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.
Heard 'Em Say )
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, uh, yeah
And I heard 'em say, nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
From the Chi, like Tim it's a harder way
So this is in the name of love like Robert say
Before you ask me to go get a job today
Can I at least get a raise of the minimum wage?
So I guess we just pray like the minister say
Allahu Akbar and throw in some hot cars
The things we seen on the screen that's not ours
But these niggas from the hood so these dreams not far
Where I'm from, the dope boys is the rock stars
But they can't cop cars without seein' cop cars
I guess they want us all behind bars, I know it
Uh, and I heard 'em say (ooh)
Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
And I heard 'em say
Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
But we'll find a way
And nothing lasts forever but be honest, babe
It hurts but it may be the only way
They say people in your life are seasons
And anything that happen is for a reason
And niggas gun clappin' and keep to squeezin'
And gran' keep prayin' and keep believin'
In Jesus, and one day that you see him
'Til then walk in his footsteps and try to be him
The Devil is alive, I feel him breathin'
Claimin' money is the key so keep on dreamin'
And put those lottery tickets just to tease us
My aunt Pam can't put those cigarettes down
So now my lil' cousin smokin' them cigarettes now
His job trying to claim that he too nigger-ish now
Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now?
I can't figure it out, I'm sick of it now, uh, uh
And I heard 'em say (ooh)
Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
And I heard 'em say
Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
But we'll find a way
And nothing lasts forever but be honest, babe
It hurts but it may be the only way
with every worthless word we got more far away
And nothing's ever promised tomorrow today
And nothing lasts forever but be honest, babe
It hurts but it may be the only way
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
In Kanye West's "Heard 'Em Say," the rapper delves into themes of disillusionment, inequality, and the fleeting nature of life. The song begins with West acknowledging the harsh reality that nothing is guaranteed, not even tomorrow. He references his hometown of Chicago, likening his work ethic to that of former NBA player Tim Hardaway. West then name-drops fellow artist Rob, citing his music as being in the name of love.
West then delves into societal issues, lamenting the fact that even those on minimum wage can't catch a break. He discusses the government's alleged involvement in the spread of AIDS and the systemic oppression of those in poverty. West touches on the seductive pull of wealth and the illusions of the American Dream, but also acknowledges the limitations and difficulties faced by those seeking to escape inner city life.
Line by Line Meaning
And I heard 'em say, nothin's ever promised tomorrow today
Life is uncertain, and there are no guarantees for tomorrow. We must make the most of today.
From the Chi, like Tim its the Hard-a-way
I come from Chicago, where people work hard like Tim Hardaway, a former NBA player.
So this is in the name of love, like Rob would say
The message of this song is about love, which is something that Rob, possibly a friend or family member, would appreciate.
Before you ask me to get a job today, can I at least get a raise on a minimum wage?
Don't judge me for not having a job, just because I am not making enough to survive on minimum wage. I deserve to be paid fairly.
And I know the government administered AIDS
I believe that the government has played a role in the spread of AIDS, probably through negligence or malicious intent.
So I guess we just pray like the minister say Allahu Akbar and throw 'em some hot cars
In the face of adversity, we turn to prayer and faith like the minister advises. We also desire material success, as seen in the wish for luxury cars, expressed with the Arabic phrase Allahu Akbar.
Things we seen on the screen are not ours
The images and lifestyle portrayed in media are not accessible or attainable to us, the common people.
But these niggas from the hood so these dreams not far
However, those of us from the ghetto have a chance to reach for those unattainable dreams and possibly make them a reality.
Where I'm from, the dope boys is the rock stars
In my community, drug dealers and criminals are idolized and given celebrity status, due to limited role models and opportunities.
But they can't cop cars without seein' cop cars / I guess they want us all behind bars, I know it
Despite their wealth and status, drug dealers can't flaunt their possessions without attracting the attention of the police, who want to imprison all of us in poverty-stricken areas.
They say people in your life are seasons / And anything that happen is for a reason
People come and go from your life like the changing seasons, and everything happens for a purpose, even if it is not always clear at the moment.
And niggas guns clappin' and keep to squeezin' / And Gran' keep prayin' and keep believin'
There is violence and chaos in the streets, but we find hope and strength through our faith and perseverance, exemplified by our grandmother's prayers.
And Jesus, and one day that she'll see him / Till they walk in his footsteps and try to be him
We believe in Jesus and hope to one day meet him in the afterlife. In the meantime, we strive to emulate his actions and live a righteous life.
The devil is alive I feel him breathin' / Claimin' money is the key so keep on dreamin'
We feel the presence of evil in society, tempting us with the allure of wealth and material possessions. However, we know that this is not the path to true happiness and instead choose to continue dreaming of a better life.
And put those lottery tickets just to tease us / My aunt Pam can't put those cigarettes down
We are tantalized by the prospect of winning the lottery, even though it is unlikely. Meanwhile, some of our loved ones struggle with addiction and find it hard to quit unhealthy habits.
Now my lil' cousin smokin' those cigarettes now / His job trying to claim that he too nigger-ish now / Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now? / I can't figure it out, I'm sick of the noun
Even younger family members are being affected by negative influences in our society. A family member is facing discrimination on the job, possibly due to the color of his skin. The artist is tired of the prevalence of racism and prejudice.
Cause every worthless word we got more far away / And nothing's ever promised tomorrow today / And nothing lasts forever but be honest babe / It hurts but it may be the only way
The more we speak empty words and do nothing to effect change, the farther we move away from our goals. Life is fleeting and unpredictable, and we must be truthful with ourselves and others, even when it is painful. This difficult honesty may be the only way to make a meaningful impact.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Adam Levine, Michael Masser, Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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