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.
The One
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Broke Phi Broke, we ain't got it
Broke Phi Broke (we ain't got it)
No, we have no money
We are sharin' jeans
If I go outside, I got the only clothing on
How many cars do we own? (None!)
How many cars do we own? (None, sir!)
Yes, we will
Why? Because we can't afford gas, say it with me
(We can't afford no gas!)
Say it!
(We can't afford no gas!)
So we ain't drivin'!
The lyrics to "The One" by Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Marsha Ambrosius describe a sense of power and unrelenting strength. The metaphor of "the storm on the horizon" combined with a "pistol on my hip" implies a looming danger, but the rapper declares that he is unafraid and able to face any challenge thrown his way. The repeated phrase "Tell them that I'm the one" emphasizes his dominance and superiority, perhaps indicating a desire to be recognized as the best in the rap game. Through references to his success, wealth, and resilience, the rapper asserts his status as a force to be reckoned with, unapologetically declaring himself to be "the one" in every sense of the word.
Line by Line Meaning
The storm is on the horizon
Something difficult or dangerous is coming
I'm standing here alone
I am prepared to face this alone
Got a pistol on my hip
I am armed and ready for whatever comes
And it's gonna be some shit
It's going to be intense and difficult
If you want it then bring it on
If you're ready to face me, let's do this
See I'm a motherfuckin' soldier
I am strong and fearless
And I'mma be here till it's done
I won't back down until it's finished
And when they asking who I'm is, shit
When people want to know who I am
You just tell them that I'm the one (One, one, one)
Tell them that I am the most important and powerful
Since God gave his only begotten son, baby
I am as important as Jesus
It's hard preachin' the gospel to the slums lately
It's difficult to share the word of God with the poor areas
So I had to put the church on the drums, baby
I had to make the message more accessible through music
You think you free but you a slave to the funds, baby
You may think you are free, but you are controlled by money
You think you me, but you ain't me, what you done lately?
You may want to be like me, but you haven't accomplished what I have
We on a galaxy the haters cannot visit
We are on a level beyond where the haters can reach
That's my reality so get off my Scott Disick
This is my life and my reality, so stop trying to bring me down
Best way to describe my position is at the helm
I am in charge and leading the way
Best way to describe my new whip, yeeuum!
My new car is amazing and impressive
Started off in that Chevrolet,
I began with very little
But it's Ferrari's I gotta drive
Now I am successful and can afford luxury cars
I'm on HBO with my entourage,
I am successful in entertainment
I'm 5'9' fuck a 9 to 5 I need a hundred million no compromise
I am successful and rich, and won't settle for less
My weed loud I need a hearing aid
My marijuana is very strong and potent
Every state, sold out, fuck around and need a barricade
I am popular and successful everywhere, and may need security
Snake ass niggas in my fuckin' face
I have people around me who are not trustworthy
Bring your girl here nigga so I could fuck her face
I am intimidating and may take what I want
This is cashmere swag
I have high-end, luxurious style
Niggas treadmillin' goin' nowhere fast
Some people are working hard but not progressing in their lives
Sittin' courtside at the Hawks game
I am successful and can afford VIP experiences
Louis on, I could trip a fuckin' ball player
I am wearing expensive clothing and accessories
Of awesome it's possible, goddamn right
I am confident and believe in myself
I've been honest the whole time
I have always been truthful and sincere
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Matt28651
it's like kanye and 2 chainz have multiple personality disorder and their personalities are fighting over whether to say some inspirational shit or just brag about how great they are
@twoimage
+Matthew Thompson hahahahah i never thought of that
@sameverett1
lmao think this applies to more than those 2
@sameverett1
Great song tho🔥
@joelewis2717
Lmao that is true
@crescendus5747
5 years later and kanye is actually known to be bipolar lmao you were right. I cant believe 5 years ago was 2016
@jcthebest6420
that's the kanye I love
@AlexWayneJr
thats the wiz i love
@gearsofwar2pwnfest
The Crazyzandez ?
@junedavid8568
this the Kanye that doesn’t love Kanye. Wtf?