Kanye West breaks down during concert in Paris

Rapper Kanye West, whose mother died early last week, reportedly broke down in tears during a gig in Paris on Saturday night.

Audience members told People.com, that nearing the end of West's 60-minute performance, with the riff of "Hey Mama" beginning, West attempted to introduce the tribute to a sold-out crowd at Le Zénith in Paris, saying "this song is for my mother...." and could get no further.

One audience member said: "He just cracked, he was at the end of his concert and had just started to dedicate the song and then he just lost it completely."

Meddy Magloire, a journalist for French newspaper Le Parisien said: "He said the word, 'Mother' and just couldn't go any further, 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."

After a brief spout of silence, the audience of 5,000 reacted by offering calls of encouragement, which then grew into applause.

The band resumed, but West left the stage, returning after 10-15 minutes to conclude the concert with a performance of his hit single "Stronger."

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