Over the past few days Kanye’s been on everybody’s mind (even my mom’s) and I’ve gotten a lot of hate stew thrown in my face because I stick by him. Well, here’s why.
Kanye’s always had a special place in my heart. In my earlier blogs, I’ve written how I used to be really close-minded when it came to music. During my first year of college I lived in the dorms which, I have to tell you, is an experience no kid should ever miss out on. Living in the dorms turned me on to SO much music, among other things. Different artists, genres and styles. He turned me on to the hip-hop genre and helped me be more accepting to other styles of music and opened my mind.
My neighbor from across the hall (who always reminded me of Michael Bolton from the movie “Office Space”) had Late Registration, Kanye’s debut album. After falling in love with his first single “Through the Wire,” I was hooked and burned the album off of my neighbor.
Kanye will forever remind me of riding around in Matty’s truck in San Diego or laying in his room and just listening to him blast from his speakers. Kanye reminds me of good times and of growing up (which I admit, he has some of that to do as well).
Not only that, but the very first time I hung out with my now best friend, we bonded over our love for Kanye. I will always remember being in line at Knott’s Berry Farm for Ghostrider and quoting a Kanye song and this guy finished the line. We both looked at each other with that look of surprise that said, “NO WAY!” and ever since then, we’ve always shared a special bond over him. We make it a point to be together to buy his latest album, whether one of us can’t afford it yet or I was in San Diego and he was in L.A. We saw him for the first time in concert together and that’s an experience that I will never forget!
All of this sounds cheesy but I guarantee you have the same type of stories for some of your favorite artists!
People always argue that he’s not original because his songs aren’t original but in my opinion, the fact that he takes other people’s songs and make them his own makes him original in my head. I know people have been doing it for ages already, but I just love the way he does it. His musical style really appeals to me because it always gets me dancing or rapping along, even if I look ridiculous doing either. He still sings about bitches and ho’s in his songs but others are deeper than that as well. He’s fun and smart. I usually can’t stand arrogant assholes but in my opinion, Kanye can back his shit up! Therefore I tolerate him!
I am in no way defending what he did, but he’ll always have a special place in my heart because like we’ve said before, music is the soundtrack to our LIFE! For every important moment in your life, you’re sure to have a song to accompany that moment that you’ll hear and still to this day will get a reaction out of you. For me, the artists range from KoRn to Boxcar Racer; from Newfound Glory to the Who; and from hit-makers The Strokes to a West Covina garage band called Drunken Weasel.
What are some of the songs that make up the soundtrack to YOUR life?