LOS ANGELES — It was an atypically chilly night, but that didn’t stop fans from turning out to see Kanye West and Drake perform together on Thursday at the L.A. Coliseum.
The unlikely duo, who have exchanged direct and indirect slights over the years, took the stage for a benefit for prison and sentencing reform, and to raise awareness about the incarceration of Larry Hoover, the former leader of Gangster Disciples, a Chicago gang, who is currently serving six life sentences.
For many, regardless of their thoughts on mass incarceration, it was a chance to witness a rare instance of the rappers sharing a marquee — and to show off their best looks.
These interviews have been lightly edited and condensed.
Yashraj Bains
Age: 19
Occupation: full-time student at San Jose State University
Home: Stockton, Calif.
Tell me about your outfit.
You know, I got the Yeezy 700s V2. Brand-new, just wore them the first time today. Corduroy pants. White T-shirt, some little cool coat that I got. Sunglasses are Balenciaga.
What brings you out tonight?
Gotta see Kanye. Historical event. I went to the Atlanta listening parties. I flew out there. Do you know what I’m saying? Gotta see it through.
Ulysses Cital
Age: 27
Home: Los Angeles
Occupation: barber
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Imperial Valley, but now I live in L.A. I had a baby on Tuesday!
Boy or girl?
Girl. Athena, like the goddess of wisdom and war.
Are you expecting any surprises tonight?
A lot of people are asking who they are going to bring out? But my question is are they going to get Larry Hoover out? Because that’s really what’s important. Let’s not lose focus on what we are here for.
Nashley and Herman Armstrong
Nashley
Age: 21
Home: Newport Beach, Calif.
Occupation: restaurant worker
Herman
Age: 28
Home: Los Angeles
Occupation: consultant at PwC
What brought you here tonight?
Herman: Man, big Kanye fan.
Nashley: Our anniversary gift.
Can you tell me about your outfits?
Herman: No doubt, she actually got me these Sunday Service sweats.
Nashley: And the hoodie.
Herman: And the hoodie. And some Yeezy Foam RNNRs. And the “Jesus Is King” hat …
Nashley: I got him that too.
Herman: She fitted me out!
The blanket is not Yeezy?
The blanket is not Yeezy. It might be cold, so you gotta throw this on.
Evan Love
Age: 24
Home: Los Angeles
Occupation: musician and music engineer
Why’d you decide to come tonight?
It’s probably going to be the biggest concert of our generation.
Are you surprised they’re performing together?
I think the impact is crazy. Not only does it just show that everyone can do it, but it’s literally bringing together two sides consciously that were like “Who better, Drake or Kanye?” Together. You can’t really debate anyone anymore.
Nice chain.
It’s Yeezy’s; just all black, with a chain. You can’t go wrong with that.
Eric Travis
Age: 23
Home: New York City
Occupation: Salesforce
What are you wearing?
These shoes are the Maison Margiela Reebok, and a local brand, Numbers, from Rosedale. The shirt is from the first listening party that Kanye had in Atlanta. This is the merch shirt and Levi’s denim jacket.
And the chains?
This is a Byzantine chain. And this right here I got this in Naples, Italy. It’s supposed to like keep away the evil eye.
Tonight is a prison reform benefit, is that a cause you are passionate about?
I know a lot of people that have been through the justice system. And I feel like a lot of the time, people of color or people just from underprivileged areas are targeted more, and it’s just unfair, you know?
Jason Paullus and Kristian Ngoma
Jason
Age: 19
Home: Indianapolis
Occupation: student at California State University, Northridge
Kristian
Age: 19
Home: Indianapolis
Occupation: rapper
What brings you here tonight?
Kristian: I’m literally going to work with Kanye West one day.
Jason: We are here to see Kanye. Drake is a cool addition.
Can you tell me what you guys are wearing?
Kristian: I’m wearing the Yeezy Foam RNNRs and I’m wearing my own merch.
What’s your brand’s name?
Kristian: K. Eastwood. I’m a rapper from Indianapolis.
Justin: I bought this Tyler, the Creator Golf mint green hoodie like a week ago. These pants are from my high school graduating class. I just like the design.
Drew Stevens and James Focarazzi
Drew
Age: 21
Occupation: investing in cryptocurrencies and stocks
Home: West Palm Beach, Fla.
James
Age: 22
Home: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Occupation: opening an Italian restaurant
What are you wearing?
