Kanye's New Slaves: Song Analysis

“New Slaves” a rap, hip hop, song written, produced, and composed by Grammy award winning, hip hop mogul, Kanye West. Recording artist Kanye West, could possible be considered the most controversial rapper of all time. Kanye speaks on topics relating to him and his culture in his music. West grew up with a mother who was raised during the segregation era, meaning that he has many extreme views on fairness, and equality in America. In Kanye’s career, along with his amazing music and creative image, he is well known for his public outbursts, and his hatred for the media and the paparazzi. West stands up for what he believes in, and is sometimes selfish of his feelings. This track was included on his sixth studio album entitled “Yeezus” in 2013.

The bridge reads, “You see it's leaders and it's followers, But I'd rather be a d*ck than a swallower”. In Kanye’s career, along with his amazing music and creative image, he is well known for his public outbursts, standing up for what he believes in, and his hatred for the media and the paparazzi. The biggest outburst of his career was his ambush at the Video Music Awards ceremony interrupting an acceptance speech from another artist, claiming that the award should’ve gone to Beyonce Knowles. He insisted that winner of that award won, because she was white. After that outburst, and innumerable more, many people began to criticize and dislike West. Others see it as him standing up for what he believes in, even though, he can be selfish with his

Next he proclaims,”I throw these Maybach keys, I wear my heart on the sleeve, I know that we the new slaves, I see the blood on the leaves”. In these lines, he refuses to let material items, like an expensive car, hold him back. He also says he doesn’t hide his feelings, and that his passion and emotions are never concealed. Then, he admits that the black community actually is a new era of slaves. He then states, “I see the blood on the leaves,” referencing the common practice of lynching blacks during Slavery. Black Slaves were beaten, sodomized, and then hung off trees for little to no reason, leaving behind blood on the leaves. He emphasises that line by repeating it four more times. He’s confirming that the new African-American generation actually are new slaves, because he can see the “blood on the leaves”. That lyric also references to another song on his album entitled,”Blood On The Leaves”. Next, West continues to on ranting about how white corporations can’t control him. During this section of the song, is when West becomes even more vulgar and explicit. Once again, the vulgar language is a huge asset of Hip-hop music. Reaching hip-hop fans, vulgar language, is a must. West continues with,” They throwin' hate at me, Want me to stay at ease F*** you and your corporation Y'all n*ggas can't control me.” (West) West argues that even though these