Kanye West's influence on music, fashion, and American race relations

Kanye West: His Influence and Impact on the Modern World

When Kanye West debuted on the music scene, he did so in a lasting and powerful manner. West has been able to produce albums with lasting critical and popular success, thus securing his name as one of the music's greatest and most influential people, easily placing him among the ranks of some of the most legendary -- such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. However, West is often fodder for the tabloids and the legitimate press due to his outspoken nature. West has receive a tremendous amount of attention for the remarks that he's made to the press -- remarks which some say are just the self-absorbed blatherings of a celebrity and which others say are just the throw-away remarks of someone who examines his life with a microscope and a tremendous amount of hubris. However, given the intense influence and success that West has had in music, given his desires to work in the fashion industry (particularly in haute couture), and given the obvious intelligence of his music, it's definitely worth asking if Kanye West is actually engaging in meaningful commentary about race and class in America with many of his outspoken remarks? Furthermore, is West's concerted efforts to work with acclaim in the world of high fashion actually more of a sociopolitical move which seeks to even the playing field of race relations?

Career and Music

Kanye West will be the first one to assert just how powerful he is, though perhaps one of the elements which has kept him in the spotlight after all these years is the fact that his records sales remain consistent. One of the saving graces that allows West to be so outspoken and which makes people want to continue to listen to his outspoken remarks is the fact that he stands on a pillar of his records sales and commercial success: this is an important point to keep in mind, as these successes are precisely what prevent West from resembling the archetypal figure of the "crazy man" yelling random, incoherent pieces of speech from the street corner. It's important to bear in mind that West has been on the music scene since 2004 when he debuted with The College Dropout.

Later in 2005, Kanye West graced the cover of Time magazine, something that rarely every happened with any artist; the title of the magazine dubbed Kanye as Hip-Hop's Class Act. "The lengthy article details the contradictions of The College Dropout and of West himself, who admits that when starting out in hip-hop, 'It was a strike against me that I didn't wear baggy jeans and jerseys and that I never hustled, never sold drugs.' In April, Time had tapped West as one of the year's 100 most influential people" (people.com). This remark is important to bear in mind as it demonstrates that even West understood that while he had made it in the rap industry, he had done so in a manner which was incredibly distinct from other artists: when it came to the rap industry, West was not just a success; he was also an anomaly. West's acclaim was a truly remarkable feat because most people in America had just begun to learn his name a year ago. The fact that Time Magazine dubbed Kanye with this title so quickly is a result of his presence and his album sales. Kanye debuted onto the music industry scene as a bit of an overnight success: it seemed as though just overnight people not only were listening to his music, they were listening to his music by the millions. Overnight Kanye West deemed a star by the music industry. However, what has kept him a star is the fact that he keeps producing music that people want to listen to and that people will pay to listen to in droves. When it comes to the world of rap, West is not just influential, but he's not afraid to experiment, something again which makes him something of an anomaly. In 2009 Kanye's album 808s and Heartbreak was more experimental with more singing and less rapping: it was an expression by Kanye about much of the sadness he had experienced in his life -- this marked a level of vulnerability that other rappers didn't allow themselves to have or to experience. Just look at the reaction to Kanye's 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: not only did it top the charts of Billboard 200, but it was deemed a work of genius: "Rolling Stone says it's 'his most maniacally inspired music yet…Nobody halfway sane could have made this album,' while Spin praises it as 'a blessing'" (people.com).

Perhaps part of Kanye's success as a rapper was in connection with the fact that he was different. Some critics argued that he rescued rap "from the dismal swamp of stripper-chic and 'gangsta' ghettocentricity into which it has sunk. West's music is a delightful confection of odd juxtapositions and eccentric lyrical concerns; a sound that exemplifies hip-hop's recombinant aesthetic" (Muwakkil, 2006). Kanye was different from the roots of the "hip hop nation" that had underscored rap (Keyes, 2002); West was educated, he was just as clever and his music was distinct. Kanye West, through his music, has managed success, but success on his terms, success while playing by his own rules and has demonstrated that as an artist he's not just an anomaly, he pushes boundaries, which is yet another reason one should not be too surprised he has decided to take on the Caucasian-dominated world of high fashion. West's tendencies to push boundaries, through his music, through his remarks and through his actions demonstrates how he continually seeks to address the imbalance permeating throughout society on his own terms.

Political Influence

However, the depths of Kanye West's power, desire to push boundaries, and tendency to call things as he saw them, were felt acutely during Hurricane Katrina, when West memorably made the remark, "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a concert on NBC for hurricane relief. Such a remark seemed flippant, and it seemed ill-planned and it made it look like Time had made a mistake by putting him on their cover and deeming him as the smartest man in hip-hop. The statement was so controversial, and Kanye was still so new to pop culture and to the music industry, the remark really did seem like he was simply risking his newfound popularity with a cavalier remark. However, during this time, West's album got to number one on Billboard charts, outselling the competition by over half-a-million records -- again evidence for the fact that his commercial success in music set up a pillar for him upon which to support his outspokenness.

