"I realize that my place and position in history is that I will go down as the voice of this generation, of this decade, I will be the loudest voice."
“Only white people and older black people say ‘bling’ now. If a white person uses slang too early then that makes them look like a wigger-but if black people use slang too late, then it makes them look like a wigger.”
“That’s why I rap in the first place, so my voice can be heard.”
“My biggest inspiration and biggest competition is Justin Timberlake. He’s the only other person that gets an across-the-board response and respect level…black radio, white radio. I look at me and Justin like Prince and Michael Jackson in their day.”
“I feel like my lyrics are, if not THE, then equal to, the realest lyrics out. I connected with so many people without talkin’ about guns and drugs…It’s harder to go to work 365 days than shoot a person in one day.”
I’d rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I’m not.”
“Everything about me is pop and luxury.”
Kanye West has revolutionized the hip-hop industry by setting the urban music bar high in the sky! He has certainly proven that what doesn't kill him only makes him stronger.
At the 50th Annual Grammy awards, the hit maker took home awards for Best Solo Performance (“Stronger”) and Best Rap Album (for Graduation).
The Urban Beat-buster humbly added his newest additions to the other six Grammy’s he already secured under his belt from his previous records (College Dropout in 2004 and Late Registration in 2005).
Before he jumped into his performing career, West stormed onto the music scene as a sought after producer popping out popular hip hop and R&B singles for acclaimed artists including Common, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and John Legend.
On a sad note, his beloved Mother (and manager) Donda, died suddenly a post operative complications acquired from a routine cosmetic procedure in 2007. He paid tribute to her in a heartfelt performance of “Stronger," and "Hey Mama" at the Grammy’s. He has also dedicated a cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to her memory on his Glow in the Dark Tour.
After all, as Kanye once said, hip-hop has always been about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers…”
Jay-Zand Kanye worked together on various projects before the “Gold Digger” rapper struck it rich as a solo artist.
Jay-Z once described his friend’s often-shocking behavior as “overcompensation.” These days Hova sings a different tune, “He [Kanye] doesn’t have to fight for that respect. He believes he has his just due. It’s growth.”
Kanye pays tribute to Jay-Z in his song "Big Brother", stating:
"[He's] a idol in my eyes, god of the game, heart of the city, Roc-a-fella Chain,
Never be the same, never be another number one Young Hov' or so my big brother."
“Common pushes me and I push him,” Kanye has said of his longtime friend. “I just have a lot of fun gettin’ in the studio with him and making music.”
John Legend and his buddy Kanye worked together on Legend’s 2004 Grammy-winning album, Get Lifted.
Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash was responsible for signing Kanye to the label, recognizing his talent as a producer and an MC.
Dash was eventually ousted from the label, a subject Kanye addresses in "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" from Late Registration.
Comedian and actor Zach Galifiananakis, who starred in Kanye’s alternate video for “Cant Tell Me Nothing, “says that Kanye “…likes branching out and doing these odd things with his music.”
Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, who lent vocals to Kanye’s “Gold Digger,” declared that The College Dropout restored his faith in hip-hop.
Takashi Murakami designed Kanye’s Graduation album cover. “His pursuit of uncompromised detail made me feel at times like there was another me besides myself,” the Japanese pop artist has said.
Love Lockdown
Stronger
Kanye and mom photo gallery
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Comedian and actor Zach Galifiananakis, who starred in Kanye’s alternate video for “Cant Tell Me Nothing, “says that Kanye “…likes branching out and doing these odd things with his music.”
© 2009
