West began making beats and rapping in the early 90s in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, when he formed the rap group Go Getters with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe. He later gained nationwide popularity through his work in New York, where he began producing tracks for artists such as Jay-Z, Twista, Mase, Talib Kweli and Alicia Keys.
West's style of production often utilizes pitched-up vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his drums and instruments. The first major label song he produced was The Truth by Beanie Sigel, and his first major release featuring his trademark vocal sampling style was This Can’t Be Life, a track from Jay-Z’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia. West said he sped up the drum beat of Dr. Dre’s Xxplosive to use as a replacement for his drums on This Can’t Be Life.
West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style, and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol’ Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favorites. Said Kanye West: “Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time… We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that.”
In 2004 (after being pushed aside by many record companies who felt he wasn't a marketable hip-hop artist), he managed to release his debut solo album, The College Dropout on Roc-A-Fella Records. The album received critical acclaim, including 10 Grammy nominations and the awards for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, as well as defining the style for which West would become known: "wordplay" and heavy sampling of the 70s soul and RnB tracks.
Not content to rest on his laurels, West invested two million dollars and hired a string orchestra to help with his latest effort, Late Registration (2005). West collaborated with Jon Brion to help develop the sound of the album, despite his lack of experience in hip hop production. The album received widespread acclaim like its predecessor and again claimed the Best Rap Album award at the Grammys.
West was no stranger to controversy, such as storming out at the 2004 American Music Awards after not receiving Best New Artist, but just days after the release of his second studio album, West began embroiled in a major controversy after going off-script during Hurricane Katrina broadcast, proclaiming "George Bush doesn't care about black people", which Bush claimed was "one the most disgusting moments of my presidency". In January 2006, West posed on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a crown of thorns, once again attracting controversy.
For his third release, West was keen to produce songs that could be used more effectively when performing in arenas. For Graduation, the third and ultimately final entry into his 'Dropout Bear' series, West drew musical inspiration from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. In the lead up to the album he became involved in a friendly rivalry with 50 Cent over which of the two artists' upcoming albums would sell more, as they were both released on the same day. West ultimately sold 957,000 copies in the first week of release, outselling Curtis by a large margin. The albums lead single "Stronger" sampled Daft Punk, and was West's third number one on Billboard 200. Many proclaim West's 'victory' over 50 Cent to be the 'death' of gangster rap as the dominant hip hop subgenre.
Following the death of his mother, Donda West, and the end of his engagement to long term partner Alexis Phifer, West abandoned his initial plan to release a fourth album entitled Good Ass Job, and shocked his fans by releasing 808s and Heartbreak, which was full of autotune singing, extensive use of the TR-808 drum machine, themes of love, loss and loneliness and very little rapping. It received slightly more mixed reviews than his previous efforts, but many critics cite 808s and Heartbreak as the catalyst for a new wave of rappers, most prominently Drake, due to its themes which were uncommon in mainstream hip-hop.
West's grief seemed to lead to a spiral out of control which culminated in him storming on stage at the 2009 VMAs to interrupt Taylor Swift's award acceptance speech to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead, in a move that is infamous in pop culture and was vilified by the entire world in the aftermath. West disappeared from the public eye following this, and his upcoming tour with Lady Gaga was cancelled. The disgraced West, who was described as a 'jackass' by President Obama, seemed to have much work to do to return to the his former glory, but he was about to embark on what some critics consider to be the best run of his career.
West holed up in Hawaii for a few months and worked tirelessly to produce what many consider to be his magnum opus. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West's fifth studio album, was released in November 2010 to rave reviews from critics, which solidified his comeback. In stark contrast to his previous effort, which featured a minimalist sound, Dark Fantasy adopts a maximalist philosophy and deals with themes of celebrity and excess. The record included the international hit All of the Lights, and Billboard hits Power, Monster, and Runaway, the latter of which accompanied a 35-minute film of the same name. During this time, West initiated the free music program G.O.O.D. Fridays through his website, offering a free download of previously unreleased songs each Friday of the week, a portion of which were included on the album. Dark Fantasy went on to go platinum in the United States, but its omission as a contender for Album of the Year at the 54th Grammy Awards was viewed as a "snub" by several media outlets.
