Some may disagree, but I feel art, in all forms, is enriched by our experiences-good and bad. I understand and accept that we are flawed, but that does not take away from the value of our work. E.g. David in the bible had the husband of the woman he loved killed, but is still celebrated among Christians. I could go on.
I watched the 2-parts and was so taken by Kanye's determination, resilience and brilliance as an artist, and his relationship with his mom. Yes, he needs and deserves help. But that shouldn't mean we can't credit him for his artistry and entrepreneurial spirit. As for us being capable of doing/being more, that one so hit home. Right in the heart. 💙👏🏾
Hello, Ari. Wishing you a great weekend, as well. My daughter and I had that same conversation this week, making some of the same points you identified in this article. She agrees with you…Yes, it is absolutely impossible not to see his many talents, but I see a train wreck coming. I want to rescue him, but can’t; push him into therapy, but only he can do that. I spent 26 years working in the psychiatric field, of which 10 were running Psych ICUs. “Ye” frustrates me to no end! He appears to be engulfed in pain, and his erratic behavior makes it difficult for me to enjoy all his brilliance. However, after digesting your viewpoints (heavy sigh😊), I’ll watch.
Really interesting article and loved your conversation with the Jeen-Yuhs directors. There is no denying Ye's passion and genius. I've been putting off seeing the documentary because I will have to be in the right emotional space to digest it (I've got dinner on my mind too 😉). A while back David Letterman showed compassion and sensitivity to him while interviewing him on his cable show. That insight has made it possible for me to look at the layers of Ye rather than dismiss all of him in digust.
Hope your weekend is going well too. Thanks for the recommendation, I will certainly watch the documentary. I don’t have to like someone to recognize their talent or genius. Or to empathize. I’m sure I’ll be enlightened and surprised.
This documentary provides a revealing and personal insight into Kanye’s early life. I felt it depicts his authentic self. It was said, when you move in faith anything is possible. It was obvious he had talent at an early age, but it was his mother, Donda who loved and encouraged him. Kanye was a storyteller and song maker, who made room to fit in where he knew he belonged.
Most people have more than one side to them. Take one of the filmmakers who was a comedian and now he has a documentary on Netflix. In life, anything is possible.
Mar 13, 2022·edited Mar 13, 2022Liked by Ari Melber
Alright, Ari, I just finished “Jeen-Yuhs” (unique spelling), then re-read your commentary. I see all your points. I, too, didn’t know he had to combat so many problems of acceptance. He is a role model for maintaining drive and tenacity, when you truly believe in your artistic abilities. I admired the videographer’s professionalism in how he handled being dismissed by “Ye” and yet, had the presence to respect his privacy re: medical issues.
A fan of "Ye" or not, you have to appreciate the struggles and tribulations any artist takes to reach success. That is one of the things i love about reading your pieces. You give so much insightful information on topics we wouldn't normally read. Thanks Ari for a musical respite from a week of sad news. Take care, have a good weekend!!!🙏🎤🎹🎼
Interesting article, Ari. I love your attraction to music. I love music too, but have been more attracted to world music. My interest in world music came from my love for other languages and cultures. I have a BA in Mongolian Language and Literature from a Chinese university and became enamored with Mongolian music, both traditional and contemporary. I even produced an album with a Mongolian singer friend. I plan to upload it to Amazon one day and share it with others who may enjoy it! For me, success is defined by my own sense of achievement. I've learned, done, and seen more than I could have ever imagined. And, learning is a life long process. Thank you and cheers!
I should probably watch at least the two episodes before commenting even though you wrote a great piece, with much to comment on. I will say this though. Some can separate the music from the artists and some can not. Neither choices are wrong and there are a lot of troubled artist that make great music. Kanye is a talented artist and there's a lot of music I like from him til this day. What I feel damages his talent and brand is how public he makes his private life and how it often overshadows his talent. In a bad way. His fans and Stan's won't care and maybe that's all that matters. In the end, some people just want to be entertained and as long as he pushes hits, they're good despite the pain and problems. But that doesn't help the person. I think about Amy Winehouse.
Kanye (Ye) West is indeed a gifted artist…no doubt about that. You were right when you stated, “Some of you may just stop reading now.” Kanye’s behavior and things that he says, puts me off. I continued to read because I am curious about what you wrote in this newsletter. I will check the podcast and documentary out.
