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Kanye West On Creativity

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Re: Kanye West On Creativity

#91

Post by jriddycuz »

zoba wrote: post #44
jriddycuz wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He's probably the only male in the hip-hop world that makes music with a lot of personal, emotional content. Also he has a pretty good ear for hooks, and is widely regarded as a good producer. Not a big fan myself, but I think that's basically why he's well liked. Then again, maybe it's the shutter shades.

I think Eminem covers a lot of his own, personal issues. Eminem does hooks well too...

Perhaps I shouldn't have said "only". But Eminem presents himself as a gangsta, and while he does cover a lot of his own issues, he doesn't strike me as particularly introspective. I'm not necessarily preferring one guy over the other here--I'd much rather listen to OutKast or Mos Def than either Eminem or Kanye--but I think Kanye's merger of the traditional content of a lot of singer-songwriters with hip-hop is what makes him stand out.

Re: Kanye West On Creativity

#92

Post by bendtheblock »

wallflower wrote: post #18

When I meet someone at a party or a random event, I find that I hit it off most with those who genuinely want to create things with love, passion, and stubbornness and share them with people. Even if they are amateurish. 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 crocheti…

I read your comment this morning and it has stayed with me all day.

There is definitely something more to people who create, as well as consume. Whether they be a knitter, gardener, musician or developer.

Re: Kanye West On Creativity

#93

Post by ibsulon »

carbocation wrote: post #75
ibsulon wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. Bob Dylan is still the Bob Dylan of our times. Go listen to Modern Times or Love and Theft again. In the genre, I'll still put Common above Kanye in lyrics, and so would Jay-Z. How about The Roots? Kayne, as a producer, does great work. His lyrics are usually good. (I'm not a fan of Misogynist hits like Kanye's Workout Plan or Golddigger, but hey.) But Bob Dylan?

I'd go with Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Common, Kanye - in that order - for their lyrics. And really, the first three are in a league of their own.

Well, just for Illmatic I'd put Nas above Kanye. Nice call on Talib Kweli, though.

(Admitting to knowing and liking hip-hop is probably instant disqualification for any future YC application. :)

Re: Kanye West On Creativity

#95

Post by carbocation »

ibsulon wrote: post #93
carbocation wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd go with Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Common, Kanye - in that order - for their lyrics. And really, the first three are in a league of their own.

Well, just for Illmatic I'd put Nas above Kanye. Nice call on Talib Kweli, though. (Admitting to knowing and liking hip-hop is probably instant disqualification for any future YC application. :)

I can't believe I left Nas off that list. I don't think you need to worry about YC applications: "I'm the Buffalo Solider / Smoke you like a dreadlocked Rasta / loadin' a spliff" Surely PG would appreciate the poetry in that.

And this is magically topical, since in my mind it reinforces that Kanye may be a great producer, but even Jay says, "If skills sold / Truth be told / I'd probably be / Lyrically / Talib Kweli."

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