However, West's controversial remark about Bush seemed to have sparked his popularity, increasing it in unprecedented amounts, as controversy is definitively one way for more people to discuss one and to increase's one's notoriety in the eyes of the world. "The resonance of West's comment (T-shirts emblazoned with his remark sparked a minor fashion trend and the internet swarmed with knock-off renditions of his hit 'Gold Digger' featuring substitute lyrics about George Bush) reveal just how hip-hop has expanded its influence beyond entertainment. The clearest voice to emerge from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina didn't come from the civil rights fraternity; it came from West" (Muwakkill, 2006). This demonstrates not only the power of West, but also the power of pop culture as a whole. The fact that the most memorable thing said about the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina was said not by activists or people in politics, but Kanye West, demonstrates how celebrities have a tremendous amount of pull when it came to current events.

Furthermore, West's comment was so blunt and so opinionated, that it really got America talking about the connections between Hurricane Katrina and the issues of race. While that might not have been West's desire when he became a rapper -- he may not have desired to become a sort of a spokesperson for his own opinions, or to discuss race in America, but this is something which has turned out to be a clear outgrowth of his power. "I don't think he started out to use this forum to exemplify his political consciousness.' Donda West told me in a recent conversation. She is the former chair of the English Department at Chicago State University and now serves as her son's manager. 'But he was given the kind of talent that would attract attention and then he had the kind of consciousness to have something to say.' He didn't intend to be so political when he first started, she said, 'but now he feels that he has no choice, that he's been called to it'" (Muwakkill, 2006). However, it's important to bear in mind that Donda's comments were made almost ten years ago, and she is not alive to see, hear or process the things that West is doing today: some say that his current remarks demonstrate an intensity of ego and the consequences of a sense of out-of-control fame.

Donda West has not lived to bear witness to the intensive notoriety of her son. Part of the notoriety that he has achieved as been in connection with the multi-faceted quality of his career: "No rapper has embodied hip-hop's often contradictory impulses of narcissism and social good quite as he has, and no producer has celebrated the lush and the ornate quite as he has. He has spent most of his career in additive mode, figuring out how to make music that's majestic and thought-provoking and grand-scaled. And he's also widened the genre's gates, whether for middle-class values or high-fashion and high-art dreams" (Caramanica, 2011). For example, no one can forget the year of the MTV Music Video Award when West grabbed the microphone during the acceptance speech of Taylor Swift and proclaimed that "Beyonce had one of the videos of all time." This was a moment when other celebrities even condemned Kanye's behavior, such as Kelly Clarkson, and he received serious criticism for his actions. In fact, even President Obama devoted criticism to Kanye's antics, and West ended up apologizing to Swift over the phone. However, in true form to his reputation for controversy, West has since removed his apology to Swift, saying that all of his actions are permissible and valid because of his own credibility and influential quality (Burbank-Douglas, 2013). "West, who drew controversy for interrupting Swift when she won the award for Video of the Year, beating out Beyonce, explains that he doesn't regret his now infamous interruption saying, 'It's only led me to complete awesomeness at all times. It's only led me to awesome truth and awesomeness. Beauty, truth, awesomeness. That's all it is'" (Burbank-Douglas, 2013). While one might want to dismiss this remark as again another example of a self-absorbed artist making yet another self-absorbed remark, given West's intelligence and desire to push boundaries, one needs to give it a more thorough examination. Essentially, all West is saying is that he felt like he was speaking the truth, and that while it may have offended some people, he was going to continue speaking the truth and that there's an inherent level of awesomeness present within speaking the truth. Moreover, this remark showcases influence, power and last-ability that Kanye has managed to maintain as a recording artist. His power is largely in the fact that he is so controversial. He maintains his popular status by being controversial, and by gaining the outrage and support of people all over America. His outspoken quality and the outrageousness of the things that he says ensures that people continue to talk about him. Furthermore, the fact that Kanye says that he is "so influential" turns out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He tells America that he is "so influential" and America, whether the nation likes it or not, ends up agreeing with him. As one journalist reminds us, "Sure, he's known for the outrageous, but unlike so many celebrities Kanye's never been arrested, accused of cheating or known to have anything remotely close to a drug issue. He's reached superstardom just through making great music, great marketing and the occasional publicity stunt here and there. But Kanye isn't dangerous. Compared to, say, Lindsay, West is the model of good boy super celebrity" (Dennis, 2013).