Hey Ari:) Thanks for this perspective. Hope you are having a mellow weekend:) I will definitely check out the doc. I feel like Kanye is one of, but not the first artist that I have had to separate the art from the person, or persona. Artists are human beings, that often gets forgotten by the fans. There’s a lot of pressure to be what others loved you for in the first place, but people change and hopefully evolve, and artists definitely have to go through the same life challenges as anyone else. That is is often overshadowed by others expectations of who they think that person is, or who they the fan, or the business need them to be. Artists are utilized for others escape, and trying to ‘people please’ can often can make anyone ‘crazy’, in and of itself. Whatever that energy is that he sometimes exudes is a turn off for a lot of people, but yet are still fans of his music. I’m in that category, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is extremely talented. People are always saying in this business, there’s no such thing as bad press, as long as people are talking about you, you’re still relevant. It’s a tough business. Who knows what’s really going on with him behind the scenes. I have a lot of respect for him as an artist, so I try and separate the two. His talent is undeniable.
Hey Ari, good topic. Personally I’m not a fan of KW. You can’t deny his talents. I believe all of us have many talents. I say throw the damn box away. I’ll watch the documentary, sounds good. Thanks! :)
The second sentence of this piece grabs me the most. “ That ought to be evidence you can master something, and thus succeed at other things, too.” This is true, should be true, & I wish it was true. Unfortunately, many of us are judge by our looks not our brilliant minds, our compassionate souls, the kindness & love we want to show others. Don’t those things matter?
I don’t know too many individuals who are one dimensional. We all have so many layers to our lives if you would just take time to know a person.
I believe the celebrity world is a lot tougher than many of us regular people understand. So it is natural for those outside their world to pigeon hole them into whatever medium we know them from. It is natural to think that is all they are about & sometimes we don’t want to see them as anything else because we like only the version they presented to us at the beginning.
As for “Ye” he has been through so much pain, eventually it takes its toll on a person’s psyche and all the music, fashion, & fame, cannot pull him back to normalcy. Then again in this world what is normal?
Another piece of interesting reading!🥰 Keep’em coming Ari!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I always believed people need second chances in life and I do recognize his talent and entrepreneurship!! He has some social skills that need work and I believe he can make that kind of mature change.. never judge a book by it’s cover🌻 I was never perfect and still work on it ☺️
Some may disagree, but I feel art, in all forms, is enriched by our experiences-good and bad. I understand and accept that we are flawed, but that does not take away from the value of our work. E.g. David in the bible had the husband of the woman he loved killed, but is still celebrated among Christians. I could go on.
I watched the 2-parts and was so taken by Kanye's determination, resilience and brilliance as an artist, and his relationship with his mom. Yes, he needs and deserves help. But that shouldn't mean we can't credit him for his artistry and entrepreneurial spirit. As for us being capable of doing/being more, that one so hit home. Right in the heart. 💙👏🏾
Hello, Ari. Wishing you a great weekend, as well. My daughter and I had that same conversation this week, making some of the same points you identified in this article. She agrees with you…Yes, it is absolutely impossible not to see his many talents, but I see a train wreck coming. I want to rescue him, but can’t; push him into therapy, but only he can do that. I spent 26 years working in the psychiatric field, of which 10 were running Psych ICUs. “Ye” frustrates me to no end! He appears to be engulfed in pain, and his erratic behavior makes it difficult for me to enjoy all his brilliance. However, after digesting your viewpoints (heavy sigh😊), I’ll watch.
Really interesting article and loved your conversation with the Jeen-Yuhs directors. There is no denying Ye's passion and genius. I've been putting off seeing the documentary because I will have to be in the right emotional space to digest it (I've got dinner on my mind too 😉). A while back David Letterman showed compassion and sensitivity to him while interviewing him on his cable show. That insight has made it possible for me to look at the layers of Ye rather than dismiss all of him in digust.
Have a great rest of your weekend!
Hope your weekend is going well too. Thanks for the recommendation, I will certainly watch the documentary. I don’t have to like someone to recognize their talent or genius. Or to empathize. I’m sure I’ll be enlightened and surprised.
This documentary provides a revealing and personal insight into Kanye’s early life. I felt it depicts his authentic self. It was said, when you move in faith anything is possible. It was obvious he had talent at an early age, but it was his mother, Donda who loved and encouraged him. Kanye was a storyteller and song maker, who made room to fit in where he knew he belonged.
Most people have more than one side to them. Take one of the filmmakers who was a comedian and now he has a documentary on Netflix. In life, anything is possible.
