Kanye West unveiled a meditative, religious-themed freestyle during his April 9th performance at the Paradise International Music Festival in the Philippines. The song, dubbed “I Don’t Want to Be Liked” in a YouTube clip, finds the rapper-producer crooning through heavy Auto-Tune over stark piano chords, Pitchfork reports.
“God is love,” West sings in the video. “I would rather follow God than to follow the media.” He also observes that “most artists aren’t appreciated in their own time” and boasts, “I got my own vision and make my own decisions/ And don’t ask for permission, and I am on a mission.” After nearly four minutes, the freestyle segues into the chorus of “Runaway.”
The Philippines concert – West’s first of 2016 – featured the live debut of several tracks from his new LP/evolving art project, The Life of Pablo, including “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2” and “Famous.” He also performed his verse from Drake’s “Pop Style,” a track (also featuring Jay Z) from the Toronto rapper’s long-awaited Views From the 6.
– Rolling Stone
