Ye, born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, is an American rapper, singer, s… Read Full Bio ↴Ye, born Kanye Omari West on June 8, 1977, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He is one of the most prominent figures in hip hop, known for his diverse musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), received critical acclaim and produced the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Slow Jamz." He topped the chart four other times with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T." (2011, as a featured artist), and "Carnival" (2024).

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 ↴

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

Back when they thought pink Polos would hurt the Roc

Before Cam got the shit to pop
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

Overall Meaning

In "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West, the rapper is reflecting on his rise to fame and how far he has come. He starts off by saying that he has to testify that he will touch the sky before he dies. He is determined to succeed and leave his mark in the rap industry. Kanye talks about the struggles he faced when he was starting, like when people thought he couldn't make it up in the rap game, and how he felt like a member of Bad Boy's street team. Kanye then reveals that he and his mother moved to another city in a U-Haul van, and how he stood on line for an hour at a club just because he wanted to dance. He wanted to stand out and shine, and he feels like he has finally made it.

Throughout the song, Kanye mentions various people who influenced him, such as Slick Rick and Jay-Z. He talks about how he used to experience nervous breakdowns because he felt like other rappers were much better than he was. He also mentions how he cheated on girls and how he is now trying to right his wrongs. Towards the end of the song, Lupe Fiasco joins in, adding his own verse, and the two rappers end the song feeling content and elated with where they are in their careers.

Overall, "Touch the Sky" is a song about resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity in order to achieve one's dreams. It's a song that reminds listeners that, no matter how tough things may seem, it's possible to rise to the top and touch the sky.

Line by Line Meaning

I gotta testify
I must speak/witness to my success and accomplishments

Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
I enter the room in a way that demands respect and attention

'Fore the day I die, I'ma touch the sky
Before the end of my life, I will achieve greatness

Gotta testify
I have to speak/witness to my success and accomplishments

Back when they thought pink Polos would hurt the Roc
Back when people didn't believe in me and my style would not benefit the Roc-A-Fella Records company's success

Before Cam got the shit to pop
Before Cam'ron gained popularity

The doors was closed, I felt like Bad Boy's street team
I faced rejection many times and felt like I was part of a failing team, similar to Bad Boy Records' acts before their success

I couldn't work the locks
I couldn't enter the industry and achieve success

Now let's go, take 'em back to the plan
Let's revisit what we initially planned to do

Me and my mama hopped in that U-Haul van
My mother and I got in a U-Haul van and left our old life behind

Any pessimists, I ain't talk to them
I did not entertain any negative people or thoughts

Plus I ain't have no phone in my apart-a-ment
I did not even have a phone in my apartment because I was financially struggling

Let's take 'em back to the club
Let's revisit my early days when I only wanted to have fun and dance at the club

Least about an hour I stand on line
I spent a lot of time waiting in line to enter the club

I just wanted to dance, I went to Jacob an hour
I only wanted to dance, but I ended up spending a lot of money on jewelry, probably from Jacob & Co.

After I got my advance, I just wanted to shine
After I received my financial advance, I wanted to show off my success and wealth

Jay favorite line, "Dawg, in due time"
Jay-Z's favorite phrase was "it'll happen when the time is right."

Now he look at me, like, "Damn, dawg! You where I am"
Now Jay-Z is impressed with my success and looks up to me

A hip-hop legend
I achieved legendary status in the hip-hop industry

I think I died in that accident, 'cause this must be heaven
My success is so great that it feels like heaven, and I must have died to get here.

Now let's take 'em high (top of the world, baby)
Let's bring the listeners to the highest level of success and happiness

(Top, top of the world)
The highest point of success and achievement

Back when Gucci was the shit to rock
When Gucci was trendy and fashionable to wear

Back when Slick Rick got the shit to pop
When Slick Rick was gaining popularity and influence in the hip-hop industry

I'd do anything to say I got it
I was willing to do anything to show off my wealth and success

Damn, them new loafers hurt my pocket
My new shoes hurt my bank account (were expensive)

Before anybody wanted K. West beats
Before other artists wanted to work with me to produce beats for them

Me and my girl split the buffet at KFC
My girlfriend and I had to share one inexpensive meal at KFC

Dog, I was having nervous breakdowns
I was having severe anxiety and panic attacks

Like "Man, these niggas that much better than me?"
I questioned my talent and ability compared to other hip-hop artists

Baby, I'm going on an airplane
I told my girlfriend I would be traveling for work

And I don't know if I'll be back again
I'm not sure if I will ever see her again

Sure enough, I sent the plane tickets
I followed through and sent the tickets to her

But when she came to kick it, things became different
When she arrived things were not as good as I had promised or hoped they would be

Any girl I cheated on, sheets I skeeted on
I was unfaithful to my partners and would leave evidence of infidelity

Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long
I could not remain faithful in relationships and thought I needed someone as beautiful as Nia Long to be happy

I'm tryna right my wrongs
I'm trying to correct my past mistakes and be a better person

But it's funny them same wrongs helped me write this song, now
My past mistakes and struggles inspired me to create this successful song

Yes, yes, yes, guess who's on third?
I am now in a high position in the hip-hop industry

Lupe steal like Lupin the 3rd
Lupe Fiasco steals the show with his talent, similar to the anime/manga character Arsène Lupin III

Here like ear 'til I'm beer on the curb
I am clued in and listening, like an ear, until I am relaxing (drunk) on the sidewalk

Peachfuzz buzz but beard on the verge
My facial hair gives the appearance of being older, but my youthfulness suggests otherwise

Let's slow it down like we're on the syrup
Let's relax and take it slowly, like we are intoxicated on cough syrup

Bottle shaped body like Mrs. Butterworth
My body has a shape similar to a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth

But, before you say another word
Before you judge me or criticize me further

I'm back on the block like I'm laying on the street
I have returned to where I started, and I am willing to fight for success like I am fighting on the street

I'm tryna stop lyin' like I'm Mumm-Ra
I'm trying to stop lying like the cartoon villain Mumm-Ra who used deception to trick others

But I'm not lyin' when I'm laying on the beat
I am honest and true when I am rapping on a beat

En garde, or touche, Lupe cool as the unthawed
I am ready for a verbal fight, but Lupe Fiasco is as calm and cool as frozen items

But I still feel possessed as a gun charge
I still feel trapped by my problems, like someone who has been charged with a gun crime

Come as correct as a porn star
I come to rap as well-prepared and skillful as a professional pornographic actor

In a fresh pair steps in my best foreign car
I arrive in a new pair of shoes, stepping out of my high-end foreign car

So, I represent the first
I represent a new and innovative generation in hip-hop

Now let me end my verse right where the horns are like, uh
Let me finish my contribution to this song with a strong and powerful statement, where the horns are loudest

We back at home, baby
We have returned to our roots, where we began

Uh, sky high (yeah)
I have achieved great success and am on top of the world

I'm, I'm sky high
I have reached the highest level of success

Yeah, keep it rollin'
Let's keep this momentum and success rolling

Feels good to be home, baby
It feels great to be back where I started.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, Curtis L Mayfield, Justin Gregory Smith, Kanye West, Kanye Omari West

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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