Ye (album)

In the summer of 2018, Kanye West released his eighth studio album titled Ye. The album cover features a picturesque mountain range with “I hate being bi-polar it’s awesome,” scribbled in neon green. This phrase from Kanye’s Twitter feed and the album cover signify that Ye is deeply personal, as it explores the artist’s struggles with mental health. The album consists of seven tracks, and utilizes a variety of samples and electronic beats.

Ye’s lyrics reveal Kanye’s emotions in the aftermath of a series of controversies surrounding his behaviour and his public support for President Trump. He references his past addictions, the impact of race on society, his family, and his bipolar disorder, all while delivering his trademark autotuned vocals.

Ye’s opening track, “I Thought About Killing You,” is a bold and polarizing statement where Kanye confronts his darkest thoughts. He mentions his conversation with a therapist, the desire for death, and the challenges of his mental disorder. His repetitive, monotone delivery creates an eerie ambience which perfectly complements the introspective lyricism.

Other tracks such as “All Mine” and “Yikes” showcase Kanye’s provocative side with explicit lyrics, but they also touch on important themes of violence, sexual assault, and misogyny. However, his delivery is unwavering and unapologetic. Meanwhile, “Wouldn’t Leave” and “No Mistakes” are grounded in Kanye’s support system, particularly his wife, Kim Kardashian, as he acknowledges the hurt he’s caused those close to him.

Ye is not intertwined in the glitz and glamour of celebrity status, but rather is a personal narrative of a man struggling to make sense of his life, art, and legacy in the face of scrutiny. Ye confronts his flaws head-on with brutal honesty, and shamelessly celebrates his successes. Kanye West’s Ye is a complex, introspective, and fearless album that explores mental illness and society’s attitude towards it.

Ye’s unique sound features unconventional samples and electronic beats underscoring the vulnerability in Kanye’s verses. Ye was mainly produced by Kanye with contributions from other musicians such as Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla $ign, and Mike Dean. The use of sampling is notable in the track “Ghost Town,” where Kanye samples a 1960s gospel song and incorporates it into his sound. The result is an otherworldly sound that is both haunting and hopeful. The track features Kid Cudi and 070 Shake who add to the emotional weight of the piece.

Ye’s release coincided with a livestream from Wyoming where Kanye held an album listening party, which added to the album’s mystique. Ye debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and received mixed reviews from both audiences and critics. While some recognized its artistic merit and its unapologetic portrayal of mental health, it was criticized for its provocative lyrics and Kanye’s controversial persona.

Despite the controversies surrounding the artist, Ye represents a significant shift in how society perceives mental illness. By openly exploring his own struggles, Kanye encourages others to do the same. In a culture that often stigmatizes any form of weakness, Ye is an honest portrayal of an artist in crisis. Kanye’s status as a pioneer in hip hop and pop culture, makes Ye significant not just for the music, but for the conversations it sparked surrounding mental health.

In conclusion, Ye is a raw and powerful album that showcases the complexities of Kanye West’s mental health struggles. The album’s unapologetic exploration of themes surrounding addiction, race, violence, and sexuality, are imbued with his signature sound. The album ultimately shatters the myth of the invincibility of celebrities and encourages conversation surrounding mental illness. Ye serves as a reminder that as a society, we should be more supportive of those struggling with mental illness and work towards dismantling stigmas that surround it.