Considering Kanye: The "Ass" Equation
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Artist:
Written by: Dell Frost
He could be accumulating accolades for his this week's release of a VH1 Storytellers album, but instead Kanye West is in the midst of a public shunning the likes of which the world rarely sees. Since the The College Dropout, he's done nothing but grow artistically, but these days, Kanye-related comments don't reflect his aesthetics: they usually involve the kind of keyboard lashings that could make George Carlin blush.
Search "Kanye West is a douche-bag" in Google and guess what you'll get? 146,000 entries. It's enough to raises very serious questions. Is Kanye West really worth all the headaches? Is music alone enough to justify someone being an ass? (Obama's words, not ours). Let's break down the pros and cons of allowing Kanye to continue his career.
1. Award Show Etiquette
Con: Let's get the most obvious issue out of the way first. Kanye walked out of the AMA's in 2004 because he didn't win, had a meltdown backstage at the 2007 MTV Music Awards because he wasn't allowed to open the show on the main stage, and his 2009 Taylor Swift incident has already entered into infamy. All things considered, his 2006 rant at the MTV Europe awards was probably one of the rudest things you'll see on television, outside of South Park and Family Guy.
Pro: Kanye is right. True, nobody in their right mind would say his behavior at award shows is appropriate, but there's an argument to be made that he often says the right things at the wrong time. The best video category is subjective, but, come on, Beyonce's video actually WAS better than Taylor Swift's. Also, a look at the Justice vs. Simian clip for "We Are Your Friends" that won best video of the year at the 2006 Euro Awards is iffy at best. The time and place that Kanye chose to air grievances was horrible, but his protests were not completely unfounded.
2. His Big Mouth
Con: Kanye never passes up an opportunity to deliver a stomach-curdling quote. Whether it's proclaiming himself "the voice of our generation" or sadness that "he'll never have the privilege to watch himself perform live," the guy has an amazing knack for rubbing people the wrong way.
Pro: Sometimes, that actually works out. I have seven words for you: "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People." Millions of citizens were outraged at the perceived inaction of our gov't in response to Hurricane Katrina and at that moment, Kanye gave a voice to those who didn't have one. In doing so, he changed the debate. On a lighter note, even if you disagree with what he said, you have to admit that the hilariously terrified expression on co-host Mike Myers' was worth pretty much any outrage.
3. Cred
Con: KRS-1 once famously questioned Kanye's validity as a true hip-hop artist when he released Graduation, saying, "Kanye's album was brilliant, but is it really hip-hop? Flashing Lights? Nah, I want BOOM BAP, we don't wear white shades around here. We're not into Gucci and Versace".
Pro: Kanye's done a great job helping expand traditional hip-hop in terms of what's acceptable. Some of the biggest rappers (DMX, Raekwon) are happy to share how much they hate homosexuals, and within the rap community it's almost encouraged to think that way. Kanye's been on the opposite end of the spectrum, and it's definitely one of the better side effects of his big-mouth syndrome. So what he lacks in BOOM BAP, he compensates for in other areas.
4. Autotune
Pro: Although T-Pain is largely credited with the resurgence of autotune in hip-hop, Kanye used it on his debut album College Dropout, which T-Pain cites as his favorite album. When you couple this with the sped-up soul sampling craze of the early 2000's (chipmunk soul) that Kanye helped popularize, it's easy to see how influential his work was during the last decade.
Con: Are you serious? Autotune has been the bane of our collective existence for the better part of three years. What was once a genre filled with hardcore rebel music is now gruffy men attempting (and failing, sometimes horribly so) at singing. Thanks Kanye.
5. Miscellaneous Douchebaggery
Con: Oh where do we begin? Should we start with his vanity clothing line Pastelle that he wore and hyped for years before announcing it was dead? Or how about the white venetian lind sunglasses from the "Stronger" video that practically scream "asshole". Perhaps the fact that he TYPES IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS on his blog gets your goat, but on the other hand, it could be how he pays ghost bloggers to post links and pictures of expensive furniture that the average person could never afford.
