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.
Everything I Am
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Common passed on this beat
I made it to a jam
Now everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Damn, here we go again
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
I'll never be picture-perfect Beyonce'
Be light as Albi or black as Chauncey
Remember him from blackstreet
He was as black as the street was
I'll never be as laid back as this beat was
I never could see why people'll reach a
Fake-ass facade that they couldn't keep up
Ya see how I creeped up?
Ya see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah?
I never rock a mink coat in a winter time like Killa Cam
Or rock some mink boots in the summertime like Will.I.Am
Let me know if you feel it man
Cause everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Damn, here we go again
Everybody sayin' what's not for him
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Damn, here we go again
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
And I'm back to tear it up
Haters, start your engines
I hear 'em gearin' up
People talkin' so much shit about me at barbershops
They forget to get their haircut
Okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
Cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
Baggy clothes, Reebok's, or A-di-dos
Can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
So say goodbye to the N-double-A-C-P award
Goodbye to the India Arie award
They'd rather give me the nigga-please award
But I'll just take the I-got-a-lot a-cheese award
Damn, here we go again
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Damn, here we go again
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
I know that people wouldn't usually rap this
But I got the facts to back this
Just last year, Chicago had over six hundred caskets
Man, killin's some wack shit
Oh, I forgot, 'cept for when niggas is rappin'
Do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?
He got changed over his chains, a block off Ashlin
I need to talk to somebody, pastor
The church want time, so I can't afford to pay
The slip on the door, cause I can't afford to stay
My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say
That's enough Mr. West, please no more today
Damn, here we go again
Everybody sayin' what's not for him
But Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Damn, here we go again
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
The song "Everything I Am" by Kanye West is a track from his third studio album Graduation. The chorus of the song is based on the idea that every negative quality or experience one may have can contribute to shaping who they are. The song opens with the line "Damn, here we go again," which signifies that this is not the first time West is being criticized, but he's still persevering. He acknowledges that Common, a fellow rapper, had passed on the beat, but he believes that he has done justice to it, making it a jam.
The verse follows with the idea that he understands that he will never be perfect or someone else but himself, neither Beyoncé nor Albi (popularly known as Slim Shady or Eminem), nor even Chauncey. He mentions how he cannot keep up with the fake facade that people tend to create. He accepts himself for who he is and reminds his listeners that everything he's not has made him everything that he is. He mentions how he's contributed greatly to Chicago music, just like Queen Latifah contributed to acting.
Moving on, West talks about how he's sick of people talking negatively about him, forgetting to get their haircut. He mentions the violence in his hometown, Chicago, and how people care more about gun-talk. He's done receiving awards that don't recognize his worth and is ready to accept the "I-Got-A-Lot-A-Cheese Award." He ends the song on the note that he's got more to say, but people want him to stop talking.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.
Common passed on this beat
Common did not want to use this beat.
I made it to a jam
I turned this beat into a hit song.
Now everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Critics and haters spread rumors and negativity until something big happens.
I'll never be picture-perfect Beyonce'
I cannot achieve perfection like Beyonce.
Be light as Albi or black as Chauncey
I cannot change my skin color.
Remember him from blackstreet
Referencing a member from the R&B group Blackstreet.
He was as black as the street was
He was very dark-skinned.
I'll never be as laid back as this beat was
I cannot be as relaxed as the beat of the song.
I never could see why people'll reach a
I do not understand why people try to be something they are not.
Fake-ass facade that they couldn't keep up
A phony front that they cannot maintain.
Ya see how I creeped up?
You see how I gradually became successful?
Ya see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah?
I had a positive impact on Chicago like Queen Latifah did.
I never rock a mink coat in a winter time like Killa Cam
I do not wear fur coats like rapper Cam'ron.
Or rock some mink boots in the summertime like Will.I.Am
I do not wear fur boots in the summer like rapper/producer will.i.am.
Let me know if you feel it man
If you understand this, show me.
Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.
Everybody sayin' what's not for him
Everyone saying what I cannot do.
And I'm back to tear it up
I am back to be successful.
Haters, start your engines
Jealous people get ready to attack me.
I hear 'em gearin' up
I hear them preparing to hate on me.
They forget to get their haircut
They are too busy talking about me to take care of themselves.
Okay fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
The city is experiencing violence.
Cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
People want to hear about guns or they do not like what I am wearing.
Baggy clothes, Reebok's, or A-di-dos
Fashion trends in hip-hop culture from the 90s and 2000s.
Can I add that he do spaz out at his shows
I have a reputation for passionate performances.
So say goodbye to the N-double-A-C-P award
I am not accepted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Goodbye to the India Arie award
I am not recognized by the India Arie Awards.
They'd rather give me the nigga-please award
They would rather not give me an award at all.
But I'll just take the I-got-a-lot-a-cheese award
I will gladly take the award for making a lot of money.
Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.
I know that people wouldn't usually rap this
I know people usually do not talk about issues like this in rap songs.
But I got the facts to back this
I have evidence to support what I am saying.
Just last year, Chicago had over six hundred caskets
Reference to the high homicide rate in Chicago.
Man, killin's some wack shit
Killing is a horrible act.
Oh, I forgot, 'cept for when niggas is rappin'
Only in rap music is violence accepted.
Do you know what it feel like when people is passin'?
Do you know how it feels when people are dying?
He got changed over his chains, a block off Ashlin
A reference to a local tragedy in which a man was killed for his jewelry.
I need to talk to somebody, pastor
I need to speak with a religious leader for guidance.
The church want time, so I can't afford to pay
The church charges money for their services.
The slip on the door, cause I can't afford to stay
I cannot afford to keep my home, so I am struggling to survive.
My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say
My brief moment of fame is over, but I still have more to say.
That's enough Mr. West, please no more today
Please stop talking, Mr. West.
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.
Damn, here we go again
Starting again, facing the same struggles.
People talkin' shit, but when the shit hit the fan
Critics and haters spread rumors and negativity until something big happens.
Everything I'm not, made me everything I am
My weaknesses and failures made me who I am today.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GEORGE CLINTON, PHILLIP MITCHELL, CARLTON DOUGLAS RIDENHOUR, ERIC T SADLER, HANK SHOCKLEE, KANYE WEST, KANYE OMARI WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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