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.
Million
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
It's (a million)
[Hook]
I freestyle battle niggaz for (a million)
How many niggaz bit the soul, bout (a million)
Uh-uh, uh-uh, it's (a million), uh-uh
There's (a million) ways to die, choose one
(A million...)
[Verse One]
lot of people ask about the money I made, even Just Blaze
How are they for real, is them niggaz really paid?
Rappers I met, or, delt with direct
Is it true he won't send a beat tape until he get a check?
What's the position you hold?
Could you really master Neptunes,
check my check, and "H to the Izzo", the only single that went gold?
If Roc-a-fella shit, fold, and you move back to the "Go"
Is it back to Ghost producer for D-dot on the low?
For the million time asking me
Questions like Toni Braxton, harassing me
Like you don't care about my son's feelings?
Can I get a minute, you wack bitch? I ain't gotta jack shit
You heard "Takeover", who running this rap shit?
Uggh, fake tits, shut up and make hits
Can't we all just get along, spread love, like "take six"?
What, you doing beats in LA for Eminem and Dr Dre?
Them niggaz sold ten mil, I'm trying to get paid
We do this shit for entertainment, bring guns to the arraignment
While the judge in the chamber, let one up out the chamber, BLAOW!
[Hook]
How many years did I wait, about (a million)
How many niggaz tryna hate, about (a million)
But when a nigga count his cake, it's like (a million)
[Verse Two]
All for the College Dropout, I make the game different
I don't know what the hell y'all niggaz been sniffing
'Ye still flicking, hoes is my addiction
Five days out the week, you'll find me in the kitchen
Snatching the game, nigga, unlike you
Cause these beats change the game, and the hook's right too
I'm unquick like you
Cats back in the Chi was buying tracks for dirt cheap,
man, what could I do?
Knowing I s'posed to style, I'm the fly boy poster child
Bout to beat on Oprah, now
It's ironic and whatnot
How I put no ice on the Bulgari watch, just to make it hot
Now you see me on stages, my hit resumes is
Two pages for them niggaz who played us
Features, raise us, booming like Master Aces
Stand up, number one, and there's more to come
All I got for hoes is hard dick and bubble gum
While y'all brick like Fred, Barney, Rubble and them
Chi-town in this bitch, what's fucking with them?
Not a damn thing, nigga, we doing our damn thing, BLAOW!
(A million)
The lyrics to Kanye West's song "Million" touch on various themes, including money, fame, and success in the music industry. In the hook, Kanye boasts about his skills as a freestyle rapper, battling others for a million dollars. He also questions the authenticity of other rappers, wondering if they are truly successful or just pretending. He mentions his encounters with different artists and their financial situations, questioning their motives and credibility. Kanye expresses frustration with people constantly asking him about his money and success, feeling harassed and misunderstood. He asserts his dominance in the rap game, asserting that he runs it and encourages unity and love among artists.
Overall, the lyrics convey Kanye's confidence in his abilities and his desire for recognition and financial success. He reflects on the challenges he has faced and the hard work it took to get where he is. The song showcases Kanye's determination and ambition to make a mark in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
I freestyle battle niggaz for (a million)
I engage in freestyle battles with other rappers for a large sum of money
How many niggaz bit the soul, bout (a million)
Countless rappers have copied my unique style and essence
How many hoes did I bone, bout (a million)
I have been intimate with numerous women, possibly in the millions
Uh-uh, uh-uh, it's (a million), uh-uh
Repeatedly affirming that the number in question is indeed a million
There's (a million) ways to die, choose one
There are countless dangerous paths one can take in life, and it's up to you to choose your fate
(A million...)
Continuing the emphasis on the million theme
lot of people ask about the money I made, even Just Blaze
Many individuals inquire about my wealth, including renowned producer Just Blaze
How are they for real, is them niggaz really paid?
Are these people genuinely successful and wealthy?
Rappers I met, or, delt with direct
Referring to the rappers I have encountered and interacted with directly
Is it true he won't send a beat tape until he get a check?
Is it accurate that he refuses to provide music samples until he is compensated?
What's the position you hold?
What is your role or status in the industry?
Could you really master Neptunes, check my check, and "H to the Izzo", the only single that went gold?
Are you truly capable of surpassing the Neptunes' production level? Review my financial records and realize that "H to the Izzo" was my only gold-selling single
If Roc-a-fella shit, fold, and you move back to the "Go"
If Roc-a-fella Records fails, will you return to the less prosperous origins?
Is it back to Ghost producer for D-dot on the low?
Will you resume being a hidden producer for D-dot if things don't work out?
For the million time asking me
Repeatedly being questioned, possibly hyperbolically stating it as the millionth time
Questions like Toni Braxton, harassing me
Incessant inquiries similar to the constant scrutiny faced by Toni Braxton
Like you don't care about my son's feelings?
