The images were calling me. Strange huh?

I am still pretty disappointed that not everyone has come around to that fact. Yeezus is an enigma. It's critically loved, and hated among the mainstream. It found Kanye at a place in his life in which the walls felt like they were closing in all around him, and as a result came Yeezus. It's the story of a man who realized he was a God. And God said "As soon as I pull up and park the benz/We get this bitch shakin' like Parkinsons." And there was light. Well maybe not light, but "Sonic cocaine as Ye affectionately calls it. The "codes of self esteem." Before diving in it is important to realize that the value of a record, is not only the sounds it holds. It is is EVERYTHING that comes with it. Thriller, is not considered one of the greatest albums of all time, not only because of the sounds, but because of what it meant, and what it means to culture. It is with these implications in mind, and through this lens, that one must analyze Yeezus. What is Yeezus exactly? A stone cold masterpiece. Here's why: 1. It is his most unique album to date From the bloodshed of On Sight to the heavenly ascensions of Bound 2. What other rapper today has the balls, and the skills to produce one of the biggest "fuck you" records in modern music? Kanye zags alarmingly away from not only his staples as artist, but also from contemporary music which majorly panders towards the mainstream, and it pays off big time. This is the record he wanted to make, and he wouldn't have it any other way. 2. Kanye turnt it up over level 9000 with Yeezus When have you ever heard him more passionate than during the Yeezus era? His interviews were more belligerent and brilliant than ever. "I say things like 'I am a God' and people say 'who does he think he is?' Kanye tells Zane Low. "I just told you who I thought I was! A God!" Few artists lack the authenticity to truly speak their mind in a stream of consciousness. Yeezus is most definitely a outstanding example of the work mirroring the artist, perhaps one of the greatest examples ever. Yeezus is pure energy, and is highly contagious When Ye says "I'm bout to turn shit up/i'm bout to air shit out", you believe it. I would encourage you to listen to On Sight, Black Skinheads, and I am A God, right before you punch your hand through your car window (You won't even feel it, I promise). The braggadocio is as authentic as you will ever hear from a modern musician, and is enough to make other rappers blush because their arms are to short to box with the God. 3. Perhaps his most culturally significant work Kanye has a knack for profoundly impacting popular culture, and it is with this notion in mind that his statement "I am the nucleus of society", makes sense. What popular culture is essentially, thanks in large part to the internet, is the hub in which we all relate to and communicate, it serves as a bookmark in history. Graduation was essentially his first album to poke a hole into pop culture, and 808s subsequently became his most culturally significant work. Yeezus is already a strong contender for the title. The proof is most definitely there. While Kanye may not have invented the 'angry' 'industrial' sound, he is the most magnified artist to do so. As a result, the rest of hip hop has already started to follow suit, and everyday it starts to sound angrier, weirder, and brasher. But interestingly enough, Yeezus' biggest impact, didn't even occur in the music industry, which brings us to out next point. 4. It set the standard for rapper fashion As noted earlier, Kanye's work is inseparable and indistinguishable from the man himself. His albums are a mirror image of himself in the point in time. With this mind, consider the fact that Yeezus marks Kanye's initiation into the fashion hall of fame. What modern celebrity, pop culture icon, has been so largely acknowledged for their wardrobe choice? During the Yeezus era, Kanye's wardrobe became dark and grungy. T shirts of kneeling skeletons, and grim reapers underneath his God name Yeezus. Bomber jackets, ripped jeans, boots, black hoodies. Look how rappers dressed pre Yeezus, and post Yeezus, and you will see what I mean. When has Kanye ever been more heavily depicted in images than during the Yeezus era? 5. The Bound 2 Music video What most called "the worst music video ever" I call a brilliant stroke of genius, which lies in its innate ability to arouse excitement in people, even if it is hate. I've made a post on Bound 2 before, so I won't go into so much detail here, but remember what we said at the beginning. One must view an albums true value in a larger context than the sounds alone. Wether you think the music video is the greatest shit ever, or the worst shit ever, it is going to be remembered and reviewed for YEARS to come, and the Youtube video will continue to give fuck bois a place to bitch about Kanye. 6. The production is better than its ever been. On Sight.