Best Posts in Forum: Music

Narsh · Dec 29, 2015

Dec 29, 2015
5. Only One - Kanye West
On January 1st, 2015, I wrote nearly 2,000 words on my phone while taking a bus back to Boston from New Jersey. This review will be back up on the new blog (I think), but for it is again in its original form for this special occasion. "Only One" is still one of the most touching songs I've heard all year, perhaps the most touching, and is honestly one of my favorite Kanye tracks to date.

Leave it to Kanye West to drop his first solo track since Yeezus as the clock strikes twelve on New Years Eve. When the initial rumors crept through the interwebs, everyone was in an understandable frenzy. With a rough version of “All Day” leaking earlier in the year, many expected this new track to be a b-----r – right in time for the festivities. What we got instead, was what we should’ve expected all along:

Kanye turning the game on its head, yet again.

At this point, it should be common knowledge that Mr. West prefers to be an enigma. He’s gone out of his way to surprise us each step of his prolific career. From the increasing grandiosity present in each of his early records, to the sharp left turn into the genre-bending angst of 808s & Heartbreak. From the critically acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, to the abrupt and abrasive Yeezus, Kanye has been anything but straightforward.

Some would even argue that he throws curveballs, just because he can.

However, if we give him the benefit of the doubt he surely deserves after all these years, this next step in his discography starts to look a lot more deliberate.

Back when 808s… was first received by the public, it was dubbed “the ultimate breakup album.” Kanye’s influences on the record, from a personal POV, were readily apparent (the passing of his mother playing a key role in Mr. West’s state of mind), even though, musically, the album marked a major departure from his previous work. And it was polarizing as h---. A reaction ‘Ye seems to feed off of these days. The tracks on 808s… followed an anthemic, and soaring, effort on Graduation, while “Only One,” follows an unpredictable, and uninhibited Yeezus.

All this to say that the model of using 808s, and the “heartbreak” effect of auto-tune, as a backdrop to ruminate, and yearn, isn’t an unfamiliar one for the artist. It is important to note that, 808s… and “Only One” use auto-tune to their own benefit, but that their content couldn’t be more dissimilar.

The only question that remains is “why?”

Why is the man whose been appearing in countless interviews, with temperaments varying more than the direction of his own albums, claiming to be through with music, claiming to want to focus on fashions and other creative outlets, suddenly reaching back for a soundscape he seemed to have left behind? And pining for moments he’s seemed too cold to care about in recent years?

Since 808s…, Kanye’s insecurities haven’t been the main focus of his material – there have been more deliberate, and less subtle, messages.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – a message to the unconvinced critics, delivered in an almost pandering manner. They all wanted the level of perfection he knew he was capale of, rather than unhinged creativity, and that’s exactly what he gave them.

Yeezus – a PSA to those same men and women: you can’t shackle his energy, his creativity, and his ire. Not in interviews, and definitely not on wax.

When we heard that Kanye was working with Paul McCartney earlier in the year, we never really knew what to expect from the collaboration. The name of a rumored track floating around the net was “Piss On Your Grave.” At that point, many expected a repeat of Yeezus. Many had already cut this era of Kanye out of the picture – labeling him as too self centered, too arrogant, too rough around the edges.

What we get instead, is “Only One.” A lullaby sung to ‘Ye by his late mother, as he drifts off to sleep, backed by a masterful soundtrack provided by McCartney on the keys.

This track is everything a majority of Yeezus wasn’t – heartfelt, resonant, and beautiful.

But why? How does this make sense? How is this not Kanye throwing us for a loop again, just because he can?

First off, sure, the release of the track, as well as the content, is a deliberate marketing ploy on some level – but it was necessary to highlight a landmark moment in music. The collaboration between ‘Ye and Macca is nothing short of legendary, and I’m sure it will only continue to impress as the rest of their sessions see the light of day – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

The thing is, beyond the marketing angle, is the narrative driven by Yeezus. The struggle between “the kids and the wife life,” and not being able to “wake up from the nightlife.” The pent up frustration surfacing as unadulterated id. But if you paid close attention, all this was eventually reconciled on the same album, with “Bound 2.”

He fell in love, and he realized that he needed to let go of certain aspects of himself, piece by piece, to make room for growth.

Thematically, “Only One” makes perfect sense as a follow up to “Bound 2.”

Now I’m not saying this was ‘Ye’s thought process, but the way I look at it: Kanye’s given up the nightlife but he’s lost in translation – he’s accepted that he’s “bound to fall in love,” and, dare I say, he’s hesitantly optimistic at the thought.

But as I said, it’s a transitional period.

There’s a lot for Kanye West to let go before he can accept whatever his life has in store for him next. Yeezus was a manifestation of uncertainty, as was 808s… following Graduation.

