Kanye hasn’t changed.  He just has more people listening to him. 

In Jan ‘04 Dame Dash invited me 2 Sundance Film Festival for the premiere of The Woodsman.  After the movie, he had a party with bunch of hollywood “peeps.” DJ AM was spinning, the place was having a great time. Dame had AM cut his set in middle so Kanye could perform.  But no one knew who Kanye was then. His 1st album wasn’t coming out until Feb. In fact, I think John Legend was playing keyboard in Ye’s stage band.  Through the Wire may have been out.  Can’t remember. But no one in hollywood was that hip to know it.  Ye got up on stage in a room that had two floors. Balcony overlooking stage. Not the best environment for music performance. He started to perform. People weren’t paying attention. He could feel it. They were talking.  He was frustrated.  About 3/4 of the way into the song. He stopped. "Everyone that is not listening is gonna be mad you had the opportunity to see me perform for the first time." 

But it still didn’t silence the crowd. Chatter continued.  He jumped off stage. Ran to the top of balcony and screamed at the top of his lungs. Demanded to be heard.  To be honest he COMMANDED to be heard. Similar to his recent rants. I couldn’t believe this kid had the balls.  The conviction in himself to turn these people and HE DID.  People started to watch and they got into it.  I knew at that moment. He was a real artist.  That he cares about one thing.  At all costs.  HIS MUSIC.

ORG final run through before Body Rock 2012