Debate is raging over whether Kanye West can successfully headline next year's Big Day Out - a festival normally dominated by rock and metal acts.
Friday's festival line-up announcement confirmed West - known for his on-stage outbursts and emotionally charged music - would top the bill at next year's Big Day Out, due to be held at Mt Smart Stadium on January 20.
He tops a line-up consisting of heavy-hitting rock bands like Soundgarden, Kasabian, My Chemical Romance, Battles, Beastwars and Cage the Elephant. A second line-up announcement is due later this year.
West is the first solo rapper to headline the Big Day Out, but rap artists have graced the Big Day Out main stages before with Scribe, Dizzee Rascal and Lupe Fiasco all drawing large crowds in afternoon slots.
Rap group The Beastie Boys also headlined the 2005 event.