Kanye West 'in hospital after police callout'
Rapper said to be under observation in Los Angeles after cancelling his Saint Pablo tour
US rapper Kanye West has reportedly been hospitalised, a day after he abruptly cancelled his Saint Pablo tour.
He is now said to be under observation after the emergency services were called to a Los Angeles address on Monday afternoon.
A spokesman for the LA Fire Department confirmed they had received a request for medical aid at 1:20pm (9:20pm GMT) and that an unnamed man had been taken to hospital for "further assessment".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
US media offers conflicting reports of the exact nature of the incident. The Los Angeles Times quotes a fire department source as saying police officers passed them the case as a "medical emergency".
However, NBC reports police hospitalised West for his own safety after responding to a "medical welfare call", adding: "No criminal activity was involved."
On Sunday, concert promoter Live Nation said the rapper would not play the 19 remaining dates on his Saint Pablo tour.
West's increasingly outlandish behaviour in recent days has caused fans and music critics alike to voice concerns about his emotional wellbeing.
On Thursday, he was booed by a concert audience in San Jose, California, after arriving on stage 90 minutes late and restarting his opening song several times before "praising President-elect Donald Trump," says the Los Angeles Times.
Two days later, performing in Sacramento, West launched into a meandering diatribe in which he lashed out at long-time friends Beyonce and Jay Z, as well as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and mainstream radio.
"Jay Z, call me, you still aint called me," he said. "Jay Z, I know you got killers. Please don't send them at my head."
He then left the stage after performing only three songs.
West is no stranger to controversy, from accusing then president George W. Bush of "hating black people" after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005 to his ongoing argument with Taylor Swift. However, the Daily Telegraph calls this the rapper's "worst week ever".
In October, West's wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, was robbed in a hotel in Paris while he was performing in the US York. She was expected to attend a social event in New York yesterday but did not attend, says the BBC.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Kanye West referenced in at least 30 antisemitic incidents since October, Anti-Defamation League says
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Adidas could lose over $1 billion after terminating Kanye West partnership
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Kanye West may be denied entry to Australia over antisemitic remarks
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Kanye West reportedly had 'some sort of wedding ceremony'
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Kanye West reportedly nowhere to be found as ex-business manager tries to serve him
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat takes on Kanye West: 'He's too antisemitic even for us'
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Balenciaga and the long history of ‘shockvertising’
feature Fashion brands such as Benetton, Calvin Klein and FCUK have all created shocking ads resulting in free media coverage that benefited the brand
By The Week Staff Published