I know you're tired of loving Kanye, but...
November 25, 2013 11:05 AM Subscribe
Watch Bound 3 — a shot by shot remake of Kanye West's music video for Bound 2, starring James Franco and a smokin' hot topless Seth Rogan.
Gotta give 'em props, they managed to keep that whole "shot at a shopping mall music video kiosk" vibe intact. The song is of course dreadful and the people performing the song more so.
posted by inthe80s at 11:13 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by inthe80s at 11:13 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Kanye video itself feels like if not a parody, then a reference to some existing thing? All I can think of is this, but... no. Anyway, I guess if you're the biggest pop star in the world, everything you do will get parodied.
Time better spent might be the new Kanye-produced Pusha T track?
posted by gwint at 11:16 AM on November 25, 2013
Time better spent might be the new Kanye-produced Pusha T track?
posted by gwint at 11:16 AM on November 25, 2013
For "Bound 2", I will repeat what I've said about Kanye before; nobody gets in the way of Good Kanye (in this instance, the song) quite like Bad Kanye (in this instance, the video).
For "Bound 3", I will recycle a comment I just made on Facebook. "This is like those gender swapped super hero pictures that put men in the ridiculous poses and costumes of their female counterparts to make a point about sexism and then I feel like I'm missing the point by finding parts of it strangely hot."
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:20 AM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
For "Bound 3", I will recycle a comment I just made on Facebook. "This is like those gender swapped super hero pictures that put men in the ridiculous poses and costumes of their female counterparts to make a point about sexism and then I feel like I'm missing the point by finding parts of it strangely hot."
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:20 AM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Finally, the freaks and geeks slashvid you've all been craving.
posted by The Whelk at 11:24 AM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 11:24 AM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Please tell me they call all Freaks & Geeks fan fiction "Freaks/Geeks".
posted by carsonb at 11:26 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 11:26 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Kanye video itself feels like if not a parody, then a reference to some existing thing?
It's a parody of Kanye's haters that references Kanye's genius because genius, haters!
posted by Hoopo at 11:29 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
It's a parody of Kanye's haters that references Kanye's genius because genius, haters!
posted by Hoopo at 11:29 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
I feel like I should point out he didn't direct the original video.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by Ad hominem at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2013
The more I see of James Franco, the better I like him.
posted by janey47 at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by janey47 at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2013
I feel like I should point out he didn't direct the video.
James Franco or Kanye West... because... there's a whole lot of control of own work going on here in parodyland?
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2013
James Franco or Kanye West... because... there's a whole lot of control of own work going on here in parodyland?
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:31 AM on November 25, 2013
If Kanye directed the parody, that would be something.
posted by Brocktoon at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by Brocktoon at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013
I feel like I should point out he didn't direct the original video.
I honestly don't know why you felt the need. Explain?
posted by schoolgirl report at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013
I honestly don't know why you felt the need. Explain?
posted by schoolgirl report at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013
See. THIS is a parody. Not that GoldieBlox bullshit. That was a commercial. In my fantasies they go to trial and this video is the only piece of evidence the Beastie Boys' lawyers have to submit.
posted by danny the boy at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by danny the boy at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2013 [9 favorites]
> The Kanye video itself feels like if not a parody, then a reference to some existing thing?
I don't even know any more.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:40 AM on November 25, 2013
I don't even know any more.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:40 AM on November 25, 2013
For "Bound 2", I will repeat what I've said about Kanye before; nobody gets in the way of Good Kanye (in this instance, the song) quite like Bad Kanye (in this instance, the video).
Really? I thought the vocals were easily the worst part, he's not even trying.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:41 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
Really? I thought the vocals were easily the worst part, he's not even trying.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:41 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
IMMA LET YOU FINISH
but MCMikeNamara's recycled facebook comment was on MY WALL
posted by roger ackroyd at 11:42 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
but MCMikeNamara's recycled facebook comment was on MY WALL
posted by roger ackroyd at 11:42 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kanye West didn't direct the original video. It was directed by photographer Nick Knight who I believe also directed Lady Gaga's Born This Way.
I honestly don't know why you felt the need. Explain?
It seems to me people assume Kanye directed it. Shouldn't the actual director get the credit and/or blame for the video?
Does anyone's perception of the video change when they learn it was directed by a fashion photographer?
posted by Ad hominem at 11:42 AM on November 25, 2013
I honestly don't know why you felt the need. Explain?
It seems to me people assume Kanye directed it. Shouldn't the actual director get the credit and/or blame for the video?
Does anyone's perception of the video change when they learn it was directed by a fashion photographer?
posted by Ad hominem at 11:42 AM on November 25, 2013
Does anyone's perception of the video change when they learn it was directed by a fashion photographer?
A fashion photographer is responsible for what is continually referred to in popular media as one of the sexiest music videos ever.
I do not know if this has any relevance to the conversation at hand. But for some reason I felt like pointing this out.
posted by mediocre at 11:51 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
A fashion photographer is responsible for what is continually referred to in popular media as one of the sexiest music videos ever.
I do not know if this has any relevance to the conversation at hand. But for some reason I felt like pointing this out.
posted by mediocre at 11:51 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
This comment was posted on 4chan about the video for Bound 2. I thought it was kind of interesting:
Alright /mu/ I am sorry for another thread on this, but it urks me that nobody understands this music video. Before I continue, I would just like to explain that I am not a huge Kanye West fan, yet I understand and appreciate his work, and I would just like to offer my two cents on this video, and the meaning behind it.posted by cell divide at 11:54 AM on November 25, 2013 [26 favorites]
Alright firstly, the confederate flag. Many of you may or may not know that Kanye has put the confederate flag on a number of his new merchandise associated with the Yeezus tour. The reason for this is that he wants to replace a racist symbol with himself. He wants people to start associating it with him, instead of racism, so quite frankly it can't be used by racists, as it represents a 'Black Skin Head.' He has admitted to this. (I'll dig up the interview if you don't believe me.)
Now with this in mind, we can continue on to the Bound 2 video. This video presents some of the most stereotypical, if not corny american stereotypes. The desert. The galloping stallions. The beautiful woman. The soft porn. The lone ranger riding his motorcycle into the sunset. And it is all presented in such a simple and uninspiring way that it is almost a mockery of these things. The only thing not stereo typically american here, is the fact that the lone ranger is black.
