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.
Did It Before
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feelin' sorry for my mama'nem
Survivor's guilt really get old
Whole gang in the end zone
Not nice, or the meanest
Heaven's Gate when I get home
Color palates lookin' Pantone
'Bout to turn into a phantom
She ain't happy with the other guy
Had a argument the other night
I ain't even get to 'pologize
While I'm in the meetings lookin' disguised
I'ma show face until I get tired
Don't care about event size
Lookin' at you through a fisheye
I'm never nice, or the meanest
I'm tired, I'm tired
I'm tired, I'm tired, I'm tired
We here, you can't deny that we here
We here (woo)
Hands up, me throwin' for my fan (Migo)
God's home, rest in peace to my man (uh, hey)
Hands up, thirty piece for the tan (uh, woo)
Run a 'thon, everything that we planned
Huncho, I shitted big, you did it kid, you did it kid (we did it)
Like a nigga just got potty trained
Hourglass, how her body came (yeah)
Chop 'em down, with the what-it-name (grrah)
Know what I'm sayin'? I'm tellin 'ya
Pushin' P, be a better me? (P)
Bitch ridin' with a felony
See the jealousy
The struggle made me a better me (go)
Why you talkin', is you payin' me?
Lamborghini coated candy (skrrt)
If I fuck her, she gon' have the baby
I'm the plan A, and the Plan B (hey)
Quarter million to the nannies (go)
I'm the head of the family (hey)
My mama had to cry for this
My gang had to slide for this (slide)
Pistol P had to die for this (die)
Doin' time through the wire for this (hey)
Fresh out the bricks to a brick (brick)
We steppin' outside with the shits (outside)
Hannah Montana with grits (Hannah)
That honey bun gon' make 'em blitz (grah)
I'm up, I'm rich, look at my bitch, she fine and rich (look)
Studied the game and I find the glitch
Hustler, I got a mind like Mitch (hey)
He not poppin', he kinda lit
He not wealthy, he kinda rich (kinda)
Nigga ain't trippin', just sign this shit
Hunnid mil', we'll split (split it)
If it's fifty mill', we'll split
If it's two in one, they'll split (split)
Three bitches split a G6
These platinum plaques ain't nothin'
I stand up and take a piss
I stand up and take a shit (hey)
This a hunnid thousand on the wrist (hunnid)
Get the money, never politic
Floor seats, Atlanta versus the Knicks
Young nigga with the birds, Kyle Pitts (brr)
In the 'adium, 'Cedes Benz (yeah)
Kid gon' play with 'em, he got friends
He know Migo dem, knock off limbs
Yeah, we did it kid, to the M's
Ridin' Presidential with the rims (skrrt)
Helpin' Ye find Kim
In the black double M Benz (Maybach)
No new friends
Nobu with my twins (Nobu)
Remember we kicked that door down because they didn't let us in (woo)
Born to win, I committed a sin with a see-through lens (see-through)
I filled up all my pockets, now you get a pocket to pick
Thank God I'm alive and rich (alive)
No lie, I survived the trench
Pay my tithe, livin' marvelous (tithes)
That's the reason I don't talk of this (hey)
Hand-built it like a carpenter did it
Shootin' bullets out the cars for this (grrah)
Tattoos and the scars for this (tats)
'Member when we used to borrow fits (hey)
"We Can Make It Better" by Kanye West ft. Talib Kweli is a song that highlights the social and political issues faced by black people in America. The song begins with Kanye West emphasizing that things may seem bad but they can be fixed. He repeats the phrase "Make it up" to emphasize that people can work together to make the situation better.
In the following verse, Talib Kweli talks about the common stereotypes that people have about Delta and AKA sororities, and how this leads to segregation. He also mentions how black women face discrimination because they date white men. The chorus repeats the theme of people coming together to make things better.
In the next verse, Kweli paints a picture of Brooklyn, a neighborhood plagued with crimes and drugs. He talks about the drug dealer priestess who is faithful to the converter, showing how religion often plays a role in drug dealing. He then mentions the inequity that black people face in America when it comes to reparations for the slavery that their ancestors endured. This injustice is further emphasized by imagining what America would have been like if black people were never enslaved.
The final verse is a call to action, urging people to tell the truth about the problems that black people face, and to fight against discrimination and injustice. The song ends with the repeated chorus, emphasizing the message of hope and unity.
Overall, "We Can Make It Better" is a poignant commentary on the struggles of the black community in America, touching on issues of racism, police brutality, segregation, and lack of opportunities. It encourages people to come together and work towards a better future for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
(Make it up) we can make it better
Emphasizing the need to take action and improve the current situation.
(Make it up) we can make it better
Reiterating the importance of working together to create positive change.
(Make it up) we can make it better
Encouraging listeners to believe that they have the ability to improve things.
(Make it up) we can make it
Concluding that it is possible to create positive change if people come together and strive for it.
Somebody told me that delta's brownskinned, akas' lightskinned
Referring to the diversity within a sorority and highlighting the issue of colorism.
And they supposed to be bougious, so they got white friends
Pointing out the tendency for some individuals to try to assimilate into whiteness by befriending white people.
First day of school, I'mma take you sight seein'
Offering to show someone new to the area what the community typically does for leisure.
Show you what we do on weekends for a sight, man
Explaining that there are limited options and opportunities for leisure activities in the community.
She said, "i know what you about to say, like your hypeman"
Acknowledging the predictable nature of the conversation and promoting self-awareness.