Asking if the person doesn't have any regard for my child's emotions
Can I get a minute, you wack bitch? I ain't gotta jack shit
May I have a moment to express myself? I don't have to prove anything to you, insignificant individual
You heard "Takeover", who running this rap shit?
You heard the song "Takeover," so now you know who is in control of the rap industry
Uggh, fake tits, shut up and make hits
Expressing disgust towards individuals with artificial bodies and commanding them to produce successful songs
Can't we all just get along, spread love, like "take six"?
Why can't we all have harmonious relationships and promote love, similar to the band Take 6?
What, you doing beats in LA for Eminem and Dr Dre?
Are you currently producing music in Los Angeles for Eminem and Dr. Dre?
Them niggaz sold ten mil, I'm trying to get paid
Those individuals have achieved ten million in sales, and I too aspire to attain financial success
We do this shit for entertainment, bring guns to the arraignment
We engage in these activities for the sake of entertainment, even bringing weapons to court hearings
While the judge in the chamber, let one up out the chamber, BLAOW!
As the judge presides in the courtroom, a gunshot is fired from a firearm, symbolically representing rebellion or disruption
How many years did I wait, about (a million)
I have endured a significant amount of time waiting, possibly metaphorically referring to a million years
How many niggaz tryna hate, about (a million)
A large number of individuals have attempted to spread hatred towards me, akin to a million in quantity
But when a nigga count his cake, it's like (a million)
When I calculate my wealth, it feels as though I have amassed a million dollars
All for the College Dropout, I make the game different
I have revolutionized the music industry with my album 'College Dropout'
I don't know what the hell y'all niggaz been sniffing
I don't understand the illogical behavior and thoughts of other individuals
'Ye still flicking, hoes is my addiction
I am still attracting and engaging with women, as it has become an addiction for me
Five days out the week, you'll find me in the kitchen
During the majority of the week, I am occupied in the kitchen, possibly referring to cooking music or creating beats
Snatching the game, nigga, unlike you
I am taking command of the music industry, unlike you who lacks the ability
Cause these beats change the game, and the hook's right too
My beats have transformed the industry, and my hooks are also exceptional
I'm unquick like you
I am not as slow or mediocre as you
Cats back in the Chi was buying tracks for dirt cheap, man, what could I do?
Individuals in Chicago used to purchase my music at very low prices, and there was little I could do to change that
Knowing I s'posed to style, I'm the fly boy poster child
Being aware that I am supposed to have a unique fashion sense and portrayal, as I am the perfect example of a stylish young man
Bout to beat on Oprah, now
I am on the path to surpassing Oprah Winfrey's success
It's ironic and whatnot
The situation is filled with irony and various other elements
How I put no ice on the Bulgari watch, just to make it hot
I deliberately chose to not adorn my Bulgari watch with diamonds and other gemstones so that it stands out in its simplicity
Now you see me on stages, my hit resumes is
Now I am frequently seen performing on stages, and my list of successful songs speaks for itself
Two pages for them niggaz who played us
I have dedicated two pages of my hit list for those who have deceived or underestimated us
Features, raise us, booming like Master Aces
Collaborations with other artists have propelled our success, and we are experiencing growth similar to Master Ace's impact
Stand up, number one, and there's more to come
Rise and acknowledge our dominance, we are currently at the top and have even greater achievements ahead
All I got for hoes is hard dick and bubble gum
I only offer sexual satisfaction and no substantial commitment to women
While y'all brick like Fred, Barney, Rubble and them
While you all fail miserably in your endeavors, like the characters Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble, and their colleagues
Chi-town in this bitch, what's fucking with them?
Chicago is dominating the music scene, and no one can challenge or surpass us
Not a damn thing, nigga, we doing our damn thing, BLAOW!
There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to hinder our incredible accomplishments, as we continue to excel
(A million)
Reiterating the concept of a million, underscoring its significance and impact
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justinford1208
He killed this and stayed true to himself
@alonzowright7969
The song that made me start rapping back in 2009
@johnbowen6038
Can’t believe I’m just hearing this. This been my shit since I copped the single tape in 98’
@mcwise1201
So classic !!
@cheekiestofcheekz6214
This one of my favorite jay z songs. How am I just listening to the Kanye version
@c2o0n0o9r
I love this version, check out Nipsey Hussle - A Million
@sherisemcdaniel510
This is Kanye’s song not Jay Z
@cheekiestofcheekz6214
Sherise Mcdaniel uh no dickhead. Jay z released his version in 2001. Kanye didn’t release his version til 2007. Check the factz boi
@c2o0n0o9r
Another one with this sample, Berner - Faded. Check it out!
@ItzJeweled
Cheeky Cheekz it’s a sample....