So why is Kanye doing this? Well it is pretty simple, he is taking White American culture, and he is replacing it with a Black skin head. This is essentially an aggressive cultural takeover that the average person probably doesn't even realise is happening. Why else would he debut the video on the Ellen show? It is a white american talk show, with a white american demographic. This man is literally destroying white american stereotypes by making them revolve around him. The funniest part is, hardly anyone realises it. Oh and who is white america's favourite white person? Jesus. Im sure you all get where im going with this.
Nick Knight is talented. It leads me to believe he knows exactly what he was doing with the original video and it is already a perfect send up of itself. Something that Kanye honestly, wholeheartedly loves (good for him) and the rest of the world feeds their snark upon with ease (good...for them).
posted by 0 answers at 11:56 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by 0 answers at 11:56 AM on November 25, 2013
Does anyone's perception of the video change when they learn it was directed by a fashion photographer?
Not really in this instance because I'm using it to judge the Kanye brand because (a) if you constantly tell me you are a genius, I assume you have tons of input into anything that's released and (b) I use terms like "brand" because Kanya and the Kardashians have apparently won my soul through their acts of culture/dark arts.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2013
Not really in this instance because I'm using it to judge the Kanye brand because (a) if you constantly tell me you are a genius, I assume you have tons of input into anything that's released and (b) I use terms like "brand" because Kanya and the Kardashians have apparently won my soul through their acts of culture/dark arts.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2013
A fashion photographer is responsible for what is continually referred to in popular media as one of the sexiest music videos ever yt .
I didn't mean that in a bad way. I mean to me the video looks Less like a cheap greenscreen video and more like a photoshoot with rear projected backgrounds.
Some of the effects, like the wind blowing in the wrong direction for the way the motorcycle is meant to be traveling, are meant to enforce this effect I believe.
I Know /mu/ has an opionion on the symbolism, but I can't help bu agree. In particular monument valley is synonymous with american iconography through John Ford. The image of Kanye driving through a John Ford western is kinda funny to me.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
I didn't mean that in a bad way. I mean to me the video looks Less like a cheap greenscreen video and more like a photoshoot with rear projected backgrounds.
Some of the effects, like the wind blowing in the wrong direction for the way the motorcycle is meant to be traveling, are meant to enforce this effect I believe.
I Know /mu/ has an opionion on the symbolism, but I can't help bu agree. In particular monument valley is synonymous with american iconography through John Ford. The image of Kanye driving through a John Ford western is kinda funny to me.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:58 AM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
he knows exactly what he was doing with the original video and it is already a perfect send up of itself. Something that Kanye honestly, wholeheartedly loves (good for him)
I have not seen a lot of evidence that Kanye likes a good send-up
I like a lot of the guy's music but these threads are always ridiculous.
posted by Hoopo at 12:16 PM on November 25, 2013
I have not seen a lot of evidence that Kanye likes a good send-up
I like a lot of the guy's music but these threads are always ridiculous.
posted by Hoopo at 12:16 PM on November 25, 2013
Uh huh honey
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:18 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:18 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
I thought of that /mu/ comment when this parody started being posted everywhere this morning. If you think of the original video along those lines, then this video is like white America taking back our iconography from a black man trying to take it over. It also strikes me that it is lovable comedians doing it, just like Bill Murray and Robin Williams and Steve Martin have done "jive" voices for years. We want our comedians to make things we are scared of funny. We are scared of black people and so we send our comedians out to make the scary black people funny. "Ha Ha! I don't have to be scared of that black man kissing that white girl because now two guys are kissing so its funny! And one has back hair! Ha!"
posted by ND¢ at 12:21 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by ND¢ at 12:21 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
When did Bill Murray do a "jive" voice?
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:28 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:28 PM on November 25, 2013
No, thank you.
posted by hell toupee at 12:31 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by hell toupee at 12:31 PM on November 25, 2013
The reason for this is that he wants to replace a racist symbol with himself.If he really wants to replace a racist symbol with himself he should change his name to [the confederate flag] or just [><] for short.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:32 PM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
A fashion photographer is responsible for what is continually referred to in popular media as one of the sexiest music videos ever yt . "
And the rest of the top 3 too.
posted by xqwzts at 12:42 PM on November 25, 2013
And the rest of the top 3 too.
posted by xqwzts at 12:42 PM on November 25, 2013
If the reactions on my social medias are any indication the whole " ha! It's funny cause unfit men aren't supposed to take thier shirts off and grop other men! Was totally lost on a segment of the population who look at face value for " actually this is kinda hot."
posted by The Whelk at 12:48 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:48 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
i don't mind the song or original video, and all the people falling over themselves to declare how awful they find it are tiresome as hell.
posted by Quart at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Quart at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
I had assumed that the Kanye video was directed by Al Walser.
posted by mannequito at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by mannequito at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2013
I swear this isn't a troll comment, but I have to ask: Is the song some kind of joke or "performance art"? I found it more or less unlistenable.
posted by slkinsey at 1:08 PM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by slkinsey at 1:08 PM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
Is the song some kind of joke or "performance art"?
something being strange or atypical doesn't immediately cast it into the realm of joke or impenetrable high-concept. kanye is just experimenting with his production, like he always does, and showcasing new sounds. whether or not you like it is a matter of preference, but there's nothing enigmatic happening here.
posted by Quart at 1:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
something being strange or atypical doesn't immediately cast it into the realm of joke or impenetrable high-concept. kanye is just experimenting with his production, like he always does, and showcasing new sounds. whether or not you like it is a matter of preference, but there's nothing enigmatic happening here.
posted by Quart at 1:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It seems to me people assume Kanye directed it. Shouldn't the actual director get the credit and/or blame for the video?