She let a nigga hit it, and now she only date white men
Revealing the way society often attaches value to white partners and marginalizes Black ones.
And if a nigga even wave at her, it's frightnin' but
Highlighting the fear and hostility that some Black people may face when interacting with non-Black people, particularly white people.
The night fallin' over brooklyn, where they murder for change
Alluding to the poverty and crime that plague many Black neighborhoods.
The converter remains faithful to the drug dealer priestess
Implying the complicity and corruption that can take place within the community, such as religious or political figures being involved in illegal activities.
He in search of the word of fame, you heard of the name
Suggesting that some people are willing to do whatever it takes to become famous, even if it is not honorable or legal.
Kweli the truth, like I'm comin' out the mouth of bass
Introducing the artist by his stage name and referencing his reputation for speaking on social and political issues.
One for it, one for out the grave
Expressing the need to fight for justice and equality both in the present and for future generations.
Niggas want they reparations, how you calculate the amount to be paid
Posing a rhetorical question about the issue of reparations, often demanded for the harms and injustices inflicted on Black people throughout history.
You try to imagine america without the slaves (the slaves)
Reiterating the importance of understanding the impact that slavery has had on American society, culture, and economics.
'Cause you make me feel
Returning to the refrain and emphasizing the power of change through unity.
Her tenament yo, is rat infested
Describing the poor living conditions faced by many Black people in urban areas.
Her heart is like a gold booya cause she wouldn't protest it
Implying that some people may accept their difficult circumstances instead of fighting to change them.
'Cause, her best friends man got popped
Explaining that someone's friend was killed by the police, which contributes to a feeling of hopelessness and despair in the community.
He was sixteen years old, the cop thought his phone was a glock
Sharing an example of police brutality and racism, where a young person was killed because the officer perceived him as a threat based on his race.
In the hood is a everyday happenin'
Highlighting the prevalence of violence and police brutality in many Black neighborhoods.
A friend of the priest say she chose out the captain
Referencing someone in the community choosing to be with a police officer or authority figure, despite the systemic oppression that these figures represent.
She yelled out "why you do this to black men? "
Questioning the police officer's motives and the systemic racism that is often present in police interactions with Black people.
I think of eighty seven ways, to make better days
Suggesting that there are numerous ways to create positive change, if one is committed to finding them.
Whether climb or rhyme, I heard of rebel pays
Describing that there are ways to make a living that may not be conventional, but can still be effective and fulfilling, such as pursuing art or activism.
On the scene, tryin' to get green like everglades
Referencing the desire to make money, like the growth and ubiquity of the Everglades, a seemingly endless resource.
Music, rhymin' good like escalates
Boasting of the author's skills in music and rapping, and comparing them to the quality and popularity of Escalade vehicles.
In the ghetto infested by shade and drama
Describing the particular challenges that people living in impoverished Black neighborhoods face.
And niggas wit' things ain't afraid of karma
Suggesting that some people in the community may resort to violence or crime to get ahead because they believe in taking control of their lives and not relying on luck or chance.
I'm thinking big like lil wayne in the problem set
Comparing the artist's ambitions and skills to those of the popular rapper Lil Wayne.
C'mon, tell people the truth, but never give 'em ya true thoughts
Encouraging the importance of honesty, while also acknowledging that there may be risks or consequences to being completely open.
Terrorism on blacks, they poison our newports
Referring to the negative impact that tobacco products, especially menthol cigarettes like Newport, have had on the Black community, which some may see as a form of terrorism.
Patriot act in effect, make it hard to breathe now
Referring to the Patriot Act, which expanded government surveillance and policing powers, and the impact it has had on the freedom and privacy of individuals, especially marginalized communities.
Johnny cochran dead, who gonna get us free now?
Referring to the late attorney Johnny Cochran, who was known for his successful representation of Black clients in high-profile cases, and questioning who will continue to fight for justice and freedom.
Clinton ain't in office, who gon' give us shit free now?
Suggesting that Black people often rely on politicians or leaders to provide solutions or assistance, and questioning who will step up in the absence of someone recognizable or influential.
Who gon' make it better for the thugs and p's now?
Addressing the specific challenges and obstacles that face young people in the community and questioning who will help them overcome these challenges.
Who gon' make it good for old folks that's senile?
Concerned with the well-being and care of elderly people in the community who may be struggling with memory loss and other health issues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kanye Omari West, Hykeem Carter, Kiari Kendrell Cephus, Quavious Keyate Marshall, Nasir Pemberton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1anmol1
every beat produced by kanye is amazing
@_No_Bueno
Your comment didn’t stand the test of time 😂 Kanye used to put out BANGERS ONLY!! But now some shit is just strange
@Jeffhardy21
@@_No_Bueno donda one and two are also bangers and what he is talking about nowadays, search for youreself, read the right books and you will also see the truth in this world... but the truth sounds crazy on a world full of lies....
@appelsin2821
@@_No_Bueno Eazy and Life of The Party were superrrr tight. But OK
@irapamo23
@@_No_Bueno you might just be stuck in the times
@TupacShakurr
@@_No_BuenoRIP he committed suicide
@garyngqenga
please people, he rhymed around 4 words, y'all think this weak pls try it, or let your fav rapper do it. This shit is dope!!
@dayriassmith7214
Mpho Ngqenga they don't get it though bruh smh. Heard Dedication 6 and it brought me right back to this shit.
@cockasian2290
Dayrias Smith dedication 6 was hard tho 💀
@BIIIIIGMAN
He did say ‘did it befoe’ alot of times though. But still