i only like about 1/2 of the college dropout and thats it, but he is far from a talentless loser. he is a great producer and if he could just keep his mouth shut and focus on making music for real rappers he would be taken much more seriously when he goes around proclaiming himself a musical genius. his problem is that he doesnt know how to stay in his lane...he thinks he can write rhymes and rap when he should just be doing music. "stay in your lane kanye!"
the problem is people think he still takes rap/hip hop #1 in his priority. He doesn't. He's way more into fashion right now, and I see where he's coming from, with his frustration with the fashion industry. It's a close knit and people don't want him in the high fashion circle. Seems like he has spent a bunch of money trying to learn fashion as he said $13 million. I understand where people don't like him because of his ego and personality, but it's like Kobe. He was just built different and I don't hate him for it, since he probably heard a lot of no's and no one believed in him, and he was the only one that believed in himself. Anywho I think he gets a lot of misunderstanding and undeserved hate, and has said he would try to be a better person. Who knows if he will, but you can't hate on a guy for having a big dream. He just doesn't want to have a clothing line, he wants to have one bigger than Ralph Lauren, LV, Gucci, etc.
I know a lot of people like his music and will defend him till hell freezes over, but I find him to be extremely arrogant and weak! Weak because he has to continuously inflate himself, and now his woman in order to feel good about himself. I'm not going to judge his music, obviously a lot of people like it, but taste in music is very subjective, so to each his own. ....... ....... .......
He is a pop artist. I don't get why people dance around that fact. Are we not allowed to call some black rappers nothing more that pop hit wonders. I mean, shouldn't Kanye be the final confirmation that rap is great, because it can win 21 Grammies now Still, can we stop calling him a genius because "obviously a lot of people like his music". Smh. MJ was a pop genius. Not KW. and I even share the same initials as Kanye. The music is pop. Rap fans should embrace the fact that rap made it mainstream. But they won't fully because Kanye will never call himself a pop music star
Like I said, there are many who enjoy his music. I personally can't get beyond his arrogance to get to that point, but I'm not going to throw anybody under the bus if they enjoy his music. BTW, Happy Thanksgiving!... ....... ....... .......
^^ I wasn't disagreeing. Sometimes I quote other posts as basis for what I want to say. And I forget to give thanks to who I'm quoting Happy Thanksgiving GO RICE! The only favored team in town this weekend
There's a difference between arrogance and just plain kooky. My assumption is that you, like Kayne himself, don't know the difference.
LOL... This is a day for giving thanks, so thank you for bringing that to my attention... ....... ....... .......
I don't think it's pop. I think he's a genius. Reason being, you can learn how to do what Justin Bieber does. OTOH, Kanye can show you exactly what he does and most people would be incapable of recreating his success. This is the key think that makes me enjoy his music. He does something which is unique, constantly changing and backed by an excellent understanding of the art. His personality is amusing. I don't care that he's a rude arrogant b*stard, that's Kim's problem. I'm just interested in his music.
I hate to burst everyone's bubble but there is no way a man who can't even speak functional english is a genius. I'm a music professor in New York City and I can tell you, no one in the actual music community even considers the fact he's there. No one cares about his music because it really isn't worth anyone's time. I think the word genius is tossed around way too frequently. When you consider the entire scope of the music tradition, there is just no way Kanye West fits there. Are you people actually serious? When Kanye calls himself a genius it isn't just beyond stupid, but he ignores all of the true genius that preceded him in the field of music. Further, singling himself out amongst some of the greater 21st century composers is just mind boggling. The only redeeming quality to his actions is that he probably hasn't done enough research into the actual music world to realize that he isn't very special. If Kanye wanted to be a genius he'd need to learn a hell of a lot more about music and art in general. Kanye is just a clown. If you really think people are going to remember him in 100 years, you have issues. Then again, why even listen to this music. It is completely devoid of any semblance of meaning. Music is a language just like any other language. When you hear Kanye talk do you really think its the mind of a genius? You people are too much
Great logic. Kanye is a genius because he's more talented than Justin Bieber. What a sound argument. Bravo.
People get really upset by this. Music is art, it's about 90% subjective any ways. Not one person can definitely say this is trash and that is trash and it will always be considered that way. That is worse than what Kanye does. Your opinion is really no better than anyone else's. No matter how much experience you have in this field or that. It is made to touch the soul in some way. I used to be like this. Hate on some forms of music...like club music. Then I realized it has a purpose too. To get people moving, get people excited, make them dance. It is art in it's purest form. It makes people feel emotion, immediately. It's simple yet complex. Kanye kind of understands that at least. That everyone is not going to like his music, that people will hate it. That's why when this guy on the radio says he thought Yeezus was wack Kanye just laughs and says "Okay that's cool." because I'm sure he's had people tell him it is greatest album ever on the flipside. Both people are right, this isn't science. There are a long list of artist that aren't appreciated until their dead, because people think their art isn't ****. Then there are of course those who are celebrated while living. Point is. It's not one person's job to say "This isn't great." and then project that onto everyone else. Your opinion on the music is not that important. I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure most great artist understand this, whether they paint, write, make music, etc.
