This reality hit me when I watched Kanye West's trilogy on Netflix. The only thing I can say is "Wow" as I tried to soak up all the things being revealed about him in his short series. We always think we know people based on the part of them they revealed on the surface but we can't really know anyone unless they tell us about their struggle. If you don't understand their story, you won't be able to relate to their success and why it means so much to them. You only know what you know and to know more, you have to ask or wait till the person reveals himself to you.
We cannot do without having someone whose words can help guide us while growing up. Life is an endless journey of growing up and it doesn't matter what age you have attained, you have to have that person whose words would guide you till you find your feet and that was what Donda; Kanye's mother was to him before she passed away.
Kanye practically lived for his mother and he tried to do everything for his mother so she can be proud of who he is. A lot of people call Kanye psychotic but they failed to understand the effect losing his mother must have had on him. They were always together and as his fame grew, the more he wanted his mother around more...until she passed away.
Her mother was her biggest fan and she didn't shy away from showing him how proud she was of him. She even spits some bars in his songs. That woman can sing Kanye's song without missing any lines, especially that "Hey Mama" track. What a woman, what a support system she was to him.
Her words shaped Kanye and she made Kanye believe that there is nothing impossible for him to achieve if he can put his mind to it. He also took her words seriously and he lived by them which we don't often see these days with many young people. They think they know it all and wouldn't want to be guided by those who have seen it all. Kanye is a listener and he wants to do better and keep his feet on the ground so he can be heard.
One thing I learned about this amazing guy is that he was consistent. I saw his video when he was probably around 12-14 years of age and he was doing freestyle. He would stay in front of the mirror to rap and grow in confidence. There is nothing that can be achieved in this life if you won't stay consistent at it long enough for people to recognize your talent.
Nothing is given in life and you have to get whatever you want. Kanye was recognized as a producer because he used to make beats for others and get paid for it. He wanted to not only be seen as a producer but as a rapper. Even when he was signed by a record label, they still didn't see him as a rapper but as a producer.
He asked Jay Z for an opportunity to feature in his song and he allowed it. He was always in people's faces so they can see what he can do. A lot of people would start feeling bad and retreat anytime people don't see them for who they are. They would cave in and start feeling bad as though the world is against them. Kanye knew better than to feel bad but rather he pushed himself out there, he carved his own path and allowed his ability to speak for him. He didn't give up and he stayed at it till he made his mixtape and got the recognition he felt he deserved to be known as a rapper.
It's never easy to lose someone who holds so much space in your heart and I was impressed by how he bounced and came out of this when his mother passed away. A lot of people have used even fewer things than this to gain sympathy but Kanye showed he wasn't about getting sympathy but showing strength. To cry or mourn is not about showing weakness but what you do after is all that matters.
Life isn't for the faint-hearted and you have to fight for whatever you want even in the face of hardship. That is how to build a mentality when you stayed strong when everything else keeps trying to get your attention to throw you off the rails.
His growing up wasn't easy either but he had a dream. To have your dream actualized you have to develop a strong mentality. Life also responds to pressure and you won't always get what you think you deserved but what you demand. Kanye was always demanding the best of himself and it's not surprising how successful he turned out to be.
He never stopped developing himself because he understands that he has to stay relevant on every front. Being a producer of the beat wasn't enough for him, he pushed himself to be seen as a rapper. Being both wasn't enough for him, he went into the fashion line with clothes and sneakers. You have to keep evolving if you want to stay relevant in a world like this. Yesterday's achievement is today's mediocrity and Kanye knew this all well.
I learnt a lot about his life, growing up and only when you understand people's past can you fully understand who they really are. I see him as a fighter, a visionary and the creative genius that he is...nothing else matters.
This post also appeared here and it's my original work on my blog on Read.Cash. You will find this post later (after posting it here) on my Whaleshares, Steemit, Blurt, Tipestry, Torum, UHive and Serey account, all with the same username; Olawalium.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
