Yeezus the Revolutionary

Hip hop artists critique popular culture through their must, but artists also critique stereotypes of the African American community through their behavior. Artists tend to band together in what at first glance could be considered a gang. In some ways, this action alone defies a common systematic stereotype. It is believed that the black community is still impoverished because members do not form helping relationships among each other like those of the white and Asian communities do. I would argue that in forming conglomerates like Death Row Records, Murder Inc., Shady/Aftermath, Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music and Young Money that hip hop artists are mirroring themselves after what they view predominately white conglomerates to appear as. Instead of struggling alone, the choice is made to market themselves as a package to gain support. 

Kanye West has always been controversial. One of his first releases was a hip hop song titled “Jesus Walks” where he proclaimed his religious faith. During the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, West claimed that President Bush did not care about black people due to the delayed national response time. Interrupting VMA winner Taylor Swift during her acceptance by assuring that Beyoncé had the best video made him appear even stranger. Between paparazzi confrontations, illuminati membership rumors, and the adaptation of the moniker “Yeezy,” (short for "Yeezus" a play on the name of Christianity’s martyr and on Jay-Z's "HOVA"), Ye can come off as abrasively ignorant, but I believe that he actually has intellectual ideas to express.

In the face of critics of his newest project, "Yeezus,” West recently made an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” a syndicated hip hop talk show on New York’s Power 105.1 fm. Although “Kanye Kardashian” is a controversial individual, when given the chance to speak outside of his music, he raises important points about African Americans and hip hop culture. Kanye's central argument in the Breakfast Club interview is that in order to be free from label and material slavery, African Americans need to be billionaires so that they own companies. He states that "when you have money, can't nobody fire you." One interviewer known as Charlemagne tha God, openly called West a "walking contradiction" because on one hand the artist openly loathes corporations, yet he understands that he needs their support to be successful/popular. Of course Kanye has money to power a few of his artistic pursuits, but West expresses that it is not about the money; it is about the relationships that billionaires have with one another. They are speaking an exclusive language.

He supports these views with a few anecdotes. A few years ago, West designed and released "Air Yeezys" through Nike. It was said that the company refused to give him royalties for the shoe that he designed and are also unsure as to when the next shoe is to be released despite societal demand. When asked about a $120 shirt that he designed for the A.P.C. fashion line, West says that he did not determine the merchandise's price. It is that lack of control that Ye feels suppressed by society. He believes that his name and his accomplishments have earned enough merit to make those types of executive decisions. Why is it that he cannot? What institutions are put in place to stop even the most affluent people of color? Is he simply playing up his rebellious image, or is he actually facing some form of adversity because he is black?

As an aside, Kanye West claims that hip hop artist do not make much money from radio spins and album sells, despite popularity. West views himself as popular as British royalty, yet claims that he and Kim do not have royal money. Why do he believe this? In America, is popularity favored over funds?