10 Best Kanye West Surprise Performances

Kanye West has made a career out of being unpredictable. From his ambitious albums to his outlandish fashion choices, Yeezy is always trying to surprise us, so it only makes sense that he'd get a rush out of making unexpected guest appearances. In the last week alone we've seen Kanye drop by unannounced at Travi$ Scott's L.A. show for a scream-filled performance of "New Slaves" and swing up to Toronto for a symbolic drop-in at Drake's OVO Fest—but this isn't a new trend.

Throughout his career Kanye has been known to show up at other artists's shows. Whether he's playing the role of tastemaker by popping up at a small club and shedding light on an emerging artist, teaming up with a fellow icon, or just dropping verses on a crowded plane, the Chicago rapper brings the same level of intensity and perfectionism to all of his performances. Though Kanye's been busy being a dad lately, making a Yeezus tour a little unlikely, he's still made time to drop in for quick appearances. So keep an eye out and your camera phone ready, 'cause you never know when Kanye might show up. There's really nothing better than a Kanye surprise—just ask Taylor Swift.—Dan Jackson

TNGHT "Cold"

Sometimes Kanye doesn't even need to rap to get a crowd to go nuts, like in this clip from DJ duo TNGHT's Music Hall Of Williamsburg set where Mr. West showed up on stage while the pair played their killer "Cold" remix. This is more rap karaoke than a full-fledged performance—look out for Kanye's rap hands—but it ended up being an important hint for the future: TNGHT would make major contributions to Kanye's 2013 album Yeezus.

Jay-Z "Run This Town"

Kanye and Jay-Z obviously have undeniable onstage chemistry, as anyone who caught the Watch The Throne tour can attest, but this clip captures the pair in their pre-Throne days, trading verses on the Rihanna-assisted Blueprint 3 single "Run This Town."

Kid Cudi "Make Her Say"

Kanye is known for making appearances at shows featuring artists he's worked with in the past and Kid Cudi is no exception. The Man On The Moon blows the roof off the venue by brining out Yeezy for album cut "Make Her Say." Adjust the volume for this one.

Big Sean "Marvin And Chardonnay"

Like the Cudi clip, this drop-in finds Kanye in co-signing mode. At the NYC release show for Big Sean's Finally Famous, West appears to lend an assist to the album highlight "Marvin And Chardonnay."

Justin Timberlake "Stronger"

Before Justin Timberlake was taking shots at Kanye, the two shared the stage sometimes. There's no hint of animosity here as the pair darts around the stage during a triumphant take on Kanye's "Stronger."

Young Jeezy "Put On For My City"

Young Jeezy's "Put On For My City" has one of Kanye's most iconic guest verses, so you can imagine how hyped this crowd was when Ye appeared. ("Put On For My City" starts at the 2:50 mark.)

Clipse "Kinda Like A Big Deal"

Long before Pusha-T was signed to Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, Kanye was just like most of us: a big Clipse fan. He contributed a typically boisterous verse to "Kinda Like A Big Deal" off the group's 2009 record 'Til The Casket Drops and here he is delivering that verse to a rabid Webster Hall crowd.

Q-Tip "Award Tour"

Kanye doesn't need a giant stage to make a big scene. Here Kanye, rocking a tank-top, drops by the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival to shout along to Q-Tip's inspired performance of the Tribe Called Quest classic "Award Tour." It's hard to find another clip of Kanye looking so laid-back and fun-loving.

"Gold Digger" On A Plane

Over the last few years Kanye has developed reputation for being a little grumpy sometimes, but this video finds him in a goofy, even silly mood, performing his Late Registration hit to a plane full of surprised onlookers. It's a lot more entertaining than an in-flight movie.

Chicago Culture Center Performance

Even before he was a world famous celebrity, Kanye obviously took pleasure in freaking out crowds. In this clip, he talks about how he was scheduled to speak on a panel, but he really wanted to surprise the fans at the Chicago Culture Center with a performance of his College Dropout single "All Falls Down." Listen to those kids scream.