Why Is Kanye West Considered a Genius?
Many modern artists are as contentious and provocative as Kanye West. Although he receives a lot of criticism for his public image, his innovations in both the realm of music and fashion have caused many fans and critics to consider him a creative genius. His reputation stems from his ability to innovate, reinvent himself, and create cultural movements; and not so much from being famous.
Artistic Innovation/Reinvention
Kanye's first album, The College Dropout, changed mainstream hip-hop by placing vulnerability, faith and self-doubt at the forefront of an artist's music instead of traditional street stories. Kanye's soulful sampling style and introspective lyrics opened up new avenues for what rap could look and feel like. This was followed up with Late Registration, which incorporated orchestral elements to further increase the sonic complexity of hip-hop.
In 2008, Kanye released 808s & Heartbreak, which brought Auto-Tune to the masses and emotional minimalism to an audience of hip-hop fans. Although the response to 808s was polarized, the album would go on to inspire a whole generation of artists to blend melodic and rap styles. In 2010, Kanye would release My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which received widespread acclaim for its layered and complex production, and would be included on "the best albums of the decade" lists.
Overall, Kanye's musical career shows that he doesn't follow formulas - he changes them.
Production and Innovation
Before Kanye became a successful rapper and singer, Kanye developed a reputation as a producer. His use of multi-layered sampling and gospel influences made hip-hop a rich and cinematic experience for the listener. Later projects, such as Yeezus, were able to take those same gospel and cinematic elements and add abrasive industrial textures to prove that Kanye is willing to make his listeners uncomfortable if he believes they will hear something different than what they've heard before.
The idea of a creative genius is often tied to one's ability to find new ways of creating art and hearing things in a way that others may not. Kanye's ability to combine seemingly unrelated sounds into cohesive statements defines much of his creative output.
The Impact of Kanye West's Music on the World - Through Fashion
Kanye West's music is not only an influence on the world of music; but also in the world of fashion. His clothing line, Yeezy, has been responsible for changing how people view the world of sneakers and street wear. The collaboration with Adidas of limited release sneakers created a global event that was talked about in every corner of the globe. The simple yet powerful aesthetic of Yeezy (large silhouettes, muted colors, etc.) can be seen on runways and sidewalks around the world. This type of influence is very rare for musicians to achieve in this way. Kanye West's fusion of artist and entrepreneur has made it clear to the public that he is a multi-dimensional creator. He has shown the ability to see what the future will hold in terms of trends and has positioned himself as the center of them.
The Artistic Courage and Unwavering Attitude of Taking Creative Risks
Another quality that many consider a characteristic of a genius is the ability to take risks creatively. Throughout his entire career, Kanye has consistently taken the risk of breaking away from the norm and going down uncharted roads. With each major change in direction in his albums (from soulful samples to orchestral rap, from electronic minimalism to gospel themes), he ran the risk of alienating his current fan base. In almost every case, these changes have paved the way for new creative possibilities for all artists within the industry.
Taking risks does not mean that you will receive widespread approval. Many of Kanye West's projects have received a mix of reactions from critics. Genius is not just about producing consistent art, but also about being brave enough to take the road less traveled and having a lasting impact on your industry. Kanye West's body of work shows a history of pushing the envelope that is rare among mainstream artists.
The Controversial Public Statements and Behavior of Kanye
When discussing Kanye West, we cannot ignore the controversy surrounding his public statements and behavior. Many of his comments regarding politics and social issues have drawn heavy fire. While the controversies surrounding Kanye West's public statements and behavior are certainly relevant to the discussion of his artistic genius, they do not necessarily define whether or not his artistic contributions should be recognized. Many historical artists have had tumultuous personal lives while still making lasting impacts on the art world. To acknowledge Kanye West's innovative contributions to music does not imply support for the problematic rhetoric he has used. It is possible to separate his artistic contributions from his personal controversies.
In Summary
Why do so many people believe Kanye West is a genius? The reasons are numerous: Kanye West is a master of musical reinvention, production innovation, cross-industry influence, and fearlessly pushing the limits of creativity. From creating a new emotional tone for hip hop, to changing the course of global fashion, Kanye West has repeatedly altered the conversation of popular culture.
Not everyone agrees with labeling Kanye West as a genius. Genius is a subjectively defined term, which is largely determined by an individual's values and perspectives. When looking at Kanye West's impact on music, his role in evolving genres, and his influence on contemporary cultural aesthetics, it is hard to deny that Kanye West has left a lasting impression on our time. Whether or not Kanye West is viewed positively or negatively, he is undoubtedly one of the most influential creative forces of his generation.
Sources:
Caramanica, Jon. “Kanye West’s Genre-Defining Career.” The New York Times, 2010.
Dombal, Ryan. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Review.” Pitchfork, 2010.
Frere-Jones, Sasha. “The Late Registration of Kanye West.” The New Yorker, 2006.
Pareles, Jon. “Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak and the Future of Rap.” The New York Times, 2008.
Reynolds, Simon. “How 808s & Heartbreak Changed Pop Music.” The Guardian, 2015.
Trebay, Guy. “Kanye West’s Influence on Fashion and Sneaker Culture.” The New York Times, 2016.