Kanye and Fashion

Kanye is in fact as influential in fashion as he says he is, as he's made a steady and consistent fashion evolution throughout the years. In fact, his emergence onto the hip-hop scene was special and different largely because his personal sense of fashion was so different from other rappers. He didn't wear baggy jeans and he didn't dress like typical gangsta rappers. Kanye continues to be a major player in fashion, but he does so with his standard controversy, as another means of keeping himself relevant. As one journalist says, it's difficult to keep track of who Kanye is fighting with. (Levinson, 2013). Kanye's fighting extends to fashion as well: "According to Kanye, when the vice president of Louis Vuitton, Yves Carcelle, wouldn't meet with him, the rapper dramatically urged all of NYC to boycott the label (executing his "power"). Kanye said: "I was made for this moment. What happened was while I was out in Paris I wanted to meet with the head of Louis Vuitton, he said, 'I don't understand why we need to meet with you.' I said, 'Let me explain to you why you need to meet with me.' Everybody in New York City right now don't buy any Louis Vuitton until after January. Now do you want to meet with me? Now do you want to meet with me? Influence. They think that I don't realize my power" (Levinson, 2013). Such a remark demonstrates the sheer timelessness of Kanye's remark: he reestablishes his own power, engages in a greater level of controversy, and ensures that people continue to discuss him, while getting his name associated with the Louis Vuitton brand. Kanye truly does have so much influence, not just in the realm of music, but in the realm of fashion as well, that he doesn't even need to formally represent a brand in order to become connected with it. He can just talk about a designer or wear clothing from a particular line in order for that association to be made.

In fact, as a performer, Kanye was always distinguished for his unique sense of fashion and style, as he didn't wear baggy pants and hoodies like other performers in the rap scene. His look was always more polished. Now West is asserting that he wants to become a major icon within the fashion world, a world with whom he has a volatile relationship with. However, despite its volatility, he still exerts an influence over this world, and whether or not the fashion world wants to allow him in order not, Kanye wants to enter and intends to enter, and has even signed a deal with Adidas to allow him some backing. Adidas will be giving Kanye his own design lab and the ability to create his own line, something that will help foray him more strongly into the consciousness of pop culture. Kanye has claimed to have a lot of ideas, including those for women's clothing: Kanye refers to himself as one of the top artists out of Chicago and someone who has much to offer the fashion industry. During a recent interview, Kanye called out W. Magazine, claiming they tried to make a mockery out of him for trying to learn as he goes. "They don't want a n**** to open up his mind and start looking at all these other places,' he said. 'As long as we're controlled by the idea of just having a nice car, a Louis Vuitton bag for Christmas but we won't ever sniff out and want that factory over there or ever empower ourselves. Kanye says that him and his fiance Kim Kardashian aren't the richest couple in the world, but they are more relevant than any corporation. 'The [biggest corporation's] amount of money can only equal the amount of relevancy that me and Kim have,' he said. 'I might not be a billionaire, but I'm a trillionaire in relevancy'" (radio.com, 2013). While Kanye West might be blunt and abrasive to a certain extent, the basic content of what he is saying is largely true. He is an artist and he has received the critical recognition to prove it. If he wants to move on to the world of fashion, he probably has a great deal of creative offerings to provide there.

Furthermore, West is calling the fashion world out on their elitism. There's a tremendous amount of exclusivity that is involved in the fashion world, and there are a lot of people who are shut out. For instance, minority men are severely under-represented in this community. If West wants to engage in the world of elite fashion, he should have every right to. While he has a great deal of artistic merit, he might not be a success immediately at fashion, but he should be able to fail or make mistakes and then be able to try again.

In a recent interview with the BBC, "West explains the frustration of still being denied access to a certain level of respect and acceptance in the fashion community. He's denied the respect he feels he's earned in trying to transcend barriers and garner a new social status. His frustration and disgust are palpable ... And relatable [to other African-Americans]" (Dennis, 2013). As one journalist who is African-American explains, 'I've been told repeatedly to 'stay in my lane'" -- professionally. "West's discussion of the 'glass ceiling' is a prevalent and all too real experience for minorities; the idea that he as a black man is good enough to entertain but when he tries to get a seat at the table of a higher social status, he's constantly denied access. Too often, African-Americans face a glass ceiling where they're told 'good job' for playing their roles, but when they attempt to excel to new levels they've stepped out of line" (Dennis, 2013). It's possible that West will show the fashion industry that he's a terrible designer and subpar as an artist -- it's possible that he might not reach the higher levels of success in fashion because he lacks talent, not because of race. But even if this does end up happening, it doesn't mean that there's isn't a glass ceiling for minorities in the world of fashion. Even so minorities like Kanye still have to work twice as hard to get through the glass ceiling, and this "frustration is real and it's based on a history of mistreatment" (Dennis, 2013).

Thus, this paper has examined closely the tremendous impact that West has had on the world. West came busting onto the music scene with enormous critical and commercial success, and he has used this success to leverage himself as a public figure. West may be outspoken and abrasive, but many of the remarks he makes are bold statements with high amounts of truth about the state of race and class in America. While Kanye is reviled by some, no one can deny the intense power that he wields over popular culture. The imprint that he is making on the fashion world is just the beginning, and it's likely that other realms of the arts will see more and more of him.