Someone wrote Kanye West's life story using only his lyrics
It runs about 3,000 words
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kanye West is not afraid to discuss his personal life in his music, his albums thus far having provided snapshots into so many moments of his life, from his struggle to get signed to the car crash that left is mouth wired shut to his mother's death.
He's prolific enough that the diligent annotators over at Genius have managed to rearrange his lyrics into a life story.
It's a difficult task but they made it work surprisingly well, opening with Yeezus' 'New Slaves' before sliding subtly into The College Dropout's 'Never Let Me Down'. The College Dropout's 'Last Call' obviously proved very useful - a 12-minute track in which Kanye basically gives you his life story.
Here's the prologue:
'My mama was raised in the era when clean water was only served to the fairer skin. My grandfather took my mama, made her sit in that seat where white folks ain’t want us to eat. At the tender age of 6 she was arrested for the sit-ins.
My grandfather, he’s strong—that’s where I get my confidence from. My grandma was a secretary, worked for the church for 35 years. My father was a Black Panther with Geronimo Pratt. Got family in the D, Kin-folk from Motown. Plus my Aunt Shirley, Aunt Beverly, Aunt Clay, and Aunt Jean—so many Aunties we could have an Auntie Team.
I’m from a raw family, dog.
This is my life. Get your popcorn, get your condiments—you don’t wanna miss nothing.'
And the last chapter:
'My friend showed me pictures of his kids, and all I could show him was pictures of my cribs. I’m lonely.
We were never meant to be, we just happened. I fell in love with Kim, a porn star. It’s just me and my bad bitch. I’m in extra love. Real love.
You was always the cheerleader of my dream that seem to only date the head of football teams. I made it over NBA, NFL players, so every time I score it’s like the Super Bowl. The number one trophy wife.
I wanna dip that ass in gold.
I put that glacier on your little hand. Diamonds your best friend. That makes sense, because you’re a princess and you deserve the princess cuts.
Wedding in June, what could be better? Family on both sides. Kylie, Kendall, Kourtney, and Khloe—I’m so glad you came. Aunty couldn’t make it, oh no that’s a shame.
With my tuxedo, he asked me, “Do you take this woman to hold and keep the safest?”
I could have started Playboy, ’cause I married a playmate.
I put an angel in your ultra sound. We was praticing, til one day your ass bust through the packaging. So go head pop some Cristal for my newborn child.
Cover Nori in lambs' wool. 10 thousand dollar fur for Nori, I just copped it. We’ll teach our daughter ballet. A daughter—that’s what I call karma. You pray to God she don’t grow breasts too soon
Got one child, but I’m fuckin' like I’m tryin' to make four more.
I got my own junior on the way! I vow that my child will be well endowed like his daddy.
I be worried ‘bout my daughter, I be worried 'bout Kim, but Saint is baby ’Ye—I ain’t worried 'bout him. I’ll never let my son have an ego.
I walked in the crib, got two kids. Just did a couple laps in my home pool, and my daughter right there getting home-schooled. I’m blessed.
Superstar family—we the new Jacksons. Got niggas sayin', “There’s the Kennedys,” but it’s the Wests. Whole family gettin' money, thank God for E! Thank God for me.
“When you coming home?” That’s a text from my wife. I told her run a bubble bath.
I can see a thousand years from now. 2020, I'ma run the whole election.'
The whole thing clocks in at 2,742 words and you can read it here, with commenters already starting to sequence an audiobook version using the actual songs:
Read more: Kanye West's Wolves remix set to feature Björk and Drake
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments