005: "How He Stay Faithful In A Room Full Of Hoes?..."
Kanye West is on top form as he battles with his internal compass, contemplating right from wrong and how to face the challenges that lie ahead
Not a day goes by where you don’t mention the name “Kanye West” in some capacity or context. Music or fashion, positively or negatively, he somehow finds his way into whatever topic of discussion is taking place. He probably has one of the most well documented journeys and timeline of events known amongst relevant public figures this century. Many have tried to unpack him at every stage, yet Mr. West seems to always end up throwing a curveball whenever we least expect it, for better or worse. But believe me, this complex, enigmatic individual’s maverick, artistic expressions have an abundance of wisdom to unpack as well. If it’s food for thought we seek, then I hope you’ve left room for desert.
Kanye West approached his third album, “Graduation”, with one thing on his mind:
“On this album, my first priority was to make stadium music…”.
Graduation served up a different sound to what most fans of hip-hop and Kanye West were used to, but it’s safe to say that Kanye found a way to bring his vision and unique ability to produce and arrange music to life. He tapped in to genres beyond his trademark soul-sampling style, utilising rock and pop influences to create synth heavy, ballad-like rap songs that had listeners hooked at every juncture.
“Can’t Tell Me Nothing” possibly encapsulates the album’s concept best. An unforgettable chorus that you can belt from the top of your lungs, a rhythm and BPM that makes you sway from side-to-side, and a whole host of quotable lines that can elevate any Instagram post to a viral social media masterpiece. And of-course, Yeezy being as unapologetic as ever in his no nonsense, straight to the point approach, delivered a bar of wisdom laced with philosophy and second thought that only he could. It’s best to analyse this in the context of the entire third verse of the song.
“Let the champagne splash, let that man get cash,
Let that man get past,
He don't even stop to get gas,
If he can move through the rumours, he can drive off of fumes 'cause,
How he move in a room full of no's?
How he stay faithful in a room full of hoes?
Must be the pharaohs, he in tune with his soul,
So when he buried in a tomb full of gold,
Treasure, what's your pleasure?
Life is a [uh] depending how you dress her,
So if the Devil wear Prada, Adam Eve wear nada,
I'm in between but way more fresher,
With way less effort, 'cause when you try hard,
That's when you die hard,
Your homies looking like why God,
When they reminisce over you, my God…”
It may feel simple, but Kanye West was tapping into the very fabric of his being with this statement. Staying faithful in the face of temptation and overcoming natural urges; why do they exist if they’re frowned upon? How can a man stay true to his principles when faced with wrongdoers everywhere he looks? It’s a classic, repackaged tale of good vs. bad, or right vs. wrong. This song and line in particular captures Kanye’s personality, life goals and moral compass so well. His whole career has been about this exact internal struggle, striving for authenticity in his art against the conformity of the consumer - a classic case of “The Authenticity Paradox”. This article by Louis Bradley details this perfectly - a highly recommended read.
Recognition from hip-hop purists and gatekeepers whilst also being revelled by the next generation of fans and critics, to the extent where he can make the front page of any magazine cover he wants. Making “The College Dropout” and “Yeezus” less than 10 years apart. Wearing high-end designer clothes alongside dime a dozen shutter shades. Kanye wants the raw, authentic body of work to have the extravagance and flamboyance that it deserves. Producing beats for Roca-A-Fella was meaningless without the chain. Yeezy’s philosophy for life has always been about the struggle and it’s ascent, and whether he can maintain his composure or not whenever challenged. He’s done this publicly throughout his time in the limelight. He takes risks with his art and his life. Whether it pays off or not, the fact that he does it and is happy to face the barrage that comes with it is just an element that he has to deal with. He can do this because he is arguably at complete ease and assurance in his own identity, perhaps more so than anybody else (gotta love that infamous Kanye West ego, right?). This bar is simple yet brilliant.
The most important takeaway from Yeezy’s wisdom is that there sometimes aren’t any answers until you test the waters. There’s no way to find out until you make yourself accountable and go full steam ahead. As you read this edition of Bars Of Wisdom, the world is anticipating Kanye’s next album, DONDA, to drop between now and tomorrow… perhaps… allegedly… I think… I dunno…. maybe?
But that’s exactly what makes Kanye so interesting and polarising. He explores, he fails, he goes again. He doesn’t give a fuck what we think. He is solely responsible for his lifestyle and actions. His mind is firmly set on the outcome of the product. He then, by most measures, ends up winning too. Sometimes the greatest wisdom is in not knowing until you try and enter unchartered territory at the risk of having egg splattered across our faces. You’ll only be able to stay faithful in a room full of temptation by putting yourself in that domain, and coming out of it better equipped at the other end. This is quintessential Kanye West logic at it’s very best.
Do yourself justice, utilise your mind.
WhosAria
A Word On The Song/Artist
I’ve always felt that the ability to divide opinion is one of the best traits an artist can have. When you speak to the older generations about the wild stories of musicians from their heyday; whether it’s the antics of Keith Moon or Rick James, to the exploits of Frank Sinatra and who he surrounded himself with, it adds to their persona and gives them an edge. But one thing that was never up for debate was their talent and ability to make music. Perhaps in 30 years time, we’ll be passing on the torch and telling the next generation just how surreal yet equally brilliant Kanye West was. His passion for music may not ignite the same flames as it once did, but he has a discography that other recording artists can only dream of making. There’s a level of musicianship and creativity he brings to his projects that are few and far between, and Graduation is testament to that. As soon as you hear “Na, na, na na”, you can get any crowd moving. An iconic hook from an iconic song, from an undeniably iconic body of work made by a modern day icon.
I have “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” included in my “The Turn Up Chronicles - The Hip Hop House Party Playlist” playlist which you can listen to on my Spotify alongside other concept playlists (will be up on my Apple Music profile soon). Like, follow and share my profile/playlist to stay up-to-date with all of my current and future playlist collections.