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.
Touch The Sky )
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'ma touch the sky
Gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'ma touch the sky
Back when they thought pink Polos would hurt the Roc
The doors was closed, I felt like Bad Boy's street team
I couldn't work the locks
Now let's go, take 'em back to the plan
Me and my mama hopped in that U-Haul van
Any pessimists, I ain't talk to them
Plus I ain't have no phone in my apart-a-ment
Let's take 'em back to the club
Least about an hour I stand on line
I just wanted to dance, I went to Jacob an hour
After I got my advance, I just wanted to shine
Jay favorite line, "Dawg, in due time"
Now he look at me, like, "Damn, dawg! You where I am"
A hip-hop legend
I think I died in that accident, 'cause this must be heaven
I gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'ma touch the sky
Gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'ma touch the sky
Now let's take 'em high (top of the world, baby)
(Top, top of the world)
A-la-la-la-la-la (top of the world, baby)
(Top, top of the world)
Now let's take 'em high (top of the world, baby)
(Top, top of the world)
A-la-la-la-la-la (top of the world, baby)
(Top, top of the world)
Back when Gucci was the shit to rock
Back when Slick Rick got the shit to pop
I'd do anything to say I got it
Damn, them new loafers hurt my pocket
Before anybody wanted K. West beats
Me and my girl split the buffet at KFC
Dog, I was having nervous breakdowns
Like "Man, these niggas that much better than me?"
Baby, I'm going on an airplane
And I don't know if I'll be back again
Sure enough, I sent the plane tickets
But when she came to kick it, things became different
Any girl I cheated on, sheets I skeeted on
Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long
I'm tryna right my wrongs
But it's funny them same wrongs helped me write this song, now
I gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day you die, you gon' touch the sky
You gon' touch the sky, baby girl, testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day you die, you gon' touch the sky
Yes, yes, yes, guess who's on third?
Lupe steal like Lupin the 3rd
Here like ear 'til I'm beer on the curb
Peachfuzz buzz but beard on the verge
Let's slow it down like we're on the syrup
Bottle shaped body like Mrs. Butterworth
But, before you say another word
I'm back on the block like I'm laying on the street
I'm tryna stop lyin' like I'm Mumm-Ra
But I'm not lyin' when I'm laying on the beat
En garde, or touche, Lupe cool as the unthawed
But I still feel possessed as a gun charge
Come as correct as a porn star
In a fresh pair steps in my best foreign car
So, I represent the first
Now let me end my verse right where the horns are like, uh
I gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day you die, you gon' touch the sky
You gon' touch the sky, baby girl, testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day you die (yeah), you gon' touch the sky
We back at home, baby
Uh, sky high (yeah)
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
Sky, uh, sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
Yeah, keep it rollin'
Yeah, uh, feels good to be home, baby
Feels good to be home
The lyrics of "Touch The Sky" by Kanye West focus on the rapper's journey to becoming famous and successful. In the first verse, he talks about his early struggles to make a name for himself in the industry, feeling like an outsider who can't access the closed doors of the Roc-A-Fella Records team. But he remains determined to succeed and looks forward to the day he touches the sky. The second verse is about the sacrifices he made to get where he is today, such as not having a phone in his apartment and experiencing nervous breakdowns. The final verse features a guest appearance by Lupe Fiasco, delivering rhymes that reinforce the idea of not giving up and pushing to the top.
Overall, the lyrics of "Touch The Sky" convey a sense of ambition, determination, and optimism in the face of adversity. Kanye West demonstrates that he has overcome the obstacles and broken into the music industry, and he encourages listeners to keep striving and aiming high.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta testify
I need to speak my truth
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
Arrive at the scene looking impeccable
Fore the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
Before I die, I will reach the top of my potential
Back when they thought pink Polos would hurt the Roc
Before my fashion choices threatened my success
Before Cam got the shit to pop
Before Cam'ron achieved fame
The doors was closed, I felt like Bad Boy's street team
I felt excluded and unworthy
I couldn't work the locks
I didn't have the skills or connections to succeed
Now let's go, take 'em back to the plan
Let's revisit my original path
Me and my momma hopped in that U-Haul van
My mother and I embarked on a journey
Any pessimists I ain't talk to them
I ignored negative influences
Plus I ain't have no phone in my apart-a-ment
I was without a cell phone
Let's take 'em back to the club
Let's reminisce on my early days performing
Least about an hour I stand on line
I waited in line for at least an hour
I just wanted to dance, I went to Jacob an hour
I pursued my passion for music and shopping
After I got my advance, I just wanted to shine
After achieving financial stability, I wanted to succeed even more
Jay favorite line: 'Dawg, in due time!'
