![]() ![]() One huge meditation on celebrity, it also lifted a curtain on ‘The Biggest Ego In Music’s’ insecurities. If the music on show here reflected the decadence that had become synonymous with Kanye’s lifestyle, and Hip Hop/pop culture in general, then the lyrics carried this approach forward. I’ve always had a fond image in my head comparing Kanye to Christopher Walken’s famous ‘Cow bell’ skit on SNL, although instead of him constantly interrupting, bemoaning the lack of bovine tracking devices, it would be, “Needs more high school marching band!”. It seemed to take in all of the revolving styles of his previous work, mash them together, then decide it could still use….MORE. This ‘block party’ attitude to the recording process certainly shows in what was and arguably still is Kanye’s most flamboyant long player. Kanye seemingly able to flit from one partially formed idea to the next as each contributor was ‘on shift’. The writing, sessions & recording for ‘Fantasy’ became a 24 hour carousel of ideas, with participants sleeping in small shifts while others beavered away. Never one to travel alone he decamped to Hawaii, bringing his favourite producers & artists on what was to be far from a ‘holiday’. ![]() ![]() But this, along with the sudden loss of his mother and a multitude of legal wrangles, was all taking its toll in a way that became manifest in his now infamous outburst at the 2009 MTV awards. He’d straddled the line between popularity & credibility with a confidence few have matched before or since. By now Yeezy had touched the sky & walked with Jesus. The first of the series will be looking at Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. Phil will be looking at a diverse mix of music every week, giving us a deeper understanding about the thought and creative process behind the albums, and what makes them so great. This is the first of a series looking at the history of some of music’s most influential albums, documented by our own Phil Calvert. ![]()
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