Latest evidence: his new album.
That's right. West's 5th solo LP, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy made its much anticipated debut this week and gained almost universal praise from fans and critics alike. Not only has his writing skills evolved to the point of his lyrics often being choke full of thought provoking relevance, but his production skills continue to ascend. The net result is a brilliantly polished opus long on innovation as well as substance.
The most fascinating thing about the album is West's intuitive ability to blend an enormous ego with a healthy offering of self-examination. He is both psycho-therapist and patient on this record and the balance makes for a greater realization of the man's genius.
After a tempestuous year that saw his already complicated public profile absorb damaging hits, it speaks to his resilience and immense gifts that he's re-emerged better than ever. The album's stand out track, "Runaway" greatly epitomizes his tapestry of musical excellence juxtaposed with his predilection for "being a jerk."
Forget Jay-Z, the hip-hop legend most responsible for Kanye's initial public popularity a decade ago. Forget Taylor Swift, the doe-eyed country music star who was famously disrespected by West at an awards show last year. And forget Kanye himself when he's in "douchebag mode." Instead, remember Kanye West the budding legend and hip-hop innovator. That person more than any of the others is the true sight to behold and the one we should all direct our attention to.
Seriously.