Following a headlining set at Coachella 2011 that was described by The Hollywood Reporter as "one of greatest hip-hop sets of all time," West released the collaborative album Watch the Throne with Jay-Z. By employing a sales strategy that released the album digitally weeks before its physical counterpart, Watch the Throne became one of the few major label albums in the Internet age to avoid a leak. Niggas in Paris became the record's highest charting single, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, West released the compilation album Cruel Summer, a collection of tracks by artists from West's record label GOOD Music. Cruel Summer produced four singles, two of which charted within the top twenty of the Hot 100: Mercy and Clique. West also directed a film of the same name that premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in custom pyramid-shaped screening pavilion featuring seven screens.
Sessions for West's sixth solo effort begin to take shape in early 2013 in his own personal loft's living room at a Paris hotel. Determined to "undermine the commercial," he once again brought together close collaborators and attempted to incorporate Chicago drill, dancehall, acid house, and industrial music. Primarily inspired by architecture, West's perfectionist tendencies led him to contact producer Rick Rubin fifteen days shy of its due date to strip down the record's sound in favor of a more minimalist approach. Initial promotion of his sixth album included worldwide video projections of the album's music and live television performances.
Yeezus, West's sixth album, was released June 18, 2013 to rave reviews from critics. It became the rapper's sixth consecutive number one debut. Def Jam issued "Black Skinhead" to radio in July 2013 as the album's lead single. On September 6, 2013, Kanye West announced he would be headlining his first solo tour in five years, to support Yeezus, with fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar, accompanying him along the way.
In November 2013, West stated that he was working on and recording his next studio album. The album was to be produced by Rick Rubin and Q-Tip.. Kanye released a single entitled "Only One", on December 31, 2014 featuring Paul McCartney, as well as collaborating with McCartney on the Rihanna track " FourFiveSeconds", released in January 2015. West appeared on the SNL 40th Anniversary Special on February 15th 2015 to debut a new song Wolves, featuring Sia Furler and Vic Mensa. Another single, entitled "All Day" was released on March 2, 2015, again featuring McCartney as well as Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom. In June of the same year, Kanye headlined the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, which garnered much outrage including a petition with 135,000 signatures against his appearance, leading to West declaring he was "the greatest living rock star on the planet" towards the end of his set, and the performance receiving a mixed reaction among fans and critics, due to its controversy. In September 2015, West performed {album artist kanye west]808s and Heartbreak in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl over two nights, which received rave reviews a featured a 60 person orchestra, guests such as Kid Cudi and Mr Hudson, and over 70 dancers. West released "Facts" at the turn of the new year.
West had originally stated that his upcoming album would be called 'So Help Me God' before changing the title to 'SWISH' and announcing that it would be released on February 11th. In January 2016 he released "Real Friends" and "No More Parties in LA", featuring Kendrick Lamar. As well as renaming the album once again to "Waves", West became involved in several twitter controversies in the lead up to the album, including with rapper Wiz Khalifa after he suggested that West had stolen the idea of the wave from other artists and seemingly dissed Kim Kardashian, which later turned out to be a misunderstanding over the use of "KK". West again changed the name of the album just days before it's release, this time to "{album artist=kanye west]The Life of Pablo", and debuted it at Madison Square Garden on February 11, but delayed it's release for a few days. On February 14, West released the album are a performance on SNL. West initially claimed the album was to be a Tidal exclusive, but it was later released on other streaming platforms, although it is yet to receive a physical release. West continued to tinker with the mixing and production of the album even after it was released, and it was updated several times, including the final song "Saint Pablo" in June 2016. West had also made public his plans to release an album in the summer of 2016, entitled "Turbo Grafx 16", based on the 1990s games console, which never surfaced, although he did release a single thought to be from the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music album "Cruel Winter", called Champions. In the same month, a video for "Famous" was released, including nude wax figures of celebrities such as West, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Bill Cosby and George W. Bush.
