West's second and third studio albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007), both debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, with the latter becoming his most commercially successful to date. Three of his subsequent albums—808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and The Life of Pablo (2016)—were certified triple platinum, while Yeezus (2013) was certified double platinum. Although not as well-received critically as his previous works, Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021) continued West's streak of consecutive number-one debuts on the Billboard 200. West has also released collaborative albums including Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi, and Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 (2024) with Ty Dolla Sign. In fashion design, he has collaborated with Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, and Gap Inc. on clothing and footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
One of the world's best-selling music artists with 160 million records sold, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint 11th-most of all time and the most awarded for any hip hop artist along with Jay-Z. His other accolades include a Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. West holds the joint record with Bob Dylan for most albums (four) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. West's first six solo albums were included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2020, with the same publication naming him one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
West's outspoken views have received significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on social media, at award shows, and in public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and slavery. His Christian faith, high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian, and mental health have also been topics of media attention. In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that advocated for a consistent life ethic. In October 2022, he was widely condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships, including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, after making a series of antisemitic statements, including denying the Holocaust.
Better Than Yours
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My plaques is better than yours
My tracks is better than yours
You can have one but I have to charge
We can start with the hits on my arm I already got the bomb
Now all I need is my first LP to go gold
Then I will have the qualm, I-I-I-I'm
Bought my mom a purse now she Louis Vuitton Mom
Still might throw on a little low arm they want me to stop go on go on
They don't want me to shop and me spending that hard
Oh my God is that a black card?
I turned around and replied why yes,
But I prefer the term African-American Express
La La La La La Off MTV
La La La La La When you gonna go out with Me
Brains, power and muscle like Dame, Puffy and Russell
Your boy back on his hustle, don't know you don't discuss you
Every rapper want to know when they can get to work
Every stylist want to know where they can get the shirts
Everybody ripping my style like the shit that hurts
But they don't give me my credit that's the shit that hurts
There's something I might say, There's something I might play
A beat I might make might make they life change
And save their whole deal, Their wrist is on chill
They house is on hill, You could be Lauren Hill
See y'all write songs to keep the lights on
I'ma go in Def Jam and turn the brights on
Man I'm just sayin
When I wanted to rap y'all thought I was just playin
Now you just prayin
You was a vic in high school now you a thug
Better step in the name of love
Before you giving pain a hug
Needing dope is like pain to drugs
Or aiming slugs til the game unplugged
Like a scoreboard with vice and warlords
Hot merchandise prices they want more for it
You was pink as ice single need to think it twice
Over the bitch and you came out like freaks in the night
Freed your mind at a cheaper price on the street trying to seek advice
I'm on point like I speak to dice
Took the underground at a steeper heights
May real niggaz see the light got fat girls eating right
Ha ha we in this bitch
It's Common and Kanye y'all niggaz know what time it is
Chi-Town motherfuckers DJ Ferris Heavy Hitters What Up?
Mike Love What Up? DJ Enuff
Foreal(Pharrell) That's my favorite producer by the way
That's why I had to rap on this 'cause
His tracks is Better Than Yours
My tracks is Better Than Yours
Just Blaze tracks is Better Than Yours
You can have one but we all gonna
Chargeaw
Plain Pat What Up? Big John What Up? John Mnop(Monopoly) What Up?
Don. see What Up? J.B. What Up? GLC What Up? Bang What Up? Yeah
Really Doe
What Up?
Arrowstar What Up? Yeah!
Oh did I mention the new head of my management Benny Madina
Yo G, Hop we taxin these niggaz right now Plain Pat What Up?
That's all
In Kanye West's song Better Than Yours, the rapper is boasting about his success and talent. He starts off by stating that his raps, plaques, and tracks are all superior to his competitors. He then goes on to describe his rise to fame, saying that he already has hits under his belt and only needs his first LP (album) to go gold to further solidify his success.
Kanye also refers to himself as the "Louis Vuitton Don," indicating his taste for luxury items. He speaks about his acquired wealth and ability to spend large sums of money, even declaring that he uses an African-American Express black card instead of a regular American Express card. Kanye notes that many people attempt to emulate his style without giving him proper credit, and that he has the power to change people's lives with his music.
Throughout the song, Kanye's lyrics are filled with metaphors and wordplay, showcasing his intricate rhyme schemes and clever word choices. In the end, Kanye lists off several people and their positions in the music industry, further emphasizing his status as a successful and respected artist.
Line by Line Meaning
My raps is better than yours
I am confident in the superiority of my rapping skills compared to anyone else's
My plaques is better than yours
I have achieved more commercial success in my music career than you have
My tracks is better than yours
The quality of the music I produce is better than that of anyone else
You can have one but I have to charge
If you want to use one of my tracks or collaborate with me, you'll have to pay me for my services
We can start with the hits on my arm I already got the bomb
I have achieved significant success in my music career, as evidenced by the tattoos on my arms
Now all I need is my first LP to go gold
I am striving for even more success, as measured by the sales of my first full-length album
Then I will have the qualm, I-I-I-I'm
When I achieve that level of success, I will have the confidence to take on anyone in the music industry
I'm Kan the Louis Vuitton Don
I have reached a level of wealth and success where I can afford luxury items from top brands like Louis Vuitton
Bought my mom a purse now she Louis Vuitton Mom
I am now able to provide material comfort to my family members, as evidenced by the fact that I bought my mom a designer purse
Still might throw on a little low arm they want me to stop go on go on
Despite my success, some people still criticize me and want me to stop making music
They don't want me to shop and me spending that hard
Some people are critical of my spending habits, as I tend to spend a lot on material items
Oh my God is that a black card?
