# Kanye West is a complete fucking idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 25, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927 "2010-11-25T23:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/101 "2010-11-27T19:04:42Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > [Can’t fight this feeling anymore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_smKyihbQ3s) - cow style. That was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/102 "2010-11-27T19:38:34Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > I like some of his songs…doesn’t mean he’s not an infantile dumbass, though. And, yes, I realize that alot of celebs are, but I think he takes pop star egotism to an unheard of level. For some, egotism and attention-whoring can actually make your music better because it acts as an image enhancer, but it’s very easy to go too far. I think he does and that turns plenty of people off, #1 album or not. Go ahead and read the comments attached to the article I linked in the OP. I give him 10 more years at most before he disappears. Hell, five is probably more like it. He had over a decade of success and acclaim as a hip-hop producer, followed by a breakout as a solo artist six years ago, five critically acclaimed and commerically successful albums since then, and currently has worldwide superstardom as both an artist and a public figure. He’s more successful (and richer) at this point than almost every other human who has ever lived. Eventually he won’t be quite so famous and one day he’ll be dead and gone - but his body of work stands for itself, so as long as people care about hip-hop he’ll be far from a one hit wonder. Another 10 years of work in the hip-hop world will bring him to a total of \*24 years \*in the biz. Yes, he’s a jerk, but have you ever heard the expression ‘any press is good press’? Polarizing figures often achieve fame and fortune more quickly and easily than the moderate, broad-appeal sorts (see Sarah Palin). ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/103 "2010-11-27T21:00:37Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Nope, I don’t work for his PR team. I actually _am_ Kanye West. And several of my hot doperchick fantasies die a horrible painful death in seconds as I read this line… ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/104 "2010-11-30T01:38:44Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > He had over a decade of success and acclaim as a hip-hop producer, followed by a breakout as a solo artist six years ago, five critically acclaimed and commerically successful albums since then, and currently has worldwide superstardom as both an artist and a public figure. He’s more successful (and richer) at this point than almost every other human who has ever lived. Eventually he won’t be quite so famous and one day he’ll be dead and gone - but his body of work stands for itself, so as long as people care about hip-hop he’ll be far from a one hit wonder. Another 10 years of work in the hip-hop world will bring him to a total of \*24 years \*in the biz. That doesn’t mean all that much, really. When was the last time you heard from Chuck D, KRS-ONE, Ice T, or Rakim? Or, hell, even Dr. Dre, for that matter? They all have much longer, better careers than Kanye, are far more talented, but have virtually dropped off the face of pop culture unless you go looking for them. I suspect 'Ye will end up there as well, but probably sooner because, unlike Chuck D, he’s an ass. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/105 "2010-11-30T02:09:14Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > When was the last time you heard from Chuck D, KRS-ONE, Ice T, or Rakim? Someone’s not a **Law and Order: SVU** fan… ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/106 "2010-11-30T03:19:52Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > That doesn’t mean all that much, really. When was the last time you heard from Chuck D, KRS-ONE, Ice T, or Rakim? Or, hell, even Dr. Dre, for that matter? They all have much longer, better careers than Kanye, are far more talented, but have virtually dropped off the face of pop culture unless you go looking for them. I suspect 'Ye will end up there as well, but probably sooner because, unlike Chuck D, he’s an ass. Huh. I guess I’m looking. . . because I hear about those people all the time. Shit, am I all of those people too? ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/107 "2010-11-30T04:38:24Z")
Everyone _eventually_ drops off of the face of pop culture unless you seek them. Even Madonna aint all up in my grill lately. Doesn’t mean she isn’t a fucking _legend_. Chuck D, KRS, and Rakim\* all enjoyed time in the commercial limelight and remain highly respected in the hip hop community. Even kids today know enough to pretend to like them, even if they barely know a single one of their lyrics. I suspect at least the same for Kanye. At most, I expect he will become a rap/pop icon along with Jay Z. \*I left Ice T out because fuck Ice T. ETA: Actually, I think Kanye is better than Jay. There. I said it. Never was a huge Jay Z fan. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/108 "2010-11-30T11:56:20Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Huh. I guess I’m looking. . . because I hear about those people all the time. Shit, am I all of those people too? Musically, I meant. Public Enemy still makes records, but they’re unfortunately nowhere near where they once were in terms of commercial success and, thus, visibility. Rakim’s last record came out last year but I doubt most people in the mainstream even noticed, whereas Paid in Full went platinum. Ice-T hasn’t released a record in almost five years and owes any visibility he still has to his acting career. All of them are a far cry from where they once were. If that can happen to them, it can happen to Kanye. And probably will. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/109 "2010-11-30T15:09:38Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Musically, I meant. Public Enemy still makes records, but they’re unfortunately nowhere near where they once were in terms of commercial success and, thus, visibility. Rakim’s last record came out last year but I doubt most people in the mainstream even noticed, whereas Paid in Full went platinum. Ice-T hasn’t released a record in almost five years and owes any visibility he still has to his acting career. All of them are a far cry from where they once were. If that can happen to them, it can happen to Kanye. And probably will. His fame and success is way past all those guys on your list already. But basically you’re saying he won’t be this hugely well known and successful for the rest of his life. Really going out on a limb, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/110 "2010-11-30T16:18:26Z")
