Kanye West closed out a jam-packed week as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on February 13.
Joined by returning host Melissa McCarthy, the rapper, 38, took the stage to perform two of his new tracks, “Highlights,” with an appearance from Young Thug, The-Dream, Kelly Price and El DeBarge, and “Ultralight Beam.”
Earlier this week, West debuted his Yeezy Season 3 collection at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where he also played his new album, The Life of Pablo, in front of a sold-out audience including the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Lamar Odom and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
West announced the release of his highly anticipated album on Tidal and kanyewest.com at the end of his second SNL performance, and the response from fans briefly crashed his website.
Kanye announcing his album is out pic.twitter.com/M7PrUHUd0p
— Kanye Doing Things (@KanyeDoingStuff) February 14, 2016
In addition to his musical performances, West also appeared in a rap battle with Kyle Mooney.
The @kylemooney/@kanyewest rap battle you didn’t know you needed. #SNLhttps://t.co/T67KGAmGpu
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) February 14, 2016
The MC is no stranger to the SNL stage, as this was his seventh time performing on the show. In February 2015, he appeared on the 40th anniversary special, where he performed a medley of some of his biggest hits and debuted “Wolves” with Sia and Vic Mensa.
West’s new song “Famous” sparked controversy on Thursday, February 11, over a misogynistic lyric about Taylor Swift. The singer’s squad later backed her up with support on social media.