He was never a great lyricist (“I keep it 300, like the Romans”) but he had a way of getting the right people together and just making it all work. There was always the narcissism (“I am a god”) and some unhinged stuff, but he was honest to god a once in a lifetime talent.
Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Yeezus - these are all absolutely spectacular albums.
I don’t like the word, but it is different when a black person uses it.
My mama was raised in the era when
Clean water was only served to the fairer skin
Doin’ clothes, you woulda thought I had help
But they wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself
You see it’s broke nigga racism
That’s that “Don’t touch anything in the store”
And it’s rich nigga racism
That’s that “Come in, please buy more”
He’s pointing out that even though he’s wealthy, he still experiences racism. He’s alluding to the history of Jim Crow, while also discussing the fact that it really hasn’t gone away. Like that last verse - he can afford to join the country club now, but will he ever really be welcome?
The first high school I worked at was about 90% Black. The word has a very different meaning in that kind of space. It made me deeply uncomfortable, but I listened to a lot of really interesting conversations between students about the word - because it was basically in every other sentence. Hell, my first day of school I said hi to a student and their response was “this n—— gay!” (I’m white, mostly.)
I think New Slaves is genius. Same with Runaway and All of the Lights.
He was never a great lyricist (“I keep it 300, like the Romans”) but he had a way of getting the right people together and just making it all work. There was always the narcissism (“I am a god”) and some unhinged stuff, but he was honest to god a once in a lifetime talent.
Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Yeezus - these are all absolutely spectacular albums.
Thanks! I’ll do my best to check those recs out while separating the man from the art.
ETA: Yikes. From New Slaves:
So much for that line 🥲
I don’t like the word, but it is different when a black person uses it.
He’s pointing out that even though he’s wealthy, he still experiences racism. He’s alluding to the history of Jim Crow, while also discussing the fact that it really hasn’t gone away. Like that last verse - he can afford to join the country club now, but will he ever really be welcome?
The first high school I worked at was about 90% Black. The word has a very different meaning in that kind of space. It made me deeply uncomfortable, but I listened to a lot of really interesting conversations between students about the word - because it was basically in every other sentence. Hell, my first day of school I said hi to a student and their response was “this n—— gay!” (I’m white, mostly.)
I’m not criticizing his use of the word, I’m criticizing the fact he said he can’t be controlled by corporations, and now look at him.
I censored it cause it’s not my place to say or write it, even if repeating what someone else said.