NEAR WEST SIDE — That "special guest" Aahh! Festival organizers are billing?
It's likely Chicago's own Kanye West that will be taking the stage at rapper Common's Aahh! Festival in Union Park Sunday.
Many signs points to a Yeezus homecoming, said Ty Howard, deputy editor of the Chicago hip hop blog Fake Shore Drive.
"The cat's out of the bag," 24-year-old Howard said Friday. "I would be pretty disappointed and surprised if Kanye didn't show."
Howard predicts Mr. West will be in the building to show support for his charity, Donda's House Inc., that is a partner in the first-ever fest. The charity is named for his deceased mother, Donda West.
Twitter's a flutter, too. Aahh! Fest media sponsor Jet Magazine tweeted: "Kan ye guess who the "special guest" is for the #AAHHFEST?"
Another tweet says that comedian Dave Chappelle, slated to host the fest, said at a Thursday show in San Francisco that he would be with Kanye Sunday.
And Common hints: it is “one of the most incredibly talented and gifted people I know.”
The special guest is slated to take the stage at 9 p.m. Sunday, according to a lineup.
Earlier this week, festival organizers announced Chicago native Jennifer Hudson will perform at the Sunday fest. Common announced Wednesday night that Chicago rapper Twista will play the fest, too.
The festival originally was scheduled for two days in Jackson Park, but was moved to Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. in West Town.
Regardless, having "heavy-hitters" Common, Hudson, Lupe Fiasco, Twista, Rhymefest, Lil Herb and maybe Kanye — all Chicago natives — in the same park Sunday will be legendary, Howard said.
"It's like the Chicago rap Mt. Rushmore," Howard said. "This is the first time you're going to see them all in one place."
Tickets to Sunday's fest, which start at $65, are still on sale.
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