If we're giving Nick Knight all the credit and/or blame, it certainly makes the /mu/ comment less about Kanye and more about Nick Knight, white English guy subverting white American symbols. Although personally I don't think the fact it is directed by someone other than Kanye changes anything. I have my doubts Kanye is going to be particularly hands-off with something that so directly affects his public image. And I don't really buy the theory in the /mu/ comment.
kanye is just experimenting with his production, like he always does, and showcasing new sounds.
most reviews I've read have loved the track because it harkens back to his earlier soul sample-based stuff.
posted by Hoopo at 1:29 PM on November 25, 2013
If we're giving Nick Knight all the credit and/or blame, it certainly makes the /mu/ comment less about Kanye and more about Nick Knight, white English guy subverting white American symbols. Although personally I don't think the fact it is directed by someone other than Kanye changes anything. I have my doubts Kanye is going to be particularly hands-off with something that so directly affects his public image. And I don't really buy the theory in the /mu/ comment.
kanye is just experimenting with his production, like he always does, and showcasing new sounds.
most reviews I've read have loved the track because it harkens back to his earlier soul sample-based stuff.
posted by Hoopo at 1:29 PM on November 25, 2013
It seems to me people assume Kanye directed it. Shouldn't the actual director get the credit and/or blame for the video?
I would assume very few musicians actually direct their own videos, but I would also assume they generally have quite a bit of input on concepts, etc.
posted by kmz at 1:30 PM on November 25, 2013
I would assume very few musicians actually direct their own videos, but I would also assume they generally have quite a bit of input on concepts, etc.
posted by kmz at 1:30 PM on November 25, 2013
I posted this in the last Kanye thread, but my take on the video was that it was Kanye's response, in part, to the publicity that he and Kim Kardashian have received for marrying each other. Like, "You want to know if our marriage is going well or if it's secretly a crock of shit? Well, it's going so well that we motherfucking REPRESENT AMERICA. I ride her around everywhere and she sits on my naked like the fantasy Kardashian that half of America dreams of at night. Neener neener, say what you want but when I'm not putting out music directly for you I'm going behind closed doors and living out the American Dream in a way that y'all can't possibly afford to."
It feels like Kanye's music in that it's cartoonishly cocky and doesn't even bother justifying its cockiness—you think they couldn't have done a better green screen if they wanted to? But the cockiness serves two purposes at once: it draws your attention to the cockiness and its absurdity, makes you go, "Huh, maybe this is masking something else, maybe I shouldn't be taking this at its face value after all." At the same time, it IS grandiose and cocky, and helps Kanye push that image of himself as rap's biggest rapper (which is itself a grandiose claim that's got more going on than Kanye's sometimes given credit for).
posted by Rory Marinich at 1:44 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
It feels like Kanye's music in that it's cartoonishly cocky and doesn't even bother justifying its cockiness—you think they couldn't have done a better green screen if they wanted to? But the cockiness serves two purposes at once: it draws your attention to the cockiness and its absurdity, makes you go, "Huh, maybe this is masking something else, maybe I shouldn't be taking this at its face value after all." At the same time, it IS grandiose and cocky, and helps Kanye push that image of himself as rap's biggest rapper (which is itself a grandiose claim that's got more going on than Kanye's sometimes given credit for).
posted by Rory Marinich at 1:44 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
IMO yeah, it is supposed to be funny. Kanye recasts himself as some kind of Jeromesque swaggering player and does a Martin Lawrence impersonation.
It can't be taken completely at face value because it is so at odds with the rest of his work.
most reviews I've read have loved the track because it harkens back to his earlier soul sample-based stuff.
I agree with that. There is an interesting factoid that the sample comes from Ponderosa Twins Plus One who were on All Platinum Records which later become Sugar Hill Records.
I would assume very few musicians actually direct their own videos, but I would also assume they generally have quite a bit of input on concepts, etc.
Yeah, I don't doubt Kanye had input. I recently heard an interview where he talks about motorcycles so I'm guessing he stipulated he wanted a motorcycle in the video.
I'm probably just reacting to the "literally art" and "lol backwards wind" I see on other sites. People seem to think of course Kanye is too stupid to have any artistic intent but if Lady Gaga's director did it maybe there was some intent behind it.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:50 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It can't be taken completely at face value because it is so at odds with the rest of his work.
most reviews I've read have loved the track because it harkens back to his earlier soul sample-based stuff.
I agree with that. There is an interesting factoid that the sample comes from Ponderosa Twins Plus One who were on All Platinum Records which later become Sugar Hill Records.
I would assume very few musicians actually direct their own videos, but I would also assume they generally have quite a bit of input on concepts, etc.
Yeah, I don't doubt Kanye had input. I recently heard an interview where he talks about motorcycles so I'm guessing he stipulated he wanted a motorcycle in the video.
I'm probably just reacting to the "literally art" and "lol backwards wind" I see on other sites. People seem to think of course Kanye is too stupid to have any artistic intent but if Lady Gaga's director did it maybe there was some intent behind it.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:50 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Soup had a Bound 2 version as well, featuring Anthony Anderson and Mankini. For what it's worth.
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:08 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:08 PM on November 25, 2013
if Lady Gaga's director did it maybe there was some intent behind it.
Me, I figured that both Kanye and Kim are really big into fashion and design and both struggle to be taken seriously in that area (at least that's the impression I get from Kanye's complaints and comments about how he gets dismissed by so-and-so big fashion company), so he says "I'm going to hire the biggest, hottest shit fashion photog/video director available to showcase me and Kim, fuck those guys we're going to do this fashion thing ourselves and get more visibility than any of those guys could ever hope for." I agree with whoever said upthread the video is more than likely exactly as it was intended to be (pretty sure anyone involved could understand things like wind direction and green screens), and figured that it is over my head because it speaks in the language of high fashion. Which I generally don't understand.
posted by Hoopo at 2:24 PM on November 25, 2013
Me, I figured that both Kanye and Kim are really big into fashion and design and both struggle to be taken seriously in that area (at least that's the impression I get from Kanye's complaints and comments about how he gets dismissed by so-and-so big fashion company), so he says "I'm going to hire the biggest, hottest shit fashion photog/video director available to showcase me and Kim, fuck those guys we're going to do this fashion thing ourselves and get more visibility than any of those guys could ever hope for." I agree with whoever said upthread the video is more than likely exactly as it was intended to be (pretty sure anyone involved could understand things like wind direction and green screens), and figured that it is over my head because it speaks in the language of high fashion. Which I generally don't understand.
posted by Hoopo at 2:24 PM on November 25, 2013
I think he hired Olan Mills as his DP.
posted by fungible at 2:28 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by fungible at 2:28 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
I swear this isn't a troll comment, but I have to ask: Is the song some kind of joke or "performance art"? I found it more or less unlistenable.
