I was preparing to write about Kanye West, after I read this review of his latest album, Late Registration and downloaded it. Plus, I'd just seen him on Wild N Out and he impressed me with his humor and quick-thinking.
Really.
Late Registration was pretty kickin', though somewhat formulaic; and from the very few tracks I had heard from previous albums, I thought more intelligence in the lyrics would be on display. It was there, but ...
But that was before last week and Kanye West's comments at the Katrina benefit concert:
I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food. ... They've given them permission to go down and shoot us. ... George Bush doesn't care about black people ... We already realized a lot of the people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way, and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us."
(See also "A Flood of Words", Chicago Sun-Times and "The Show Didn't Benefit by Censors" LA Times)
He has reportedly said other things about our role in Iraq and for this article I looked them up, though was unaware of them before.
And even if I was, can't I like some music up in here?
So now there will be many people, who I don't think have it all together, who will judge me and affiliate me, and compare, me and align me because I like the music.
See, here's how it is. Take it or shove it.
If Kanye's music was all songs about President Bush being a racist or anything else negative toward the President; if all Kanye West sang about was his belief that we didn't belong in Iraq or that blacks are 365/24/7 victims of racism; then, like the Dennis Millers of the world, he would have overlapped his talent with politics and anyone could be forgiven for not liking what they hear.
Yet. ...
Yet, I know people are out there who think that because the Dixie Chicks or Tom Selleck or Tim Robbins or Sinead O' Connor or Salman Rushdie said something they completely disagree with, that they should 1) Never give them one red cent more of their money and 2) Never listen or watch their films or read their books again.
Article comments
1 - Warren
Temple,
One of my favorite satire sites did something about boycotting everything connected with something you opposed about a year ago (did that make any sense at all?). http://www.larknews.com/september_2004/secondary.php?page=5
2 - steve
Kanye West is a waste of space. He has no moral ethics..why would you use a disaster relief program to bash bush? that was unacceptible. do all black people share this sentiment? he should take a few speech classes before he opens his mouth. he wasted precious air time with his uhs, and uhms. or better yet, he should just stop talking altogether!
3 - Temple Stark
Are you any better Steve?
Just asking.
4 - Sound and Mind
Good review, I'm just amazed how everyone is easily brain washed. I wish some of these people would read a book instead of watching television. If these people would pick up a true history book it would make them pick up arms in anger of what goes on behind there backs, but alas no one has reading comprehension any longer.
5 - Buk
After hearing Kanye's comments stating that race is behind the slow response to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina I will no longer ever buy or support in any monetary way Kanye West or anything that is connected to him. It's sad that a talented musician like himself has to stoop so low to try to stir up controversy by bringing up the "race card".
6 - donnaspeaks63
Wow! Are we really trying to figure out whether racism exists or whether the US government, under Bush's leadership, has been slow to bail out African American citizens? Do we really not realize that our jobs are being shipped overseas and children of color throughout the nation are more likely than ever in the past 50 years to live in poverty?
What happened in New Orleans after the hurricane and the flood is symbolic of the neglect that has been visited upon poor urban minorities for over 30 years. First a request for aid which was slashed and deprioritized to tax cuts for amoral corporate and wealthy elites. Secondly, a blind eye towards obvious human suffering. Thirdly, an initial attempt to blame disaster victims for their own helpless plight. And finally, an attempt to spin, spin away from all social and moral responsibility.
Kanye was right. And truth to power is never untimely, never inconvenient, never inappropriate. If not then, when? And why not? Painful truth hurts but awareness is the first step in redemption.
We need to repriortize and re-focus our national agenda on caring for the least of us all, which is the measure of civilization, spiritually correct, and the best way to promote family values.
7 - Temple Stark
No donna - we're trying to figure out whether because I or you like an artist it's fair that many will think you or I share his or her views.
8 - dsfsdf
Hey, why not talk about Touch the Sky??? That song is fly!!!
9 - samb
Good review, agree that it's no college dropout but gotta disagree about we major, the song with nas. If you heard his last album, street disciple, especially the second disc you would see this song as somewhat of a natural extension from that.
And if you think the government cares about poor people, let alone poor black people, you're insane.
10 - MICHAEL MWENDWA
Kanye West is too true and open and its damn true that the Americans got no business with Iran.
11 - KelechiAyinde
The perpetual bubble of denial and/or ignorance that white people like bulk, and steve choose to live in is laughable. I for one, would prefer that people like you don't purchase or listen to hip-hop music.
In all reality, there are some people that are just too far gone, to allow their minds to expand enough to receive the truth.
