Ye, born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, is an American rapper, singer, s… Read Full Bio ↴Ye, born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He is one of the most prominent figures in hip hop, known for his diverse musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), received critical acclaim and produced the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Slow Jamz." He topped the chart four other times with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T." (2011, as a featured artist), and "Carnival" (2024).

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.

Big Brother )
Kanye West Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stadium status
Uh

My big brother was Big's brother
Used to be Dame and Big's brother
Who was hip hop brother
Who was No I.D friend
No I.D my mentor

Now let the story begin

Its the hard knock life tour
Sell out, picture us in the mall
Copin iceberg and yell out Jigga
Yea that's what we would yell out, yell out
You know the name, do gotta spell out or tell bout
J a y an Ye so shy
Now he won't even step to his idol to say hi
Standing there like a mime and let the chance pass by
Back of my mind he could change your life
With all these beats I did at least let him hear it
At least you could brag to your friends back at the gig
But he got me out my mama crib
Then he help me get my mama a crib

Big brother was Big's Brother
Used to be Dame and Big's Brother
Who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D friend
No I.D my mentor, now let the story begin
Let the story begin
If you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands

Fresh off the plane I'm off to Baseline
Nothing handed out, I'm about to take mine
Around the same time of that Blueprint 1

And these beats in my pocket was that blueprint for him
I'd play my little song in that old back room
He would bob his head and say, damn, oh, that's you
But by The Black Album I was blacking out
Party at S.O.B's and we had packed the crowd
Big brother got his show up in Madison Square
And I'm like yea, yea we gonna be there
But not only did I not get a chance to spit it
Carleen told me I could buy two tickets
I guess big brother was thinking a little different
And kept little brother at bay, at a distance
But everything I felt was more bogus
Only made me more focused, only wrote more potent
Only thing I wanna know is why I get looked over
I guess ill understand when I get more older
Big brother saw me at the bottom of the totem
Now I'm at the top and everybody on the scrotum

My big Brother was Big's brother
Used to be Dame and Big's brother

Who was hip hops brother
Who was No I.D's friend
No I.D my mentor, now let the story begin
Begin
Let the story begin
If you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands

Have you ever walked in the shadow of a giant
Not only a client, the presidito, Hola Hovito
The game getting foul, so here's a free throw
I was always on the other side of the peep hole
Then I dropped Jesus Walks now I'm on a steep hole
And we know
New jack city gotta keep my brother
But to be number 1, I'm a beat my brother
On that Diamonds remix I swore I'd spaz
Then my big brother came through and kicked my ass
Sibling rivalry, only I could see
It was the pride in me that was driving me
At the Grammys I said I inspired me
But my big brother who I always tried to be
When I kick a flow it was like, pick and roll
'Cause even if he gave me the rock, its give and go
I guess Beanies style was more of a slam dunk
And my shit was more like a finger roll
but I had them singles though
And them hoes at the show gonna mingle yo
Y'all know
I told Jay I did a song with Cold Play
Next thing I know he got a song with Cold Play
Back in my mind I'm like damn, no way
Translate español
No way Jose
Then I went and told J Brown
Should of known that was gonna come back around
Should of told you like a man, should of told you first
But I told somebody else and that's what made shit worse

My big brother was Big's brother
So here's a few words from your kid brother
If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell um
People never get the flowers while they could still smell um
A idol in my eyes, God of the game
Heart of the city, Rockafella chain
Never be the same, never be another
Number 1 young Hov also my big brother

My big Brother was Bigs brother
Used to be Dame and Bigs Brother
Who was hip hops brother
Who was No I.D's friend
No I.D my mentor, and that's where the story ends

Don't kill this shit

Overall Meaning

The song "Big Brother" by Kanye West is an introspective reflection on his relationship with Jay-Z, who he refers to as his "big brother." The song starts with a reference to stadium status, which sets a stage for the prominence and weight of the subject matter. West reflects on how he started as Biggie Smalls' brother, then became Dame and Big's brother in the era of Roc-A-Fella Records. He then talks about how No I.D., his mentor, played a significant role in his career development. West claims that he and Jay-Z used to shout each other's names out while shopping, and he was inspired by him to become a better rapper.

West then talks about the first time he ever met Jay-Z. He says that he was too shy to introduce himself, and regretted not seizing the opportunity. This missed chance of meeting him in person prompted him to reach out and offer to play music for him. Jay-Z eventually listened to West's beats and helped him get his footing in the music industry.

As the song continues, West talks about how he always felt he was in Jay-Z's shadow, a "little brother," always trying to prove himself as a worthy peer. However, as time went on, he began to gain success and fame, ultimately achieving the same level of success as Jay-Z himself. West speaks on this growing rift between the two of them, and how it feels to be on the other side of the peephole, looking in at someone you admire rather than being admired yourself.