I take both the song and video as sarcastic. In case everything about both the lyrics and the images being over the top ridiculous/corny doesn't clue you in to the sarcasm, Kanye gives an extra hint with the long pause/"...uh-huh, honey" refrain. Those pauses and "...uh-huh,honey" moments are where you'd *think* the music would be climaxing, but instead Kanye has those moments get crickets.
In terms of entertainment, I don't think it's a song that's great to sit down and listen to, but it could definitely be a fun song to dance to, and any kind of mash-up/remix will probably be amazing.
posted by rue72 at 2:34 PM on November 25, 2013
I take both the song and video as sarcastic. In case everything about both the lyrics and the images being over the top ridiculous/corny doesn't clue you in to the sarcasm, Kanye gives an extra hint with the long pause/"...uh-huh, honey" refrain. Those pauses and "...uh-huh,honey" moments are where you'd *think* the music would be climaxing, but instead Kanye has those moments get crickets.
In terms of entertainment, I don't think it's a song that's great to sit down and listen to, but it could definitely be a fun song to dance to, and any kind of mash-up/remix will probably be amazing.
posted by rue72 at 2:34 PM on November 25, 2013
Conceptual college humour you can ironically dance to!
posted by KokuRyu at 3:02 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KokuRyu at 3:02 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kanye premiered the video on ELLEN, for Christ's sake. C'mon. As the video rolled for the first time, he must've just been laaaaughing, and when the lights came back up and the probably-very-lilly-white audience applauded vigorously, he knew he'd done his work.
Hari Sethi at Sabotage Times had a great piece on the video.
The parody annoys me because the video is already a parody and the Franco/Rogan version is mostly about "hey let's laugh at two guys getting it on also SCHLUBBY hahahahahaha backhair."
As for the song - it's the last track on Yeezus, which is a brutal and unrelenting sonic assault, filled with some disturbing, difficult imagery and layer upon layer of lyrical complexity. The whole record is about him presenting the Kanye people expect him to be - angry, black, misogynist, outlandish, egocentric, it's about him playing the black man society wants all black men to be. This song is the exact opposite of the rest of the album in many ways - it's a parody of tenderness, a revisioning and recontextualizing of his prior soul-sampled work, almost sarcastically melodic.
If you aren't paying attention to him, Kanye probably seems pretty wacky and weird and egotistical - and he is all those things, but he's also far more deliberate and precise and smart than appears at first glance. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's doing it extremely well.
posted by incessant at 3:03 PM on November 25, 2013 [10 favorites]
Hari Sethi at Sabotage Times had a great piece on the video.
The parody annoys me because the video is already a parody and the Franco/Rogan version is mostly about "hey let's laugh at two guys getting it on also SCHLUBBY hahahahahaha backhair."
As for the song - it's the last track on Yeezus, which is a brutal and unrelenting sonic assault, filled with some disturbing, difficult imagery and layer upon layer of lyrical complexity. The whole record is about him presenting the Kanye people expect him to be - angry, black, misogynist, outlandish, egocentric, it's about him playing the black man society wants all black men to be. This song is the exact opposite of the rest of the album in many ways - it's a parody of tenderness, a revisioning and recontextualizing of his prior soul-sampled work, almost sarcastically melodic.
If you aren't paying attention to him, Kanye probably seems pretty wacky and weird and egotistical - and he is all those things, but he's also far more deliberate and precise and smart than appears at first glance. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's doing it extremely well.
posted by incessant at 3:03 PM on November 25, 2013 [10 favorites]
But did anyone think the original one was actually funny? I didn't see or hear any humor or parody in it.
I'm not his intended audience; I don't follow hip hop at all. If I did, then would I think this was funny?
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:06 PM on November 25, 2013
I'm not his intended audience; I don't follow hip hop at all. If I did, then would I think this was funny?
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:06 PM on November 25, 2013
Well, at least Jimmy Kimmel didn't have the same idea to do this using little boys!
posted by onlyconnect at 3:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by onlyconnect at 3:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's not about you laughing at the video - it's Kanye laughing at us.
And you definitely don't need to understand hip hop to understand the video - it's more about race and culture and Americana and celebrity. His intended audience isn't hip hop, it's everyone.
Although if you don't think slow motion galloping horses and topless motorcycle sex isn't hilarious, then I don't know what to tell you. I think the three wolf moon comparison from PXE2000 is spot on.
posted by incessant at 3:24 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
And you definitely don't need to understand hip hop to understand the video - it's more about race and culture and Americana and celebrity. His intended audience isn't hip hop, it's everyone.
Although if you don't think slow motion galloping horses and topless motorcycle sex isn't hilarious, then I don't know what to tell you. I think the three wolf moon comparison from PXE2000 is spot on.
posted by incessant at 3:24 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
People seem to think of course Kanye is too stupid to have any artistic intent but if Lady Gaga's director did it maybe there was some intent behind it.
