Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kanye West and John Legend perform early version of Gold Digger in 2003 show

The performance came a year before the release of his debut album 'College Dropout'

Jack Simpson
Wednesday 11 March 2015 12:36 GMT
Comments
Kanye performing in 2003
Kanye performing in 2003 (YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

In 2005, Kanye West’s smash "Gold Digger" went global.

Going platinum in three countries, it was one of the biggest tunes of the year.

In a video filmed in 2003 and uploaded on YouTube on Sunday, a slightly less slick West is seen rapping the song that would later become "Gold Digger". The performance, which apparently took place at the second annual Producer Conference in New York, includes some of the song’s most memorable lyrics.Dressed in a red cap, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup t-shirt and rucksack, West looks a shade of the fashion loving would-be designer he is today.

And if that was not enough, instead of Jamie Foxx delivering the backing vocals, the performance sees a younger John Legend providing the musical accompaniment and original chorus.

The newly emerged performance came nearly a year before West gained notoriety with his debut album College Dropout, 11 years before he married Kim Kardashian and 12 years before he was filmed bouncing up, chanting "Yeezus" on top of a table in the O2's Nandos.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in