11–20 of 96 posts
"For me the hardest thing is to 'just' agree and that is what sparks creativity, the feeling that something can be better, the feeling that something's missing, the feeling that something's needed."
I like the idea that creativity isn't just about creating something in a void -- it's about having a strong viewpoint and the taste to know how things should be.
I'm sorry, but Mr. West is such an insufferable ass that I can't bring myself to read this.
He's the Steve Jobs of Hip Hop.
Music is so nostalgic. Every song I listen to brings me back to when I first played them for my mom, when I first played from for Dame, when I first played them Jay, when I first played them for Kweli, when I first played them for my niggas back in Chi, when the album first came out, when I first called Ebro from Hot 97 and begged him to play through the wire, when DJ Pharris blew me up in the Chi.
We used to be the niggas rocking polo shirts, Louie back packs, paper denim jeans, and exclusive Adidas from Sporty LA. We were the underdogs. I never feel like I'm not the underdog. I never felt completely comfortable. I'm tormented by the need to create. With the loss of McQueen I feel like we lost one of those faces of modern creativity's Mount Rushmore.
There were times that the only thing that kept me on this earth was the need and responsibility to create. Maybe McQueen felt his job was done because his last collection was the greatest of the decade. We are all so hurt. I know we're selfish because he brought us so much joy and inspiration.
I know how it feels when the night demons come. We can't let them control our hands and feet. Sometimes when it hurts so bad we have to just lay in the bed. Just lay in bed and don't move please, I know how it feels. I wish McQueen could have just been still. Don't let the psychiatrists give you their drugs because it slows down your wings. Society and public opinion can beat the wings off of angels. When god sees they can't take it anymore he brings them back home.
During this new album process sometimes I turn the music up and drink and cry. When something sounds so amazing and ground breaking I'm reminded of why I live. I drink the pain of now 2 generations and breathe our melodies and messages. The music keeps us alive.
I was blessed with the opportunity to bring my and others dreams to life. It's like performing magic or something. It's surreal. We bring the unrealistic to reality. “Go hard, go hard, go hard” echoes in my dreams. When I wake up and brush my teeth and look in the mirror it's like I see Michael and my mom and Malcolm. Who's that African in the background mom? Oh he created the original layouts for the pyramids but was written out the history books and his MTV award was given to “aliens”.
There's no such thing as fact anymore, only opinion. The closest thing we have to fact is “common opinion”. Everything is an opinion. The way you dress is an expression of your opinion. Your religious beliefs are your opinion. The music you turn up loud is your opinion. For most people it's easier to just agree. For me the hardest thing is to 'just' agree and that is what sparks creativity, the feeling that something can be better, the feeling that something's missing. The feeling that something's needed.
What's impressive about Kanye is that when he reached the peak of the particular art form he was in (his music), he was willing to start on a whole new art form, where it was sure that he would initially have to go through a pain process. That's what we all have to do. Not just keep repeating the same shit in slightly different forms, but go somewhere else and do something new. You can't know what you don't know till…
What's impressive about Kanye is that when he reached the peak of the particular art form he was in (his music), he was willing to start on a whole new art form, where it was sure that he would initially have to go through a pain process. That's what we all have to do. Not just keep repeating the same shit in slightly different forms, but go somewhere else and do something new. You can't know what you don't know till…
hi - i don't know much about the guy, except that he's a rap artist. what's the new art form?
I ride the train every day and I see so many people just consuming content. Be it whatever they do on their Blackberry or iPhone or book or the local paper. I always smile when I see someone crocheting on the train.
We are a consumer society. I think, most of us, as developers and designers are especially privileged in the sense that we can bring form to thoughts - bring them into actuality.
To create is to be happier. Yes, it's good to watch the occasional TV show - but if you're just sitting there consuming content all day, it's a net trade deficit for you in the long run.
Thank you for posting Kanye West's heartfelt paen on creativity and the impermanence of life.
EDIT:
If you have not ever seen this, Ira Glass of This American Life on 'making stuff even when you know it sucks'. The power of persistence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hidvElQ0xE
Related:
http://www.unlikelysalsero.com/2007/08/magic-of-time-last-on...
though some may just not like the guy (for whatever reason), you can't deny the level of creativity that this dude possesses. his concert was the first i ever attended back in 05 in Dallas & every single hip-hop concert i've attended since (about 15 thus far) has paled in comparison (in terms of just sheer originality)
What's impressive about Kanye is that when he reached the peak of the particular art form he was in (his music), he was willing to start on a whole new art form, where it was sure that he would initially have to go through a pain process. That's what we all have to do. Not just keep repeating the same shit in slightly different forms, but go somewhere else and do something new. You can't know what you don't know till…
hi - i don't know much about the guy, except that he's a rap artist. what's the new art form?
Autotune. He also assembled a team of people hipper than himself to do research and development for him. In this way he's similar to contemporary artists like murakami, hirst and koons in that he's more of a manager, while his employees do the work of figuring out what's hip and helping him incorporate that into his music, videos and fashion sense.