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.
School Spirit II
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You, you pick up all those books that you're gonna read
And not remember and you roll, man
You get that Associate degree, okay?
Then you get your Bachelors', then you get your Masters
Then you get your Master's masters
Then you get your Doctrine
You go, man
You show them those degree, man
When everyone says, "Hey, you're not working, you're not making any money"
You say, "You look at my degrees, and you look at my life
Yeah, I'm 52, so what?"
Hate all you want, but I'm smart, I'm so smart
And, and I'm in school
These guys are out here making money all these ways
And I'm spending mine to be smart
You know why?
'Cause when I die, buddy
You know what's gonna keep me warm?
That's right, those degrees
The lyrics in Kanye West's "School Spirit Skit 2" are spoken by an older man who is reflecting on his life choices and educational accomplishments. He encourages listeners to continue pursuing their education, even when it may seem difficult or impractical. He speaks of obtaining an associate degree, then a bachelor's degree, and so on, until one achieves a doctorate. He highlights the value of education and how it can set one apart from those who may be focused solely on making money.
The man acknowledges that some people may criticize his choices, particularly at his age, but he feels confident in his educational path and its impact on his life. He suggests that his degrees, rather than material possessions or financial success, will bring him comfort and satisfaction in the long run, even after he has passed away.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep it going man, you keep those books rolling,
Continue striving for academic achievement, keep learning and progressing.
You pick up those books your going to read
Choose educational materials with intention and purpose.
And not remember and you roll man.
Avoid reading without retaining knowledge, and make progress without distraction.
You get that associate degree, okay,
Start with a two-year degree, which is a valid and respectable accomplishment.
Then you get your bachelors, then you get your masters
Progress from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree, building upon previous knowledge.
Then you get your master's masters,
Pursue advanced or specialized degrees on top of the initial master's degree.
Then you get your doctron,
Ultimately attain a doctoral degree, representing the highest level of academic achievement.
You go man, then when everybody says quit
Persevere through challenges and naysayers who discourage academic progress.
You show them those degree man, when
Use academic achievements to prove doubters wrong and establish credibility.
Everybody says hey, your not working,
Defend dedication to education in the face of criticism or skepticism about employment and financial status.
Your not making in money,
Acknowledge that academic pursuits do not necessarily equate to immediate or significant financial success.
You say look at my degrees and you look at my life,
Use education as a measure of personal growth and achievement rather than solely financial gain.
Yeah I'm 52, so what, hate all you want,
Dismiss ageism and prejudice against pursuing education later in life.
But I'm smart, I'm so smart, and I'm in school,
Express pride and confidence in intellect and academic pursuits.
And these guys are out here making Money all these ways, and I'm spended mine to be smart.
Resist societal pressure to prioritize financial gain over education, and value personal growth and knowledge acquisition.
You know why?
Rhetorical question to emphasize the importance of education.
Because when I die, buddy, you know What going to keep me warm, that right, those degrees
Highlight that education and personal accomplishments, not material possessions or wealth, are the true legacy that lasts beyond one's lifetime.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gbrooker89
School spirit motherfuckers (can you spirit?)
Alpha step, Omega step
Kappa step, Sigma step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Oooh hecky naw that boy is raw
AKA step, Delta step
S G Rho step. Zeta step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh hecky naw that boy is raw
I'mma get on this TV, momma
I'mma, I'mma break shit down
I'mma make sure these light skinned ni**as
Never ever never come back in style
Told 'em I finished school, and I started my own business
They say, 'Oh you graduated?'
No, I decided I was finished
Chasin' y'all dreams and what you've got planned
Now I spit it so hot you got tanned
Back to school and I hate it there, I hate it there
Everything I want I gotta wait a year, I wait a year
This ni**a graduated at the top of my class.
