Kanye cries for mother on stage

Kanye West's mother died after complications following surgery

US rapper Kanye West broke down on stage in London after performing a song about his mother, who died last week.

It was the first time he had performed in public since Dr Donda West's funeral in the US on Tuesday.

West, 30, who kicked off his UK tour at London's O2 arena, dedicated the track Hey Mama to her.

Afterwards the singer wiped his eyes and put his head in his hands whilst the audience gave him a three-minute standing ovation.

One member of the crowd told BBC 1Xtra: "It touched my heart when he sang Hey Mama, I felt for him.

"It was the best performance I have ever seen him give, and because there was emotion there it was even better than the rest."

Dr Donda West died at a Los Angeles hospital aged 58 after complications following surgery.

West often spoke of his close relationship with his mother. She raised him alone after her husband left when West was three.

The song, Hey Mama, which featured on West's 2005 album Late Registration, included the lyrics: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you. I appreciate what you allowed for me, I just want you to be proud of me."

West's UK and Ireland tour continues in Brighton on Saturday and ends in Glasgow on 4 December.