Jay-Z's favorite saying is 'good things come to those who wait'
Now he look at me, like, 'Damn, dawg! You where I am!'
Now Jay-Z sees my success
A hip-hop legend, I think I died
I feel like I've achieved greatness
In that accident, cause this must be heaven
I may have died and gone to heaven because of my success
Now let's take them high (Top of the world baby)
Now let's inspire and motivate them
La la la (Top of the world baby)
Expressing joy
Back when Gucci was the shit to rock
Before Gucci clothes were considered tacky
Back when Slick Rick had the shit to pop
When Slick Rick was popular
I'd do anything to say I got it
I was willing to do whatever it took to succeed
Damn, them new loafers hurt my pocket
Expensive shoes affected my finances
Before anybody wanted K. West beats
Before my beats were in demand
Me and my girl split the buffet at KFC
I couldn't afford expensive meals
Dog, I was having nervous breakdowns
I experienced extreme anxiety
Like 'Man - these niggas that much better than me?'
I felt inferior to my peers
Baby, I'm going on an airplane
I'm pursuing my dreams
And I don't know if I'll be back again
I don't know if I'll return to my past life
Sure enough, I sent the plane tickets
I followed through with my plans
But when she came to kick it, things became different
But when my girl arrived, our relationship changed
Any girl I cheated on, sheets I skeeted on
I have a history of infidelity
Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long
I couldn't stay faithful, thought I needed a specific kind of woman
I'm trying to right my wrongs
I'm attempting to make amends
But it's funny them same wrongs helped me write this song
My mistakes inspired my music
Yes, yes, yes, guess who's on third?
Guess who's in a successful position now?
Lupe steal like Lupin the 3rd
Lupe Fiasco is a master of his craft
Here like ear 'til I'm beer on the curb
I'm here to stay until the very end
Peachfuzz buzz but beard on the verge
I have a youthful appearance but I'm getting older
Let's slow it down like we're on the syrup
Let's relax and take our time
Bottle shaped body like Mrs. Butterworth
My body type is curvy
But, before you say another word
Before you judge or criticize me
I'm back on the block like I'm laying on the street
I'm back in my hometown like I never left
I'm trying to stop 'lion' like I'm Mumm-Ra
I'm trying to stop the lies I see in the music industry
But I'm not lyin' when I'm laying on the beat
I'm telling the truth in my music
En garde, or touché, Lupe cool as the unthawed
I'm unbothered and confident
But I still feel possessed as a gun charge
I still feel weighed down by my past actions
Come as correct as a porn star
I come to succeed at my best
In a fresh pair steps in my best foreign car
In my best car with fresh shoes on
So, I represent the first
I'm a trailblazer
Now let me end my verse right where the horns are
Let me end my lyrics on a high note
We back at home, baby!
We're back where we belong
Sky high, I'm, I'm sky high!
I'm at the peak of my success
Yeah, feels good to be home, baby!
It feels great to be back in my hometown
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Actual Music, S.L.
Written by: Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, Curtis L Mayfield, Justin Gregory Smith, Kanye West, Kanye Omari West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@watts1841
The Nia Long and Tracee Ellis Ross scene is priceless!.....So is Lupe's verse!
@OptimusSlime404
yea Lupe was perfect on this joint
@PortogasDAce1
+Matrix Mike yeah he came correct as a porn star
@ritvikc5883
+Tom D I love that line cuz it's cum and correct like erect and lupes exit of his verse is just awesome and everything about this song and Kanye west is just awesome
@ariues
+Bobby Watts Bouché still hilarious after all these years. that's what the hood was thinking about Pam Anderson struggling to see why white people love her so much.
@equinoxx44
+Bobby Watts Bouché Lupe RIPPED this
guess Whose on third, Lupe Steal like Lupin the third! (Lupin the Third, anime about a master thief)
Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
I'm trying to stop lyin (Lion) Like Im Mum Ra (Thunder Cats reference)
@AJ-fl3pz
Lupe Fiasco’s verse is one of the most underrated rap verses. Touch the Sky is one of Kanye’s most underrated songs
@slendaman1634
TheWillog pls stfu don't disrespect Yeezy in his prime like that
@thusano2
ahh his verse is perfect, like god damn what a great introduction
@keananconnor4221
ash jum id call 20mill something to be proud of the more life’s he can bless with his work the better in my opinion