Kanye West on Come Up Show Power 99FM

Analysis

Kanye West explains how he started rapping before becoming a producer. He says he moved to Newark a couple years ago and was able to connect to Jay-Z by playing him beats at Baseline Studios which allowed him to make it on to his next album, "The Blueprint". He said he funded the Through The Wire video himself since label didn't fund him. In this interview he says on the way to Newark he flipped his truck over which is why on "Through the Wire" he says he used "two lifelines", the other one being his car crash which broke his jaw. He then goes on to talk about how he didn't care to conform to radio and wanted to express his own artistic vision, and he also says that he strives to continually grow.

Summary

Introduction and Context

The interview occurred at a pivotal moment in Kanye West's career, shortly after his near-fatal car accident in October 2002 and during the lead-up to his debut album "The College Dropout". At this point, Kanye was primarily known as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records who had created hits for Jay-Z and other artists, but was working to establish himself as a rapper in his own right.

The Car Accident and "Through the Wire"

A significant portion of the interview focused on Kanye's car accident and its aftermath. Kanye explained that he had broken his jaw in three places, requiring his mouth to be wired shut during recovery. The accident became the inspiration for his song "Through The Wire," which he recorded while his jaw was still wired. This traumatic experience profoundly impacted Kanye, who mentioned several times that he felt blessed to be alive and that he "must be here for a reason."Kanye discussed the music video for "Through the Wire," which he directed and personally financed. He explained that the video was important to him because it showed actual photos from his accident and recovery, helping people understand what he went through. He wanted the video to present his authentic experience rather than conforming to typical hip-hop video aesthetics of the time, which he described as focused on "rims" and "chicks."The circumstances surrounding the accident were also revealed: Kanye had just been evicted from his apartment for having too much traffic (due to his growing production work) and was moving with his mother when he flipped his truck. This incident occurred right as his career was beginning to take off, particularly after his production work on Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" album.

Career Trajectory: Producer to Rapper

Kanye clarified a common misconception about his career path. Unlike many producer-turned-rappers, he emphasized that he had been rapping since the third grade, long before he began producing. He mentioned that the "Through the Wire" video included footage of him freestyling from 1990 to prove this point. Kanye expressed frustration that people were surprised by his rapping ability, noting, "You do beats so good and you dress so good and all your girls look so good. How can you rap that good?"Kanye traced his professional journey, explaining that he moved to New York about two and a half years prior to the interview. He had already produced tracks like "The Truth" for Beanie Sigel before moving, which helped establish his relationship with Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records. Kanye emphasized his struggles during this period, describing how he would carry beat tapes in his coat pockets and take the train to studios because he didn't have a proper bag.Kanye credited his big break to Jay-Z's decision to rap over his "slow singing beats" on "The Blueprint," though he noted that other producers had created similar styles. He was careful to point out that he didn't want to be limited to this sound, mentioning his production work for other artists like Trina ("Be Alright"), Ludacris ("Stand Up"), and Talib Kweli ("Just to Get By") that showcased different styles.

Artistic Vision and Authenticity

Throughout the interview, Kanye stressed his commitment to artistic integrity. When discussing his upcoming album "The College Dropout," he mentioned that he had songs where "the hook comes in three minutes into the song" and others with just one verse and a hook at the end. He declared, "I don't care about radio," and expressed disdain for industry formulas like Clear Channel's dictates about chorus placement.Kanye described his music as "straight underground hip-hop" and "authentic music" comparable to A Tribe Called Quest. He stated firmly, "I'm never gonna conform to what this is," explaining that his production work for other artists gave him the financial freedom to make his own music on his terms: "I don't have to, dog, because I make money on beats for other people."This tension between commercial success and artistic integrity was further evident in his discussion of album release dates. While he mentioned having an October release date (the album would eventually be released in February 2004), he expressed concern about first-week sales numbers. He understood the industry reality that poor initial sales could lead to the label losing interest: "It's like everybody lose interest, the whole office, like people stop calling you back and everything."

