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	KANYE WEST Schoolhouse rap

Ten musicians, two back-up singers, and one MC: the Kanye West show. A week ago Wednesday, the embattled rapper brought his university tour to URI’s Ryan Center in Kingston for a 20-song, 90-minute-plus show. After a dour set from American Idol star Fantasia, West appeared amid white flashes, backed by four illuminated boxes of talent: a drummer, a DJ (five-time world champ A-Trak), a seven-piece string section, and a keyboardist. As each played, the boxes glowed behind the charismatic West, who carried himself like a preacher, pointing up, down, to the crowd, and to his two guest MCs, Consequence and TLC. There were (stage) props, filmic montages, and three distinct sets: one of defiant escapism ("Touch the Sky," "Addiction," "Gone"); one of poignant persecution ("Roses," "Heard ’Em Say," "We Major"); and a finale of spiritual celebration ("Jesus Walks," "Through the Wire," "Diamonds").

The overwhelmingly Caucasian student body shone their cell phones, threw their hands in the air, and stomped as if they were in church. West appeared kneeling next to a hospital bed and waking up in the morning, and he ran through the aisles surrounded by a phalanx of security. His one reference to George W. was met with only muted enthusiasm, and the loudest shout of the evening belonged to the "We want pre-nup!" refrain in "Golddigger." But the high point, and the essence, of the show was "Crack Music," a track that speaks to the importance of rap as a way for blacks to fight back against "The Man." As strobes flashed and the stage glowed, West gleamed in his all-white suit. For the final number, he donned a URI T-shirt, introduced the band, and shouted, "They can't do what we do baby!" He was right.