Watch Kanye West Shake Up the TIME 100 Gala

ADD TIME ON GOOGLE

Nolan Feeney

by

Nolan Feeney

Open follow modal

Personalized Content

Nolan Feeney

Nolan Feeney

Follow this author to personalize your feed and get instant alerts.

FollowGo to your personalized feed

WHY FOLLOW?

Update your preferences in Account Settings

Close

Apr 22, 2015 4:16 AM CUT

Kanye West performs onstage at TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015

Kanye West performs onstage at TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015

Kanye West performs onstage at TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Nolan Feeney

by

Nolan Feeney

Open follow modal

Personalized Content

Nolan Feeney

Nolan Feeney

Follow this author to personalize your feed and get instant alerts.

FollowGo to your personalized feed

WHY FOLLOW?

Update your preferences in Account Settings

Close

Apr 22, 2015 4:16 AM CUT

TIME 100 cover star and hip-hop icon Kanye West stunned a crowd of dignitaries Tuesday with a performance art-infused 20-minute set at the annual TIME 100 gala honoring the most influential people in the world.

Bathed in an orange-yellow light and flanked by several shirtless men covered in white chalk, West took the stage to James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” before kicking his set off with his new single “All Day,” from his upcoming album, So Help Me God.

He followed with three tracks from 2013’s Yeezus — “Black Skinhead,” “New Slaves” and Amy Schumer favorite “Blood on the Leaves” — before moving on to “Runaway” and “Only One,” which was inspired by his late mother and his daughter with wife Kim Kardashian, who was also in attendance.

He closed out his set with a few of his older favorites, such as “Good Life” and “Gold Digger,” but stopped “Touch the Sky” midway and asked everyone in the audience to get on their feet before he continued. If getting world leaders, tech innovators and business moguls to bounce up and down isn’t a sign of influence, what is?

“It was an incredible performance,” supermodel Karlie Kloss told TIME afterward. “He knows how to work a room.”

“He was great,” added Frozen songwriter Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who says she used to listen to “Gold Digger” while running. “We write very different kinds of music, but I can respect the truth of what he’s saying.”

Read next: Watch the 2015 TIME 100 Gala in Two Minutes

Listen to the most important stories of the day.

See the Stars at the 2015 TIME 100 Gala

Kanye West and his wife, reality television star Kim Kardashian, arrive for the TIME 100 Gala in New York

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters

2015 Time 100 Gala

Emma Watson attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Toth—FilmMagic/Getty Images

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Julianne Moore attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Lorne Michaels attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, along with Amy Schumer, attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

Amy Schumer attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Amy Schumer attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

John Oliver attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

Misty Copeland attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

Jorge Ramos attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

Barbara Walters attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Barbara Walters attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

Arianna Huffington attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

Lindsey Vonn and Karlie Kloss attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals

Julianna Margulies attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Brian Chesky and Elissa Patel attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan—Sipa USA

Advertisement

Diane Von Furstenberg attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Diane Von Furstenberg attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Padma Lakshmi attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.

Padma Lakshmi attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Danny Meyer and Audrey Meyer attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Danny Meyer and Audrey Meyer attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

John Green and Sarah Urist Green attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

John Green and Sarah Urist Green attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.

Dr. Tom Frieden attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

Ina Garten and Jeffrey Garten attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Ina Garten and Jeffrey Garten attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Chanda Kochhar attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.

Chanda Kochhar attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Rupert Murdoch attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.

Rupert Murdoch attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Arianna Huffington attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Jenji Kohan attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet

Lindsey Vonn attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Guests at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Martha Stewart and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Larry Busacca—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Bradley Cooper and Willie Geist attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Bradley Cooper and Emma Watson attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Laverne Cox attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Diane von Furstenberg and Julianne Moore attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Christopher Nolan talks to TIME reporter Nolan Feeney during the TIME 100 gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Jemal Countess—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Kim Kardashian West attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Martha Stewart and Karlie Kloss attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

John Oliver attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Samantha Powers, Ronan Farrow, Mia Farrow, and Cass Sunstein attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Craig Venter and Elizabeth Holmes attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Bradley Cooper, Jane Boon, Norman Pearlstein attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Barbara Walters and Diane von Furstenberg attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Larry Busacca—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe and Kira Orange-Jones attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Arianna Huffington, Nancy Gibbs and Samantha Power attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

TIME 100 Gala

Brian Grazer and guest attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails

Lee Daniels and Clara Watson attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Jemal Countess—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Tim McGraw performs onstage during TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Apr. 21, 2015 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Bradley Cooper, Nancy Gibbs, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Kanye West performs at TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Apr. 21, 2015 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Kanye West performs on stage at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Clint Spaulding—Patrick McMullan/Sipa USA

Advertisement

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Julianna Margulies and Keith Lieberthal attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

George Lucas, Kanye West, and Elon Musk attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Bradley Cooper and Lorne Michaels attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Martha Stewart Kanye West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA

NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside

Laverne Cox, Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan—Sipa USA

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner

Marie Kondo, Julianne Moore and Jenna Lyons attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME

Advertisement

Laverne Cox poses with a gift bag as she attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

Laverne Cox poses with a TIME 100 gift bag as she attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME