Kid Cudi reunites with Kanye West on stage in Chicago and defends reconciliation after public feud

Surprise reunion at Soldier Field

Kanye West concluded a two-night concert run in Chicago to promote his album "Bully" with an unannounced appearance from Kid Cudi at Soldier Field on September 4, 2026. West also brought Rick Ross, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver to the stage during the two-night engagement, which opened on September 3. Cudi joined West on stage for the first time in seven years, performing three collaborative tracks to close the concert: "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1," "Ghost Town," and "Pursuit of Happiness." The performance was their first joint stage appearance since performing at the Coachella festival in 2019 following their 2018 collaborative album "Kids See Ghosts."

Response to online criticism

Following the concert, radio DJ Peter Rosenberg posted on X expressing disappointment with artists performing alongside West following his past antisemitic statements. Cudi responded directly on September 5, stating that his bond with West spans nearly two decades since signing to West's GOOD Music label in 2008. Cudi noted that West had experienced mental health struggles for years but had made progress.

I understand ur frustration Peter, I fucks w u, but I dont really care if ur disappointed in me. That man is my brother. U dont have a relationship w him like I do. Damn near 2 decades of art and friendship. U not family. So I get it. Ive been around Ye, and I can honestly say talking to him now is how it use to be when I first signed to him, but even better.

Cudi addressed critics further by explaining that he had directly confronted West about his behavior before accepting the reconciliation.

Everyone deserves some grace when they family. I was the hardest on him out of anybody. I held him accountable. He apologized and it was sincere. But like I said, u not family so I get it.

History of public estrangement

The two rappers experienced a public falling out in 2022 when West removed Cudi's contributions from the "Donda 2" album due to Cudi's friendship with Pete Davidson, who was dating West's ex-wife Kim Kardashian. West posted criticism on Instagram targeting Cudi, leading Cudi to respond that their friendship was over. In an earlier interview with Esquire, Cudi stated that reconciliation would require a miracle, and in a 2025 CBS Mornings appearance, he stated that West had broken friendship codes. Their estrangement occurred alongside widespread criticism of West for antisemitic rhetoric, Holocaust denial, praise of Adolf Hitler, a pro-Hitler track, and derogatory comments regarding the late designer Virgil Abloh.

Tour schedule and public apology

In January 2026, West placed a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal offering an apology and retracting his past antisemitic statements. West, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, stated that he experienced a four-month manic episode involving psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior. West launched his Ye Live Concert Tour in April 2026, though the artist encountered difficulties entering the United Kingdom and France due to his past statements. West continues the tour on October 24, 2026, in Jakarta, Indonesia.