Friday Refresher: My Conversation With Kanye West
- By Bilal Hafeez
Some of the biggest icons of the music industry have released albums over the past month, notably Drake with his Certified Lover Boy album and Kanye West with his Donda album. Drake has his usual nice tunes with superficial lyrics, which by now are sounding dated – in fact, Lil Nas X’s new album Montero is more fun. But it’s Kanye’s album that has more meaning. He’s the tortured soul of the music industry and has a touch of genius. His album is dedicated to his mother, Donda. It contains some moving lyrics but is somewhat fragmented, which in some ways makes it harder to like. Nevertheless, listening to it, I found myself imagining having a conversation with Kanye.
So, here is my imagined conversation with Kanye. His words are taken directly from his album:
Bilal: Why doesn’t your album have more viral tunes? And why no marketing?
Kanye: First, it goes viral, then they get digital. Then they get critical, no, I’m not doin’ no interview
Bilal: But you still need the album to make money?
Kanye: No more promos, no more photos. No more logos, no more chokeholds. We on Bezos, we get payrolls. Trips to Lagos, connect like LEGOs
Bilal: I see, so you feel you are wealthy and connected enough not to care. But doesn’t having flashy material goods matter to you anymore?
Kanye: Everybody so judgemental. Everybody hurts, but I don’t judge rentals [i.e. people who can’t afford to own]. Don’t let, don’t let the lifestyle drag you down. Who knows when was the last time you felt the love
Bilal: Sounds like you are in a better place than before, but I am a bit worried about your tweets.
Kanye: People sayin’ tweetin’ gonna make you die early. How ’bout have my heart hurtin’? Hold it all inside, that could make you die early.
Bilal: A lot of people have strong thoughts about you – how do you feel about that?
Kanye: You are not in control of my thesis. You already know what I think ’bout think pieces. Don’t try to jail my thoughts and think precincts. I can’t be controlled with programs and presets. Reset
Bilal: Ouch. Sorry to make you feel that. Any principles you live by?
Kanye: If you got a voice, then you gotta project it. If you got a wrong, then you gotta correct it. If you got a name, then you gotta protect it
Bilal: Any advice for youngsters growing up in poor neighbourhoods like you did?
Kanye: Well, between a mix of bad schools with the fast food. Bad had tools and a bad mood. If you don’t turn to a lil’ Gotti, they gon’ drain all the strength in your lil’ body. They turned me into a lil’ Gotti, uh, yeah
Bilal: So what should kids do?
Kanye: You better have a strategy or you could be a statistic
Bilal: ok, let’s lighten the mood. Know any jokes?
Kanye: Some say A-A-Adam could never be bla-a-ack. ‘Cause a black man’ll never share his rib, rib, rib, rib, rib, rib
Bilal: haha, finally I hear you follow football or should I say soccer. Who do you prefer Messi or Ronaldo?
Kanye: I talk to God every day, that’s my bestie. They playin’ soccer in my backyard, I think I see Messi
Bilal: I guess that answers my question. Thanks for chatting with me!