The Miseducation Of Kanye West: How Fame Is Sabotaging Yeezy

There’s a lot to be learned from a Kanye West interview, but whatever message he intends on spreading usually gets caught up in random outbursts, and gratuitous mentions of his influence on the world.

And now it’s time to address the elephant in the room, class is in session, Mr. West.

To be clear, West has been his own biggest fan since the day he was born, but something else has him on edge these days. Fame is the monster eating away at ‘Ye, the Chicago rapper/producer/designer’s biggest adversary and not-so-secret addiction. This doesn’t demote Yeezy’s self-proclaimed genius by any means; the man has become everything he said he would be as a solo artist. West has sold over 20 million physical albums, more than 60 million digital downloads, and has countless well-deserved accolades for his music. He is therefore entitled to carry himself with a certain air of confidence. But as the Bible verse goes, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

West’s inner turmoil is nothing more than the pain of being an artist, the battle between fighting for a voice, and then quieting said voice just to be heard. This struggle is nothing new. Had West studied his apparent new idol, Tupac Shakur’s, lyrics on the track “Fame,”  he may have been more prepared for the bad side that comes with public adoration.

“The one thing we all adore/Something worth dying for, it’s been nothing but pain/Stuck in this game/Searching for fortune and fame” -Tupac Shakur

An easy person to blame for his behavior is Kim Kardashian, and her own undeniable thirst for fame. Yes, Kardashian got put on for taking her clothes off, then changed her public persona to end up right back where she started with an amateur sex show; only this time in West’s “Bound 2” video rather than a hotel room with Ray J. Her love for self-objectification shouldn’t be an issue or a means of judgement, though. She and West appear happy together, and to be honest his issues really have nothing to do with her. They were there before the two even met.

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Photos: Instagram/Fader

West’s main fix isn’t the mother of his child, fashion, design, or even music, it is validation. The concept of “I see you and therefore you matter.” And like a true addict, when he doesn’t get the hit he’s looking for, he spazzes out. To go a step deeper, his inability to translate notoriety into an investment deal (presumably to make his clothing appealing to the public) is what’s eating away at the confidence he claims to hold. Typically, a person who believes in themselves more than anyone else isn’t looking for help to make their dreams come true, yet somewhere down the line, West decided that he can’t make it without money from the very people he slams in nightly rants. Ironically, he never points to the fact that his precious fan base didn’t support his fashion venture, which likely turned big brands away from jumping on board.

It’s not personal, it’s just business.

What’s worse is Hip-Hop’s tendency to overlook certain behaviors within its own culture yet protest “outsiders” for making the same moves. West belongs to Hip-Hop in many ways and has had free reign to embarrass himself, and the culture on a daily basis. All while we–his alleged colleagues, fans, and friends–sit and watch, soaking up soundbites, claiming to agree but not really understanding why, and remaining too scared or upset to question him or speak the truth. This action isn’t love or adoration, it’s the exact opposite.

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West has been sitting down for various three-person roundtable-style interviews where radio personalities generally nod and agree with his every word. This is a comfortable space for him. A climate he can control, because in his world the only opinion that matters is the one in his own mind. Thankfully, Sway Calloway stepped up to the plate out of love for his longtime friend. Just as many of us would with a loved one spiraling out of control, Calloway stopped West dead in his tracks during their interview yesterday (Nov. 26), and the Chicago MC (hopefully) realized that his method of delivery could use a little work. This doesn’t mean he has to censor himself or remain a “slave,” as he mentioned in various interviews this month (and on “New Slaves,” of course), but it’s definitely time for some self-reflection.

In 2005, when West was virtually new as a solo artist, boasts about his own greatness were refreshing and unlike any other rappers at the time. A Black man, hailing from Chicago who dropped out of college to follow his dreams, rather than the street life deserves an applause just for having the guts to deviate from a lifestyle that has become the norm in many communities. The easy way out, so to speak. His extreme passion and talent for producing art both straightforward and objective is a skill, and his commitment to his craft is honorable. It’s everything in between that has him teetering on the edge of self-destruction., such as his inability to deal with people not accepting him, which is the antithesis of a visionary. A visionary is committed to the mission rather than the recognition, instead of sitting and waiting on their moment. A true visionary is going to make it happen by any means necessary.

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I’ve had a few run-ins with West over the years, typically in large settings with people looking to merely breathe his air, and take a picture. People usually approach him with a flood of compliments so he’ll let his guard down, and once he does he can be very intriguing. He has a good heart, he genuinely cares about helping others, he’s loyal. I’ve spoken with him, and watched him from afar, his mannerisms, his shyness, his awkwardness …all things that make him human and not unlike the rest of us. His thoughts and insecurities are no different from his colleagues, he’s just brave enough to speak on them, and perhaps that’s why his words are received by some as a gospel of some sort. He’s become a messiah of Pop culture, but also a sad example of how far fame and the need for love and acceptance can drive a person crazy.

It’s easy to judge and slam West, write him off as an angry guy throwing temper tantrums, which isn’t my goal here. Is Yeezy talented? Without a doubt. Musically ahead of his time? Definitely. Most artists in his position (past and present) fall into the same category and end up succumbing to the one thing they can’t face: real life.

Here’s hoping the fame high doesn’t drive him too much further from reality.