Kanye West Says God Saved Him To Be A Vessel

Kanye West discussed his ten Grammy nominations in a 2005 interview shortly after the release of his debut album "The College Dropout." West detailed his near-fatal car accident that broke his jaw in three places, which led to recording his breakthrough single "Through the Wire" with his jaw wired shut after executives initially denied him studio time. His musical influences stemmed from his mother, a college professor with an extensive record collection including Stevie Wonder and Anita Baker, while his father's various careers as a photojournalist and salesman taught him persistence. West began producing music in seventh grade, earning money by age 15, and formed a mentorship with producer No ID during high school. Throughout the interview, West expressed admiration for artists like Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand, revealed plans for his second album "Late Registration," discussed his spiritual approach to music creation, mentioned his fashion influences including Yves Saint Laurent and Japanese designer Nigo, and explained his intention to customize Louis Vuitton pieces with imagery reflecting his heritage, stating, "So I'm going to put like a slave boat on my Louie trunk. Because that's where I came from."

Long Summary

Kanye West discussed his multiple Grammy nominations in this 2005 interview, highlighting that he was nominated for ten awards and was the only artist to appear in three of the four major categories. West revealed that after the Grammy nomination ceremony, he was told he was "the face of the Grammys," which significantly improved his industry standing, making it easier to connect with influential figures who previously wouldn't take his calls. West expressed admiration for other artists including Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand, emphasizing that he advocates not just for himself but for what he considers quality music, stating "I care about the music, not the industry." Regarding his Grammy attire, West mentioned he was considering Yves Saint Laurent, which he described as his favorite designer.The interview extensively covered West's near-fatal car accident that preceded his debut album "The College Dropout." West clarified that contrary to media reports, he wasn't in a coma following the accident, though he vividly described the impact when "the steering wheel hit my mouth" and his jaw being broken in three places. West revealed that his rehabilitation actually improved his vocal clarity, which had been a struggle before the accident. He detailed the creation of his breakthrough single "Through the Wire," which he recorded with his jaw wired shut. West explained that studio executives were initially reluctant to provide recording time, forcing him to misrepresent his intentions to secure studio access. The lyrics for "Through the Wire" came to him while recuperating in his hospital bed, demonstrating his constant creative process despite physical limitations.West corrected a common misconception about his origins, confirming he was born in Atlanta, not Chicago, though he moved to Chicago at age three following his parents' divorce. His bi-regional upbringing included summers with his father in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Maryland, which influenced his fashion sensibility. West recounted an important moment when his friend Aubrey introduced him to Jordans and Polo shirts, marking his transition to more sophisticated clothing choices. His mother, a college professor with an extensive record collection including Stevie Wonder, Maze, and Anita Baker, profoundly influenced his musical development. West credited his grandfather with convincing his mother to support his music career rather than insisting on traditional education, a dynamic that later inspired "The College Dropout" concept.West described his father working various jobs, including as a photojournalist, payroll salesperson, and vacuum cleaner salesman, noting that his father's dedication to supporting him taught him to focus on major goals. West began producing music in seventh grade and was making money from it by age 15, demonstrating early business acumen by always requesting compensation for his talents and strategically increasing prices when demand intensified. The interview highlighted West's relationship with producer No ID, whom he met in high school. West described persistently calling No ID at age 15 until he responded, comparing finally connecting with the established producer to "actually being on stage or having a record deal." This mentorship provided crucial industry access and professional guidance.Throughout the interview, West connected his life experiences to the conceptual foundation of "The College Dropout." He emphasized authenticity in public appearances, rejecting conventional media training in favor of genuine self-expression. West articulated his spiritual approach to music creation, revealing that he prays before studio sessions, requesting divine guidance to "sharpen my ear to what's really going to be hot." He attributed his success primarily to spiritual influence, stating that his personal talent constitutes only a small part of what creates successful music. West mentioned his ongoing work with other artists, including his production for Common and directing a music video for John Legend, while revealing his second album would be titled "Late Registration."*There may be errors on this page.