I went to Cheesecake, he was a motherfucking waiter there
Alpha step, Omega step
Kappa step, Sigma step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Oooh hecky naw that boy is raw
AKA step, Delta step
S G Rho step, Zeta step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh hecky naw that boy is raw
I got a Jones like Norah for your sorror'
Bring more of them girls I've seen in the Aurora
Tammy, Becky, and Laura, or'a Shirley
I'm tryin' to hit it early, like I'm in a hurry
See, that's how dude became the young pootie tang tippy tow
Roc-a-fella chain, yeah that's my rapper style
Rosary piece, yeah that's my Catholic style
Red and white 1's, yeah that's my Kappa style
And I ain't even pledge
Crack my head on the steering wheel and I ain't even dead
If I could go through all that and still be breathing
Bitch bend over, I'm here for a reason
Alpha step, Omega step
Kappa step, Sigma step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Oooh hecky naw that boy is raw
AKA step, Delta step
S G Rho step, Zeta step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh hecky naw that boy is raw
I feel a woo coming on, 'cuz, I feel a woo coming on, 'cuz
Woo
There it was
I feel some woos coming on, 'cuz, a couple woos coming on, 'cuz
Woo, Woo
There they was
I feel a woo coming on, 'cuz, I feel a woo coming on, 'cuz
Woo
There it was
A couple woos coming on, 'cuz, a couple woos coming on, 'cuz
Woo, Woo
There they was
In the dark (people movin')
Hmm hmm hmm
In the dark (people movin')
Hmm hmm hmm
In the dark
Sion Campos
School spirit m-rs (I'm getting the spirit)
Alpha step, Omega, step
Kappa, step, Sigma, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
A.k.a., step, Delta, step
S.G. Rho, step, Zeta, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
I'ma get on this TV, mama
I'ma, I'ma break ish down
I'ma make sure these light skinned n-s
Never, ever, never come back in style
Told 'em I finished school, and I started my own business
They say, "Oh, you graduated?"
No, I decided I was finished
Chasin' y'all dreams and what you've got planned
Now I spit it so hot you got tanned
Back to school and I hate it there, I hate it there
Everything I want I gotta wait a year, I wait a year
This n-a graduated at the top of my class
I went to Cheesecake, he was a m-g waiter there
Alpha, step, Omega, step
Kappa, step, Sigma, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
A.k.a., step, Delta step
S.G. Rho, step, Zeta, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
I got a Jones like Norah for your soror
Bring more of them girls I've seen in the Aurora
Tammy, Becky, and Laura, or a Shirley
I'm tryin' to hit it early, like I'm in a hurry
See, that's how dude became the young pootie tang tippy tow
Roc-A-Fella chain, yeah, that's my rapper style
Rosary piece, yeah, that's my Catholic style
Red and white Ones, yeah, that's my Kappa style
And I ain't even pledge
Crack my head on the steering wheel and I ain't even dead
If I could go through all that and still be breathing
B-ch bend over, I'm here for a reason
Alpha, step, Omega, step
Kappa, step, Sigma, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
A.k.a. step, Delta, step
S.G. Rho, step, Zeta, step
Gangstas walk, pimps gon' talk
Ooh, hecky naw, that boy is raw
I feel a woo coming on, cuz, I feel a woo coming on, cuz
Woo
There it was
I feel some woo's coming on, cuz, a couple woos coming on, cuz
Woo, woo
There they was
I feel a woo coming on, cuz, I feel a woo coming on, cuz
Woo
There it was
A couple woos coming on, cuz, a couple woos coming on, cuz
Woo, woo
There they was
In the dark (people movin')
Mm, hmm, mm
In the dark (people movin')
Mm, hmm, mm
In the dark
clifton12345
I got a Jones like Norah for your soror
Bring more of them girls I've seen in the Aurora
Tammy, Becky, and Laura, or a Shirley
I'm tryin' to hit it early, like I'm in a hurry
See, that's how dude became the young pootie tang tippy tow
Roc-A-Fella chain, yeah, that's my rapper style
Like lol, that’s so absurdly brilliant.
Pr4thiDude
https://bit.ly/2Y7ueG5 - download link
GuavaConQueso
The doc said he’s gonna be a bad boy
Jewish Bakery
192kbps, please use the remastered 320kbps audio for a remaster of this version
Etrandex
For those who don’t know the reason why the clean version was released and not this version. Aretha Franklin, who's song "Spirit in The Dark" was sampled for this, was a devout Christian and didn’t want her voice to be used in a song with profanity. Therefore, she told Kanye West that he’d only be allowed to use the sample if the song was censored, which Kanye agreed to.
Carlos Acosta
0:54-1:00 still one of my favorite Kanye lines😂😂
Nebulis
Literally played as I scrolled onto this comment, and I happen to agree lmfao
JL3259
I feel like I’m doing something illegal by listening to this uncensored
773 ohh
We’re going to hell 😧😧😭😭
twigndig
@773 ohh we already there
BassHunter S. Thompson
@twigndig I feel a woo coming on !