In August 2016, West embarked on the ambitious Saint Pablo Tour, which included a mobile stage suspended from the ceiling. After the violent robbery of Kim's jewellery in Paris in October, West had to end a show early and postpone shows following it. In the following performances, West cancelled shows early and went on long winded rants against fellow artists such as Jay Z and Beyoncé among others, as well as making controversial political statements including implying his support for Donald Trump. On November 21st 2016, West cancelled the rest of the tour and was hospitalised due to sleep deprivation and extreme dehydration. Following this, West disappeared from social media, and only resurfaced 11 months later with a series of tweets which included many philosophical thoughts and the announcements two albums in June 2018, a solo album which would include 7 tracks on June 1, and a collaboration with Kid Cudi to be released on June 8.
On August 29th, 2021, Kanye released his 10th highly anticipated studio release Donda via GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings after a series of three listening parties.
Personal life:
West was born in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was three years old (as mentioned in Hey Mama) his parents divorced, and he moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois. His father, Ray West, was a former Black Panther; one of the first black photojournalists at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; and is now a Christian counselor. Kanye’s late mother, Dr. Donda West, worked as a Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to serve as Kanye’s manager. He was later raised in an upper middle class background, attending Polaris High School in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois after living in Chicago.
After attending The American Academy of Art, a Chicago art school, West attended Chicago State University but eventually dropped out due to poor grades and to continue working on his music career. While attending school, West produced for local artists, including on rapper Grav’s debut album Down to Earth. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip hop/R&B artists, including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Cam’ron, Paul Wall, Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, The Game, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and John Legend among others. He also “ghost-produced” for his once mentor Deric Angelettie according to his song Last Call and the credits of Nas’ Poppa Was a Playa.
West was married to Kim Kardashian. Together they had four children: daughters named North (*2013) and Chicago (*2018); and sons named Saint (*2015) and Psalm (*2019). In 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce.
In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that primarily advocated for a consistent life ethic. In 2022, he faced backlash and lost a number of sponsors and partnerships—including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga—after making antisemitic statements.
I Let Go
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I strong enough to mean it?
When I know deep down that I'm not
Okay, let's go i trust you to lead
I know you'd never when only you and I can
I let go still holdin' onto
I'm holdin' on to somebody taught you
Somebody wronged you somebody wronged me
And who was phony? And left me lonely?
And left me lonely? Then left it on me?
My one and only somebody hold me
I let go, I let go (Wooo) don't you lose it
If I let go let God and let go
I gotta let it go i got it, let's go
I got it, let's go
Light a fire by the water
High tides, can't fade my life
If I let go i let go
Let God and let go i gotta let it go
I got it, let's go i got it, let's go (Wooo)
I gotta let it go let God and let go
He has so much more
Flying to the past to touch the sun
We can see the Mon-drian-drian
I know they was hoping I'd be wrong
I know you was hoping I'd be gone
Okay, let's go i trust you to lead
Am I strong enough to mean it?
I know you'd never lead me wrong
I got it, let's go i gotta let it go
Let God and let go he has so much more
Don't you lose it don't you lose it
Don't you lose it
The lyrics of "Let Go" by Kanye West and BKTHERULA explore the struggles and complexities of letting go in relationships. The song delves into the internal conflict between holding on and wanting to move on. The opening lines "Can I let go? When you're holding onto me / Am I strong enough to mean it? / When I know deep down that I'm not" illustrate the singer's doubts and uncertainty about their ability to let go of someone who still has a hold on them. It represents the struggle to break free from the emotional attachment and find the strength to move forward.
Throughout the song, there are references to someone who has wronged the singer and left them feeling lonely. The lines "Somebody wronged you somebody wronged me / Somebody saw me still had it on me / And who was phony? And left me lonely?" reveal the pain caused by this person's actions and the lingering effects it has on the singer's ability to let go. However, there is also a sense of trust and reliance on this person, as indicated by the lines "Okay, let's go i trust you to lead / I know you'd never lead me wrong". It creates an inner conflict between wanting to move on and still holding on to the hope of reconciliation.
The repeated mantra of "Let go, let God" suggests that the singer is looking to a higher power for guidance and strength to release the emotional baggage they carry. It signifies a surrender to the natural order of things and a belief that there is something greater awaiting them beyond the pain and struggle.
