"Hov on that new sh*t n*ggas like how come
N*ggas want my old sh*t, buy my old album
N*ggas stuck on stupid, I gotta keep it moving
N*ggas make the same sh*t, me I make the blueprint"
To state it simply, Kanye's style was unique and inspiring: he was the guy who became cool without conforming to the stereotypes of his era and industry. West's style pushed Black men to look past the drab, predictable styles in place. His signature college style of backpacks, vibrant sweaters, slim fit jeans, and casual sneakers that are the norm in today's Hip-Hop were not how people (especially rappers) dressed in 2004; he changed the standard. In his music, West humorously identified stereotypes about Black women and benefits of attending college (The New Workout Plan, School Spirit), depicted the process of 'Hooking Up' (Slow Jamz), and brought underground hip hop artists
to the mainstream (Get Em High,
Two Words).
West would even build a faction of rap's most socially aware and unique artists, appropriately naming them G.O.O.D Music. The group would include such great artists as Common and John Legend. This was perhaps the coolest element of the man known as "Yeezy": his impact among the various types of Hip-Hop listener. West spoke to the casual fan who only heard him on the radio, the intellectual listener who yearned for the days of A Tribe Called Quest and Jungle Brothers, and the gangsta rap enthusiast who grew up with Biggie and Tupac Shakur. West's 2007 album Graduation, for example, spoke all the right words to a generation trying to balance self-improvement and social life. It seemed so perfect; vivid tales of overcoming your current circumstances, pushing through with a sense of rebellion to achieve your destiny. Delivering his message through the informal outlet of music, he rejuvenated a culture, leaving us greatly anticipating more soulful, thought-provoking work from our latest music superstar.
As West has continued to make hits, his music and his personality (from a fan's perspective) has moved to a more melancholy, cryptic place. Despite this shift, the majority of West's fan base have remained loyal for several reasons; others await a return to "Gold Digger" glory, while some have enjoyed the darker production. Kanye's last two solo releases 808s and Heartbreak and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy display this Batman-like persona, a hero whose eerie behavior force you to occasionally ponder is he actually on the side of justice. His light-hearted arrogance, once comical and indirectly inspiring, is now an aura of defiance and anger.
The talks of inspiration and dreams were replaced with themes of sex and drug use, neither of which took precedence on his prior work. His G.O.O.D Music roster, which once flaunted acts like Consequence and Tony Williams, are now lauded with younger, edgier artists including Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz*. Perhaps most obvious was West's change in fashion: he has appeared in several interesting outfits, including leather kilts, oversized overcoats, and more.
In his past two forays, Watch The Throne (Collaboration with Jay-Z) and Cruel Summer (Compilation Album) Kanye appeared to be distracted, yet slightly refreshed. To his credit, Kanye has not totally diverted from providing us captivating and thought provoking verses; at this current stage in his career, however, he has taken the stance to surround those lines with braggadocios statements. The lyrics subconsciously work to add to the legend of West; here lies a man who does, says, and wears what he wants. He's one of the biggest names in the music industry, friends with Jay-Z and Beyonce, and the "baby daddy" of arguably the most infamous woman of this generation. By materialistic standards, he is above the norm, and regardless of the content, his creativity and talent reigns supreme.
West's solipsistic position (and great albums) helped continue his reign at the top, but this has not stopped fans from questioning, "Are there any remains of the excitement, humanity, and familiarity that once drew us to Kan-yeezy?" To this point, it has not altered his success. His work is still celebrated as artistic, revolutionary, and stylish. West's early music, however, possessed elements that fans identify in themselves. Listeners were inspired by his rhymes; songs like "We Major" blasted as a theme song during people's respective quests for greatness. Though his early exploits are now considered classic, it was necessary for Kanye to expand his sound; life's events and circumstances forced him to adjust. So while West has changed, his fans have also. Their tolerance levels changed and guided them to be nostalgic about his music they grew up with.
Despite the acceptance of his new sound, it is fair for them to yearn for the positive energy of West to return, if not the sound. Kanye engaged his audience as a rapper with so much more than cocky rhymes; beneath his arrogance lied a sense of altruism. Much of this spirit appeared in the early period of Kanye's music, but traces still lie in his current music. There is a chance West's exuberance and soulful sound may eventually disintegrate completely. Despite this, fans will always tune in at the mention of new West music, holding up their hands in the Roc-A-Fella sign in hopes they will witness "The Louis Vuitton Don".
N*ggas want my old sh*t, buy my old album
N*ggas stuck on stupid, I gotta keep it moving
N*ggas make the same sh*t, me I make the blueprint"
Jay-Z, "On to the Next One"
This past Saturday, comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live featured a guest appearance from Kanye West, who debuted two songs from his upcoming album, Yeezus. West perfomed "Black Skinhead" and "New Slaves" (posted below), two songs that drive us through the introspective, darker mind of Kanye. The star rapper and producer continues to travel to different worlds with his music; while his production remains stellar, his sound is a far cry from his 2004 release of The College Dropout. With Dropout, Kanye West established himself as one of the premier artists and producers of the industry. His sound was an incredible fusion of joy, family values, rebellion, spirit, and drive; West's lyrics and beats were a stylish struggle speaking to a generation in need of something different. Kanye exemplified (and still does) the term "diverse"; he rapped with a hunger of a man familiar with the struggles of the inner city, yet did so through a vernacular and fashion sense not associated with 'the hood'. He was a breath of fresh air, a sign of change, and a reminder for people to be comfortable in their own skin. Now nearly a decade since his splash on the scene, West's fans and listeners are still fans, but as his lyrical travels have ventured into new pastures, many of them are left wondering whether he will revisit the socially aware, energetic, college kid personality that fostered some of the greatest music of our generation.
