Kanye gets 'em high

He radiated confidence and success as he bounded around the stage, sometimes sporting his trademark Louis Vuitton Millionaire sunglasses, but to his credit, this never degenerated into complacency or open arrogance. Rather, it seemed to spur him on to justify his elevated status with a world-class performance.

"Y'all been standing in the rain for two hours; so I ain't gonna walk around the stage like I'm cool as hell. I'm going to perform for you like you'd been waiting for three hours," the Atlanta-born star promised, to wild screams of approval. And he was as good as his word, giving his all for the best part of two hours.

Opening with Diamonds From Sierra Leone, West was backed up by several violinists and cellists, adding an epic feel to proceedings alongside a sample of Shirley Bassey singing Diamonds Are Forever. A sea of glowing camera phones (which have long since replaced lighters as the preferred choice of illuminated things to hold up at concerts) seemed to create a strange reflection of the diamond-themed visuals projected behind him as he rapped from the heart on the subject of "conflict diamonds".

About 40 minutes into the show, the strings, smoochy backing vocals and cunningly-created visuals were starting to wear a little thin, certainly from the point of view of those fans who had seen him at The Forum in 2004 and were expecting another display of somewhat grittier hip-hop. A breathtaking scratch-DJing interlude from Canadian turntable demon A-Trak introduced a welcome selection of his tougher tracks.

Get 'Em High had the crowd on their feet, invigorated by a rare spot of swearing, and the kind of booming basslines that the first few songs lacked. Hey Mama was a joyful, tuneful tribute to West's dear old mum. Another highlight was Jesus Walks, on which he resembled nothing so much as a Southern gospel preacher.

Often characterised as a cerebral rapper who provokes thought, represents a positive role model and makes his listeners think, the truth about Kanye West is more complex. Diamonds From Sierra Leone may inspire some to think more carefully about the miserable journey that takes jewels from chaotic warzones to the wrists, necks and ears of the rich. But that doesn't stop him sporting diamonds himself, as he did last night.

Nonetheless, and despite the fact that he is by no means the world's best rapper, his production wizardry has fused credible rap with soul and gospel, picking up a huge, varied fanbase and millions of record sales. With talent and the experience of keeping the hardcore rap fans happy, while still appealing to the mainstream, the hardest-working man in rap last night proved he can do the same with a live audience.

Kanye West, Santogold, Mr Hudson & The Library