Kanye's new single "New Slaves" has been the topic of a lot of controversy lately. I mean, what does Kanye do that doesn't cause controversy? Ye' has been one of my favorite rappers for almost 10 years now and his music has always moved me. Kanye gets a bad rap in the media because he is anti-media. They criticize his every move and over analyze his every word.
New Slaves is just the newest project that has drawn criticism. I really think that people who criticize it just don't understand it. Kanye is a true artist, and with art comes misconception. His marketing plan for "New Slaves" may just be revolutionary in the way artists promote their music. Premiering the video on buildings around the world shows how far ahead of other artists Kanye is right now.
The video starts out with a fast changing display of different advertisements and price stickers. Cut to a side view of Ye's face. The first thing you notice is how dark everything is. The background and his skin are both very dark. No doubt in my mind that this was intentional. I've been watching Ye since Day 1 and he has always been very pro-black. The black skin is his way of showing that he is black and proud. Cut to a front view of Ye's face, and his first words confirm my belief. "My momma was raised in the era when, clean water was only served to the fairer skinned."
According to Kanye, there are a few ways we have become slaves.
"What you want a Bentley? A fur coat? A diamond chain? All you blacks want all the same things. Used to only be 'NIGGAS' now erbody playin..spending everything on Alexander Wang"
Ye' is basically saying we are all slaves to corporations and the elite. Companies and the media make people believe material things bring happiness. These tactics were first used against blacks, but now everyone is falling victim to materialism. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow and the poor continue to empower the very companies that oppress them.
"There's leaders, then there's followers...but I'd rather be a dick than a swallower"
People look at Kanye as an arrogant asshole. He gladly embraces that title with this line and tells why he feels that way. He feels like he'd rather be called arrogant and asshole than compromise himself for the good of someone else. How can you not respect that?
"Fuck you and your corporation, yall niggas can't control me!"
Ye' is being openly defiant as he has been his entire career. Integrity has always been at the heart of his music.
His facial expression is stone cold. Kanye then uses some irony and sarcasm in his next few bars. "You throwing contracts at me, yall know that niggas cant read"
"Meanwhile the DEA, hooked up with the CCA...they tryna lock niggas up...They tryna make new slaves"
The private prison business is booming and Ye' touches on it for a second. The prison population has exploded over the past 20 years and rich families are benefiting on the losses of poor families. Kanye actually has a real point about slavery. The 13th amendment states that slavery and involuntary servitude is outlawed except as punishment for a crime. Who is the biggest percentage of the prison population? Poor, black men. We are the new slaves....