Exactly, Kanye is way, way more mainstream and famous than Public Enemy and Rakim ever were. Those guys are rap legends, by Kanye is something on a different level - not saying that makes him better or anything, but he’s in a completely different league of celebrity. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/111 "2010-11-30T17:13:06Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > …Or, hell, even Dr. Dre, for that matter? They all have much longer, better careers than Kanye, are far more talented… Dr. Dre’s new song “Kush” with Snoop and Akon is seriously hot. I disagree that the other guys you mentioned are more talented than Kanye. As Kanye says in “Monster”: “…and I’m bout to take it to another level bitch there you go again, ain’t nobody as cold as this do the rap and the track triple double no assist…” Translation: he’s equally talented in creating beats as well as lyrics, and he’s already taken hip hop to a different level. You wouldn’t expect the Jay-Z’s and T.I.'s of the world to collaborate with Kanye, Drake or Nicki Minaj. Jay-Z already dismisses the autotune revolution in song. But they realized that these 3 are present and future of hip hop, and if you can’t beat 'em, you better join 'em…or get left in their dust like Lil Kim. No doubt, Kanye is overly sensitive and self-centered. But all great artists have their flaws and internal struggles. Without the flaws, they wouldn’t be great artists. I think it was Thomas Mann who said something like: “An oyster only produces a pearl when something inside of it is irritating it” (Except more eloquently, I’m sure) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/112 "2010-11-30T17:28:00Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > If you don’t like rap, I’m not sure this will help much. . . but I’ll at least try. I will say though, if you’re honestly wanting to give him a legit shot, I suggest getting a copy of his new CD and just listening to it from start to finish-- the whole album plays together so nicely. If you’re short on time, though, here are my favorite tracks from it. I will say that the biggest issue is that for these folks to have the songs on Youtube, they have to either speed them up or slow them down so Youtube doesn’t take it down. So, these songs aren’t album quality at all-- they’re all a little fast. > > [Dark Fantasy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25lzp61UNvA) > [Gorgeous](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uS96qqF9Gg) I listened to both (disclaimer: over the crappy speaker of my iPhone, what was probably a crappy lo-fi version to begin with). My honest opinion: it isn’t bad, and I like the musicality of it— more than just a droning bass beat in the background. But I confess that I still don’t see what’s so groundbreaking about it to weaken knees and attract such universal, superlative accolades. Kanye’s voice isn’t particularly distinctive, IMO; I’m not sure, having heard these two songs, I’d be able to pick him out of a vocal “line-up.” By contrast, someone like Snoop Dogg has a very distinctive tone and cadence that I haven’t heard in anyone else’s voice, and which is instantly recognizable. Which leaves the lyrics themselves, which are clever enough, but again… it’s not that I doubt the Emperor is wearing clothes, I’m just squinting hard trying to make them out. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/113 "2010-11-30T18:18:33Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I think it was Thomas Mann who said something like: “An oyster only produces a pearl when something inside of it is irritating it” (Except more eloquently, I’m sure) Sure it wasn’t Manfred Mann? ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/114 "2010-11-30T19:38:45Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > That doesn’t mean all that much, really. When was the last time you heard from Chuck D, KRS-ONE, Ice T, or Rakim? Or, hell, even Dr. Dre, for that matter? They all have much longer, better careers than Kanye, are far more talented, but have virtually dropped off the face of pop culture unless you go looking for them. I suspect 'Ye will end up there as well, but probably sooner because, unlike Chuck D, he’s an ass. Of course every famous figure is eventually not so famous. No career lasts forever. But - Dre is still extremely prominent in the industry - he’s just focused on producing, mostly for hugely popular and successful artists, for the last few years. And Ice T has a successful acting career and plenty of media exposure. I would say both are still familiar names and faces to anyone in touch with pop culture. Rakim is critically acclaimed but never had anywhere close to the degree of commercial success and fame Kanye does. And he hasn’t released many albums in the past 15 years - not for lack of demand. I still ‘hear of’ him regularly, since I listen to hip-hop and his name is mentioned in songs all the time by other MCs. KRS-One has also never been very famous and isn’t a multi-platinum selling artist, you can’t compare him to Kanye. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/115 "2010-11-30T19:40:42Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > KRS-One has also never been very famous and isn’t a multi-platinum selling artist, you can’t compare him to Kanye. And even then, I’d say anyone even passingly familiar with “underground” rap knows who he is and randomly hears his shit. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/116 "2010-11-30T19:54:06Z")
I’d like to add that I’m not even a Kanye fan. I haven’t listened to any of his albums, and his singles rarely capture my fancy (although I fucking love ‘Golddigger’). Mostly I don’t like his delivery, his voice sounds dull to me. But obviously he has talent and is making music many people value - it’s crazy to sell as many albums as he does in this day and age. I just think it’s stupid to deny that dude’s only been releasing his own material since 2004, and he’s already pretty much a legend. He’s one of the most famous and rich people in America right now, after you achieve that it’s pretty much impossible to end up flipping burgers just cuz you’re kind of a dick. Most celebs are dicks, IMO, Kanye just hasn’t hidden it very well. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/117 "2010-11-30T21:46:33Z")
All I know is that if some chick I was about to bang put on some Kanye I’d laugh hysterically, throw her stupid ass out the door and then call the cops claiming she tried to break into my house. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/118 "2010-11-30T22:01:03Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > All I know is that if some chick I was about to bang put on some Kanye I’d laugh hysterically, throw her stupid ass out the door and then call the cops claiming she tried to break into my house. No need to be belligerent. Send her my way. Um, send a picture first. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/119 "2010-12-08T22:15:16Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > All I know is that if some chick I was about to bang put on some Kanye I’d laugh hysterically, throw her stupid ass out the door and then call the cops claiming she tried to break into my house. Since this hypothetical happens at your house, I don’t see why you’d blame the girl. You left your Kanye West albums out where she could find them… ---
**Author:** ![pikey\_pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pikey\_pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pikey_pete)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927/120 "2010-12-09T06:55:19Z")
Kanye is an arrogant asshole with mediocre musical talent (at best.) His big talent is shameless self-promotion [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-is-a-complete-fucking-idiot/561927.md?page=7)