The final verse sees West praising Jay-Z and expressing his admiration for him, reflecting on how the two of them have impacted each other's careers. The song as a whole is a poignant reflection on the evolution of any complex and dynamic relationship, and West's emotional investment makes it a powerful anthem for anyone trying to make a name for themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Stadium status, uh
Kanye is at the top of his game and performing at stadium venues.

My big brother was Big's brother, used to be Dame and Big's brother, who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D friend, No I.D my mentor, now let the story begin
Kanye West had several inspirations and mentors who helped him along the way, including his brother who was affiliated with other key players in the hip-hop scene. No I.D. became his friend and mentor, helping him shape his career.

Its the hard knock life tour, sell out, picture us in the mall, copin iceberg and yell out Jigga, yea that's what we would yell out, yell out.
Kanye reminisces about his early days on tour, performing to sold-out crowds and buying clothes at the mall while showing respect to Jay-Z, aka Jigga.

You know the name, do gotta spell out or tell bout, J a y an Ye so shy, now he won't even step to his idol to say hi, standing there like a mime and let the chance pass by, back of my mind he could change your life
Despite his success, Kanye still feels starstruck and shy around Jay-Z and wishes for the opportunity to get closer to his idol.

Big brother was Big's Brother, used to be Dame and Big's Brother, who was hip hop brother, who was No I.D friend, No I.D my mentor, now let the story begin, let the story begin, if you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands
Kanye reflects on the many people who influenced his career, from family to industry insiders, and invites his fans to join in the celebration.

Fresh off the plane I'm off to Baseline, nothing handed out, I'm about to take mine, around the same time of that Blueprint 1, and these beats in my pocket was that blueprint for him
Kanye is determined to make a name for himself and brings his raw talent to Jay-Z's studio, hoping to impress him with his beats and lyrics.

But everything I felt was more bogus, only made me more focused, only wrote more potent, only thing I wanna know is why I get looked over, I guess ill understand when I get more older, Big brother saw me at the bottom of the totem, now I'm at the top and everybody on the scrotum
Kanye struggles to come to terms with why he was overlooked in the past, but uses that as motivation to become even more focused and produce more potent music. Now that he's at the top, everyone wants a piece of him.

Have you ever walked in the shadow of a giant, not only a client, the presidito, Hola Hovito, the game getting foul, so here's a free throw, I was always on the other side of the peep hole, then I dropped Jesus Walks now I'm on a steep hole
Kanye feels intimidated by Jay-Z and his success, but drops his hit track, Jesus Walks, putting him on a steep path to the top.

Sibling rivalry, only I could see, it was the pride in me that was driving me, at the Grammys I said I inspired me, but my big brother who I always tried to be, when I kick a flow it was like, pick and roll
Kanye acknowledges his competitive relationship with Jay-Z, noting that it's his own sense of pride that keeps pushing him forward. He also recognizes that he's always looked up to his big brother and his flow and delivery in hip-hop.

But I had them singles though, and them hoes at the show gonna mingle yo, y'all know, I told Jay I did a song with Cold Play, next thing I know he got a song with Cold Play, back in my mind I'm like damn, no way, translate español, no way Jose, then I went and told J Brown, should of known that was gonna come back around, should of told you like a man, should of told you first, but I told somebody else and that's what made shit worse
Kanye tries to assert his own success and popularity, noting that he has had successful singles, and that girls at his concerts flock to him. He also admits to acting childishly when he learned that Jay-Z had collaborated with Coldplay, feeling like his opportunity was taken away. He realizes that he should have communicated better about the situation instead of gossiping.

My big brother was Big's brother, so here's a few words from your kid brother, if you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell um, people never get the flowers while they could still smell um
Kanye speaks directly to Jay-Z, calling him his big brother and offering words of admiration and respect. He reminds his audience to show appreciation for those they admire while they can still appreciate it.

A idol in my eyes, God of the game, heart of the city, Rockafella chain, never be the same, never be another, number 1 young Hov also my big brother
Kanye continues to praise Jay-Z and regards him as a true idol of the game, noting his influence and impact on hip-hop culture. He also emphasizes that Jay-Z remains his big brother and mentor.

My big Brother was Bigs brother, used to be Dame and Bigs Brother, who was hip hops brother, who was No I.D's friend, No I.D my mentor, and that's where the story ends
Kanye concludes the song by reflecting on the many mentors and inspirations that have helped shape his career. He acknowledges that No I.D. played a particularly important role in his success, and sings that this is where the story ends.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JEREMY PETER NOLAN DAVIS, MERVYN GOLDSWORTHY, PETER STEWART JUPP, JAMES MITCHELL KIRKPATRICK, STEPHEN MARK OVERLAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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