Musical Thesis: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by Kanye West

Reviews
Written By Nathan Box

At the center of every album is a musical thesis. At the center of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by Kanye West is the most wonderfully self-absorbed album I have ever heard. Maybe I listen to too much Lupe Fiasco. Maybe my hip-hop comes with too many messages about everyday issues. Maybe I don’t know what I am talking about when it comes to the genre, but every song drips with narcissism and holy worship of the author and composer. This is a hard pill to swallow when you are trying to find yourself in lyrics, but maybe that is the point. Perhaps, we are to aspire to a life we will never have. Perhaps, we are to desire the finest of materials things. Perhaps, we are to see the life of Mr. West and think, “I wish I could be him.” While that will never be me, I can’t help, but listen and see a man who is aware of his place in pop music. He is to be an innovator, button pusher, and, if necessary, the antagonist. As we listen to rap verse after verse about his own life, we are left to wonder how we fit in the picture, which I believe is the point.

 

Be good to each other,

-Nathan 

Nathan Box
Hello! My name is Nathan. I've always believed I would meet that special someone in one of two places; either a record store or a book store. Maybe I need to amend? I moved to Seattle in February of 2011 from Oklahoma City (Try and not hold the Sonics/Thunder thing against me). I knew I wanted to work for a nonprofit and go to grad school. Within a couple of months, I was doing both. During the day, I work as a Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager for a nonprofit in Kent and at night I try to stay as busy as possible volunteering, trying new restaurants, finding hidden bars and exploring Seattle. The past few years has been both terrifying and exhilarating. I have done things on my own I didn’t think were within my capability. I love being outdoors. On any given weekend, I can be found hiking, on a road trip, volunteering, at a museum, seeing a movie (I see a lot of them). I am passionate about nonprofit work. I feel called to leave a mark on this world. Nothing against those who enjoy making tons of money, I just need to know I am making a difference.
natetheworld.squarespace.com
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