It's really frustrating to watch people dismiss him (and a fair number of similar artists who are also clearly self-aware/in on their own jokes) because it's so obvious to me that there's depth and a ton of irony and complexity in his work and how much of it is about his own struggles with the very things that people make cheap jokes at him for. One of the themes of his recent work is how he's one of the most successful musicians in the entire world and despite all the fame, accolades, and positive reviews, people still write him off and treat him as not as talented as white musicians who've had a tiny fraction of his success. On this very website, we had a conversation about All of the Lights where a few people found it vaguely incomprehensible that the song wasn't taken directly from his own life and that he might be telling a story about someone who wasn't himself. Can you imagine having a conversation with someone who thought maybe Johnny Cash was really secretly named Sue or spent time in Folsom Prison? It's sort of like this this Chris Rock bit Jessamyn linked to earlier today where he says that he lives in a neighborhood with Patrick Ewing, Gary Sheffield, Mary J. Blige, and a fairly average white dentist.
posted by Copronymus at 3:37 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
It's really frustrating to watch people dismiss him (and a fair number of similar artists who are also clearly self-aware/in on their own jokes) because it's so obvious to me that there's depth and a ton of irony and complexity in his work and how much of it is about his own struggles with the very things that people make cheap jokes at him for. One of the themes of his recent work is how he's one of the most successful musicians in the entire world and despite all the fame, accolades, and positive reviews, people still write him off and treat him as not as talented as white musicians who've had a tiny fraction of his success. On this very website, we had a conversation about All of the Lights where a few people found it vaguely incomprehensible that the song wasn't taken directly from his own life and that he might be telling a story about someone who wasn't himself. Can you imagine having a conversation with someone who thought maybe Johnny Cash was really secretly named Sue or spent time in Folsom Prison? It's sort of like this this Chris Rock bit Jessamyn linked to earlier today where he says that he lives in a neighborhood with Patrick Ewing, Gary Sheffield, Mary J. Blige, and a fairly average white dentist.
posted by Copronymus at 3:37 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think it's funny.
The funniest part to me is the two flannel shirts. Kanye got twice as much flannel, now what you gonna do? I think it is funny that the backgrounds get progressively more blurry going comically overblown hd slo-mo horses and swooping eagles to a blur of color as Kanye mean mugs the camera. I think the fake sex is funny because it is so obviously fake.
I may be crazy but It reminds me of Gangnam Style, where the beach turns out to be a sandbox and the snow is bits of paper that get stuck in Psy's mouth which he is forced to spit out.
Then again I thought the song was funny.
I think it is hard to argue Kanye has no sense of humor at all when you figure he paid for the Zack Galifianakis and Will Oldham version of Can't Tell Me Nothing. He did a puppet show called Alligator Boots with Jimmy Kimmel's production company. And his twitter used to be hilarious.
posted by Ad hominem at 3:39 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
The funniest part to me is the two flannel shirts. Kanye got twice as much flannel, now what you gonna do? I think it is funny that the backgrounds get progressively more blurry going comically overblown hd slo-mo horses and swooping eagles to a blur of color as Kanye mean mugs the camera. I think the fake sex is funny because it is so obviously fake.
I may be crazy but It reminds me of Gangnam Style, where the beach turns out to be a sandbox and the snow is bits of paper that get stuck in Psy's mouth which he is forced to spit out.
Then again I thought the song was funny.
I think it is hard to argue Kanye has no sense of humor at all when you figure he paid for the Zack Galifianakis and Will Oldham version of Can't Tell Me Nothing. He did a puppet show called Alligator Boots with Jimmy Kimmel's production company. And his twitter used to be hilarious.
posted by Ad hominem at 3:39 PM on November 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
Oh yeah he also tried to do a Curb Your Enthusiasm clone directed by Larry Charles.
posted by Ad hominem at 3:44 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 3:44 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
But did anyone think the original one was actually funny? I didn't see or hear any humor or parody in it.
It's not a parody, it's a satire.
I do think its humor is successful. But it's black humor, it's not supposed to send you rolling down the aisles laughing, it's supposed to make you feel a little uncomfortable and strange; it's supposed to be (cynically) absurd in a way that emphasizes how real life is absurd, and therefore (darkly) funny.
posted by rue72 at 3:46 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's not a parody, it's a satire.
I do think its humor is successful. But it's black humor, it's not supposed to send you rolling down the aisles laughing, it's supposed to make you feel a little uncomfortable and strange; it's supposed to be (cynically) absurd in a way that emphasizes how real life is absurd, and therefore (darkly) funny.
posted by rue72 at 3:46 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Will there ever come a day when something Kanye does that isn't well-received is not ret-conned into a secret genius joke on everybody else?
posted by Hoopo at 4:03 PM on November 25, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Hoopo at 4:03 PM on November 25, 2013 [7 favorites]
I don't think the original is a secret joke, it's allready really really funny.
posted by The Whelk at 4:08 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 4:08 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
I dunno. I been defending him so long it is like second nature. I am in too deep, I gotta keep doubling down on "Kanye is a genius".
It only gets harder. He says he wants to release a new album summer 2014, and I believe there is a Yeezus outtakes album coming out featuring Bound 1. He also has a major fashion deal coming up. By then he will probably have another kid, probably named South. Its going to be a rough couple of years but I love a challenge.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [11 favorites]
It only gets harder. He says he wants to release a new album summer 2014, and I believe there is a Yeezus outtakes album coming out featuring Bound 1. He also has a major fashion deal coming up. By then he will probably have another kid, probably named South. Its going to be a rough couple of years but I love a challenge.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [11 favorites]
It's a joke but it's also exquisitely beautiful. Anyone who can navigate the world with their eyes and not tired genX notions of socially approved authenticity can enjoy these two flavors together.
posted by Teakettle at 5:04 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Teakettle at 5:04 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
It's a joke but it's also exquisitely beautiful
It's trite and goofy and the motorcycle action is laughable and Kim Kardashian looks dead in the eyes. She really looks like a corpse to me. What's beautiful about it?
posted by Squeak Attack at 5:09 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's trite and goofy and the motorcycle action is laughable and Kim Kardashian looks dead in the eyes. She really looks like a corpse to me. What's beautiful about it?
posted by Squeak Attack at 5:09 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Plus, the music is like a dental drill to the ear and Ms. Kardashian appears to have no nipples or areolas which I suppose is a valid lifestyle choice but not something I'd call exquisitely beautiful.
posted by Squeak Attack at 5:18 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Squeak Attack at 5:18 PM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
You know, I just realized today that if it comes out that Kanye West has a drinking problem then every single one of the lyrics in Le Tigre's Whats Yr Take on Cassavetes could just be switched to apply to Kanye West. After realizing that I realized that my take on Kanyevetes is: I am tired of having to think about this.
posted by Kiablokirk at 5:41 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Kiablokirk at 5:41 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
incessant: "Hari Sethi at Sabotage Times had a great piece on the video."
