The G.O.O.D Music showcase featured Jay-Z, John Legend, Kid Cudi and more, while the Japan benefit effort featured such stars as Michael Stipe and Court Yard Hounds.
- Mar 21, 2011
AceShowbiz - South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival is still on going and will come to an end this Monday, March 21. Over the weekend, Kanye West brought his G.O.O.D Music entourage to Austin, Texas for a showcase. There was also Hanson who teamed up with the event organizers to raise fund for Japan relief effort.
Kanye rocked the Vevo Power Plant on Saturday, March 19 with all-star guests like John Legend, Common and Kid Cudi. Opening the show was Mos Def with songs like "Oh No" and "Casa Bey". After his performance, Pusha T, Big Sean, Cyhi Da Prince and Mr. Hudson resumed the show with their own sets.
Kanye himself didn't show up on stage until after midnight. The "Heartless" rapper delighted concertgoers with his "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" tracks such as "All of the Lights" and "Runaway" as well as songs from his older catalog like "Can't Tell Me Nothing".
The G.O.O.D Music showcase that night got Roc Nation founder Jay-Z as a special guest. "Austin, Texas, if you're having a good time with G.O.O.D. Music tonight, make some noise!" he shouted. The Jiggaman and Kanye joined forces in "H.A.M" and "Swagga Like Us". Kanye forgot some lyrics of the latter song, but the audience seemingly didn't mind.
In the middle of SXSW euphoria, Hanson put together an impromptu benefit show to help earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. "[We] kind of assumed there was going to be more of a coordinated push," Taylor Hanson told MTV. "You know, with South by, everybody's here to promote their thing, and they're kind of in a bubble, and I think there just hasn't been ... from South by Southwest, from the big guys, kind of [a message of] 'Hey, this is important, do something'."
The benefit effort featured performances and messages from the likes of Michael Stipe, John Hermann of Widespread Panic and the Court Yard Hounds. It streamed live for 12 straight hours over at SXSW4Japan.org. Fans can make donation by texting "Redcross" to 90999.
