KANYE West has been caught on camera beaming at a family birthday party over the weekend after dropping out of Coachella just two weeks before the festival, The Sun can reveal.
The controversial rapper, who has reportedly been struggling amid his nasty divorce from Kim Kardashian, is no longer headlining the event in Palm Springs, California.
TMZ reported on Monday the star had pulled out after his Grammy performance was also canceled following his disturbing rants on social media, including an attack on host Trevor Noah.
But despite the drama, The Sun can confirm Kanye has been a busy man over the weekend, spending time with his girlfriend Chaney Jones in Santa Barbara, and dropping by a family event solo.
Lawrenze Franklin, a musician who also happens to be Ye’s cousin, took to Instagram to share a short clip featuring the hitmaker in a good mood at the low-key bash.
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The post was captioned: “This what 85 looks like! My family including my cousin Kanye surprised my grandma for her 85th bday.
“Been too long since… was a great day.”
In the clip Kanye’s elderly relative is caught off guard as her family arrives to celebrate her birthday.
The 44-year-old rapper is then seen with a big smile on his face as he hugs her before the family sing along to Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder.
Another family member wrote on social media: “Best surprise ever all she wanted was all her family together & we got her good. When she start crying she had me crying like a punk b****.”
Fans were quick to take to the comments section to react to Kanye being surrounded by love.
One wrote: “This is awesome brotha! Family over everything. Probably the most I’ve ever seen Kanye smile.”
Another added: “This is what Kanye needs, man! Beautiful family,” while a third chimed in, “This is so pure… blessings to grandma on her birthday.”
Kanye rocked up to the party alone but he spent the earlier part of the weekend in Montecito laying low with new love Chaney Jones, according to insiders.
The model, 24, who has been dating Ye casually for the past few months, even showed off a new Birkin bag on Instagram after a romantic dinner at Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch with the star.
She captioned the snap, which also featured a box of silver roses, with the words: “Thanks bb,” and tagged her rapper beau.
An eyewitness told The Sun: “It was Friday around 8.30pm, it was just the two of them and they stayed for about 45 minutes.
“They seemed to be in good spirits and kind to the staff. I’m not sure if they had a meal, I think it was just small plates.”
A second insider revealed: “Kanye has gone underground at the moment, and his team is barely talking to anyone.
“He’s trying to stay out of the spotlight for a while and surround himself with the right people.”
Collaborator Sean Leon, who worked on DONDA 2, also posted on Monday: “Vision too big for Coachella or any other festivals/award shows. OG building his own thing.”
While fans have been left disappointed Kanye has dropped out of Coachella, it’s unlikely they will get ticket refunds after forking out hundreds of dollars on passes and travel.
A separate source said: “There is fine print regarding line-up changes, and the festival has insurance,” adding: “After the past few weeks with Kanye this didn’t come as a huge shock.”
According to TMZ, Kanye has decided not to perform after previously threatening to pull out following a post by fellow headliner Billie Eilish, which he felt dissed Travis Scott.
Kylie Jenner’s baby daddy has not performed live since the Astroworld tragedy, which claimed the lives of 10 people and left hundreds injured, and had been invited to take to the stage with Ye.
Kanye demanded on Instagram: “Come on Billie we love you. Please apologize to Trav and to the families of the people who lost their lives. No one intended this to happen.
“Trav didn’t have any idea of what was happening when he was on stage and was very hurt by what happened, and yes Trav will be with me at Coachella but now I need Billie to apologize before I perform.”
Billie refused to apologize and simply wrote in the comments: “Literally never said a thing about Travis. Was just helping a fan.”
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Meanwhile, Kanye’s ex Kim, 41, is loved up with boyfriend Pete, 28, and has already met the family, including the comic’s grandparents on a recent trip to New York.
Ye has hit out at the comedian a number of times amid arguments over custody of his four children with Kim; North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.
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