By the way Ari, great interview ☺️
Alright, Ari, I just finished “Jeen-Yuhs” (unique spelling), then re-read your commentary. I see all your points. I, too, didn’t know he had to combat so many problems of acceptance. He is a role model for maintaining drive and tenacity, when you truly believe in your artistic abilities. I admired the videographer’s professionalism in how he handled being dismissed by “Ye” and yet, had the presence to respect his privacy re: medical issues.
A fan of "Ye" or not, you have to appreciate the struggles and tribulations any artist takes to reach success. That is one of the things i love about reading your pieces. You give so much insightful information on topics we wouldn't normally read. Thanks Ari for a musical respite from a week of sad news. Take care, have a good weekend!!!🙏🎤🎹🎼
Interesting article, Ari. I love your attraction to music. I love music too, but have been more attracted to world music. My interest in world music came from my love for other languages and cultures. I have a BA in Mongolian Language and Literature from a Chinese university and became enamored with Mongolian music, both traditional and contemporary. I even produced an album with a Mongolian singer friend. I plan to upload it to Amazon one day and share it with others who may enjoy it! For me, success is defined by my own sense of achievement. I've learned, done, and seen more than I could have ever imagined. And, learning is a life long process. Thank you and cheers!
I should probably watch at least the two episodes before commenting even though you wrote a great piece, with much to comment on. I will say this though. Some can separate the music from the artists and some can not. Neither choices are wrong and there are a lot of troubled artist that make great music. Kanye is a talented artist and there's a lot of music I like from him til this day. What I feel damages his talent and brand is how public he makes his private life and how it often overshadows his talent. In a bad way. His fans and Stan's won't care and maybe that's all that matters. In the end, some people just want to be entertained and as long as he pushes hits, they're good despite the pain and problems. But that doesn't help the person. I think about Amy Winehouse.
Kanye (Ye) West is indeed a gifted artist…no doubt about that. You were right when you stated, “Some of you may just stop reading now.” Kanye’s behavior and things that he says, puts me off. I continued to read because I am curious about what you wrote in this newsletter. I will check the podcast and documentary out.
Enjoy your weekend, Ari😃 Cheers🥂
Hey Ari:) Thanks for this perspective. Hope you are having a mellow weekend:) I will definitely check out the doc. I feel like Kanye is one of, but not the first artist that I have had to separate the art from the person, or persona. Artists are human beings, that often gets forgotten by the fans. There’s a lot of pressure to be what others loved you for in the first place, but people change and hopefully evolve, and artists definitely have to go through the same life challenges as anyone else. That is is often overshadowed by others expectations of who they think that person is, or who they the fan, or the business need them to be. Artists are utilized for others escape, and trying to ‘people please’ can often can make anyone ‘crazy’, in and of itself. Whatever that energy is that he sometimes exudes is a turn off for a lot of people, but yet are still fans of his music. I’m in that category, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is extremely talented. People are always saying in this business, there’s no such thing as bad press, as long as people are talking about you, you’re still relevant. It’s a tough business. Who knows what’s really going on with him behind the scenes. I have a lot of respect for him as an artist, so I try and separate the two. His talent is undeniable.
Hey Ari, good topic. Personally I’m not a fan of KW. You can’t deny his talents. I believe all of us have many talents. I say throw the damn box away. I’ll watch the documentary, sounds good. Thanks! :)
The second sentence of this piece grabs me the most. “ That ought to be evidence you can master something, and thus succeed at other things, too.” This is true, should be true, & I wish it was true. Unfortunately, many of us are judge by our looks not our brilliant minds, our compassionate souls, the kindness & love we want to show others. Don’t those things matter?
I don’t know too many individuals who are one dimensional. We all have so many layers to our lives if you would just take time to know a person.
I believe the celebrity world is a lot tougher than many of us regular people understand. So it is natural for those outside their world to pigeon hole them into whatever medium we know them from. It is natural to think that is all they are about & sometimes we don’t want to see them as anything else because we like only the version they presented to us at the beginning.
As for “Ye” he has been through so much pain, eventually it takes its toll on a person’s psyche and all the music, fashion, & fame, cannot pull him back to normalcy. Then again in this world what is normal?
Another piece of interesting reading!🥰 Keep’em coming Ari!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I always believed people need second chances in life and I do recognize his talent and entrepreneurship!! He has some social skills that need work and I believe he can make that kind of mature change.. never judge a book by it’s cover🌻 I was never perfect and still work on it ☺️
Some people see in Ye unvarnished genius and others see monetized mental illness. When does the art become a product at the expense of the artist?