North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (Ye), achieved a major milestone in her young music career by performing solo for the first time at a major music festival. The event took place on Friday, June 11, 2026, at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash festival in Bridgeview, Illinois, where she impressed the audience with her confident stage presence.
Confident Debut on the Big Stage
North took to the stage dressed in a striking all-black Balenciaga outfit, featuring spiky jewelry, black sneaker boots, and oversized sunglasses. She performed her track “TALKING,” a collaboration with her father from his 2024 album Vultures 1. The crowd chanted along enthusiastically as the preteen delivered a poised and energetic set that showcased her growing talent.
Her parents were present to cheer her on. Kim Kardashian, 45, shared backstage passes on her Instagram Stories featuring North’s photo and the text “Stage 3 … North West.” She also reposted videos of the performance, capturing the excited crowd reaction. Kanye West, 49, showed his support by reposting footage of North’s set on his own Instagram Stories.
Additional behind-the-scenes moments were shared by Kim’s stylist, Dani Levi, including photos and clips of North backstage and moving through the festival grounds.
Rising Star in the Making
This solo festival performance builds on North’s recent momentum in the music industry. She released her debut EP N0rth4Evr on May 1, 2026, through Gamma. Earlier this year, she dropped previews of her solo single “Piercing on My Hand.”
In the weeks leading up to Summer Smash, North made a surprise appearance at Rolling Loud in Orlando, Florida, where she joined rapper Molly Santana. She has also performed alongside her father on previous occasions, including at his SoFi Stadium concert in Los Angeles in April 2026.
Strong Family Backing
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are parents to four children: North (12), Saint (10), Chicago (8), and Psalm (7). The entire family, including Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, and Kris Jenner, has been publicly supportive of North’s artistic journey, especially around the release of her EP.
North’s distinctive style—often highlighted by blue hair and bold fashion choices—combined with her parents’ influential legacies in music and entertainment, continues to draw significant public interest. Her performances are blending youthful energy with professional polish.
This landmark appearance at Summer Smash, sharing the lineup with established hip-hop artists, highlights North West’s growing presence in the music scene. With strong family support and evident talent, fans and industry observers are watching closely to see what the young artist will achieve next.
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