My wealth is such that I am able to acquire a prestigious credit card
I turned around and replied why yes,
I confirm that I have a black card
But I prefer the term African-American Express
I am proud of my African American heritage even as I enjoy the trappings of wealth and success
Brains, power and muscle like Dame, Puffy and Russell
I admire successful music industry figures like Damon Dash, Sean Combs, and Russell Simmons for their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build successful brands
Your boy back on his hustle, don't know you don't discuss you
I am focused on working hard to achieve continued success and don't have time for negative people or distractions
Every rapper want to know when they can get to work
Other rappers are eager to collaborate with me
Every stylist want to know where they can get the shirts
Even fashion industry professionals want to associate themselves with me and my brand
Everybody ripping my style like the shit that hurts
It frustrates me when other people copy my unique style and sound
But they don't give me my credit that's the shit that hurts
It's even more frustrating when other people don't acknowledge my contributions or give me proper credit
There's something I might say, There's something I might play
I am always looking for new ways to express myself creatively
A beat I might make might make they life change
I believe that my music has the power to inspire people and make a positive impact on their lives
And save their whole deal, Their wrist is on chill, They house is on hill, You could be Lauren Hill
My music has the power to change people's lives and improve their financial and social situations, like how Lauren Hill achieved success and financial stability through her music career
See y'all write songs to keep the lights on
Other musicians may make music simply to make a living and pay their bills
I'ma go in Def Jam and turn the brights on
I am confident that my music will be so successful that it will invigorate the entire record label Def Jam
Man I'm just sayin
This is just a statement of fact
When I wanted to rap y'all thought I was just playin
At one point in time, some people didn't believe in my talent or ability to succeed in music
Now you just prayin
Now that I've achieved success, some people pray for my downfall or are jealous of my accomplishments
You was a vic in high school now you a thug
Some people who were victims or passive in high school become aggressive or violent later in life
Better step in the name of love
They should focus on love and positivity rather than violence or aggression
Before you giving pain a hug
Choosing to live a life of violence or pain will only lead to more negative outcomes
Needing dope is like pain to drugs
Relying on drugs is like allowing yourself to be consumed by pain and negativity
Or aiming slugs til the game unplugged
Participating in violence or crime can lead to dire consequences and the end of your success or happiness
Like a scoreboard with vice and warlords
These negative actions are like keeping score in a game of destruction, adding up losses and negative consequences
Hot merchandise prices they want more for it
Some people are willing to exploit others to turn a profit or sell items at inflated prices
You was pink as ice single need to think it twice
Some people make hasty decisions and should consider their actions and their consequences more carefully
Over the bitch and you came out like freaks in the night
Some people let relationships or lust override their common sense and make them act recklessly
Freed your mind at a cheaper price on the street trying to seek advice
Some people look for cheap or easy solutions to their problems rather than seeking true wisdom or guidance
I'm on point like I speak to dice
I am extremely focused and calculated like someone gambling and rolling dice
Took the underground at a steeper heights
I have been able to elevate my music career even by taking underground or alternative routes to success
May real niggaz see the light got fat girls eating right
I hope that I can inspire and motivate people in a positive way, even beyond music, like helping overweight women live healthier lifestyles
Ha ha we in this bitch
I am confident and proud to be present in this moment
It's Common and Kanye y'all niggaz know what time it is
Both Common and I are talented and established musicians, so you know this is going to be a great collaboration
Chi-Town motherfuckers DJ Ferris Heavy Hitters What Up?
We are from Chicago and want to show love and respect to DJ Ferris and the other DJs who have supported us and helped us succeed
Mike Love What Up? DJ Enuff
Shout out to Mike Love and DJ Enuff, two other DJs we appreciate
Foreal(Pharrell) That's my favorite producer by the way
Pharrell is one of my favorite producers and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with one of his tracks
Just Blaze tracks is Better Than Yours
Just Blaze is another talented producer whose tracks I believe are superior to anyone else's
You can have one but we all gonna Chargeaw
We may be willing to let other people use our tracks, but they will still have to pay us for our services and talent
Plain Pat What Up? Big John What Up? John Mnop(Monopoly) What Up?
Shout out to some of the business people who have helped us achieve success
Don. see What Up? J.B. What Up? GLC What Up? Bang What Up? Yeah
More shout outs to our friends and colleagues in the music industry
Really Doe What Up? Arrowstar What Up? Yeah!
One last round of shout outs to show love and appreciation
Oh did I mention the new head of my management Benny Madina
I have recently hired someone new to manage my career
Yo G, Hop we taxin these niggaz right now Plain Pat What Up?
We are working very hard and making a lot of money right now thanks to our talents and business savvy
That's all
That's the end of the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MacBack123
this is straight ballin
@xiscaw
STR8 BALLIN!!!!!!
@ujan-pd6tz
50 sentz bettr and gangzta!!!!!11!!!!!!
@malcolmduncan7615
Don’t H8
@ochiai3
str8 ballin brooooooo !!!!!!!!! h who the heck is skate and king car dash??? lol :DDDD
@flameisw
Forgis on the jeep
@imyourpapi1445
Imagine if he randomly just puts this on one of his concerts lol
@d9zirable
the guy that screams and starts singing along loudly? yeah that's xxkanyewestfan
@TearingUser935
A real XXKANYEWESTFAN69 moment. Can’t wait for Kanye in Space
@a777elia
relatable