That article made me rethink the video in a more considered light than I might have otherwise experienced. Although, even understanding what he's doing with the whole "I own the rebel flag now, bitches." thing, I still think the song itself is terrible, and the video is twee. I fully admit that may be because I'm decades outside of the Kaynedashian demographic, and I'm am mostly ignorant of his body of work.
posted by dejah420 at 6:39 PM on November 25, 2013
That article made me rethink the video in a more considered light than I might have otherwise experienced. Although, even understanding what he's doing with the whole "I own the rebel flag now, bitches." thing, I still think the song itself is terrible, and the video is twee. I fully admit that may be because I'm decades outside of the Kaynedashian demographic, and I'm am mostly ignorant of his body of work.
posted by dejah420 at 6:39 PM on November 25, 2013
I guess what I missed, being white myself, was that this is a satire of white America. I see a man on a motorcycle and I think he's being a macho man, not that he's being white. So for me the satire didn't work, because it was a video of a man being manly on a motorcycle, which isn't shocking at all.
It was all gender, no race for me.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:40 PM on November 25, 2013
It was all gender, no race for me.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:40 PM on November 25, 2013
> Kim Kardashian looks dead in the eyes
They both look really bored.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:40 PM on November 25, 2013
A topless Seth Rogan, you say? Obviously I am compelled to watch.
posted by hippybear at 7:03 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by hippybear at 7:03 PM on November 25, 2013
Amen.
posted by wallabear at 7:19 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by wallabear at 7:19 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think the sub of 'chickens' for 'bitches' in his performance on Jimmy Fallon is funny. "One good girl is worth a thousand chickens" could be taken from a Borat outtake. If only radio edits could be that amusing.
posted by Fig at 7:53 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Fig at 7:53 PM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
This guy is a marketing genius. The music is so awful, but he's hot shit with staying power. I hope hip hop survives. And to think I was worried when Lil' Wayne was getting all the money; now I don't know what to think.
posted by Brocktoon at 8:34 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by Brocktoon at 8:34 PM on November 25, 2013
I'm not Kanye's target audience, not a hip hop fan, and the video was painful to watch and listen to. Bound 3 just made me want to hug Seth Rogen.
posted by arcticseal at 11:02 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by arcticseal at 11:02 PM on November 25, 2013
It's cool guys you don't have to watch it if you don't want to. It isn't like brussel sprouts or flossing. I get the feeling some of you are truly tormented by Kanye. I get it, I tend to skip anything involving a Eukelele out of instinct. Maybe I'm a bad Mefite I dunno.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:38 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Ad hominem at 11:38 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Well now I just feel sorry for you guys.
Oh now I've been told?
I'm not tormented by Kanye, just curious, but why don't you all go on and tell me how awesome and hilarious the absolutely bog standard sexism on display in this video is? "It's a satire of white people, with typical sexist imagery and lyrics!" haha!
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:25 AM on November 26, 2013
Oh now I've been told?
I'm not tormented by Kanye, just curious, but why don't you all go on and tell me how awesome and hilarious the absolutely bog standard sexism on display in this video is? "It's a satire of white people, with typical sexist imagery and lyrics!" haha!
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:25 AM on November 26, 2013
I'm sure Kim cried after seeing this.
Kanye wanted to laugh but he just pouted.
posted by stormpooper at 7:01 AM on November 26, 2013
Kanye wanted to laugh but he just pouted.
posted by stormpooper at 7:01 AM on November 26, 2013
Kanye West on power 105
At 21:10 Says he wanted to make a white trash t-shirt and the hunger games with a black dude in it. Says he is Marina Abramović and this is performance art.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:48 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
At 21:10 Says he wanted to make a white trash t-shirt and the hunger games with a black dude in it. Says he is Marina Abramović and this is performance art.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:48 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Do you think Charles Dickens has Great Expectations's Mr. Jaggers wash his hands all the time because they were actually dirty?
Look beyond the text, is what I'm saying.
posted by incessant at 9:04 AM on November 26, 2013
Look beyond the text, is what I'm saying.
posted by incessant at 9:04 AM on November 26, 2013
Meh, too much trouble.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:28 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 9:28 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I get the feeling some of you are truly tormented by Kanye.
Merely annoyed. There was a good post recently about Outkast. THAT is good hip hop. Kanye has terrible flow (I hate to even call it that), and his lyrics are mediocre. Yet here he is, sitting on piles of money, with people throwing terms like "genius" at him. Ugh.
posted by Brocktoon at 12:44 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Merely annoyed. There was a good post recently about Outkast. THAT is good hip hop. Kanye has terrible flow (I hate to even call it that), and his lyrics are mediocre. Yet here he is, sitting on piles of money, with people throwing terms like "genius" at him. Ugh.
posted by Brocktoon at 12:44 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kanye West is the black Elvis Costello--a figure who looms large over hip hop and whose contributions are often overlooked and dismissed by people who don't "get" him. "Bound 2" is his "Veronica." I can't wait for him to record an album with the Brodsky Quartet.
posted by Mr. Fig at 5:21 PM on November 26, 2013
posted by Mr. Fig at 5:21 PM on November 26, 2013
Ad hominem, I just listened to that interview, and I give props to you and incessant and the 4chan commenter that cell divide excerpted for totally having it right and giving West credit for having a sense of humor and bigger ideas for the video most people were assuming. I typed up part of the interview below:
(talking about Bound2, from about minute 20-22)
DJ: That was a terrible video, and you know that. What was the treatment for that video?
West: I wanted to take white trash t shirts and make it into a video.
DJ: Okay, so you wanted it to look bad?
West: Yes. I wanted it to look as phony as possible. I wanted [smiling broadly] the clouds to go in one direction, and the mountains to go in one [i.e., another] direction, I wanted the horses to go over there. Cause I wanted to show you this IS the hunger games. I wanted to show you this is the imagery that's been presented to all to us, and the only difference is there's a black guy in the middle of it.
...
I'm like Maria Ambromovic, this is like performance art. Cause I ain't got a problem with looking stupid.
Looking at it this way, the video is kind of fucking amazing, really. Down to premiering it on Ellen. I mean, my mind is kind of blown. (By the way, he actually even does wear a white trash t-shirt with holes in the video -- Iron Maiden.)
posted by onlyconnect at 6:04 PM on November 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
(talking about Bound2, from about minute 20-22)
DJ: That was a terrible video, and you know that. What was the treatment for that video?
