'll have to stop one day and just real deal.

watching that had me cryin'


Stronger now has such a different meaning for him now I'm sure...