When Kanye West burst onto the music scene, he was a breath of fresh air. His style of rap combined witty lyricism and a unique blend of samples that set him apart from his contemporaries.
He went on to become one of the biggest music icons of our time, with record sales and awards to his name. But Kanye’s story is one of many ups and downs.
In recent years, he has made headlines for strange behavior and outlandish statements that turned off many fans—and even industry professionals. In this article, we’ll take a look at the rise and fall of Kanye West, and how an icon lost his way.
Who Is Kanye West?
Kanye West, now Ye, is a rapper, producer, and fashion designer originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He is one of the most successful and influential hip-hop artists of all time.
He is also known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial opinions, which have often landed him in the headlines. West has also been involved in a number of high-profile controversies, including very public feuds with celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Drake.
With the latter, however, the artist’s relationship is far more complicated – Kanye even featured him in multiple of his songs such as “Forever”, which fans of poker hands on Bodog might have noticed had a quick nod to online poker at the start.
Back in 2021 they seemingly reconciled, with them posting photos of each other to their respective Instagram stories. However, Drake released a track in November 2022 with an alleged dig at Kanye, hinting that their feud might not be quite over.
Unfortunately, Kanye’s personal life has also been tumultuous. Kanye West’s relationship with Kim Kardashian is one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships. The two have been married since 2014, and have four kids together.
In 2016, West had a highly publicized breakdown, during which he was hospitalized for mental health issues caused by exhaustion. He canceled his tour and made a number of controversial comments, and rumors about a divorce started flying.
However, it was only in 2021 that Kim Kardashian actually filed for divorce from Kanye West. While no reason was provided, many have speculated that she was simply tired of putting up with his antics. Their divorce was eventually finalized in November 2022 stating irreconcilable differences.
The Rise of Kanye West’s Career
Kanye West’s career began in the early 2000s when he released his debut album, The College Dropout. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established West as one of the most talented new rappers on the scene.
He followed up with the equally successful Late Registration in 2005 and then delivered his masterpiece, Graduation, in 2007. With each successive album, West pushed the boundaries of what rap could be, both sonically and lyrically.
He also became increasingly outspoken on social and political issues. His outspokenness sometimes got him into trouble, but it also endeared him to many fans who appreciated his willingness to speak his mind.
Although his career outside of music is often overlooked, West has had great success as a fashion designer, and entrepreneur. He first made a name for himself in the fashion world with his luxury clothing line, Yeezy. Yeezy has been hugely successful, with many celebs and everyday people sporting the brand.
In addition to his fashion endeavors, West has also found success as a producer and entrepreneur. He produced hits for Jay-Z, Nas, and Justin Bieber, among others. He also founded the record label GOOD Music, which has previously signed artists like John Legend and Kid Cudi.
Kanye’s Fall From Grace
From his early days as a producer and rapper to his more recent forays into fashion and politics, West has always managed to stay in the spotlight. But recently, his public persona has taken a major nosedive, leaving many fans wondering what happened to the talented rapper.
In 2016, Kanye stirred up even more controversy than usual when he declared during a concert that he would have voted for Donald Trump. This statement angered many of his fans, as they felt that it betrayed their own beliefs and this statement only served to further alienate him from the public.
And in even more recent years, it seems as though West has been losing touch with reality, and his behavior has become increasingly erratic. This culminated in a now-infamous interview with TMZ where he suggested that slavery was a choice.
As of late 2022, Ye made a series of antisemitic statements, including praising Hitler, denying the Holocaust, and identifying as a Nazi. Needless to say, these comments have not gone over well with the majority of people.
In fact, they’ve caused quite a stir with many industry professionals speaking out against Kanye, and some even vowing to never work with him again. This has also resulted in the termination of his collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships with brands such as Balenciaga and Adidas.
All of this has had a major impact on Kanye’s career. And given the widespread negative reaction to his recent behavior, it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to repair the damage anytime soon.
These controversies have led many to wonder if West is simply unhinged, or if there’s more to his story. Once revered as one of the most talented and innovative artists in the music industry, West has now become a pariah. It’s a fall from grace that is both sad and fascinating to behold.
Conclusion
Kanye West’s tale serves as an important reminder that success does not make one immune to life’s pitfalls. Whatever the cause of his decline, his fall from grace has been sad to witness for those who have followed his career from the beginning.
While his music still stands as a testament to both his genius and impact on the hip-hop industry, it remains to be seen whether he will ever regain what was once held in such high regard by so many fans around the world.
Hulda Hicks was born in Brooklyn, NY in the late ’70s, at the time when Hip-Hop music was just emerging as an art form. Her entire life was influenced by the culture, having grown up in the epicenter of the creative movement.
As a trained musician and vocalist, Hulda got exposed to the industry in her twenties and has worked on projects with iconic figures such as the Chiffons, the Last Poets, and Montell Jordan, to name a few. Her passion for music extended past the stage on to the page when she began to write ad copy and articles as a freelancer for several underground publications.
A written review from “Jubilee Huldafire” is as authentic as it gets, hailing from one creative mind that has a unique voice, on paper and in person.
