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.

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Kanye West Lyrics

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I brought you brothers here to start our own fraternity
Broke Phi Broke, we ain't got it
Broke Phi Broke (we ain't got it)
No, we have no money
We are sharin' jeans
If I go outside, I got the only clothing on
How many cars do we own? (None!)
How many cars do we own? (None, sir!)

Should we let our woman go and be with the cat in the car?
Yes, we will
Why? Because we can't afford gas, say it with me
(We can't afford no gas!)
Say it!

(We can't afford no gas!)
So we ain't drivin'!

Overall Meaning

In Kanye West's song "I Wonder," the rapper reflects on the meaning of finding one's dreams. The repetition of the line "And I wonder if you know what it means to find your dreams" reinforces the idea that there is a deeper understanding to achieving one's goals and desires.

The lyrics describe the struggles that Kanye has faced in reaching his own dreams, with waking up in the middle of the night with new ideas, feeling like he's never wrong, and always being on his grind. He reflects on the people around him, wondering if they understand what it takes to achieve their own dreams, and if they truly understand the effort and sacrifices required. Kanye also touches on relationships, questioning whether people truly understand the issues they face, or if they're just trying to find a quick fix to problems.

Overall, the theme of "I Wonder" is the importance of understanding what it truly means to pursue and achieve one's dreams, and the hard work and dedication that it requires. It's a reminder that success doesn't come easy and that it requires effort and perseverance.

Line by Line Meaning

Find your dreams come true
Discovering and accomplishing what you've always wanted

And I wonder if you know What it means, what it means
Questioning if the listener understands the significance of finding their dreams

What it means to find your dreams
Understanding the true value and impact that fulfilling your dreams can have

I've been waiting on this my whole life
Having patiently waited for this moment to fulfill your dreams

These dreams be waking me up at night
Having your dreams constantly on your mind, even when you're sleeping

You say I think I'm never wrong You know what, maybe you're right, aight
Acknowledging that you may not always be right, but still having confidence in your decisions

You say he get on your fucking nerves You hope that he get what he deserves, word
Venting frustrations about someone and wishing for them to receive their just deserts

Do you even remember what the issue is You just trying to find where the tissue is
Questioning if the argument is even worth continuing or if it's just about finding something to argue over

You can still be who you wish you is It ain't happen yet And that's what the intuition is
Believing that you can still become the person you aspire to be, and trusting your instincts along the way

When you hop back in the car Drive back to the crib Run back to their arms The smokescreens The chokes and the screams You ever wonder what it all really mean
Reflecting on the patterns in your relationships and questioning their true meaning

And I'm back on my grind A psychic read my lifeline Told me in my lifetime My name would help light up the Chicago skyline And that's what I'm
Feeling motivated and determined to achieve greatness, after being told by a psychic that you will make a significant impact in your hometown

Seven o'clock, that's primetime Heaven'll watch, God calling from the hotlines Why he keep giving me hot lines I'm a star, how could I not shine
Feeling like a celebrity and questioning why you keep receiving big opportunities, ultimately feeling destined for success

How many ladies in the house How many ladies in the house without a spouse Something in your blouse got me feeling so aroused What you about
Flirting with and showing interest in the women at a gathering or party

On that independent shit Trade it all for a husband and some kids You ever wonder what it all really mean
Considering the trade-offs between being independent and pursuing a career versus settling down and starting a family, and questioning what truly matters in life

You ever wonder if you'll find your dreams
Continuing to wonder and question if you will ever accomplish your dreams

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kanye West

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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