Only, back then, he had no one but himself to rely on – and he came back stronger than ever with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

This time, however, he has “two angels,” he can rely on, and things are only looking up for Mr. West.

All he needs is that guiding hand to help him shift into this new phase of his life.

We’ve heard Kanye pen an ode to Donda prior to this. “Hey Mama,” off his 2005 classic Late Registration, had Kanye recalling his childhood with his mother, and is an outright joyous celebration of the woman that gave him life and placed unwavering faith in his path.

Kanye has since lost his mother to heart disease. He attempts to deal with the pain throughout 808s…, but only 10 years later, on “Only One,” does he seem to find closure.

Not only is the writing on “Only One,” decidedly poetic, evoking images of rain clouds clearing out of the sky, and his mother looking down from beyond, it’s also overtly personal.

Kanye’s penned generational anthems for us in the past – whether it be “We Don’t Care,” off of his debut, The College Dropout, or “Runaway,” off of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. And even when he’s been equally as vulnerable as he is now, back during the 808s… years, there was always a sense of generalization – that the tunes were crafted to help any and everyone with their personal blues. There were instances of intimate moments, for sure, but they aren’t in the same vein as “Only One.”

This is a Kanye I can’t remember ever hearing before.

Although, as I’ve stated, the autotune driven “heartbreak” isn’t too different from his past ventures into the territory, it appears to be masking a more emotive man this time around. One whose recently, amidst all that there is to celebrate (his wife, his daughter, his career), been feeling vulnerable. Lost in his insecurity, Kanye attempts to find guidance once again through this ode from his mother.

Before assuming Kanye is yet again stroking his own ego, take a moment to digest the subtext.

Oh the good outweighs the bad even on your worst day

Remember how I’d say, hey hey

One day you’ll be the man you always knew you could be

And if you knew how proud I was

You’d never shed a tear, have a fear, no you wouldn’t do that

Donda only feels the need to remind ‘Ye of this, because she’s been watching him beat himself up recently. She’s seen him fearful of the uncertain, and regretful of the past, and is trying to set his mind straight again. He’s giving his late mother the platform to be just that, his mom, once more.

This isn’t Kanye superfluous building himself up, it’s him talking himself down the ledge – and invoking the image of his own mother to do so.

The fact that this song exists is proof of Mr. West self-awareness, something we’ve all noticed has kind of gone missing post-808s.

The production, handled by both Paul McCartney and Mike Dean is beautiful, and understated, while the autotune is almost abrasively overstated. But the contrast is intentional – whether or not it resonates, seems to be up to each individual fan. As for me, the complimentary background vocals, provided by Ty Dolla $ign, and the almost overbearing mix, create a fantastic soundscape. In conjunction, they almost serve as a mask for Kanye’s emotive nature on the song – a mask that Mr. West is constantly struggling to rip off throughout the entire track. The mix forces me to hear him out. To give him a chance.

And, man, is it worth it.

Here you have an artist, crucified by the media for a whole slew of (often off-base) reasons, addressing his own insecurities, his own mistakes, and his own growth as a man, through the eyes of his late mother. Rather than play to the villain the public paints him as, he puts himself through the process of invoking Donda’s thoughts. Instead of taking what he has for granted, as many claim he does, he gives his mother the platform to scold, and comfort, and love him, all over again.

I know you’re happy, cause I can see it

So tell the voice inside your head to believe it

Even the structure is exquisite when broken down. Donda flits from topics to topic, touching on all the natural mom-isms, mumbling the tune here and there, before she, herself, breaks down under the weight of her final request. After catering to Kanye’s personal demons the entire track, she only has this to ask of her son:

I just want you to do me a favor.

Tell Nori about me…

The song gradually builds to this visceral climax, that’s simultaneously touching, and haunting, in its premise.

It’s her one favor, after an entire monologue dedicated to her son – and how can he refuse?

Kanye’s vocals breach new territory, as the crackle of the autotune seems to cover for the palpable emotion in each, off-key, note.

I almost wept like a baby.

And, as the best lullabies often do, the track drifts off into an airy blissfulness.

As the remnants of Kanye’s electronic vocals are stripped away, Macca delivers a subtle arrangement that’s both simple, yet endlessly serene, ushering the track towards a magical finish. Full of warmth, and comfort, and nostalgia.

As the lullaby comes to a close, I can only imagine Donda flying away, and Kanye falling asleep with a smile replacing his usually furrowed brow.

Sleep easy, Kanye.
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@ThyNeighbour @Winter @FlawlessT @Boyz N The Suburbs @Mike Tyson @Ordinary Joel @BigCountry @Jehovah @Michael Myers @Mowkki @Astro @JG2 @Enigma @Soldier @white jesus @The Product @Nori @Fire Squad @Clive @Jakey @Bossun7 @El Ares

Fire Squad · Feb 15, 2021

Feb 15, 2021
@Sign Language @Jeans @Ordinary Joel @Ricky @Chrollo @Michael Myers

FAM I"VE MISSED Y"ALL!!!!!!!