James: I got the Vlone x Palm Angels on, white Air Force 1, and regular track pants.
Drew: I got Burberry shoes on with the pair of the Ksubi pants and an Honor the Gift “Inner City” hoodie. I’m warm and comfy ’cause it’s cold out today.
How do you feel about Kanye and Drake putting their beef behind them?
Drew: I don’t think there was ever really a beef between them. I just think it was more of a marketing ploy. Both of them are such good marketers. I think they know what they’re doing and how to draw an audience.
Slap’n Fade
Age: 26
Home: Sacramento, Calif.
Occupation: barber and rapper
Tell me about the fit.
Bro, I’m wearing a Reason windbreaker, Nike Jordan 1’s and just some regular old pants, man.
What about the earrings?
I got two grams in each ear.
Who’s the better rapper: Kanye or Drake?
Me.
Kirsten Grotz
Age: 28
Home: Los Angeles
Occupation: eighth grade science teacher
Do your students know that you are here?
Yeah, they do. One of my students is here tonight as well.
Can you tell us about your outfit tonight?
I just came from work, so it’s very much my teacher brand: an Everlane sweater, ASOS jacket, Good American jeans and white Puma sneakers.
I like your glasses. Are they vintage?
No, they are from Zenni, the online store.
Carla and Abraham Amador
Carla
Age: 24
Occupation: pharmacy school student
Home: El Paso
Abraham
Age: 19
Occupation: student, retail
Home: El Paso
How was the flight?
Carla: It was long. We had finals this morning that we were able to take virtually.
Why did you decide to make the trek?
Carla: For the most part, we are big Kanye fans. Just Kanye himself would have been enough for us to come out here.
Great. Tell me about what you guys are wearing?
Abraham: I’m wearing a Carhartt hoodie, Carhartt overalls and then Chuck 70s.
Carla: I’m wearing Dr. Martens, vintage Levi’s, vintage Cabela’s, and the Yeezy Gap hoodie.
Lyle and Dusti Harteloo
Lyle
Age: 25
Home: Riverside, Calif.
Occupation: commercial truck driver
Dusti
Age: 44
Home: Oceanside, Calif.
Occupation: contact tracer
I see you’re wearing a Free Hoover hat.
Lyle: Larry Hoover has been incarcerated for 40 plus years, and he deserves to breathe free air.
Can you tell me about what you are wearing tonight?
Lyle: I’m wearing a Revenge reflective jacket, Yeezy boots, and these denim jeans are from a designer Murder Bravado.
What about you, Dusti? What brought you out?
Dusti: I’m just the mom.
Manny Topete, Bri Rios and Marissa Topete
Manny
Age: 31
Home: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Occupation: window tinting
Bri
Age: 26
Home: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Occupation: window tinting
Marissa
Age: 24
Home: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Occupation: Makeup artist
Tonight’s a benefit for prison reform. Is that something you are passionate about?
Manny: If Kanye is.
Who’s the better rapper?
Bri: Kanye!
Manny: Kanye, he spits about realer stuff.
Bri (to Marissa): It’s OK, you can say Drake.
Aaliyah McCray and Miquel Price
Aaliyah
Age: 24
Home: Austin, Texas
Occupation: “I do ombre powder brows …”
Miquel
Age: 24
Home: Houston
Occupation: “… and I’m her assistant.”
Tell me about your respective fits for the evening.
Aaliyah: I’m wearing Travis Scott Nike SBs, a cute corset with a pearl cover-up, and some olive green pants.
Miquel: These are Carhartt camo pants with camo Crocs, a “Vote Kanye” hoodie and a Carhartt vintage jacket.
And the cowboy hat?
Oh yeah! The hat I got from Master Hatters. He does hats for everybody like all the movie people in Texas down there in La Grange. He’s been doing it forever.
Jaquay Thompson and Capilene Elizabeth Lopez
Jaquay
Age: 25
Occupation: leasing agent
Home: Los Angeles
Capilene
Age: 25
Occupation: receptionist and full-time student
Home: Los Angeles
Tell me about what you are wearing.
Jaquay: Fashion Nova, Urban Outfitters, Zara, Steve Madden.
Kanye or Drake?
Jaquay: Drake. And Kanye. We gotta show love to Kanye. He O.G.
Capilene: But we are certified lover girls for real.
