Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty
… and Kanye damn sure needs hip hop, too.
So I’m sure that a lot of you clicked on the title of this article with cringed fingers and pursed lips, ready to jump down the neck of the author of such a preposterous topic. How could anyone suggest that the MAGA hat wearing, click-bait queen marrying Kanye West is a necessity in our genre?
Before you kill me – let me plead my case.
For starters, I’m in no way supporting the apparent newfound political views that Ye has been pandering. For the sake of this argument I’d like to separate the art from the artist, and take a comprehensive look at the totality of Kanye’s contributions to the most influential music in human history.
His catalog is historic. Seriously.
If you’re a music lover – especially a hip hop music lover – then you know Ye’s discography is sick. However, it isn’t just Kanye’s studio albums that make him a genius. Jay Z’s The Blueprint – which many consider to be one of the most iconic hip hop albums of all time – has Yeezus fingerprints all over it.
Not to mention the countless songs he’s produced for people not named Jigga. You can see 25 of the best Kanye beats here, but for those who don’t feel like clicking through I’ll remind you that Lil Wayne’s ‘Let the Beat Build’, DMX’s ‘Dogs Out’ and Alicia Keys’ ‘You Don’t Know My Name’ were all produced by the beat-creating-monster Kanye West. It’s funny how much you learn when you actually read the credits, isn’t it?
21 GRAMMY’s. 69 Nominations.
We all know that men lie, women lie, and numbers don’t. To date Kanye West is one of the most decorated award winning musicians in the world. Not just in the realm of hip hop.
21 GRAMMY victories and 69 nominations have cemented his legacy, and with faux-big brother Jay-Z still going strong approaching the age of 50, it’s fathomable to see Mr West as a staple in the industry for the next 10, or even 20 years.
He also has 18 BET Awards, 13 BMI Urban Music Awards and even an (duh-duh-duh-duhhhhhhh) NAACP Image Award (though I don’t expect him to receive any more of those any time soon).
You can see a full list of all of his accolades by clicking here.
The man made ‘Jesus Walks’
When you think about all of the people who’ve tried to blend hip hop and religion, how many of them have been successful in making music that captured the ear of the masses?
No, I’m seriously asking because I have no idea.
Anyway, whichever names you come up with – I can personally guarantee – none have ever made a song to have even a tenth of the sales or influence that Ye did with this 2004 classic.
I know there are more than just a few church goers in attendance today, and I’m sure there are some passages about acceptance and forgiveness somewhere in the grand book. We can hash out those details some other time.
Listen, at the end of the day, music is subjective – but there are generational artists that come through every-so-often that make us pause.
I guess, at the end of the day – we don’t have to like their person to appreciate their art.
Unless you talking about R. Kelly. That’s just nasty.
Find me on Twitter @ MattyWillz_23
Hate it or Love it, Hip Hop Needs Kanye West was originally published on zhiphopcleveland.com
