Kanye West is no stranger to controversy, but a moment during his Yeezus Tour stop in Sydney, Australia stirred new backlash and renewed discussion about disability awareness and inclusion.

“I Can’t Do This Song Until Everybody Stands Up”

During his set, West paused mid-performance and told the crowd:

“I decided I can’t do this song, I can’t do the rest of the show until everybody stands up… unless you got a handicap pass and you get special parking and sh-t.”

As the audience cheered, two fans remained seated. West, visibly frustrated, refused to continue the show until they stood prompting boos from the crowd directed at the seated concertgoers.

The Crowd Tried to Help But It Took a While

What Kanye didn’t realize: the two fans weren’t being defiant they were disabled.

One person waved a prosthetic limb to clarify their condition. The other fan, in a wheelchair, was surrounded by concertgoers trying to signal the truth to West. Still, he insisted on confirmation before continuing.

“This is the longest I’ve had to wait to do a song,” he told the crowd. “It’s unbelievable.”

Only after finally recognizing the fan’s disability did West say:

“Now if he is in a wheelchair, then it’s fine.”

A Moment That Sparked a Bigger Conversation

The incident quickly went viral, sparking debates online. Critics say the episode highlights a lack of awareness about visible vs. invisible disabilities, and the pressure that public callouts can place on disabled fans especially in a setting where inclusion should be a given.

Many also pointed out that Kanye’s demand placed the burden on fans to prove their limitations rather than assuming good faith.

Why It Matters

This moment serves as a reminder: Disability inclusion is more than physical access it’s about respect and understanding. Public spaces, including concerts, should be places where people of all abilities can feel safe and seen without explanation or justification.