Expanding Beyond Production

Kanye discussed his desire to expand beyond just producing. He mentioned directing the "Through the Wire" video himself and having "crazy concepts" for future videos. He also talked about developing his own artist roster and label situation, specifically mentioning artists like Consequence (formerly of A Tribe Called Quest), GLC from Chicago, and singer John Legend.This entrepreneurial spirit was accompanied by a philosophy of continual growth and evolution. Kanye stated, "The second that you don't have goals in your life, that's when your life is over," referencing his 87-year-old grandfather who was still taking art classes as an inspiration.

Chicago Connections and Collaborations

Kanye's Chicago roots were a recurring theme. He mentioned the strong support he received from Chicago radio stations, noting that "Through the Wire" had received over 300 spins in Chicago alone. He also discussed his relationship with fellow Chicago artist Common, revealing they had recorded a track together with poet Malik Yusef.When asked about a past rap battle with Common from 1996, Kanye humbly acknowledged Common's superior skills: "His flow is just way tighter than mine, still is. He's like one of the top rappers, period."

Future Collaborations and Aspirations

Looking forward, Kanye mentioned artists he hoped to work with, including Lauryn Hill "if she ever come back." He also revealed he was working on a new A Tribe Called Quest album, though this project never materialized.Kanye's ambitious nature was evident when he listed the diverse projects he was juggling simultaneously - producing for multiple artists, launching his own rap career, directing videos, developing new artists, and working toward establishing his own label.

Financial Independence and Self-Investment

A notable anecdote from the interview was Kanye's explanation of why he paid for the "Through the Wire" video himself despite being signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. He explained this was a strategic decision rather than a lack of label support: "Timing-wise, I didn't have enough spins to be able to really go to the label and say, 'Yo, pay for this video.' It made no sense financially and business-wise."Kanye viewed this as an investment in his career, choosing to "pay for my own video instead of going and buying like a rose gold watch." This perspective highlighted his business acumen and willingness to bet on himself.

Lyrical Showcases

Throughout the interview, Kanye demonstrated his rap skills with several freestyles. These impromptu performances touched on themes like his accident ("I know I almost was the final destination"), his rise in the industry, and his fashion sense. The freestyles showcased his witty wordplay and pop culture references, reinforcing his identity as a legitimate rapper beyond his production credentials.

Personal Growth After Trauma

The interview revealed Kanye's philosophical outlook following his near-death experience. He mentioned feeling like he had "that Final Destination thing" on him, referencing the horror film about cheating death. This sense of borrowed time seemed to fuel his ambition and multi-faceted approach to his career.Kanye also mentioned that the accident had changed how people perceived him, noting that "since the accident they telling me that it's the cheeks" - suggesting that his facial injuries had somehow made him more appealing or sympathetic.

Industry Perspectives

Kanye offered insights into the music industry's workings, particularly the tension between artistic expression and commercial demands. He discussed label expectations regarding first-week sales numbers and radio-friendly song structures.His perspective was unique because, as he repeatedly mentioned, his production income gave him financial independence that most new artists lacked. This allowed him to take risks and maintain artistic control: "I can say this 'cause I got money... if I was just a broke-ass artist, I couldn't say this."

Conclusion

This August 2003 interview captured Kanye West at a transformative moment in his career - transitioning from behind-the-scenes producer to spotlight artist while recovering from a life-threatening accident. The conversation revealed key aspects of his personality that would define his career: his confidence, artistic integrity, entrepreneurial vision, and willingness to challenge industry norms.The interview also foreshadowed many elements that would become central to Kanye's public persona: his Chicago pride, his fashion consciousness, his multi-disciplinary approach to creativity, and his refusal to be limited by others' expectations. His repeatedly stated commitment to authentic expression over commercial formulas would become a defining characteristic of his artistic journey.Perhaps most significantly, the interview captured Kanye's sense that he had been given a second chance after his accident and his determination to maximize his impact. As he stated, "I feel blessed right now. I must be here for a reason." This sense of purpose, combined with his undeniable talent and business savvy, positioned him for the remarkable career that would follow.*There may be errors on this page.