Learn from the West

Today we will explore the darkest time in Kanye West’s career and by doing so, learning how we can rise from the ashes of defeat, and soar into a place among stars.

Before we can proceed we have to give some context on Kanye West’s most regrettable career moment; which is arguably the most memorable VMA moment of the decade. It all began during the Video Music Awards that took place in New York City on September 13, 2009. Kanye West had arrived to the venue with a Hennessey Bottle in one hand and Amber Rose on the other.

A few awards are given, and all seems to be going according to plan, until it was time to give the award for “Best Female Video”. Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” loses to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me”. And while Taylor is beginning her acceptance speech, Kanye walks on stage and snatches the microphone. He utters the iconic phrase “I’m really happy for you, and Imma let you finish but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!”

After that moment, the world turned on the once loved and respected, Kanye West. Everyone had something bad to say about him, even Barack Obama called him a “jackass.” Most def, a rapper, actor, and activist told Kanye West to flee the country, and so Kanye gives us the first tip on bouncing back successfully. He listened and took wise advice from another person, other than himself.

Kanye went to Japan to escape the paparazzi, and later went to Rome. There he interned at Fendi where he began improving other avenues of creativity. Fashion became an interest and allowed him to focus his energy, time, and thoughts into something positive. Kanye didn’t simply escape the world and spend all his time paralyzed, dwelling on his mistake. He knew that no matter how much he thought about the situation, it could not be changed by simply standing still. He had to take action, so he started expanding his abilities, talents, and character.

As much as Kanye loved fashion, he knew he still had more to share in the music scene. Kanye West went to Hawaii, and rented a studio for 6 months. He recruited creatives from all over the world such as; Rihanna, Elton John, Jay Z, Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keyes and many more. He had a strict schedule. Wake up, breakfast together, exercise, charity work, and by 4PM they hit the studio in black and white suits. Having 12 hour session in the studio getting out around 4 A.M. Kanye would have other creatives such as George Kondo working on the album art, and Marco Brambilla helping direct and create the music video to his single “Power”. I began to realize that Kanye West surrounded himself with people that would help elevate his mental and creative ideas. Kanye was learning, not only from his mistakes, but also from the mistakes and successes of others.

Kanye ended up dropping “My Dark Twisted Fantasy” on November 22, 2010. It ended up selling 497,000 copies the first week!

Since Kanye’s resurrection album “My Dark Twisted Fantasy” dropped, he has continued to rise, and fall, but never giving up along the way. Who knows, perhaps if the Taylor Swift situation would have never happened, Kanye might have never grew that love for fashion during his time in Rome. Would he have ever created the Yeezys some of us wear today and in the process, build up an empire worth one billion dollars? If Kanye would have tackled his return album alone, would it have been awarded “Best Album of the Decade” by Billboard?

I am not sure, but I’ve grown to learn that the wisest people are those who can learn from other’s mistakes. Let’s be wise, rise from the ashes, and be inspired by Kanye West story.

I’ll finish off by sharing two empowering Kanye West quotes