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.
We Can't Tell
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every...everywhere I go I'm a star, damn Kanye is that yo car?
Niggas rappin the gold but we can't tell
You claim you got hoes but we can't tell
You claim you gettin dough dawg we can't tell
You bought one pair of ones at a two-for-one sale
So I dropped my own "Get Well Soon" from mixtape
The drug game bolemic it's hard to get weight
So niggas' money is homo it's hard to get straight
I'm trynna do numbers like Pac did
But it ain't Shakur this the brand new Roc kid
Niggas wanna get me like they got BIG
Cause I moved up out the city and got big
And that's the poison that runs through their veins and attack their soul and just start to tear em up
Niggas talk so muh shit about me in barbershops they forget to get their hair cut
Ok fair enough, the streets is flarin up
Cause they want gun talk and I don't go there enough
But don't get it fucked up you can still get your head bust
I'm makin wy too much dough to be playin
And this is a classic in the making, history repeats itself
He do the rhymes and the beats himself
The only child syndrome make hits on hs own
And I'mma look in the mirror if I need some help
Ya'll bout to blow man we can't tell
You claim you got hoes man we can't tell
You claim you gettin dough nigga we can't tell
You bought one pair of ones at a two-for-one sale
I'm gettin eyes by the case like Dirty
I made it to the Power 30 a whole hour early
I'mma pull out the shank and bang ya
I'mma cut a nigga up like LL trainer
This is the future of the Chi
This is the legacy of Twist, flickin Do or Die
So first of all who am I? (Who am I?)
My...my...my name is Kanye and that Cambridge
At home like Cambridge, look at what I came with?
No, none of that same shit that new and improved
And I don't know if me or how yellow my Roc-A-Fella chain is
But I'm so La smooth I ain't got nothin to prove
You niggas bout blow dawg we can't tell
You claim you got hoes dawg we can't tell
You claim you gettin dough nigga we can't tell
You bought one pair of ones at a two-for-one sale
Everywhere I go I'm a star, damn Kanye is that yo car?
Every...everywhere I go I'm a star, damn Kanye is that yo car?
In Kanye West's song "We Can't Tell," he begins by stating, "Everywhere I go I'm a star, damn Kanye is that yo car?" He's boasting about his fame and success, hinting at the materialistic symbols of a luxurious car that often go hand-in-hand with stardom. However, while Kanye is a true star, he acknowledges that not all rappers are the same. He says that some rappers brag about having gold or "getting dough" but it's hard to tell whether or not they're actually telling the truth. Kanye knows that some of these rappers might just be mediocre, and they're not nearly as successful as they claim to be. He also takes a jab at others who claim to have many women in their lives but he knows deep down they're probably not being truthful.
The idea behind his song is that many rappers rap about the same few themes – money, fame, and women. However, not all rappers are truly talented, so they have to rely on the same old themes to make themselves appear bigger than they are. Kanye doesn't fit into this category; instead, he's trying to create a brand-new sound that's fresh and original. He even hints at his own genius by comparing himself to Tupac, saying that he's trying to "do numbers like Pac did." He also comments on how people are always trying to bring him down and attack him, which he attributes to "the poison that runs through their veins."
In short, "We Can't Tell" is a song about authenticity in the rap industry. Kanye understands that not all rappers are as successful or as talented as they claim to be. He's trying to create something new and original, while also handling the stress that comes with fame and fortune. He's not afraid to call out others who are not being honest, and he's proud of his own success and talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Everywhere I go I'm a star, damn Kanye is that yo car?
No matter where I go, I am recognized and praised for my success. People often ask if the luxurious car I own is mine.
Niggas rappin the gold but we can't tell
Others claim to have riches, but it is not clear whether they are actually wealthy or just pretending to be.
You claim you got hoes but we can't tell
People boast about having multiple sexual partners, but it is not obvious whether or not they actually have such relations.
You claim you gettin dough dawg we can't tell
Individuals proclaim to be making a lot of money, but it is unclear if they are truly making a substantial income.
You bought one pair of ones at a two-for-one sale
Others flaunt their collection of expensive shoes, but it is apparent that they may have only taken advantage of a sale to purchase them.
Politics catch me at the end of the mixtape
Political issues and commentary are mentioned at the conclusion of my musical compilation.
So I dropped my own 'Get Well Soon' from mixtape
I create my own musical productions and release them to the public, such as my project 'Get Well Soon.'
