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Since announcing the opening act for U2's two Auckland shows, fans everywhere have been wondering just how hip hop star Kanye West came to open for the world's biggest rock band.
It's quite simple really - he asked.
Standing mid-field at Auckland's Mt Smart stadium yesterday afternoon, U2 band manager Paul McGuinness told nzherald.co.nz exactly how it all unfolded.
"Last year, when we were in the US, we had some slots open for the opening night and Kanye got in touch and said, 'Yeah, I'd like to do them. I'd like to do hip hop in front of a U2 audience'.
"We thought, 'yeah, that'd be great'. He's had hits here."
McGuinness was full of praise for the 29-year-old rapper, saying: "I think it's hard work for him to perform hip hop in front of a rock 'n' roll crowd but it's very interesting. He's a great performer."
But fans hoping to see a collaboration between the rapper and the rock stars are out of luck.
McGuinness solemnly added: "They don't do anything together."
