“There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.” – Oscar Levant (composer, writer, author)
I’m going to get this out of my system so that I don’t have to talk about it anymore (well at least I hope so). As I prep myself to travel to Chicago to catch the second leg of Kanye West’s Yeezus Tour, I find myself excited to be in the building. I am a fan of Kanye’s music, always have been. I am also a fan of Kendrick Lamar so that makes it even better that I am going to see the show in Ye’s hometown. Since I am a fan of his music I tend to pay attention to what he’s doing and it’s pretty easy to do that these days. Kanye is probably one of the most talked about musicians/celebrities of the decade. A discussion I had about Kanye prompted me to contemplate on his career and so I pose this question to you, our readers. Is Kanye a genius or is he a crazy fool?
Kanye has never shied away from speaking his mind. Remember these gems?
“I am the number one human being in music. That means any person that’s living or breathing is number two.”
— Via The Wendy Williams Show, 2007
“I have to dress Kim everyday so she doesn’t embarrass me.”
— Via Twitter
“George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”
— A Concert for Hurricane Relief, 2005
“I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It’s my flag now. Now, what you gonna do?”
So that last quote has really set the Internet on fire. Recently Kanye has been seen sporting the confederate flag draped over his shoulders, patched on his arm, and even on his merchandise he’s selling at his concerts. To me this has to be the most controversial move he’s made yet. Forget all of the rants and quotes, this move goes deeper than just entertaining his fans with unpredictable antics. So I took to my Facebook page and asked what people thought about the flag being used as a fashion statement by Kanye. Here were some of the best responses.
“I understand why he is dressing this way. He says he is changing the meaning. I wouldn’t where those symbols but I think he is trying to send a message not trying to get attention.”
“He a damn fool. He obviously aint experienced the south and the culture and attitude behind the meaning of the flag. He should spend some time in the southern confederate areas of middle and southern America and see what it represents. Then he may understand that it’s more to it than just wearing it likes it his own NEW symbol. Get original Kanye”
“Calculated move by a man who is well aware of the power of symbols, celebrity and one who seeks attention for personal gain.”
And here is my response:
I believe Kanye represents a lot of misguided young men. He is all over the place. He contradicts himself too much for me to really believe he’s trying to change the meaning. He’s selling these shirts at his shows and making money off of them and there is no message with the fashion statement so how will people know you are trying to change the meaning if you are wearing it as a fashion statement? And what will people who support the flag think? I bet they would be happy we’re supporting something they value. Flat out it’s fashionable to Ye and he’s profiting off of it AND we’re doing exactly what he wants us to do….talk about him loll
So tell us what you think. Is Kanye a genius, a fool, or has he “erased the line” like our dear Oscar Levant?
#IMJUSTSAYING
