Interviews
Kanye West Lyrics


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Mouloud Achour: I always wondered, when
We were talking with Jean, he was saying
That it was hard for you to
Get into this "fashion world"
And you were saying it was hard for Michael
Jackson to put his videos on MTV and I
Don't realise, how much a guy like you, that
I listen to everyday, I watch everyday
And influences
The use - everytime you do something
People wanna do it so how is it possible
That the big houses don't understand that?

Kanye: The thought was
That everything popular
Was very basic and not complex
And the negative connotation of commercial
So soon as you're commercial
You don't have the
Complexity of a Bach, a Mozart, a Basquiat
And if you say out loud
As a commercial person that you're in
The same breath as Basquiat, then
Everyone looks at you like
You're an egomaniac
Or something but then you'll be like
Wait a second, you know I was
A gifted artist since age 5
And like in national competitions and went to
Art school i'm actually getting an
Honorary doctorate on May 5th from the
Art Institute of Chicago so
It was a great wall to break down

But also
What's fun about playing in the pop field
Versus the art field is you get
A lot of exposure and the majority
Of the pop artists don't have
The same responsibility to the
Sensibility so it's
Easy to slam dunk them to hit
That BRIT Awards performance
Super hard against
Everything else that's going on and
But I want all the best for all
Of the pop stars i want all of
Us to have as inspiring of
Performances as possible i
Think it's important
You know, our point of references
We need to study Fellini and
Jodorowsky, Corbusier
And the different information that I've
Got from living out here with Paris
Hanging out
With Jean, and going to the French flea
Market and everything, that




Constant information, education
Education is the power

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics from Kanye West's song "Interviews," he is discussing the challenges he faced in entering the "fashion world" and drawing a parallel between himself and Michael Jackson. Kanye expresses his admiration for Michael Jackson as someone who faced difficulties getting his music videos played on MTV. He questions why prominent fashion houses fail to recognize the influence and impact of artists like himself who are widely listened to and watched.


Kanye further explains that there is a perception that anything popular or commercial lacks complexity and depth compared to the works of classical musicians like Bach and Mozart, or visual artists like Basquiat. He discusses the judgment that comes with being a commercial artist and asserting one's talent and aspirations on par with these revered artists. He defends himself by highlighting his artistic abilities since childhood, his achievements in national competitions, and his upcoming honorary doctorate from the Art Institute of Chicago.


Additionally, Kanye contrasts the pop field with the art field, mentioning that pop artists enjoy greater exposure but may not have the same level of responsibility to artistic sensibility. He references his performance at the BRIT Awards as an example of standing out among the pop stars, but he also expresses a desire for all pop stars to deliver inspiring performances. Kanye emphasizes the importance of diversifying points of reference, mentioning filmmakers Fellini, Jodorowsky, and architect Corbusier, as well as the education and inspiration he gained from spending time in Paris and engaging with different cultures.


Overall, these lyrics reflect Kanye West's thoughts on his own artistic journey, the complexities of being a commercial artist, and the significance of education and inspiration in shaping one's artistic vision.


Line by Line Meaning

The thought was
The idea was


That everything popular
All things that are popular


Was very basic and not complex
Were simple and lacked complexity


And the negative connotation of commercial
And the negative association with being commercial


So soon as you're commercial
So as soon as you become commercial


You don't have the
You lose the


Complexity of a Bach, a Mozart, a Basquiat
Complexity that artists like Bach, Mozart, and Basquiat possess


And if you say out loud
And if you openly claim


As a commercial person that you're in
To be a commercial artist


The same breath as Basquiat, then
On the same level as Basquiat, then


Everyone looks at you like
People perceive you as


You're an egomaniac
Someone with an excessive ego


Or something but then you'll be like
However, you may argue


Wait a second, you know I was
Hold on, you should know that I've


A gifted artist since age 5
Had artistic talent since the age of 5


And like in national competitions and went to
I participated in national competitions and attended


Art school i'm actually getting an
Art school, and in fact, I am receiving an


Honorary doctorate on May 5th from the
Honorary doctorate on May 5th from


Art Institute of Chicago so
The Art Institute of Chicago, so


It was a great wall to break down
It was a significant barrier to overcome


But also
Additionally


What's fun about playing in the pop field
The enjoyable aspect of being involved in the pop music industry


Versus the art field is you get
Compared to the art field, you receive


A lot of exposure and the majority
A significant amount of visibility, and most


Of the pop artists don't have
Pop artists do not possess


The same responsibility to the
The same level of accountability to the


Sensibility so it's
Artistic sensitivity, so it is


Easy to slam dunk them to hit
Easy to criticize and attack them for


That BRIT Awards performance
Their performance at the BRIT Awards


Super hard against
Harshly and severely


Everything else that's going on and
All other things happening in the industry, and


But I want all the best for all
However, I want the best for all


Of the pop stars i want all of
Of the pop stars. I want all


Us to have as inspiring of
Us to have equally inspiring


Performances as possible i
Performances, if not more. I


Think it's important
Believe it holds significance


You know, our point of references
Our frame of reference


We need to study Fellini and
It is necessary to study Fellini and


Jodorowsky, Corbusier
Jodorowsky, and Corbusier


And the different information that I've
And the varied knowledge that I have


Got from living out here with Paris
Gained from living in Paris


Hanging out
Spending time


With Jean, and going to the French flea
With Jean, and visiting the French flea


Market and everything, that
Market, and so on. That


Constant information, education
Continuous information and education


Education is the power
Education is empowering




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Ibn ʿAbdulaziz

Ye spoke the truth about the apartheid tribesmen.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هَـٰؤُلَاءِ أَهْدَىٰ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture (i.e. the Jews)? They believe in Jibt (magic) and Taghut (shaytan) and say to the disbelievers (pagans) that they are better guided as regards the way than the believers (Muslims)?

أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَمَن يَلْعَنِ اللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا
They are those whom Allah has Cursed, and he whom Allah Curses, you will not find for him (any) helper.

أَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُلْكِ فَإِذًا لَّا يُؤْتُونَ النَّاسَ نَقِيرًا
Or have they a share in the dominion? Then in that case they would not give mankind even a speck on the back of a date-stone. [An-Nisaa' 4:51-53]

وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا ۛ سَمَّاعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ سَمَّاعُونَ لِقَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوكَ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ مِن بَعْدِ مَوَاضِعِهِ ۖ يَقُولُونَ إِنْ أُوتِيتُمْ هَـٰذَا فَخُذُوهُ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْتَوْهُ فَاحْذَرُوا ۚ وَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ فِتْنَتَهُ فَلَن تَمْلِكَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَن يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And of the Jews are men who listen much and eagerly to lies - they listen to others who have not come to you (O Muhammad ﷺ). They change the words from their places; they say: "If you are given this, take it, but if you are not given this, then beware!" And whomsoever Allah wants to put in Al-Fitnah [error, trials], you can do nothing for him against Allah. Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not want to purify; for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great torment.

سَمَّاعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ أَكَّالُونَ لِلسُّحْتِ ۚ 
(They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden.... [Al-Maa'idah 5:41-42]

ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ ۚ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ
Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with the things they utter.

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
And say: "My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayateen (jinn devils)."

وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
"And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they should come near me." [Al-Mu'minun 23:96-98]

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْخَلَّاقُ الْعَلِيمُ
Verily, your Lord is the All-Knowing Creator. [Al-Hijr 15:86]

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
And We gave him (back) his family, and along with them the like thereof, as a Mercy from Us, and a Reminder for the owners of understanding.

وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
"And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Verily! We found him patient. How excellent a servant! Verily he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)! [Sad 38:43-44]

فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
You will see, and they will see,

بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ
Which of you is afflicted with madness. [Al-Qalam 68:5-6]

فَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا آخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُعَذَّبِينَ
So invoke not along with Allah another god lest you should be among those who receive punishment. [Ash-Shu'araa' 26:213]

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
He [i.e. Jesus عليه السلام] was not more than a servant (of Allah). We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example (Sign) for the Bani Israa'il (Children of Israel i.e. his creation without a father). [Az-Zukhruf 43:59]

وَكَذَ‌ٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
And thus do We explain the Ayat (Signs) in detail, that the way of the Mujrimun (criminal disbelievers) may become manifest. [Al-An'aam 6:55]

وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَا إِلَّا الْفَاسِقُونَ
And indeed We have sent down to you manifest Ayat (Signs which inform in detail about the news of the Jews and their secret intentions), and none disbelieve in them except the Fasiqun (every rebellious sinner).

أَوَكُلَّمَا عَاهَدُوا عَهْدًا نَّبَذَهُ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Is it not (the case) that every time they make a covenant (treaty, contract), a group among them throw it aside? Nay! (the truth is:) most of them believe not. [Al-Baqarah 2:99-100]

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَدْ يَئِسُوا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ كَمَا يَئِسَ الْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْقُبُورِ
O you who believe! Take not as friends the people who incurred the Wrath of Allah (i.e. the Jews). Verily, they have despaired of the Hereafter, just as the disbelievers (pagans) have despaired of those (buried) in the graves (that they hope not for the Hereafter after they disintegrate into dust). [Al-Mumtahinah 60:13]

وَقَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْرُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم بِذَ‌ٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
And they say: "There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except time (Ad-Dahr)." And they have no knowledge of it: they only conjecture. [Al-Jaathiyah 45:24]

أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا ۖ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ رَجْعٌ بَعِيدٌ
"When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return."

قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الْأَرْضُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَعِندَنَا كِتَابٌ حَفِيظٌ
We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees). [Qaf 50:4-5]

وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمْ أَحْرَصَ النَّاسِ عَلَىٰ حَيَاةٍ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا ۚ يَوَدُّ أَحَدُهُمْ لَوْ يُعَمَّرُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحْزِحِهِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
And verily, you will find them (the Jews) the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who ascribe partners to Allah (and do not believe in Resurrection - like pagans and idolaters). Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment. And Allah is All-Seer of what they do. [Al-Baqarah 2:96]

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخَالِدُونَ
And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad ﷺ): then if you die, would they live forever?

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Every Nafs (self, soul, person) is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned. [Al-Anbiyaa' 21:34-35]



All comments from YouTube:

Dr. Beau Hightower

Kanye single handedly bringing thousands of dollars to piers YouTube channel.

Aidanmandude

*Hundreds

Aunty Lou's world

Ye asked Piers "how much money do you have?" Piers "not as much as you" so I guess he wants to help him get richer by giving him interviews 😂

simon coleman

A few quid more like 😂

John Knowles

His platform was doing fine even before Kanye. The first person he interviewed on it was President Trump

Jo mama

I’m sure he needs it 😂🤪

34 More Replies...

StillDRE

It took me almost a year to honestly sit down and listen to this interview all the way thru, without distraction/breaks. This wasn’t as bad as I allowed myself to be influenced to believe.

Percc

same

abhi

yeah same, like back last year on tiktok/social media they never showed kanye being sincere or explaining his thoughts better, its only been "crazy" stuff out of context to influence more confusion

Csko Lives

It’s been out 8 months

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