Kanye West iPod Nano Keynote Performance (lost footage of Apple special performance from American rapper; 2005)
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Screenshot from the performance (1/22).
Status: Lost
In 2005, Apple held a special event at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, where Steve Jobs introduced Kanye West to perform at the launch of the iPod Nano. At the time, Kanye was a rising star in the music world, having released his debut album, "The College Dropout," a year earlier. This performance was significant because it brought together two influential figures: Steve Jobs from the tech world and Kanye West from the music industry. However, the performance didn’t go as planned. The audience, mostly made up of tech professionals and journalists who were unfamiliar with Kanye’s music, did not respond well. Kanye performed his songs "Gold Digger" and "All Falls Down," but the crowd remained disengaged, creating an awkward atmosphere.
The original livestream of the event, which included Kanye’s performance, was initially available on Apple’s website . However, Apple later removed the performance from the official recording, which is still accessible but without Kanye's segment . This decision was likely made to maintain the polished image of Apple’s events, as the lukewarm reception of the performance didn’t align with the company’s brand. Now, only a few photos and stories from those who attended the event remain, making the video footage of Kanye’s performance a piece of lost media.
Over the years, the missing footage has sparked curiosity among fans of both Apple and Kanye West, who see it as a unique moment in the careers of both Steve Jobs and Kanye. Despite numerous attempts to recover the footage, it remains lost, adding to the mystery and intrigue surrounding it. The event is now considered a rare and interesting part of Apple’s history, illustrating how two very different worlds—technology and music—came together in an unexpected way, and how sometimes even high-profile events can have unpredictable outcomes. This lost footage is a reminder of the impact of live performances and how they can shape the legacies of those involved.
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Kanye West at the 2005 iPod Nano launch event. (1/2)
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Steve Jobs Introducing Kanye West. (1/2)
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Steve Jobs Clapping After Kanye West's Performance.