West: I wanted to take white trash t shirts and make it into a video.
DJ: Okay, so you wanted it to look bad?
West: Yes. I wanted it to look as phony as possible. I wanted [smiling broadly] the clouds to go in one direction, and the mountains to go in one [i.e., another] direction, I wanted the horses to go over there. Cause I wanted to show you this IS the hunger games. I wanted to show you this is the imagery that's been presented to all to us, and the only difference is there's a black guy in the middle of it.
...
I'm like Maria Ambromovic, this is like performance art. Cause I ain't got a problem with looking stupid.
Looking at it this way, the video is kind of fucking amazing, really. Down to premiering it on Ellen. I mean, my mind is kind of blown. (By the way, he actually even does wear a white trash t-shirt with holes in the video -- Iron Maiden.)
posted by onlyconnect at 6:04 PM on November 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
Kanye has terrible flow (I hate to even call it that), and his lyrics are mediocre
That is unnecessarily limiting to Kanye to hold him to such a strict definition of what hip-hop can be. There are traditional metrics by which rap is judged. I went into what I believe some of them are in the last death grips post. The artistry in hip-hop is now coming from artists pushing, and reworking those rules. It is ironic you mention Outkast because they themselves were so different than the predominant definition of proper rap at that time.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:21 PM on November 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
That is unnecessarily limiting to Kanye to hold him to such a strict definition of what hip-hop can be. There are traditional metrics by which rap is judged. I went into what I believe some of them are in the last death grips post. The artistry in hip-hop is now coming from artists pushing, and reworking those rules. It is ironic you mention Outkast because they themselves were so different than the predominant definition of proper rap at that time.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:21 PM on November 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I can't remember who said it here, I should look it up and give them credit "Kanye is a bad rapper like Dylan is a bad singer".
There can absolutely be some debate whether he is a genius, whatever that really entails, but I don't think there can be any question that he is an artist, and is capable of self reflection and self awareness.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:33 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
There can absolutely be some debate whether he is a genius, whatever that really entails, but I don't think there can be any question that he is an artist, and is capable of self reflection and self awareness.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:33 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
An idle question: when did Kim dye her hair blonde, and is she doing so to resemble Beyonce?
posted by Going To Maine at 7:51 PM on November 26, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 7:51 PM on November 26, 2013
... or, I suppose, the dye could have simply been part of the larger plan of making the all-American parody. Though, if that's the the sole reason, I'd expect it to go away soon.
posted by Going To Maine at 9:16 PM on November 26, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 9:16 PM on November 26, 2013
Or maybe she just wanted to dye her hair for awhile? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
posted by incessant at 9:25 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by incessant at 9:25 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
trying to be beyonce? what? that's some gossip site level bs. after she had nori she went blond. she does it from time to time (although, to dip back into gossip site level bs for a moment, some say that she goes blond when she gets work done to distract from it).
i agree with all the stuff about white trash motifs and agitating by putting a black man (and a part armenian woman) in the middle - i also think one of the purposes was to showcase kim. she was the focus of some pretty awful comments about her weight while she was pregnant - also, ray j released a really gross song about her - this is kanye showing her off, showing how beautiful (and fashion-ready) she is.
posted by nadawi at 6:01 AM on November 27, 2013
i agree with all the stuff about white trash motifs and agitating by putting a black man (and a part armenian woman) in the middle - i also think one of the purposes was to showcase kim. she was the focus of some pretty awful comments about her weight while she was pregnant - also, ray j released a really gross song about her - this is kanye showing her off, showing how beautiful (and fashion-ready) she is.
posted by nadawi at 6:01 AM on November 27, 2013
also, i never get sick of the red faced stompers insisting that it's terrible music, like objectively. lol ok, dudes.
posted by nadawi at 6:03 AM on November 27, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 6:03 AM on November 27, 2013 [3 favorites]
well that's certainly an uncharitable way to read my comment. i dunno, i think it's pretty rad to use his fiance in a video like this - he could have hired any model in the world and he picked the woman who is the most beautiful to him, his partner, and he showcased her beauty (a topic i realize you and i disagree on).
posted by nadawi at 6:27 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 6:27 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Of course he chose her, it's the maximum attention-getting choice for both him and her. And was probably contractually negotiated by an army of lawyers.
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:43 AM on November 27, 2013
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:43 AM on November 27, 2013
and here you are, spending your wednesday morning talking about them. seems to have worked.
posted by nadawi at 6:52 AM on November 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 6:52 AM on November 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
Kanye West and Sway Says he is Willy Wonka and represents pure creativity.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:05 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 8:05 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Comment removed, please do not sarcastically say dickish things that you imagine other people are thinking, you're still just saying a dickish thing.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:08 AM on November 27, 2013
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:08 AM on November 27, 2013
I think I just put two and two together and figured out what the hell is going on with Kanye and why he is so mad.
On Power 105 he told a story about his dad getting ripped off by someone trying to get him into computers. I think Kanye somehow got taken for that 13 million he says he lost before someone with more business sense told him never to use his own money. I think he is also nervous he cold lose it all at any time like so many other rappers. Look at Nas, maybe the greatest of all time and that guy is millions of dollars in debt. I don't think he wants to admit to it in public.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:47 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
On Power 105 he told a story about his dad getting ripped off by someone trying to get him into computers. I think Kanye somehow got taken for that 13 million he says he lost before someone with more business sense told him never to use his own money. I think he is also nervous he cold lose it all at any time like so many other rappers. Look at Nas, maybe the greatest of all time and that guy is millions of dollars in debt. I don't think he wants to admit to it in public.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:47 AM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
The artistry in hip-hop is now coming from artists pushing, and reworking those rules.
As I mentioned, this is what I fear, based on Kanye's level of "artistry".
they themselves were so different than the predominant definition of proper rap at that time.
Eh? Their early stuff is clearly influenced by the East Coast; Wu-Tang, Nas, Gangstarr, etc. Then as they expanded their talent, you could easily compare them to someone like Wyclef.
and here you are, spending your wednesday morning talking about them. seems to have worked.