 |
| West still creates art, but has he replaced his soulful vibe with a dark edge for good? |
To state it simply, Kanye's style was unique and inspiring: he was the guy who became cool without conforming to the stereotypes of his era and industry. West's style pushed Black men to look past the drab, predictable styles in place. His signature college style of backpacks, vibrant sweaters, slim fit jeans, and casual sneakers that are the norm in today's Hip-Hop were not how people (especially rappers) dressed in 2004; he changed the standard. In his music, West humorously identified stereotypes about Black women and benefits of attending college (The New Workout Plan, School Spirit), depicted the process of 'Hooking Up' (Slow Jamz), and brought underground hip hop artists
to the mainstream (Get Em High,
Two Words).
West would even build a faction of rap's most socially aware and unique artists, appropriately naming them G.O.O.D Music. The group would include such great artists as Common and John Legend. This was perhaps the coolest element of the man known as "Yeezy": his impact among the various types of Hip-Hop listener. West spoke to the casual fan who only heard him on the radio, the intellectual listener who yearned for the days of A Tribe Called Quest and Jungle Brothers, and the gangsta rap enthusiast who grew up with Biggie and Tupac Shakur. West's 2007 album Graduation, for example, spoke all the right words to a generation trying to balance self-improvement and social life. It seemed so perfect; vivid tales of overcoming your current circumstances, pushing through with a sense of rebellion to achieve your destiny. Delivering his message through the informal outlet of music, he rejuvenated a culture, leaving us greatly anticipating more soulful, thought-provoking work from our latest music superstar.
 |
| Kanye's personal life has become as popular with fans as his music. |
As West has continued to make hits, his music and his personality (from a fan's perspective) has moved to a more melancholy, cryptic place. Despite this shift, the majority of West's fan base have remained loyal for several reasons; others await a return to "Gold Digger" glory, while some have enjoyed the darker production. Kanye's last two solo releases 808s and Heartbreak and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy display this Batman-like persona, a hero whose eerie behavior force you to occasionally ponder is he actually on the side of justice. His light-hearted arrogance, once comical and indirectly inspiring, is now an aura of defiance and anger.
The talks of inspiration and dreams were replaced with themes of sex and drug use, neither of which took precedence on his prior work. His G.O.O.D Music roster, which once flaunted acts like Consequence and Tony Williams, are now lauded with younger, edgier artists including Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz*. Perhaps most obvious was West's change in fashion: he has appeared in several interesting outfits, including leather kilts, oversized overcoats, and more.
In his past two forays, Watch The Throne (Collaboration with Jay-Z) and Cruel Summer (Compilation Album) Kanye appeared to be distracted, yet slightly refreshed. To his credit, Kanye has not totally diverted from providing us captivating and thought provoking verses; at this current stage in his career, however, he has taken the stance to surround those lines with braggadocios statements. The lyrics subconsciously work to add to the legend of West; here lies a man who does, says, and wears what he wants. He's one of the biggest names in the music industry, friends with Jay-Z and Beyonce, and the "baby daddy" of arguably the most infamous woman of this generation. By materialistic standards, he is above the norm, and regardless of the content, his creativity and talent reigns supreme.
West's solipsistic position (and great albums) helped continue his reign at the top, but this has not stopped fans from questioning, "Are there any remains of the excitement, humanity, and familiarity that once drew us to Kan-yeezy?" To this point, it has not altered his success. His work is still celebrated as artistic, revolutionary, and stylish. West's early music, however, possessed elements that fans identify in themselves. Listeners were inspired by his rhymes; songs like "We Major" blasted as a theme song during people's respective quests for greatness. Though his early exploits are now considered classic, it was necessary for Kanye to expand his sound; life's events and circumstances forced him to adjust. So while West has changed, his fans have also. Their tolerance levels changed and guided them to be nostalgic about his music they grew up with.
Despite the acceptance of his new sound, it is fair for them to yearn for the positive energy of West to return, if not the sound. Kanye engaged his audience as a rapper with so much more than cocky rhymes; beneath his arrogance lied a sense of altruism. Much of this spirit appeared in the early period of Kanye's music, but traces still lie in his current music. There is a chance West's exuberance and soulful sound may eventually disintegrate completely. Despite this, fans will always tune in at the mention of new West music, holding up their hands in the Roc-A-Fella sign in hopes they will witness "The Louis Vuitton Don".
Ceddy P
*- 2 Chainz never officially signed to G.O.O.D Music, yet appeared on the group's compilation album, Cruel Summer.
Kanye West- New Slaves (New)
*- 2 Chainz never officially signed to G.O.O.D Music, yet appeared on the group's compilation album, Cruel Summer.
Kanye West- New Slaves (New)
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