KEY POINTS:
The first time he came, the headliners didn't show up. The second time he came, he got rained on - and booed by a crowd of rowdy U2 fans who didn't appreciate his fast-talking ways.
But Kanye West is nothing if not determined. As he returns to Auckland this December, it seems third time's the charm for the outspoken rapper who will be headlining his own, indoor show at Vector Arena.
West will be joined by fellow US rapper Nas and New Zealand's own Scribe on December 1 at Vector Arena, before heading south to play Wellington's TSB Arena on December 2.
Part of the Glow in the Dark tour - which kicked off in Seattle in April - the show was choreographed by industry icon Jamie King, who has worked with Madonna and Prince, among many others.
The tour is in support of West's 2007 album Graduation - his third release since stepping on to the music scene in 2004 with his debut album The College Dropout.
But it wasn't until 2005, when West collaborated with Jamie Foxx on the hit single Gold Digger that West became a household name.
His music may have put him in the spotlight but it's West's big mouth that keeps him there, regularly hitting headlines for his vocal tirades against, well, everybody.
In 2006, when he missed out on Best Video at the MTV Europe Video Awards, he famously jumped on stage and argued he should have won the trophy.
Naturally, the rapper insists his live show will be spectacular and feature "the greatest light show of all time".
Good thing Auckland now has a venue big enough to host the extravaganza - and Kanye's ego.
Tickets on sale Monday, October 13 from Ticketmaster (Auckland) and Ticketek (Wellington) outlets.