Pro: Not applicable. CAPS ARE ANOYING.
WILD CARD: The Music
Duh...One element of Kanye's journey that's definitely overlooked is how his career has been an uphill battle from the moment it started. It took rap fans years to start taking Kanye seriously as an emcee, and when he finally earned that respect he promptly jeopardized it by switching up his style entirely.... and singing about his hurt feelings..... which is SO not hip-hop. When you take lyrics, flow, production, and live performances into account, Kanye's growth from 2003-2009 is unbelievably impressive. The guy takes his music seriously (sometimes too seriously), and it shows for the better.
Conclusion:
We'll stick with subject of music and put it like this, how many who listen to Kanye have actually stopped supporting him? Sure, they might say he's an asshole, but how many people do you know who have actually dropped him cold turkey? I venture to estimate most of you will answer with 'none'.
Putting personal feelings aside, it's pretty clear the guy brings more to the table than he takes. It's time for the listening public to bury the hatchet and move on from Taylor-Gate. If the past proves anything, it's that you'll forget about it anyway.... when he does something even more outrageous.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (15)
Nice piece.
If your goal is media ubiquity and superstardom I think these types of things will always happen.
Finally some journalistic integrity (at least oped page level) on the Kanye issue:)
For an appropriate footnote to the article, search Google for "Kanye West Bonnaroo 2008."
"The Kanye issue." Ugh.
The caveman who painted on the walls at Lascaux was probably a total asshole. The arts have been full of them since time immemorial. It draws attention, provokes, and just generally indulges the immaturity of people whose personal development was utterly focused on their creativity, leaving nothing for their emotions or social skills.
It's not an "issue" or a "story". Who gives a damn what an artist does other than his or her art? If they choose to act as if they live for their art, why should we pretend they don't? Why should we care one little bit about anything else they do? They want to behave as if their art is all that matters, so we should treat them that way. If he's not rapping, he's wasting oxygen.
I think there's a difference between who gives a damn and talking about things that happen out in the world. Or the intersection of art and commerce in the media.
I think you talk about a perfect world where art and commerce don't mix, but the image of the artist; how it is created,distorted, and codified, is an interesting topic to me.
When you say "They want to behave as if their art is all that matters, so we should treat them that way. If he's not rapping, he's wasting oxygen."..what does that mean...dismiss the music because he's being a jerk? or dimiss the jerkiness and listen to the music?
Cats like Kanye ,Ryan Adams , George Michael, and many others seem very interested in their media and critical coverage. They do/say things that are, as you say "draws attention, provokes, and just generally indulges the immaturity of people whose personal development was utterly focused on their creativity, leaving nothing for their emotions or social skills."
So, I'm not sure what you are saying..should we just not be talking about this stuff? plain disregard it?
If the artist gets wrapped up in their image or their hype or their star status doesn't that have any effect on the music? Would it also be dishonest if listeners didn't fess up that there's more to liking/disliking someone than the music alone? Or at least examining where those feeling come from?
Now that it is almost required that artists share their personal life these topics seem relevant. I don't like it either..I prefer to listen to the music. In a lot of ways, I don't want to know too much at all. But, when I like the music, I like to know the origins and the story of its creation. Sometimes that leads down a road to something that makes me dislike the artist. Sometimes (usually) it affirms. I never actually know the person (except in the cases I do) and mostly I don't need to. The music is crucial, but I'd be lying I said the other stuff didn't matter. I try to understand it, I strive to "just listen", but I fail.
The Kanye stuff is mostly gossip, but there is some interesting stuff there. All of it needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
That link to the Kanye Bonaroo show is interesting..
Good stuff TyWebb, welcome to MOG
Kayne West is just a big fartbag.
Pro: Sometimes, that actually works out. I have seven words for you: "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People." Millions of citizens were outraged at the perceived inaction of our gov't in response to Hurricane Katrina and at that moment, Kanye gave a voice to those who didn't have one.
