I like Kanye's music a lot. I don't necessarily like him as a person though the more I get to know him. Tortured soul, genius marketer record seller, award show cry baby, misunderstood man....I respect all of it.
His music (lyrics) is what pulled me back into hip-hop/rap (which I was away from for a very long time). He tells us about his journey in his music and it's familiar to us because we love that hero arc.
Is Kanye the best music artist of the decade though? Record sales, I doubt it. Biggest headlines in the news, he's up there. Pure talent, quite possibly.
Maybe you answer this question with another question, if not Kanye, who else???
Yes no one really likes him as a person. But this is about music. You have to remember kanye was a producer before putting out his own albums. He worked on Jay Z's BLUEPRINT album and we all know that is a classic. Even before that he produced for other emcees. All his albums sold well. Being an artist is not all about how many albums you sold but how that persons music stays relevant. The common person who really doesnt pay attention to "real" music wouldn't know what kanye has done for music. but yes he is the Music Artist of the decade.
His music (lyrics) is what pulled me back into hip-hop/rap (which I was away from for a very long time). He tells us about his journey in his music and it's familiar to us because we love that hero arc.
Is Kanye the best music artist of the decade though? Record sales, I doubt it. Biggest headlines in the news, he's up there. Pure talent, quite possibly.
Maybe you answer this question with another question, if not Kanye, who else???
Musically, it's possible. As an artist (person), not so much.