Kanye West, the hip-hop recording artist, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur has once again proved why he is one of the most brilliant minds of all time. His outspoken views and life events outside of music have been a significant and a prevalent source of public scrutiny. Whether it be on TV, Twitter or through his music, it is clear that West has an unapologetic habit of staying true to himself. In 2005, Kanye derailed from his appointed script and went on to denounce President George W. Bush during a live broadcast for Hurricane Katrina relief. He, also, interrupted Taylor Swift’s speech at the 2009 MTV VMA’s to express that the award was rightfully Beyonce’s. Most recently, West’s presented some interesting allegations concerning Taylor Swift’s fame and success in his single Famous.
"I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex
Why? I made that b*tch famous (God damn)
I made that b*tch famous"
With Rihanna on the hook, Famous is the manifestation of Kanye’s rise to power. In 2001, as a producer all West wanted to be was famous, but after realizing that the grass is not greener on the other side since his creativity is now being “held back because (he’s) a celebrity”. Anyway, the lyric at hand has caused more controversy to flow. Though Kanye claims to have had permission from Taylor Swift for the verse, Taylor’s team denies the claim. Subsequently after the release of the song, Taylor threw shade toward Kanye during her speech at the Grammys where she took a dig toward industry sexism. Swift may have had a point, but numbers don't lie. After the VMA interruption, the media took to it that Taylor received the public sympathy she “deserved” which resulted in a significant increase of sales. Speak Now, the album after Kanye’s speech, sold 416,000 more copies than 2008’s Fearless. People talk and numbers don’t lie; maybe Taylor owes Kanye a thank you.
The now infamous song has gained it’s well deserved attenton in which Kanye shows his gratitude by releasing the visual, which unsurprisingly provocative. The visual is a tableau in a sort, inspired by Vincent Desiderio’s “Sleep”. Featuring a plethora of problematic celebrities like Bill Cosby, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Anna Wintour, Amber Rose, Caitlyn Jenner, Ray J, Kim Kardashian, Chris Brown, and Rihanna. Anticipating the lawsuits, Kanye is channeling da Vinci’s “Last Supper” with a modern take on the public persecution of celebrities. Placing Rihanna next to Chris Brown and having Kim lay in between Kanye and Ray J, was a bold mood. Yeezy’s love for art is raw in expression and, for that, society as a whole should appreciate Kanye West.
