Kanye West is one of the most recognized and successful music figures who has gained global attention due to his impact on pop and fashion. What is evident within his work and life is the fact that he will always remain a sensitive topic no matter which part of the world one comes from. Indeed, the world will no question mark when it comes to Kanye’s influence, be it for the good or for the bad, but the fact of the matter is, it is still unerasable. He has, and continues to change but the way he does business, his unique approach to art, and his music career have all unfamiliarly changed the way people speak about him.
Producers of the World: The emergence of music’s prodigy’s Undiscovered to the world.
Kanye Omari West opened his eyes on June 8th, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia. However, his astonishing music was developed later in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Dr. Donda West, who was a college professor would aid her son’s impressive musical journeys by encouraging creativity and education. During his teenage years, Yeezy started to produce beats as well as worked with local musicians. Once he was familarized and established, he blended soulful samples with contemporary hip hop to gain further recognition.
In the 2000s, Kanye gained huge popularity for helping produce Jay-Z’s iconic album The Blueprint (2001). Hip Hop’s new age, which is known for its instrumentals, can also be linked to how Kanye produced. Nevertheless, Kanye always had bigger aspirations than just being a producer, and thus refused to limit himself.
From College to Superstardom
Kanye West has always been a household name, especially by the way the world knows him through the mainstream media. However, with The College Dropout (2004), Kanye began to draw the attention of many who were entirely unfamiliar with the extent of his fame. The album sharply deviated from the overly aggressive form of hip hop that was dominant in the 2000s. In combination of aggressive hip hop, Kanye’s style was blunt, deeply reflective, and comically soft. Songs like Jesus Walks, All Falls Down, and Through The Wire showcased his soft side along with his aggrandiose storytelling abilities which led him to gain a lot of idols.
He received the NDA Grammy along with The College Dropout for the Best Rap Album award. To top it off, it also made it possible for hip hop and rap culture as a whole to be elevated past something that is just rough and noisy music. The album impacted people on an emotional and thoughtful level, a layering that made hip hop a multifaceted genre.
The Unorthodox Style of Kanye West
Kanye’s genius isn’t confined to only intelligent wordplay. Each album brought with it a new idea that was completely different from the previous one. It is indeed jaw dropping.
In Late Registration (2005), he seamlessly combined soul and orchestral elements with borderline bangers like Gold Digger and Touch the Sky. Then came the time for Graduation (2007) that welcomed a new era with electronic and stadium sounds fully embraced in Stronger and Flashing Lights.
The last item on the list 808s & Heartbreak is an example of complete stylistic departure that made autotune become the theme of the songs in a drastically sad and dark way centered around loss. Drizzy and The Weeknd took inspiration from the songs that came before them. Considering the quality of songs, it is reasonable to conclude that they have motivated a new cohort of artists.
Kanye West’s album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” (2010) is without a doubt his greatest work. The songs from Runaway and Power have a movie like feel to them which paired with the otherworldly budget, sets Kanye apart as one of the greatest artists ever.
Kanye has always been willing to take risks and that further proved true with Yeezus (2013) and its shocking industrial sound.
He was always at the center of attention and was always trying to innovate and that’s why he was at the forefront of culture. Each of his albums from The Life of Pablo (2016) to Donda (2021) were always bold statements instead of mere albums.
The Couture Empire
Kanye West is more than a musician, he is also an influencer. West shifted from being a sneaker fan to becoming a sneaker fashion designer. While working with Adidas on the Yeezy line, he snatched all the boundaries surrounding sneaker culture. The Yeezy Boost line that sold out in seconds after its release in 2015 is still extremely popular today.
Kanye did not halt at simply designing shoes. His Yeezy clothing line redefined streetwear and even haute couture. Kahyoung Jeon destroyed his reputation before now, but her sponsorships with credible brands and her Yeezy’s appearance in Paris Fashion Week earned her some respect. The same misplaced acclaim is given in music. He wanted to change things in a radical, unapologetic manner.
Life Filled With Drama
A highlight of Ye’s career includes tremendous success, paired with an insane amount of drama.
- The 2009 MTV Video Music award was known for its infamous feud, where Kanye West created a shitstorm by cutting off Taylor Swift in the middle of her speech, which led to a lot of negative attention on him.
- His fanbase did not support his frequent violent outbursts and his decision to claim that he stands behind Donald Trump.
- So many people have openly discussed Ye’s numerous public battles with his mental health, including bloke bipolar disorder, except the media does not intend to treat him or any celebrity with good intentions.
Kanye has time and again called himself a free thinker, a label that has permitted him to shatter industry norms and public expectations. While this approach has given him success and recognition, he has also lost some fans and industry partnerships.
The personal side of Kanye
He carries a prominent personal life the same way he does career wise. There isn’t a conversation in modern history that captures attention much like his relationship with Kim Kardashian from 2014 to 2022. They built a brand together while simultaneously parenting four children in the public eye. His divorce in 2022 has become one of the defining moments in Kanye’s life alongside the rest of the world.
Kanye’s life has been full of challenges but he has always loved his family unconditionally which includes his late mother Donda West. She passed away in 2007, and, by all means, it was not an easy period for Kanye. How does one heal from such a significant loss? The answer lies in the way he chooses to see the world and just about every single piece of music he creates.
Kanye West’s Legacy
Kanye West is, without question, one of the most controversial people in business and one that wears multiple hats in different industries. He is known proficiently for his music just like he is for his fashion label, and even for inspirational quotes he makes that spark different emotions across all age spheres. He does not fit in the bracket of typical artists and instead stands apart as one that endlessly inspires different concepts.
Kanye West will be forever be known for his controversies, masterpieces, and advocacy for social issues. Definitely, as much as he has gone through problems in his life It is beyond dispute that he commands one of the most attractive persona in the world of spectacle. The truth is, you cannot ignore the fact that he as a person will keep expanding and evolving, and with that change, push the boundaries of innovation in all aspects of his work.
Conclusion
Kanye West’s life is very complex. He stays relevant whether he is attacking people’s beliefs or putting out new music. West’s art defies the norm, and he is willing to take the heat that comes from it. This makes him one of the most iconic figures alive today and in many centuries to come.
