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.
They Say
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
They say a nigga lost his mind
The thin line between love and hatred
I'm the black pill in the Matrix, the saturated life
They say life is what you make it
So I wait quick on a spaceship so I can take it
As high as the stakes get when paper get low
I be tellin' Derick, "Tell Cara get us a show"
Little Com, I make righteous bitches get low
The richest man ain't necessarily the nigga with dough
They say, "You ripped", "Wow", yeah, that's what they say
My niggas couldn't tell it was me, like Jamie in Ray
Paintin' a day, with focused crime, broads, and good wine
They say, "Dope is sour so it's homework and hood crimes"
I stood mine, for forever and a day, so goodbye
They never could say, tell 'em, J
They say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
Ah, the sweet taste of victory
Go 'head and breath it in like antihistamine
I know they sayin', "Damn, Ye' snapped with this beat"
Fuck you expect? I've got a history
Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels
Haters back down, gotta be that steel
I know they can't wait 'til ya outta ya deal
Look how they did D'Angelo, ask him, "How do it feel?"
My best friends worry 'bout me
'Cause they know when you famous
And you had made cash the media aims at us and you be up so high
If you ever fall off, it feel like a plane crash
But God don't ever give me nothin' I can't handle
So please don't ever give me records I can't sample
So I could vacay where it ain't no channels
But it's quite okay for a gangsta to wear sandals
They say because of the fame and stardom
I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
I guess it's messin' with my health then
And this verse so crazy when I finish
I'm just gon' check myself in
They (again) say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then (uh), they lie (ha)
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
They say, "Dude think he righteous"
I write just to free minds, from Stony to Rikers
Amongst the lifeless, in a world crazy as Mike is
On my paper, whether it's weed or Isis
They say life is a game, so I play hard
Writin' for my life 'cause I'm scared of a day job
They say "Sef kept the hood together"
I tell the young, "We can't play the hood forever"
Play my cards right, they say I went too left
They showed me strange love, like I was Mr. F
Played chess in this game of pawns and knights
Now I claim "King" like Don, or Frank White
They say my life is comparable to Christ
The way I sacrificed and resurrected twice
They say, "The crochet pants and the sweater was wack"
Seen "The Corner", now they say, "That nigga's back," uh
They say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
Kanye West's "They Say" is a powerful song that explores the dynamic between fame and criticism. The opening lines, "They say what's happenin'? We say the facts, and if they lie, we comin' back for them" establish the theme of the song, which is that Kanye and his fellows are going to call out those who criticize them, no matter what. The lyrics then describe the perception that Kanye has lost his mind, but he argues that in reality, he has never lost his ability to write compelling rhymes. The song also touches on the idea that fame is a double-edged sword, as it can boost an artist's profile but also subject them to intense scrutiny and criticism.
One of the most interesting aspects of "They Say" is the way that Kanye mixes hard-hitting social commentary with personal statements. For example, he talks about the pressures of fame and the difficulties of retaining a sense of self, but also makes references to his friends and his personal stylistic choices. This creates a sense of intimacy between the artist and the listener, while also conveying a broader message about the state of fame in modern society.
Another interesting facet of "They Say" is the way that Kanye incorporates elements of different musical styles, from R&B to rock. The song is built around a driving beat and a hypnotic guitar riff, which create a sense of urgency and momentum. The lyrics are delivered with an intense energy that can be both compelling and unsettling, depending on the listener's perspective. Overall, "They Say" is a thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to confront their own assumptions about fame, criticism, and creative expression.
Line by Line Meaning
They say what's happenin'?
People ask me what's going on in my life
We say the facts and if, they lie
I tell the truth and call out others when they lie
We comin' back for them
I'll stand up for myself and my beliefs
They might say, but they don't know!
Others may talk about me, but they don't really understand me
They say a nigga lost his mind
People think I'm crazy or have gone insane
But in the scheme of things I never lost a rhyme
Despite what people say, I haven't lost my talent for rapping
The thin line between love and hatred
There's a difficult balance between love and hate
I'm the black pill in the matrix, the saturated life
I see through the illusions of society and celebrity culture, which has become overwhelming
They say life is what you make it
People say that you control your own destiny
So I wait quick on a spaceship so I can take it
I'm impatiently waiting for my opportunity to seize my destiny
As high as the stakes get when paper get low
Money is important and can be all-consuming when you don't have a lot
I be telling derick, "tell kara get us a show"
I'm working hard to get my music out there and get more exposure
Little com, I make righteous bitches get low
I'm able to influence people and make them humble themselves
The richest man ain't necessarily the nigga wit dough
Wealth doesn't always define success or worth
They say "you ripped" "wow" yea, that's what they say
People are complimenting my rapping skills
My niggas couldn't tell it was me, like jamie in ray
My friends didn't recognize me at first, like a movie character in disguise
Painting a day, wit focused crime, broads, and good wine
I'm living my life without holding back
They say "dope is sour so it's homework and hood crimes"
People criticize my music for glorifying 'hood' culture
I stood mine, for forever and a day so goodbye
I've stood up for myself and my beliefs and won't back down
The sweet taste of victory
The feeling of success is so satisfying
Go head and breath it in like antihistamine
Enjoy the feeling of success as if it's medicine for your soul
I know they saying "damn, yea snapped wit this beat!"