As for this review by Temple, for the most part I can almost agree with you. But, some of your statements expose your limited background and knowledge of hip-hop. To trash "We Major" the way that you did, and not make any mention of the verse by Nas, is completely outrageous. If you were aware of the history between Nas and Rocafella, you would know that just having Nas on the album, in itself is remarkable. And a definite delight for all of the real fans of hip-hop.
12 - mjbern23
Late Registration is the best album of the year...Are you people out of your mind, especially the idiot who wrote this review??? For one, the album is the best hip hop album of all time(#2 was his first album College Dropout.) Second, it will win more awards than any other hip hop album of all time including more awards than any other album this year, particularly at the Grammy's, the only music award show that really counts. Might i remind you that he had 10 nominations and 3 wins with his first effort and this album makes College Dropout seem like a rough draft...Finally how can you diss a song like Hey Mama, which will be as big of a song as Jesus Walks was. No artist has ever done a more emotional record dedicated to his mother since Boyz 2 Men in the early 90's with Mama. The review was horrible and he needs to start listening to other material because he obviously has no idea about popular music. Just look around you and you will see how much Kanye is influencing everyone from white to black and young to old he truly is a revolutionist...remember that i told you this next statement and really think about what it means because in about 5 years it will be completely correct-"KANYE WEST IS DOING FOR HIP HOP WHAT TIGER WOODS DID FOR GOLF."
13 - Temple Stark
Grin.
I think you were the one, the phrase "get off mt dick" must have been invented for. What would you have said if I didn't like the CD?
"Hey Mama" is a good song - it's just not the most original theme.
Shaq's "Biological Didn't Bother" was one of the better "Father" songs blown away only by "Dance With My Father.
"We Major" - I recognized the background and that Nas was there, but I don't consider that "important" in the slightest. Especially to my l-i-s-t-e-n-i-n-g experience.
I have found myself going back to the album more and more, though. It will win something - probably best hip-hop song for "Gold Digger." But if it wins a boatload of Grammys, that's more an indictment of the rest of the competiton.
I bought College Dropout on the strength of another review here.
14 - Hook
West is a hypocrite! He's a raciest himself, you can call me a raciest or whatever you will, but you can't deny the fact that these blacks hollar discrimination over anything and thats a fact. Somebody please explain one thing to Why can blacks go on TV representing the Millions More Movement chanting black people come together! Its time we take a stand in this country, yea they said that, and in Toliedo Ohio black people started a riot because a dozen white supprimiest wanted to march. I was brought up not to be a raciest, and I dont consider myself to be, but I think white people need to except the fact that we dont owe blacks nothing and for West I wish you nothing but the worst!
15 - ab
Well first of all Late registration is an excellent album. And to the author "We Major" is flawless. If you don't understand that then it is not meant for you to listen to Hip Hop. Thanks for the attempt. To "hook", the previous commentator, black people can not be racist. As a matter of fact no non-whites can't be racist. Only whites can be racist. Blacks and people of color are DEFINATELY prejudiced, however!! Racism is a form of power. Black people have very little power. If black people were racist we would have mostly black people in power subjugating all people to a black way of life. Our flag would not look like the british flag, we would not speak english, we would not primarily learn European history and ideals in school, we would have thanksgiving (which is a holiday based on the rape of the native american way of life commited by "power" hungry europeans). If whites do not owe blacks anything (which is false).... they certainly owe native americans everything. Read a book my friend.
love ab
16 - esther
late registartion is a great album it is very entertaning to listen to and i enjoy every minute of it. especially the skits.
17 - DR
I was wondering how I could go about writing to Kanye West, whether it be through e-mail, fan club or letters. thank-you
18 - hjb3
to hook learn to spell BITCH
19 - Temple Stark
Yeah - BITCH is spelled hjb3 and starts with "your."
20 - Hook
Well, hjb3 please allow me to correct myself BITCH. Its just a word I rarley use, I do mispell on occasions, but really if your gonna name call I would perphar something like Whitehonky ok nigga!
21 - TaO
Hey, I' m writing from cape verde islands. Well sorry for any errors, english is not my 1rst language. Ok i wanna say that i like the way Kanye West is taking on his musics. I think that Late Registration is one of the greatest albums of 2005. Those who 'attack' him because of what he said about president Bush should take a few moments and think if he ain't right. Great album man
22 - 23lilly
i just wanted 2 say about the whole kanye west and balck ppl i think it was true to an extent ....and NAS IS SICK!!!!! its true the whole ja-rule and nas thing was BIG and to have him on that track was amazin anyway and kanye's music is a disgrace for the most part (key words)