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.
Summer Jam '08 Freestyle
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's a ten, I'm number one
Together we eleven
Her friend only a seven, sent her to 7-Eleven
She a ten, she a seven
That make 'em seventeen
Let me see your ID, only seventeen?
Eesh, that could have fucked up everythin'
Always on a white tee
Dressed like I'm hypebeast
Signed through my white tee
Don't race against the American dream
Together we like the Kenyan marathon team
Three black rap acts that spit that crack
Never pushed that 'Lac
Rather push somethin' German
Lookin' for a Swedish bitch that I
Could put my sperm in
Preach, my brother, gon' start the sermon
All I see is green, call me Erick Sermon
All I spit is thermal, long-sleeved flannel
When I touch the verse
Don't touch the channel
Bought the rat a purse
She keep callin' it Chanel
Never hit a bitch anal, but I run shit annual
Now that's some dumb shit
I never hit a bitch anal, but I run shit
Dumb bitch
And I mean that in a nicer sense to the word
Just act like I'm some type
Of nice sensitive nerd
I don't fiend female dogs
Cause I done dogged all females
Except for the ones that's only
In it for the retail
She see what you got, she see what we sell
Get married so much
I swear them girls on resell
She watchin' the draft
She got your jersey already
She 'bout to pick out her
Crib in Jersey already
She 'bout to be pregnant by Thursday already
Congratulations, baby boy
On your new baby boy
In Kanye West's song "Summer Jam '08 Freestyle," the lyrics depict a narrative about relationships, materialism, and success. The opening lines playfully dive into a rating scale, with the singer claiming to be a perfect ten while their partner is a close second at number one. Together, their combination creates an ideal number of eleven. The mention of the friend, who is described as a seven, being sent to a convenience store adds to the imagery and humor.
The lyrics then move on to address the singer's appearance and style, referencing their preference for white tees and clothes that align with hypebeast fashion. The line "Don't race against the American dream" suggests that the singer is not interested in conforming to societal expectations or pursuing material wealth solely for the sake of it.
The song also touches on the desire for a partner from different cultural backgrounds, with a mention of seeking a Swedish woman. The reference to the Kenyan marathon team highlights the synergy and strength of unity, comparing it to the bond between the singer and their partner.
The lyrics take a more explicit turn when referencing sexual experiences, but it is important to note that this should not be taken literally but as a form of boasting and bravado that is commonly found in rap music. This section contrasts with the earlier emphasis on relationships and suggests a complex and multifaceted persona.
Overall, "Summer Jam '08 Freestyle" showcases Kanye West's lyrical ability to intertwine themes of relationships, materialism, and individuality, all while maintaining his signature wit and wordplay.
Line by Line Meaning
Number one, so together I'm eleven
I am the best, and together with my partner, we become even better
She's a ten, I'm number one
She is extremely attractive, and I am the best there is
Together we eleven
When we combine our strengths, we surpass all expectations
Her friend only a seven, sent her to 7-Eleven
Her friend is less attractive, so she was sent away to find someone else
She a ten, she a seven
She is incredibly attractive, whereas her friend is just average
That make 'em seventeen
When you add their respective attractiveness levels, they seem even more desirable
Let me see your ID, only seventeen?
I'm questioning her age because she appears too young to be involved in this relationship
Eesh, that could have fucked up everythin'
If she is indeed underage, it would ruin everything for us
Nike, already don't like me
The Nike brand seems to have a negative opinion about me
Always on a white tee
I constantly wear white t-shirts
Dressed like I'm hypebeast
I dress in a way that resembles a hypebeast, someone who follows trends
Signed through my white tee
I have achieved success through my simplistic style
Don't race against the American dream
I don't compete with the traditional idea of achieving success in America
Together we like the Kenyan marathon team
When we join forces, we become an unstoppable force, similar to the Kenyan marathon team's dominance
Three black rap acts that spit that crack
The three of us, as black artists, deliver exceptional music
Never pushed that 'Lac
I have never promoted the use of luxury vehicles (Lac refers to Cadillac)
Rather push somethin' German
I prefer to endorse German-made cars, indicating their quality and performance
Lookin' for a Swedish bitch that I
could put my sperm in
I am searching for a Swedish woman with whom I can have a child
Preach, my brother, gon' start the sermon
Encouraging someone to speak their thoughts and share their wisdom
All I see is green, call me Erick Sermon
I am focused on making money, just like the rapper Erick Sermon
All I spit is thermal, long-sleeved flannel
My rap verses are filled with warmth and depth, similar to a long-sleeved flannel shirt
When I touch the verse
Don't touch the channel
When I rap, my message is engaging enough to keep the audience's attention solely on my music
Bought the rat a purse
She keep callin' it Chanel
I purchased a flashy designer handbag for my partner, and she mistakenly refers to it as Chanel, a high-end brand
Never hit a bitch anal, but I run shit annual
I have never engaged in crude behavior towards women, but I dominate the music industry consistently
Now that's some dumb shit
Engaging in such disrespectful actions would be foolish and unnecessary
I never hit a bitch anal, but I run shit
I don't engage in disrespectful behavior, but I still excel and have control over my career
Dumb bitch
Referring to someone who is foolish or misguided
And I mean that in a nicer sense to the word
I intend it as a milder form of insult
Just act like I'm some type
Of nice sensitive nerd
It would be more advantageous for others to perceive me as a kind and emotionally aware individual
I don't fiend female dogs
I'm not interested in pursuing promiscuous women
Cause I done dogged all females
I have already had intimate encounters with a wide variety of women
Except for the ones that's only
In it for the retail
The only women I haven't been involved with are those who are solely interested in financial gain
She see what you got, she see what we sell
She is aware of your possessions and our joint success
Get married so much
I swear them girls on resell
I have been married multiple times, and it seems like those women are constantly being remarried to others
She watchin' the draft
She got your jersey already
She is closely following the draft of a professional sports team and already has your jersey
She 'bout to pick out her
Crib in Jersey already
She is in the process of choosing a home to buy in New Jersey
She 'bout to be pregnant by Thursday already
She is so eager to have a child that she plans to conceive by Thursday
Congratulations, baby boy
On your new baby boy
Congratulations on becoming a father to a baby boy
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
#GizzyCredit
Kanye the best right now!!!
Lucas
12 years later and it still rings true lmao
jhammaster
this just in Kanye West is wanted for arson of the summer jam stage after the freestyle 🔥🔥🔥
dajokerwild
she watchin the draft, she got yo jersey already/She bout to pick out a crib in jersey already/she bout to be pregnant by thursday already................that was nice right there i like shit like that
xstarxdust
yup i was here last night lil wayne was crazy!
Luke Anderson
3 black rap acts? i hope to god this is a c.r.s. track verse
Yola
what track started playing after the freestyle??
Terrance Porter
Good Life