You can listen to whatever you want bro. If you want to neglect your diet and eat McDonalds the rest of your life, all the same. My point was never to sway listeners. I just have a problem with someone claiming he is a genius. That is an asinine statement in itself, not to mention his clear lack of awareness for music as an artform or his knowledge of those who truly propel that into the 21st century. The minimalist movement is simple yet complex, Kanye....not so much. If it is any consolation, I personally know a few McArthur Genius Fellows. None of them would have the blind arrogance to single themselves out the way Kanye does. Those people are actually respected by the music community.
Yeah well this is music, not nutrition. You'd be right, McDonalds the rest of your life would be bad for your health. That's something that can be proven. But which music community? In the hip hop world Kanye was respected by many. I honestly don't know if that is still the case but it once was. The guy definitely has confidence down though. I'm not really sure how much of it is just a show and he's playing his character because the things he says are just silly. Comparing himself to Da vinci the like sounds so ridiculous it is hard to believe that any sane person would actually believe that. I agree though, his blind arrogance is rare for a 'genius' and while a lot of the greats were confident they don't go about screaming it from the highest mountain. I know people like to say "Well he's like Ali!" well sports aren't art either. It is different when a athlete on top of his game says "I'm the best. Hands down, not close." etc etc than a artist. Artist are usually more humble about their work when asked about it. Then again in this age it feels like musicians play characters like all of the other celebs. He's such a character it's hard to believe. He says some insane things, as Mathloom said it's amusing...and we are talking about it...and if you listen to him talk about how important remaining 'relevant' is to his brand than it wouldn't be that farfetched to think he does this mess just for that purpose. With all that said I don't have a problem with it. The word is thrown about a lot, but it's still someone's opinion. Kanye is pretty respected within the hip-hop community...or rather at one point he was. I think he knows a lot about modern music, even more about hip-hop based on his interviews. I don't think the guy is a idiot... I do question his sanity at times though..I mean he sounds like Sprewell talking about how he needs to secure the future of his child so he needs to make even more money.
My point being, that much of popular music is like McDonalds. There is very little substance but its consumed by masses. If you want to eat McDonalds the rest of your life instead of searching for what else is out there, be my guest. People don't search for things outside of the popular realm which leaves us in a perpetual state of mediocrity. Someone explained Kanye's genius by comparing him to Bieber. If that isn't evidence enough that we live in a vacuum as a society I don't know what is. If someone were to convince we that Kanye is a genius they are going to need to do better than that. Aside from making generic music, I'm not sure what else he's done. You'd think a genius would propel the artform in some way. The music community as a whole. This includes all of the people going to conservatories to actually study music. Modern giants of of our time including contemporary composers and improvisers in both the jazz and classical realms. Do you honestly think Zakir Hussain or anyone in India who studies Raga, gives a **** about Kanye West? No self respecting artist takes Kanye seriously, nor the Grammies for that matter.The entire thing has become a spectacle. Music is literally the last thing on the agenda in place of money. Even within the hip-hop community, which in actually is very small in the grand scheme of the world, I can name many artists who understand music on a deeper level. Even Houston's own Robert Glasper, while I'm not too fond of his recent albums, at least has an understanding of functional harmony. In any recording I've heard of Kanye, these basic skills are clearly lacking. You'd think a musical genius would at least have a minimal understanding of the art of counterpoint. Which musicians are you talking about? The heaviest musicians today are relatively unknown. They don't need that recognition because they live for their art. Pop musicians play characters just like celebrities, you are absolutely right. Then again, if remaining relevant by the population's standards is your end goal, you may want to get your priorities straight as an artist. It is fairly obvious these people are sellouts. You may not have a problem with it, but I do. There are brilliant artists from all over the world, many of whom are recognized in higher circles, many are not but continue to pursue truth. I honestly don't think Kanye has listened to enough music to fairly assess himself in the history of music. All I see is someone who is completely oblivious. When he calls himself a musical genius, he's ignoring so, so many people living on the earth today. How narcissistic is that? Until someone gives me concrete evidence as to why Kanye is a genius and what exactly he has done in the field of music, he is an absolute nobody to me. I believe we have a fundamental difference of opinion which is fine. At the end of the day, we are all just people, something Kanye should think about. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Im a 25 year old professor at NYU. I play a lot both in New York and around the world. I think I'm doing ok for myself. Thanks for your brilliant input.
