Global rap icon Kanye West made his long-awaited debut in Istanbul, Türkiye, performing in front of an estimated 118,000 fans in one of the biggest live music events of the year.

The concert took place at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, where the venue reached full capacity hours before the show began as fans from across Türkiye and abroad gathered to witness the artist’s first-ever performance in the country, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

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Organizers said the event, held in cooperation with NTRteam, attracted international visitors from countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland, and several nations across the Middle East.

West opened the show with Father and closed the nearly two-hour performance with his global hit Stronger. His setlist featured some of his most popular tracks, including Runaway, Power, Flashing Lights, Heartless, Black Skinhead, Homecoming, and more.

Performing on a massive spherical stage at the center of the stadium, the artist delivered a visually striking show enhanced by high-resolution projections that transformed the structure into a rotating digital globe.

The production featured synchronized lighting, smoke effects, and immersive visuals, while thousands of fans lit up the stadium with phone flashlights, creating a dramatic sea of lights across the arena.

The event also drew several well-known Turkish celebrities, adding to the high-profile atmosphere of the night.

The concert was streamed live on West’s official YouTube channel, attracting millions of viewers within minutes and extending the Istanbul performance to a global audience.