The Life of Pablo: Kanye West's Seventh Solo Album and Its Process
- Erika Acode
- Feb 16, 2016
- 3 min read
After nearly three years, Kanye West released his new album, The Life of Pablo - previously known as WAVES, which was previously known as SWISH, which was previously known as So Help Me God. After his Saturday Night Live performance of "Ultra Light Beam" and "Highlights," he announced (or screamed, I should say) that his album is finally available on Tidal.
The album was originally supposed to be released after he played it at his Yeezy Season 3 show at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 11 in NYC. He later announced on Twitter that Chance the Rapper, featured on the album, wanted a song added to the album which caused the delay.
Kanye's marketing strategy leading up to the project has been interesting to watch. Mostly on Twitter, Ye has put out threads of tweets talking about his fashion line Yeezy Season 3, beefing with Wiz Khalifa (we'll elaborate on that later), and the album/it's process.
Long story short, Kanye changed his album name from SWISH to WAVES, in which Wiz Khalifa quickly immediately shows he has an issue with the title, referring to a concept created by rapper Max B. Kanye then goes on a Twitter rampage toward Wiz, involving things like being an OG and being treated as such, KK (Ye thought it stood for his wife's initials, Kim Kardashian, but it's actually a strain of marijuana), Kanye and Wiz's ex (Amber Rose), and basically a whole number of things unrelated to the album. Then they eventually make up, and it's whatever.
MOVING ON.
Leading up to the album, Kanye released a song every week, also known as G.O.O.D. Friday's, giving fans a chance to see what the album is about and follow its development.
On the album, Kanye also makes clever hits toward other musicians and celebrities, such as Steve Harvey, Taylor Swift, Ray J, and more.
"I bet me and Ray J would be friends if we ain't love the same b***h," he raps on "Highlights."
"Yeah he might of hit it first, only problem is I'm rich."
Featured artists on the album include Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi, The Weeknd, Rihanna, Frank Ocean (who promised us an album and released it a year later but it's fine), Travi$ Scott, Young Thug, and more. As well as production by Metro Boomin, Swizz Beats, and Cashmere Cat.
Maybe rap/hip-hop/whatever you want to call it may not be your genre, but it is known that Kanye is a lyrical artist - it is difficult for some to comprehend.
Describing it as a gospel album, Kanye takes us through a journey of his grief, testimony of his life, and where he believes his rightful place in the world is. Completely different from his past work, but still incorporating some autotune work of 808s & Heartbreak, some soul/gospel and skits from College Dropout and Late Registration, some beats of Graduation, and the production quality of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus.
The Life Of Pablo may not have "radio hits," but that's not the point; that was never the point for Kanye.
The album is real and raw.
It is a creative masterpiece; it just goes to show that Kanye West is by far one of the most innovative musicians of our time.
One of the best albums of 2016 and the greatest concert I've ever been to.
Well done, Ye.
Sources
tidal.com/album/57273408
http://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/kanye-west-new-album-the-life-of-pablo-stream
コメント