I've been insanely busy, as it's been mentioned, theres been an uptick in mental health issues along with me taking an extra responsibility with working for the National Suicide Hotline, so basically most of my free time has been taken with that. I am doing very well fortunately, I haven't forgotten about S80 nor any of you wonderful friends I've made here in the past couple of years. I will say this thread is unfortunately on a hiatus, but I do promise I will get back into this and in general interacting with y'all on a more regular basis someday!

2014 Forever Lives JCN · Dec 8, 2015

Dec 8, 2015

IB ghostwrote everything confirmed

Michael Myers · Jun 5, 2018

Jun 5, 2018

marshmallow said

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f---ing liar. He said no more parties in LA

831's Finest · Oct 25, 2016

Oct 25, 2016
- Eminem dissed Everlast wishing he died from his heart attack he recently had at the time
- Gucci Mane laughed about the guy he killed from Jeezy's camp
- Ja Rule was suggesting Eminem's daughter would grow up to be a crackhead slut
- I don't even want to get into what 50 & 2Pac has said on record, way too long a list lol but you guys crying about Drake's diss that wasn't even brutal need to get a grip

6ixgawd · Feb 8, 2015

Feb 8, 2015

WPG · Sep 7, 2018

Sep 7, 2018

Charlie Work said

I feel like I was the last to find this out, and everybody I've talked to has been utterly shocked by the news.

Idk how you can even have a passing familiarity with Mac's music and feel that way. Dudes really been skimming through it.
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okay dude. a lot of people go through it. we're still allowed to be stunned by the news when they actually die –– at 26, no less.

Slyk · Jul 4, 2015

Jul 4, 2015

Narsh said

Haven't heard and can already guarantee two things

1) it's not aoty (summertime 06)
2) smh @ being better than carters 1-3

I hope u guys aren't just gassing this up
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I can guarantee its better than any copycat project your idol has put out.

Flacko · Jan 17, 2016

Jan 17, 2016

DKC · Apr 4, 2021

Apr 4, 2021
For anyone who uses (even if it's only occasional), I beg you to please test your s---. Fent test strips cost about $2 a pop and they could save you or your friends' lives.

Oldboy · Nov 27, 2015

Nov 27, 2015
Kendrick > Eminem

M.I.C. · Jun 1, 2022

Jun 1, 2022
no f---in way im listening to 30 game songs in 2022 man

RetiredAccount · Sep 10, 2020

Sep 10, 2020
Yay or Nay
"Still Tippin'" (Mike Jones) - top five rap song OAT?

remember yall: the horizon leans forward
@Fausto @FlameEffex @angelo_91 @asvdawg @hityourass @fezzer @Tom Brady @Zeugma @Australia @KMurda @CrimsonKing @Fire Squad @quadrasaurus @Ghostface @Translucent @Ordinary Joel @marshmallow @awhellno @SKUXY @fezzer @ItsPwizz BANGS @Buddha @Casper2016 @hargydon @zukayoku @Jb27 @Spider Man @JB21 @aleeex1972 @Dominate24 @DatJimmy @Odysseus @Thy @Sea Mauville @Enez @joeyp363 @MichaelsMad @EminemSXN @Chaotic Progress

Narsh · Mar 28, 2016

Mar 28, 2016

mdemas said

Thug and Future wouldn't need to drop several projects a year if their music was good. The only reason they're doing this is because their fans' attention spans are s--- and their music ain't timeless.
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Packman · Sep 7, 2018

Sep 7, 2018
Mac miller didn't die because he loved to do drugs. He died because he was depressed and had mental health issues. Drugs and alcohol are the substances used, but the issue is deeper than that.

He helped me through the past couple months with Swimming. AOTY candidate for sure. RIP Mac

Nori · Aug 1, 2016

Aug 1, 2016
imagine if koolo did this for his 3.0 rollout and it was just him in a room making some dank arabian furniture

Ricky · Feb 14, 2022

Feb 14, 2022

PistolPistol said

Eminem such a lil propaganda b----.
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Eminem is the GOAT for what he's done

Ordinary Joel · Jul 21, 2017

Jul 21, 2017
Their impact throughout the 2000s is undeniable. Grew up hearing all their hits on the radio.

Really is a shock to hear that he's gone.

Soldier · Oct 14, 2015

Oct 14, 2015
Like this post if u need the link

yes i actually have it this time

Immy · Nov 27, 2015

Nov 27, 2015

Cole after Kendrick sent him that verse.

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