The Genius of Kanye West’s “Yeezus” Tour Posted by Ryan Buell on 11/25/13 | Filed under Opinion, Kanye West

(Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the November, 25 issue of the Tufts Daily for Ryan Buell's column, "This Week in Hip-Hop." It is reprinted with permission from the author.)

Say what you will about the man’s behavior and public persona, but never question Kanye’s musical genius. He is a musical innovator, someone who refuses to be confined by expectations, in music or in life. Need proof? Look no further than his Yeezus tour, which I was lucky enough to attend November 17 at the Boston TD Garden. Equal parts hip-hop concert and rock opera, the show is a raw, visceral experience.

‘Ye opens with “On Sight,” Yeezus’s first song, and ends with “Bound 2,” its last. What occurs in between is a two and a half hour onslaught of hit songs, arranged into something of a plot arc. The display of dramatized thematic descriptions--“Fighting,” “Rising,” “Falling,” “Searching,” and “Finding,”--organized the show into something of a journey. Gospel choir interludes, a barrage of biblical imagery, and even the appearance of a Christ figure gave the show a sense of reincarnation. ‘Ye contextualizes his career and cultural significance within the lines of his Christian beliefs, portraying himself as a cultural savior.

When ‘Ye emerged, head enshrouded, among spotlights and a group of white-clad dancers, it began to grow clear what was in store: a religiously-driven poignant display, posing questions of success, race, and society. He launched into rhymes over the screeching beat of “On Sight,” and then followed up with “New Slaves.” Watching thousands of people, many white, singing along to lyrics such as, “They wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself,” was a surreal experience. Kanye is effectively bringing these racially charged lyrics into the mainstream - and importantly, into white America’s mainstream. 

What is Kanye trying to say with these provocative statements? Is he simply asserting his cultural influence by demonstrating that he can popularize even the most controversial of music? Perhaps he is intent on challenging racial norms by desensitizing racial issues. Or maybe, to go a step further, he is holding up a mirror, forcing us to question why exactly we are OK with singing along to “New Slaves.” This racial overtone is present throughout the "Yeezus" album and tour: the Confederate flag peppers the tour merchandise,

“Blood on the Leaves” samples the Nina Simone version of “Strange Fruit”; even the newly released “Bound 2” music video pushes the issue. From the haunting lynching-imagery of the “Strange Fruit” sample, to the degraded white American tropes featured in the “Bound 2” video, Kanye is challenging the way race is viewed in American society. By sending “New Slaves” and “Blood on Leaves” into the mainstream, ‘Ye is replacing the sources and meanings of these racially sensitive ideas with his music. He is using his pop culture presence to cause a social reaction to the persistent issue of race relations. In “Bound 2,” he effectively reduces stereotypical American tropes--the open road, motorcycles, even his tie-dye shirt--into corny visuals. He replaces the standard white “lone ranger” male with a “Black Skinhead.” Effectively, he is transferring racial standards and stereotypes onto himself in a cultural coup d’etat. By realigning the traditional perception of these issues, he is deteriorating the stigma of race - even if no one realizes it. Kanye is laying claim to race, music, and culture in America--as he claims in “I’m In It,” he is trying to “pop a wheelie on a zeitgeist.”  

I can’t be sure what exactly Kanye’s intentions are or where he is headed, but I can be sure of one thing: he is doing important things in music, and when all is said and done, his impact may well define a genre and a generation. His creative prowess is transcending music as he attempts to shift an entire culture, and its attitude towards race and religion, in his direction. Kanye sees no limits to his influence, and he wants everyone to understand his vision . 

(By Ryan Buell for Tufts Daily.)

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