Overall, "Let Go" captures the complexities of letting go in relationships and the internal battle between holding on and moving forward. It explores themes of trust, self-doubt, emotional baggage, and seeking guidance from a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I let go? When you're holding onto me
Am I able to release myself from this situation even though you're still attached to me?
Am I strong enough to mean it?
Do I possess enough strength and conviction to truly follow through with my decision?
When I know deep down that I'm not
Despite what I may consciously believe, I am aware within myself that I lack the necessary strength.
Okay, let's go I trust you to lead
Alright, I have faith and confidence in your ability to guide me.
I know you'd never when only you and I can
I understand that in this situation where only you and I are involved, you would never let me down.
I let go still holdin' onto
Although I attempt to release myself, I find that I am still attached and unable to completely let go.
I'm holdin' on to somebody taught you
I am clinging onto the past teachings of someone who influenced your actions.
Somebody wronged you somebody wronged me
Both of us have experienced harm and injustice from others.
Somebody saw me still had it on me
Despite someone witnessing my struggles, I still carry the burden of those experiences.
And who was phony? And left me lonely?
Who was deceptive and pretended to be genuine, ultimately leaving me feeling abandoned?
And left me lonely? Then left it on me?
After causing me loneliness, they shifted the responsibility for their actions onto me.
My one and only somebody hold me
The person I considered my true companion, please comfort and support me.
I let go, I let go (Wooo) don't you lose it
I'm attempting to release myself from this situation, don't succumb to losing control.
If I let go let God and let go
If I release myself, surrender to a higher power and release my attachment.
I gotta let it go I got it, let's go
I must release this burden, I understand, let's proceed forward.
Light a fire by the water
Ignite passion and inspiration in a peaceful and calming environment.
High tides, can't fade my life
Even with challenging circumstances arising, they cannot diminish the essence of my existence.
Flying to the past to touch the sun
Attempting to revisit the past in an effort to attain greatness or reach higher goals.
We can see the Mon-drian-drian
We are able to perceive the abstract artistry and complexity in our lives.
I know they was hoping I'd be wrong
I am aware that others were anticipating my failure or mistakes.
I know you was hoping I'd be gone
I understand that you desired or expected my departure from your life.
I know you'd never lead me wrong
I have confidence in your ability to guide me in the right direction.
I got it, let's go I gotta let it go
I comprehend the situation, let's proceed, I must release this burden.
Let God and let go he has so much more
Allow a higher power to take control and release yourself, as there is much more in store for you.
Don't you lose it don't you lose it
Do not allow yourself to lose control or surrender your stability.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ZeranZeran
@@johnscarce4557 Does anyone know why Ye refuses to release these songs? There's SO many good ones.
• Fighting Fires,
• Brothers,
•CASH TO BURN!,
• Sky City,
•Garden
•Spread Your Wings,
• Alien
• New Body <<<< THIS SONG. This would be on radio rn and making tons of money / streams. WHY IS YE HOLDING IT!? Let it go!
Do the leakers / connected people know why he hasnt released these? If its "because its already leaked out" I don't buy it. Every Ye song gets leaked first, then improved and dropped
@1nvd
Crazy how his music is the only thing that hits you so personally but he don’t really say a lot. He just delivers it in such a way it hit you directly in your soul
@MalachiLamb
he carries a genuine amount of soul and sincerity to his delivery. his voice really leaves an impact, even through whatever processing or autotune is over it
@immortus7375
The day Kanye drops this will be LEGENDARY 🔥
@YeditsCommunity
YES
@johann6695
aint gonna happen
@hichaeljordan963
No 🧢 this is life changing. 1st listen I was like eh now I’m like LET GOD AND LET GOOOOOOO
@kidtrunks2568
Bro. If I can get this and "Always" from the Paris fashion show on the next album it will change my life.
@RaxoFilms
Its gonna lay in an usb forever lol
@ramyozi
im afraid that he'll never release this. i felt the same when i first heard the City in the sky years back :(
@johnscarce4557
Never getting city in the Sky still hurts