Forgot About 'Ye

Kanye West is back… kinda.

In his newest format of delivery, he’s producing a series of seven-track albums. These projects, released in consecutive weeks, could be viewed as his masterpiece or his final impact on the game. Be that as it may, I find myself conflicted about supporting the enigmatic musician. I can’t be alone in that, because as the sales of his newest album “Ye” show, his support has diminished significantly. Even with streams factored in, he’s on pace for gold RIAA status instead of his usual platinum.

As his career has progressed, he has not only married a Kardashian, but also the elements of shock and surprise. In a way, Kanye has always embraced being different. From his debut, he reminded us that a rapper didn’t have to be a tough gangster to be fun to listen to. He could bare real emotions in his lyrics and eloquently describe his love for fashion. But at some point, it felt like the extracurricular things he was doing outside of the studio became gimmicks to sell his latest product, music or other.

Kanye doubled down on his Trump support by wearing the signature "MAGA" hat in public

The lyrics delved deeper into materialism. The fashion talk evolved into his own expensive sneakers and clothing line. Speaking the ugly truths of society became public outcries for money, slighting Jay-Z, vocal support for Donald Trump, and the proclamation that slavery was a choice. That last stroke showed that controversy was his aim. Kanye had become so desperate for attention that he was willing to alienate himself from his listeners for headlines and attention. It is a sad fall from grace for one of rap’s living legend.

But like the late Guru of Gangstarr once said, “through darkness comes light”. Besides West’s solo album, he produced Pusha T’s “Daytona, a collaboration with Kid Cudi, “Kids See Ghosts”, Nas’ “Nasir”, and Teyana Taylor’s “KTSE”. If nothing else comes from Kanye’s quest for controversy, he’s using his celebrity to push talented artists to the forefront. At the least, he’s opening a lane for a lineup of acts that would otherwise struggle to garner significant attention in this musical climate. This may end up a victory for Kanye, but it’s certainly a pyrrhic one, and it’s a shame he had to take this rout to get it.