True, except the facts are completely different than the perception (perceived) and it was actually African American officials who caused the delay in the Federal Government getting into the picture earlier. But that would negate an oppurtunity to put yet another chip on ones shoulder.
And yes, Mike Myers face was absolutely canadian..... errr classic.
I really like your article, and it brings to bare the questsion of "Can we seperate the Artist/Athlete/Politician/Boss/Co-Worker etc.. from their ability to fulfill their roles in our lives, and what happens outside of those roles?"
In Utopia, yes, and sometimes even in practice (personally, I could care less who Tiger is sleeping with, I just enjoy watching him play golf).
But most times, we just get jealous and angry that someone who is lesser than ourselves (comeon, we all put ourselves on a higher pedastel than others, its called self preservation and ego), who is making all this money, getting all of this attention, meeting all of these interesting people, getting all of these accolades, meeting all of these beautiful people...... and they are allowed to pull a Tiger/Kobe/Kanye/SC Govenor/Clinton/Sean Penn/Mel Gibson etc... and get to keep their $$, Fame etc.
We can't help ourselves but hate them. Some even go so far as to expect it, anticipate it, look forward to it and even set them up for it... the eventual "chink" in the armor. Just so they can point and say "Told ya so".
But Kanye, this guy is just a rolling train wreck. Probably in need of some ADD medication and counseling, because he just simply has no self control or sense of kooth, and his track record of public miss steps is long and infamous.
The public can only forgive and forget a few times. I gave up on him a long time ago.
My primary point (other than I don't really care that Kanye's an ass) is that if his assholery obstensibly arises from the self-importance he's draped over himself like a sequined opera cape, based on the perceived value of his art, then let's only pay attention to the art. He's telling us that it's the most important thing in the whole world, after all.
Basically, I get sick of the endless discussion of an artist's behavior. Their public behavior has very little do with their art, IMO. It's contrived because it's public. Their private behavior, obviously, informs and influences their art, but by its nature we can't know it through tabloids or TV antics.
Hey, if Kanye's sole role in pop culture was ending the baggy pants craze associated with Hip Hop for nearly 20+ years, I would cvall him a genius. I've always admired him for that, even if he started the annoying retro 80's stuff again.
Asshole tax, it's almost a given with someone that big.
He can throw his child like tantrums as much as he likes to try to get attention. But don't do it at the expense of others. I think that you get back what you put forth. If he chooses to put forth rude and disrespectful vibes, why shouldn't he suffer the consequences?
He's an idiot and a showoff. His attitude sucks, his actions at the expense of other artists and entertainers sucks, his drunken tirades suck, his fashion sucks, his decision making sucks. Oh, and his apologies after he sobers up, suck. So much about him sucks, what's left to like or care about?
I don't usually listen to people's music whom I've lost all respect for. Come to think of it, I can't really even think of another artist that I have lost all respect for and whom I don't listen to anymore because of it. Very few, if any, would do the things he has to so throughly turn the public against him. Unless his plan was career suicide. If that was the case, then I guess he's doing a bang up job.
I hope he's happy.
"True, except the facts are completely different than the perception (perceived) and it was actually African American officials who caused the delay in the Federal Government getting into the picture earlier. But that would negate an oppurtunity to put yet another chip on ones shoulder."
Totally disagree with this part Ghost..I mean the perceived part you mention. In fact when you bring in the African American officials angle it is almost Kanye-like..Are you blaming Ray Nagin? That is just wrong.
I like the other stuff you said, but that first part there has another agenda.
I can't remember the thread where we had that argument, but if you do you can put it here..'cause I'm not going through this again..to say what you said here is at best an over simplification and at worst..it's Kanye-esque.
OK, I found it..
Here, done with the conversation.
I read that whole timeline and I still don't blame Nagin or any African-American officials any more than anyone else..It's about the 20th timeline I've read.
You make some valid points on this post but I still have no desire to listen to Kanye. I had a passing interest when College Dropout came out but it has waned especially w/his subsequent behaviour. Sure he's influential but it's mainstream pop & really not all that interesting. There are far better things to listen to imho.