Once, in my car, (Dan)'s brother tried to suggest that Kanye West was the opposite of punk (this was used insultingly; (Dan)'s brother strongly believes in the power of punk). Honestly, I am willing to listen to critiques of Kanye, but I think this song is about as punk as radio-played-rap usually gets. It's an entire song devoted to the idea that increasing disposable income and flash among oppressed minorities does not free them from the real systemic problems facing their communities.
Kanye's a weird kind of rapper; his music is so much more thoughtful and introspective than he seems to actually be, based on interviews and the like. "We all self-conscious, I'm just the first to admit it," is an incredible line, suddenly making this song about conspicuous consumption personal. I'd ask punks to revisit this song, I really would.
Kanye's a weird kind of rapper; his music is so much more thoughtful and introspective than he seems to actually be, based on interviews and the like. "We all self-conscious, I'm just the first to admit it," is an incredible line, suddenly making this song about conspicuous consumption personal. I'd ask punks to revisit this song, I really would.
