I cant stand him. I tried listening to his music but just cannot get into it. He is pretty much the worst celebrity figure out there. Successful but comes across horribly. His PR needs some work bad. He is never in the news for anything good. It is not like he is doing bad things to be cool, he just comes across as an idiot.
I can't even. This may be the worst post I have ever read on Clutchfans. Unless you are trolling, which at this point may be a distinct possibility, you are clearly talking out of your ass. There is so much misinformation in your post I don't know where to begin.
21 grammys. He's always been controversial but look at all the greats... Mike Tyson, Tupac, Michael Jordan. And yes, I just compared him to Mike... Tyson, Jordan, Jackson.
This is all I know about the dude. Anyone telling everyone what a genius they are, probably isn't. Isn't this the "Ima let you finish.. but...." guy? And Mr. Kardashian? Ima let him finish, but he seems way more lunatic than genius.
I can't believe we're even comparing Kanye West to Mozart or Beethoven. What a wast of time. I think he's probably just about the only person on earth that thinks he's a "genius" at that level. He also compares himself to Jesus..are we going to have a serious discussions about whether Kanye is our lord and savior? 99% of spectators who hear about him being or not being a "genius" are confining that to the rap/pop music realm. You know, the only realm where he actually creates stuff that people know about. I've heard him call himself a musical genius and creative genius, which I think is a valid debate. Rap (and pop) are a subset of music. With music being a form of art creation. He certainly has a the resume that at least opens a debate about him being a "genius" in that subset of music. If people don't like the word genius, then how about "exceedingly proficient" or with few/no peers. That's really just semantics. If we're only confining musical genius to technical proficiency playing an instrument, music theory, classical composition, etc., and ignoring all the other spontaneous creative aspects then fine. I just find it laughable that some people are trying to turn this into an academic discussion about Kanye's overall intelligence or his place in musical history since the beginning of time. L O L
Dude's a tool. I'm listening to the on demand interview with Sway on Shade 45 now and I can't believe this used to be my favorite artist. Dude is a paranoid nut job. WE'S ALL SLAVES!!!
Since genius is a factor of overall intelligence, I'd think a person would at least need to understand functional English at even a basic level. Believe it or not most great artists in any field are very well read. It most certainly informs their art. Same goes for at least having a nadic understanding of music as a language. This discussion doesn't have to be since the beginning of time, the 20th century produced just as many, if not more geniuses than any other era. Kanye does not fit this category. Sorry.
Sorry, I really don't see how overall intelligence (especially speaking functional English) has any bearing on one's ability to create music or any art for that matter. Are you even aware of how elitist you sound?
Perhaps because it takes intelligence to make music? You seem to disagree which may be indicative as to why you actually listen to Kanye West.
For someone who doesn't like being attacked you sure seem to enjoy talking down to people. I hope you enjoy you life in academics because you fit right in.
It seems like you are attempting to make me feel bad about having a job as a music professor at an Ivey League University, in New York City, which I accepted at 23. Man... your right I should just give up. I've already reached my potential at 25 and it's all downhill from here. If you are going to attack me, at least make it something that works in your favor. Better yet, how about adding something pertinent to the conversation. No one has yet to give me even an attempt at a reason as to why Kanye is a genius. I can easily name 20 geniuses of the last hundred years alone. No way Kanye stacks up to any of them.
You sound like a dense teenager with an inflated sense of self (ironically, kind of like Kanye). NYU students are getting ripped off if elitist, close-minded professors like yourself is all the university has to offer. Grow up kid.
Yet you are the one defending someone who claims to be like Shakespeare. You can call me closed minded, but I've been exposed to more music from every part of the world than you'll ever be. I might have just enough understanding to form an opinion on Kanye West. If NYU students are getting ripped off, I have no idea where you went, as you can't seem to form a grammatically coherent sentence. Kanye West is like Brandon Jennings of the NBA. All hype. I never heard Jennings compare himself to all time greats. If you truly believe Kanye is a genius, give me a tangible reason instead of resorting to insults.(if you can even call them that) Until then, let your moniker do the talking as to who the kid is.
Why is this so important to you Spooner? You're an NYU music professor. Kanye West (and hip hop) is clearly beneath you, why even click on this thread?
You are absolutely right and I've had that moment of realization many times throughout this process, but I just can't stop from answering comments directed at me in this thread. For whatever reason, nothing grinds my gears like Kanye West and the idiocy that follows.
kanye changed the game and you'd have to be a caveman to not notice. look at all of the current artists like drake, cudi, frank ocean, etc... these did not really exist to this extend before kanye
