Kanye Knows That He Can’t Sing
Artist:
Kanye West
Fans of Kanye West who have followed the Chicago rhymer since The College Dropout might be a little peeved off at his decision to concentrate on singing rather than spitting on new album 808s & Heartbreak, but Kanyeezy has spoken out to defend his range, insisting that it’s all about being raw and emotional.
"It was just what was in my heart," Kanye revealed to MTV. “The type of ideas that I was coming up with, the melodies that were in me — what was in me I couldn't stop. I think it's a path; it's a road that's been paved and given by God. There's so many signs and I just have to follow the signs and the arrows of where he wants me to go and just be fearless about it. It's so crazy — hip hop used to be about being fearless, and now it's, like, all about being afraid. It used to be about standing out, and now it's all about fitting in. Like, you know, I wear my tight jeans and stuff and stand out and people want to talk about me. Now hip-hop is like a big high school or something — so that's why I respect people who just do whatever they want to do.”
West carried onto explain that he sings because it has a more emotional impact on listeners than rapping – something that was important to him bearing in mind that the subject matter on the disc deals with the break-up of his engagement, death of his mother and the pressures of celebrity.
“It's, like, you know, hip hop — there's limitations to just rapping,” Kon continues. “I can get a rise out of you by spitting a really good punch line and stuff, but what if I tried to ... what if I tried to teach you your ABCs like this: 'A... B... C... D...' — as soon as you think ABCs, you think of the melody. You were taught with it. I'm trying to deliver a message and melody throughout the entire [album]. I still come from a hip hop vibe though, yeah.”
808s & Heartbreak is out on Monday
Fans of Kanye West who have followed the Chicago rhymer since The College Dropout might be a little peeved off at his decision to concentrate on singing rather than spitting on new album 808s & Heartbreak, but Kanyeezy has spoken out to defend his range, insisting that it’s all about being raw and emotional.
"It was just what was in my heart," Kanye revealed to MTV. “The type of ideas that I was coming up with, the melodies that were in me — what was in me I couldn't stop. I think it's a path; it's a road that's been paved and given by God. There's so many signs and I just have to follow the signs and the arrows of where he wants me to go and just be fearless about it. It's so crazy — hip hop used to be about being fearless, and now it's, like, all about being afraid. It used to be about standing out, and now it's all about fitting in. Like, you know, I wear my tight jeans and stuff and stand out and people want to talk about me. Now hip-hop is like a big high school or something — so that's why I respect people who just do whatever they want to do.”
West carried onto explain that he sings because it has a more emotional impact on listeners than rapping – something that was important to him bearing in mind that the subject matter on the disc deals with the break-up of his engagement, death of his mother and the pressures of celebrity.
“It's, like, you know, hip hop — there's limitations to just rapping,” Kon continues. “I can get a rise out of you by spitting a really good punch line and stuff, but what if I tried to ... what if I tried to teach you your ABCs like this: 'A... B... C... D...' — as soon as you think ABCs, you think of the melody. You were taught with it. I'm trying to deliver a message and melody throughout the entire [album]. I still come from a hip hop vibe though, yeah.”
808s & Heartbreak is out on Monday
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Comments
aquafina
28 Nov 2008, 10:59
28 Nov 2008, 10:59
I like his point about hip hop - how it used to be about standing out now its about fitting in.
Personally I dont like kanyes album, but i respect his decision to make it and i think the guy should make the music he loves, regardless of what anyone thinks. its what made him famous in the first place.
Personally I dont like kanyes album, but i respect his decision to make it and i think the guy should make the music he loves, regardless of what anyone thinks. its what made him famous in the first place.
The Muscianship of Hip-Hop
14 Dec 2008, 05:52
14 Dec 2008, 05:52
There's no negating the fact that Kanye is talented. I'm all for doing whats in your heart and following your dreams and all that other good stuff but at the same time people need to accept their limitations.
Plain and simply put Kanye West cannot sing. I just heard his new song on SNL and I could not believe my ears.
I am a pianist but I cannot sing to save my life, so as much as I wish I could, as much as it's in my heart, as much as I have creative ideas, as much as they continue to stick a mic in my face during a performance, the fact remains that I cannot sing and therefore will not subject anyone to something sub- par simply because they love me.
Kanye's great at the D.J-ing thing. He should stick to what his strengths are... Along with needing to understand his limitations, he needs voice lessons. I cannot fathom anyone actually recording something so awful and calling it singing and the masses clammering to buy it.
Plain and simply put Kanye West cannot sing. I just heard his new song on SNL and I could not believe my ears.
I am a pianist but I cannot sing to save my life, so as much as I wish I could, as much as it's in my heart, as much as I have creative ideas, as much as they continue to stick a mic in my face during a performance, the fact remains that I cannot sing and therefore will not subject anyone to something sub- par simply because they love me.
Kanye's great at the D.J-ing thing. He should stick to what his strengths are... Along with needing to understand his limitations, he needs voice lessons. I cannot fathom anyone actually recording something so awful and calling it singing and the masses clammering to buy it.