The drug game bolemic it's hard to get weight
The illicit trade of narcotics is difficult to thrive in and attain a substantial profit.
So niggas' money is homo it's hard to get straight
Criminal enterprises often involve homosexual relations and it is a challenge to make a legitimate, straight living.
I'm trynna do numbers like Pac did
I aspire to achieve the level of success the late Tupac Shakur had in his music career.
But it ain't Shakur this the brand new Roc kid
Even though I am not Tupac, I am still talented and have created my own unique style and brand with Roc-a-Fella records.
Niggas wanna get me like they got BIG
People attempt to bring me down and negatively affect my success, much like the way notorious rapper The Notorious B.I.G. was killed.
Cause I moved up out the city and got big
The reason people target me is because I achieved significant success and moved away from my hometown.
And that's the poison that runs through their veins and attack their soul and just start to tear em up
Jealousy fuels their hatred towards me and it slowly eats away at them, causing their internal destruction.
Niggas talk so muh shit about me in barbershops they forget to get their hair cut
People gossip a lot about me in barbershops that they forget the actual reason they went there – to get their hair cut.
Ok fair enough, the streets is flarin up
I acknowledge that there is controversy surrounding me and things have escalated in the streets because of it.
Cause they want gun talk and I don't go there enough
People are seeking violent communication, but I do not engage in it as frequently as they would like.
But don't get it fucked up you can still get your head bust
Despite my unwillingness to be violent, I am capable of defending myself and harming others if necessary.
I'm makin wy too much dough to be playin
I am earning far too much money to engage in frivolous activities and be distracted from my success.
And this is a classic in the making, history repeats itself
The music I am currently producing is likely to be considered a classic in the future, as my talents are comparable to those of musical legends of the past.
He do the rhymes and the beats himself
My musical ability encompasses all aspects of the process, from creating the lyrics to the instrumentals.
The only child syndrome make hits on hs own
My ability as an only child to create successful music by myself is remarkable and a key factor in my accomplishments.
And I'mma look in the mirror if I need some help
If I require assistance or support, I turn to myself and my own reflection for guidance and motivation.
Ya'll bout to blow man we can't tell
Others are on the brink of achieving success, but it is indiscernible whether or not they will be able to follow through and become successful.
This is the future of the Chi
The music I am producing is representative of the future of Chicago, a city known for its rich musical history and talent.
This is the legacy of Twist, flickin Do or Die
Fellow Chicago-based musicians such as Twist and Do or Die were the predecessors that paved the way for my own music and influence.
So first of all who am I? (Who am I?)
At the core of my success and musical productions, I remain true to myself and grounded in my own identity, asking the question 'who am I?' as a form of reflection and self-awareness.
My...my...my name is Kanye and that Cambridge
The very essence of my identity is connected to both my name and educational background, including my time at the prestigious Cambridge University.
At home like Cambridge, look at what I came with?
I am able to create and produce music that is equivalent in quality and success to my time at Cambridge University, showcasing my artistic talents and potential.
No, none of that same shit that new and improved
I continue to produce and create music that is unique and innovative, shying away from unoriginal concepts and exemplifying my visionary talents.
And I don't know if me or how yellow my Roc-A-Fella chain is
My success and talent as a musician is not directly correlated to the color or value of my Roc-A-Fella chain.
But I'm so La smooth I ain't got nothin to prove
I am confident and comfortable enough in my own abilities and talent that I have nothing left to prove to anyone else, demonstrating my self-assuredness and assurance in my own identity and talent.
Contributed by Callie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tony Anello
die hard kanye fan since 2007...never heard this until 2020. it's crazy how many of these early 2000s tracks contain lyrics from his later work
247DomAngelo
Lol this is lowkey one his most important mixtape tracks. It has lyrics that ended up on seven different tracks on College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation.
kungfubrandon
What songs?
kungfubrandon
Banxyeah but I was looking for seven
kungfubrandon
@Kazamere ok
kungfubrandon
@Kazamere oh its your pfp, caught the halle berry line which he used in new workout plan
Mellow
the beat is dope but his flow is untouchable :)
Charles Z P
Such a good song. 😎
walshamoldboy
he uses alot of older lyrics in his newer songs
Black GOD
That line about the barbershop is off of "everything i am" but this song was out before Graduation was even thought of!