Until Sunday, Kanye West had yet to perform at Barclays Center, the Brooklyn arena that West's sort of best buddy Jay Z sort of built. That all changed at the MTV's Video Music Awards, when West performed "Blood on the Leaves" for an eager crowd.
West's VMA performance followed a stellar rendition of "Black Skinhead" on "Saturday Night Live" and a somewhat curious video for that track, which featured an animated West who could be controlled by fans. Imagery of men in black hoods flipped the script on KKK-esque visuals, making it little surprise that the song's name has been stylized as "BLKKK SKKKN HEAD" in recent weeks.
This time, West was again introduced with low lighting, but he didn't perform "Skinhead" as previously expected. Moments before he took the stage, West linked to his website to post the image he used as the backdrop for his performance, a tree that was "used for lynching." Director Steve McQueen is credited with the photo.
BLOOD ON THE LEAVES pic.twitter.com/0Ug79x2Jip
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 26, 2013
Thirty Second's To Mars' Jared Leto introduced West.
MTV had pulled out all the stops in terms of booking performers for this year's VMAs, having signed checks to bring Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Macklemore, Daft Punk and more to Brooklyn. One Direction hosted the party -- live updates from the night are available below the following gallery.
Video Music Awards 2013
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(01 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Musician Kanye West performs onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room(02 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Justin Timberlake attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room(03 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Best Pop Video winner Selena Gomez attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room(04 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Bruno Mars attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(05 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Joseph Gordon-Levitt speaks onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(06 of40)
Justin Timberlake with his four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(07 of40)
Selena Gomez, winner of Best Pop Video, holds award at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(08 of40)
Justin Timberlake with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(09 of40)
Taylor Swift, winner of Best Female Video, walks from stage at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(10 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Taylor Swift speaks onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Audience(11 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (L-R) Jayden Smith, Willow Smith and Will Smith attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(12 of40)
30 Seconds to Mars at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(13 of40)
A reunited 'N Sync including Justin Timberlake (C), JC Chasez (L), Lance Bass (2nd L), Joey Fatone (2nd R), and Chris Kirkpatrick (R) at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-ENTERTAINMENT-AWARDS-MTV(14 of40)
Justin Timberlake with his four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards August 25, 2013 at the Barclays Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lady Gaga(15 of40)
Lady Gaga performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Ciara(16 of40)
Ciara arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Lady Gaga(17 of40)
Lady Gaga performs "Applause" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Lady Gaga(18 of40)
Lady Gaga performs "Applause" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Selena Gomez(19 of40)
Selena Gomez arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(20 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
Adam Lambert(21 of40)
Adam Lambert arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Jennifer Hudson(22 of40)
Jennifer Hudson arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Taylor Swift(23 of40)
Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Katy Perry(24 of40)
Katy Perry wears a grill that says "ROAR" as she arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Joey Fatone, Justin Timberlake, Kris Chris Kirkpatrick(25 of40)
Joey Fatone, from left, Justin Timberlake and Chris Kirkpatrick of 'N Sync perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
(26 of40)
Fitness guru Richard Simmons, left, kisses the hand of singer Katy Perry at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Bruno Mars(27 of40)
Bruno Mars performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(28 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(29 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(30 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus(31 of40)
Miley Cyrus arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(32 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(33 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(34 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Musician Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(35 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals(36 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Actress Sarah Hyland attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals(37 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Daft Punk attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(38 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Drake performs onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(39 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for MTV) (credit:Getty Images)
Rita Ora(40 of40)
Rita Ora arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
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