People are impressed with my talent for making music
Fuck you expect? I've got a history
Of course I'm good at this, I've got a lot of experience and practice
Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels!
People are attracted to me now that I'm famous and have money
Haters back down, gotta be that steel!
I'll defend myself and my success against those who try to bring me down
I know they cant wait till ya outta ya deal!
People are eager for me to get out of my record contract
My best friends worry bout me
My closest friends are concerned for my well-being
Cause they know when you famous/fame-ass
Being famous can be dangerous and challenging
And you had made cash the media aims at us and you be up so high
The media will target wealthy celebrities with negative press
If you ever fall off, it feel like a plane crash
Losing success can feel devastating
But god don't ever give me nothing I cant handle
I trust that I can handle anything that comes my way
So please don't ever give me records I cant sample
I am confident in my ability to make music with any type of sample or beat
So I could vacate where it ain't no channels
I want to escape to a place where there's no media or distractions
But it's quite ok for a gangsta to wear sandals
I don't care that my fashion choices don't fit the stereotypical 'gangsta' image
They say because of the fame and stardom
Some people believe that my fame has changed me
I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
I am struggling to balance my spiritual life with the craziness of fame
I guess it's messing with my health then
The stress of fame may be affecting my physical and mental health
And this verse so crazy when I finish
My lyrics are wild and intense in this song
I'm just going check myself in, again
I may need to take a break from everything and seek help again
I write just to free minds, from stoney to rikers
I use my music to inspire and empower people from all walks of life
Amongst the lifeless, in a world crazy as mike is
I am trying to make a positive impact in a world full of negativity and chaos
On my paper, whether its weed or isis
I write my thoughts and ideas down on paper, whether it's about drugs or politics
They say "life is a game," so I play hard
People say you need to take risks and fight hard to succeed in life
Writing for my life cause I'm scared of a day job
I'm so passionate about music that I'm afraid of having to work a regular job instead
They say "sef kept the hood together"
People credit me with holding my neighborhood community together
I tell the young, "we can't play the hood forever"
I want to inspire others to leave the 'hood' and seek a better future
Play my cards right, they say I went to left
If I make the right choices in life, people will be surprised at how successful I can be
They showed me strange love, like I was mr. f
People have shown me attention and affection that I find strange and uncomfortable
Played chess in this game of, pawns and knights
I'm strategic and thoughtful in my approach to the music industry
Now I claim "king" like don, or frank white
I see myself as a successful and powerful figure in the music industry
They say my life is comparable to christ's
Some people believe that my struggles and sacrifices are similar to those of Jesus Christ
The way I sacrificed, and resurrected, twice
I've made big sacrifices in my life and have come back stronger from difficult times
They say "the crochet pants and the sweater was wack"
People criticized my fashion choices for being strange or uncool
Seen "the corner", now they say "that nigga's back," uh
After some time out of the spotlight, people are now excited to see me making music again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Randolph Bell, Linda Epstein, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, John Roger Stephens, Kanye Omari West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@koyejoosho8866
"Be" is seriously underrated. A PERFECT album
@_unclecharles_
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
CLASSIC album for sure.
@elninoheroe663
Perfect album
@AlfGam
Facts..
@parisshanel4238
Very true
@chriscash782
This was one of Kanye's hardest beats. The whole album was fire and a classic.
@jkashdamoneyman5870
This when dilla had super heavy influence on a lot of his beats, they were simple and nice
@chriscash782
@@jkashdamoneyman5870 I’m sure Dilla influenced him but doesn’t sound like anything Dilla would do. The only beat beside Kanye on the album was Dilla though. Pretty cool
@thedarknightbegins
@@jkashdamoneyman5870but the best beats on the album was made by Kanye though
@jkashdamoneyman5870
@@chriscash782 lol comprehensión deficiencies are at an all time high, never said it sound exactly like something dilla made, that Kanye is dead anyway, new Kanye is a clone and beat thief