For those who were in the building, last night was mad real.

Adult Swim celebrated a successful year as cable’s top network for viewers in the age group 18-49 with a grand Upfront event, showing off their returning hit series and some promising pilot shows, such as Mike Tyson Mysteries, Mr. Pickles, Ricky and Morty. After a quick montage of what viewers can expect for the upcoming year, Adult Swim brought out one of the biggest names in entertainment, Mr. Kanye West.

In true Kanye fashion, the curtains revealed an elaborate set in the shape of a large pyramid and filled with obscure projections for Illuminati believers to further scrutinize. Mr. West started his intimate set off with songs from GOOD Music’s latest album, Cruel Summer, performing hits like Mercy, New God Flow, and Cold. He then gave the crowd a taste of his older hits, such as Power, Jesus Walks, and Say You Will. As Kanye continued to play to the crowd with the lyricism and auto-tuned crooning the world has come to know him for, reoccurring storm images flashed across the stage and the crowd continued to scream for more.

He continued his set with Flashing Lights, from his Graduation album, and moved into newer songs like All of the Lights, and Clique. He also performed Diamonds, I Don’t Like, Good Life, All Falls Down, and Stronger.

Now everyone knows it’s not a Kanye West performance without a few surprises, which he did not rob his fans and critics of. Throughout the performances Kanye gave shout outs to New York, making references to surviving the hurricane as label mate Rihanna’s hit song “Diamonds Remix” played in the background. He also took the time to go into one of his famous rants during “Clique”, complaining about the difficulties of celebrity life and the internal struggle he goes through with his own fame and artistry. He gave such memorable quotes such as, ”I don’t want anyone running up on me with cameras… throwing me off my focus and sh*t. I am no mother ****in’ celebrity”. He also gave the crowd a sneak preview of what they can expect from his upcoming appearance on SNL saying, “I ain’t gotta humanize myself. I ain’t gotta apologize on SNL. I make art” and “Hell no, I’m not doing no mother****ing SNL skits, this is my life”. His rant also referenced this weeks paparrazi incident that ended with Mr. West hitting his head on a street sign. Kanye also pulled no punches when it came to his hit song “Runaway”, taking to the drum kit himself as he sang. He ended the night by thanking the crowd and asking them to do him one favor before he ended his set singing, “ If you love somebody tonight, hold on real tight”. He also went on to clarify saying, “No one wants to be lonely, but a**holes deserve to be lonely”.

Kanye West also performed two new tracks rumored to be possible singles from the new upcoming album. One track is rumored to be entitled “Yeezy Season” and was laced with an Electro/House feel and the other seemed to be a love ballad to Kim K entitled “Awesome”. In this song Kanye, with the help of auto-tune, crooned to his current girlfriend and future mother of his child with the simple message of, “You’re awesome”.

At the end of the night one can not argue that Kanye gives a great performance and feels what he says whether one agrees with him or not. And as the lights went down, people continued to dance in the midst of bottles strewn across the dance floor and all was well.

-Shaina Moskowitz