Kanye's tears in Paris, breaks down onstage

By Stone Martindale Nov 18, 2007, 16:31 GMT

Donda West (R), mother of US Hip-hop recording star Kanye West (L) at a charity benefit for the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, USA. According to Donda West\'s publicist Patricia Green, Donda West, 58, died 10 November 2007 in a Los Angeles, California, USA hospital from complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure, 12 November 2007. EPA/KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI

Kanye West broke down in tears during his Paris concert.

West reportedly attempted to dedicate "Hey Mama" to Donda but was unable to continue the song; finishes concert with "Stronger."

Only a week after his mother's death, Kanye West launched a European tour in Paris on Saturday, but broke down after performing for an hour, according to People.com.

Toward the end of the hour-long show at Le Zenith, as "Hey Mama" began, West attempted to introduce the song, saying, "This song is for my mother ... " but could not continue, the magazine reported.

"He said the word, 'Mother,' and just couldn't go any further," Le Parisien journalist Meddy Magloire told the magazine. "A back-up singer, the DJ and a guitar player came over to console him. It looked like he might collapse. He just couldn't continue. He just stood there in a spotlight, crying, while the band continued playing." The song, from 2005's Late Registration, is a dedication to Donda.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Magloire said, the audience offered shouts of encouragement, which grew into applause.

West reportedly restarted the song but was unable to finish. He left the stage, returning after 10-15 minutes to conclude the concert with "Stronger," the magazine reported.

"He was very nervous, seemed to have gathered himself up, and had a lot of energy," Magloire told People. "He kept shouting out to the audience, 'I need you ... I need you right now.' and the public was screaming back. It was magic."