Ye (born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia), profession… Read Full Bio ↴Ye (born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia), professionally known as Kanye West, is a Grammy award-winning American rapper, producer, singer, author, director, performance artist and fashion designer.

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.

The Roc In Here
Kanye West Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh huh, the Roc in here (yeah)
It's ya boy Kanye To The listen up man

I got girls in my room like hostages
Giving me neck like ostriches
Give some play to the real Kanye
'Cause we all know who the imposters is

All my gangsters, mob to this
And all my strippers, do your job to this
Hell no, I can't give you my cell phone
But you know where the hotel lobby is
For ya'll the same girls wouldn't
Give me no ass now I done highly surpassed
My whole upper class
Bet if I meet her now I can fuck her fast
I pass i be on some new shit
I wouldn't fuck none of the girls
I went to school with
Fuck around, I ain't be on no cool shit
Like you don't see the models that
Me and my crew get
You don't see the frivolous jewels
I bought with The Blueprint
She said "Whoa! Kanye don't get
Caught up in the hype
Ain't no telling they gon' love
You after the night"
Well, if tonight's the night, pop bottles
Fuck models
Spend money till you're broke my, nigga
Live your life
'Cause I'm living international
Nigga American dream and all my dawgs living
Vicariously through me
So if I get head from Trin'
That one for the team
Fuck 702, that one for the crew
My dawg Hip Hop really love Claudette
So if I ever get to smash
This fuck's for you
I can barely drive the G5 down King Drive
Just like a Brinks trucks
They know it's money inside (Ching)

Uh huh (uh huh) the Roc in here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kanye West's song "The Roc In Here" express his confidence, success, and extravagant lifestyle. He starts by boasting about having girls in his room like hostages, implying that they are under his control and giving him attention. He compares himself to impostors, implying that he is the real deal and stands out from the rest. He urges his gangsters and strippers to enjoy and embrace his music, emphasizing their loyalty and commitment. Kanye mentions that he cannot give out his cell phone number, but the girls know where to find him in the hotel lobby, showcasing his popularity and accessibility.

He then reflects on his journey of surpassing his upper-class upbringing, suggesting that he has achieved success far beyond what was expected of him. Kanye claims that he has evolved and is on a different level, distancing himself from the people he went to school with. He highlights the glamorous lifestyle he leads, surrounded by models and indulging in expensive jewelry bought with the success of his album "The Blueprint." However, he acknowledges that there are skeptics who caution him not to get caught up in the hype and warns him that the love he receives may be temporary.

Kanye embraces this philosophy by living his life to the fullest. He encourages his listeners to pop bottles, indulge in a lavish lifestyle, and enjoy themselves without worrying about money. He sees himself as the epitome of the American dream, with people living vicariously through his success. Kanye also acknowledges his association with fellow artists, mentioning that if he receives oral pleasure from Trin', it's considered a win for his team. He also shouts out to Claudette, a member of the group 702, and expresses that if he ever gets to be intimate with her, it's dedicated to the crew.

Overall, "The Roc In Here" showcases Kanye West celebrating his fame, success, and extravagant lifestyle while acknowledging the fleeting nature of it all.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm.

Uh huh, the Roc in here (yeah)
Acknowledging and affirming the presence of Roc-A-Fella Records (Jay-Z's record label).

It's ya boy Kanye To The listen up man
Introducing oneself as Kanye West and requesting attention.

I got girls in my room like hostages
Describing having a large number of girls in the room, emphasizing the control and attention they give.

Giving me neck like ostriches
Referring to receiving oral sex, with the imagery of ostriches bending their necks.

Give some play to the real Kanye
Demanding recognition and appreciation for his true self.

'Cause we all know who the imposters is
Asserting that there are others trying to imitate or replicate his style but are not genuine.

All my gangsters, mob to this
Calling upon his loyal friends and associates to enjoy and engage with the song.

And all my strippers, do your job to this
Encouraging strippers to perform their work to the song, suggesting it fits their profession.

Hell no, I can't give you my cell phone
Refusing to share personal contact information.

But you know where the hotel lobby is
Implying that the person knows where to find him or meet with him at the hotel lobby.

For ya'll the same girls wouldn't
Addressing a group of girls who previously wouldn't associate with him.

Give me no ass now I done highly surpassed
Stating that despite their previous lack of interest, he has now achieved great success and surpassed their expectations.

My whole upper class
Referring to social status and indicating that he has elevated himself above their level.

Bet if I meet her now I can fuck her fast
Expressing confidence that he could engage in sexual activity quickly with a woman who previously rejected him.

I pass i be on some new shit
Indicating that he has moved on and is pursuing something different and innovative.

I wouldn't fuck none of the girls
Claiming that he has no interest in engaging in sexual activity with the girls he went to school with.

I went to school with
Referring to the girls he mentioned in the previous line, emphasizing their shared past.

Fuck around, I ain't be on no cool shit
Asserting that he is not involved in anything ordinary or typical.

Like you don't see the models that
Challenging the listener's awareness of the attractive models he is associated with.

Me and my crew get
Highlighting the company he keeps and the influence it brings.

You don't see the frivolous jewels
Questioning the listener's ability to recognize and appreciate the expensive and flashy jewelry he possesses.

I bought with The Blueprint
Linking the jewelry he owns to the success and impact of Jay-Z's album 'The Blueprint'.

She said 'Whoa! Kanye don't get
Quoting someone's reaction to him and advising him to not be carried away by the attention.

Caught up in the hype
Warning against getting too caught up in the excitement and buzz surrounding him.

Ain't no telling they gon' love
Expressing uncertainty about continued public adoration and support for him.

You after the night'
Suggesting that the listener's feelings or behavior towards him may change after a fleeting encounter or moment of fame.

Well, if tonight's the night, pop bottles
If this is the moment of celebration or success, then it should be marked by opening expensive champagne bottles.

Fuck models
Engaging in sexual activity with attractive and sought-after models.

Spend money till you're broke my, nigga
Advocating for extravagant spending until one exhausts all their financial resources and becomes broke.

Live your life
Encouraging individuals to live their lives freely and to the fullest.

'Cause I'm living international
Stating that he enjoys a global lifestyle and has international fame and recognition.

Nigga American dream and all my dawgs living
Asserting that he embodies the American dream and his friends and associates are also experiencing success.

Vicariously through me
Implying that others derive satisfaction and enjoyment from witnessing his achievements and experiences.

So if I get head from Trin'
If he receives oral sex from a person named Trin'.

That one for the team
Considering the act of receiving oral sex as a contribution to the collective group or team.

Fuck 702, that one for the crew
Emphasizing that engaging in sexual activity with individuals associated with the group 702 is for the benefit and satisfaction of his crew or entourage.

My dawg Hip Hop really love Claudette
Highlighting a friend named Hip Hop who has strong affection for someone named Claudette.

So if I ever get to smash
If he ever has the opportunity to engage in sexual activity with another person.

This fuck's for you
Implying that the act of engaging in sexual activity is dedicated or in honor of someone.

I can barely drive the G5 down King Drive
Expressing that he finds it challenging to handle or control the G5 plane while flying over King Drive.

Just like a Brinks trucks
Drawing a comparison between the G5 plane and a Brinks truck, suggesting it carries valuable possessions like money.

They know it's money inside (Ching)
Indicating that others are aware the G5 plane contains valuable assets or resources, signified by the sound effect 'Ching'.

Uh huh (uh huh) the Roc in here
Reiterating the presence of Roc-A-Fella Records and affirming its influence and impact.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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