Damn, didn't realize he was your BFF and beyond criticism. He has powerful influence in the world of hip hop right now, good or bad, so guess what? People have opinions about that. lol ok, dude?
posted by Brocktoon at 12:39 PM on November 27, 2013
As I mentioned, this is what I fear, based on Kanye's level of "artistry".
they themselves were so different than the predominant definition of proper rap at that time.
Eh? Their early stuff is clearly influenced by the East Coast; Wu-Tang, Nas, Gangstarr, etc. Then as they expanded their talent, you could easily compare them to someone like Wyclef.
and here you are, spending your wednesday morning talking about them. seems to have worked.
Damn, didn't realize he was your BFF and beyond criticism. He has powerful influence in the world of hip hop right now, good or bad, so guess what? People have opinions about that. lol ok, dude?
posted by Brocktoon at 12:39 PM on November 27, 2013
uh, i wasn't talking to you, i wasn't saying he's beyond critique. i was specifically responding to the statement that kim was chosen for the video for maximum attention getting and pointing out that the attention was got, since here we all are, talking about it.
posted by nadawi at 12:59 PM on November 27, 2013
posted by nadawi at 12:59 PM on November 27, 2013
I dunno. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik to me is like g-funk but with cowbell like out of a BBD song and even more vibraslaps. It sounds real synthy to me. They got some of that triplet rapping too you know like "sniggity snap biggity back" type stuff on there too which I kinda feel was played out in NY at that time.
I guess should probably listen to it again.
The same is true of Ye though. He counts Q-tip, Diamond D among his influences. He didn't start out making Yeezus just like Outkast didn't start out making Hey Ya.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:27 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
I guess should probably listen to it again.
The same is true of Ye though. He counts Q-tip, Diamond D among his influences. He didn't start out making Yeezus just like Outkast didn't start out making Hey Ya.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:27 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's fine, but you don't hear any of that in his flow. He has no flow. I picture a first grader reading the Declaration of Independence out loud when he raps. And his persona really turns me off. A joke is wasted on him. He and ODB could never colab. Maybe the two issues are related.
posted by Brocktoon at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Brocktoon at 2:21 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kanye West ft. ODB - Keep the Receipt
posted by Ad hominem at 2:27 PM on November 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Ad hominem at 2:27 PM on November 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
IDK, maybe he isn't the greatest technical rapper ever, but whatever. We can't have Lose Yourself over and over forever ever.
Personally I think his best verses are on Gorgeous
My favorite Kanye song right now is probably Gone. I love the line "Treat me like the prince and this my sweet brother numpsi" and Otis "Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive"
posted by Ad hominem at 2:58 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Personally I think his best verses are on Gorgeous
My favorite Kanye song right now is probably Gone. I love the line "Treat me like the prince and this my sweet brother numpsi" and Otis "Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive"
posted by Ad hominem at 2:58 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Genius that is Kanye West by Russell Simmons.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:15 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 4:15 PM on November 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ha! Imagine that, dogs and cats. Anyway, a first grader reading the Declaration of Independence is nothing if not technical, and anything but imaginitive.
posted by Brocktoon at 8:11 PM on November 27, 2013
posted by Brocktoon at 8:11 PM on November 27, 2013
the genius that is Kanye West
this commenter is dead on:
"People arent gonna listen to him about "struggles" when he rich & famous with the world at his feet but he always angry. No one cares about Nike, Ralph and clothing designers. No one can relate to that. Yeah, he mad at Nike cause they didnt release his $1500 sneaker yet, he released Gucci Shoes or whatever it was at $5,000 a piece. He released $150 tshirts...oh but HEdont price it...Well i guess considering they brands for the common people he was shocked when the price come out. Right??
"He aint putting a spotlight on masters & slaves, he aint doin this for all of " US". He doin it for himself. He said in interview with Charlamagne the God on radio, that him and Kim K are "grindin" to give North that Royalty life like The Royal Family..or something along those lines. He dont know about struggles, about people lookin for work, looking to keep the family together. Dont get it twisted Russell, he gone. Too far gone. How he gonna rep the struggles on planet earth when he left for Planet Kanye many years ago?"
posted by Vibrissae at 9:22 AM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
this commenter is dead on:
"People arent gonna listen to him about "struggles" when he rich & famous with the world at his feet but he always angry. No one cares about Nike, Ralph and clothing designers. No one can relate to that. Yeah, he mad at Nike cause they didnt release his $1500 sneaker yet, he released Gucci Shoes or whatever it was at $5,000 a piece. He released $150 tshirts...oh but HEdont price it...Well i guess considering they brands for the common people he was shocked when the price come out. Right??
"He aint putting a spotlight on masters & slaves, he aint doin this for all of " US". He doin it for himself. He said in interview with Charlamagne the God on radio, that him and Kim K are "grindin" to give North that Royalty life like The Royal Family..or something along those lines. He dont know about struggles, about people lookin for work, looking to keep the family together. Dont get it twisted Russell, he gone. Too far gone. How he gonna rep the struggles on planet earth when he left for Planet Kanye many years ago?"
posted by Vibrissae at 9:22 AM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
That interview is great. Kanye gets asked some hard questions about his music that I'd been interesting to see him deal with. I personally think that he whiffs many of the responses -the glass ceiling he's breaking really sounds like it only applies to him, as much as he claims otherwise- but it's just a good conversation in general.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:00 PM on November 28, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 2:00 PM on November 28, 2013
Hah! As I said, I liked that Power 105 interview, but it definitely had some problematic references to Jews in it. And uh, well: Kanye West Accused of Anti-Semitism by Anti-Defamation League.
posted by Going To Maine at 4:35 PM on December 4, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 4:35 PM on December 4, 2013
Kanye West Responds to Anti-Semitism Accusation, Calls Comments "An Ignorant Compliment": "That would be like if somebody complimented black guys and said, ‘All black guys have big penises.’"
posted by Going To Maine at 7:50 AM on December 21, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 7:50 AM on December 21, 2013
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posted by KokuRyu at 11:13 AM on November 25, 2013 [7 favorites]