Kanye West is one of the most influential and controversial hip-hop artists of our time. His music videos, in particular, have been known to push boundaries and change the game in the music industry. In this article, we’ll take a look at how some of Kanye’s most famous music videos have shaped the industry as we know it today.
“Jesus Walks” (2004)
“Jesus Walks” is one of Kanye West’s most iconic music videos. The song is a gospel-inspired track that touches on themes of faith, perseverance, and redemption. The video features Kanye dressed in white and surrounded by a choir of black men and women. He walks through city streets, crosses highways, and eventually ends up in a desert, where he is lifted up by a beam of light. The video is an uplifting tribute to black culture and spirituality, and it showed that hip-hop could be more than just party anthems and braggadocio.
“Stronger” (2007)
“Stronger” is a song that samples Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and combines it with Kanye’s signature hip-hop sound. The music video for this track is a masterpiece of futuristic imagery and pop culture references. Kanye and his crew are shown in a futuristic Tokyo setting, where they face off against a group of robots. The video is a visual feast of neon lights, laser battles, and fast-paced action. It was a perfect example of how music videos could be used to create a whole new world around a song.
“Runaway” (2010)
“Runaway” is one of Kanye’s most polarizing songs. It’s a slow, melancholic ballad that features raw lyrics about heartbreak and loneliness. The music video for “Runaway” is equally divisive. It’s a 35-minute short film that follows Kanye as he falls in love with a beautiful phoenix-like creature. The video is full of surreal visuals, including a dinner scene where Kanye’s guests are all weird, bird-like creatures. The music video was a bold statement from Kanye that showed he was not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of what a music video could be.
“New Slaves” (2013)
“New Slaves” is a song that tackles themes of racism, consumerism, and injustice. The music video for this track features a projection of Kanye rapping against the walls of various buildings in different cities around the world. It’s a powerful statement about the state of the world and how it’s become a prison for many people. The video was a reminder that music can be a force for change and can address important issues that need to be talked about.
“Famous” (2016)
“Famous” is one of Kanye’s most infamous music videos. The song is a controversial track that features lyrics about his ongoing feud with Taylor Swift. The music video for “Famous” is equally controversial. It features a line-up of lifelike wax figures of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Donald Trump, lying naked in a bed together. The video sparked outrage and controversy, but it also showed that Kanye was not afraid to take risks and make bold statements with his music.
Conclusion
Kanye West has always been a controversial figure in the music industry, but there is no denying that his music videos have had a significant impact on the industry as a whole. From “Jesus Walks” to “Famous,” Kanye’s music videos have pushed boundaries, challenged the status quo, and changed the way we think about music videos. They have shown that music videos can be more than just a visual accompaniment to a song – they can be a work of art in their own right. And that’s the legacy that Kanye West will leave behind – a man who wasn’t afraid to make a statement and change the game.
