Kanye Releases Brand New Song About Trump, And I Have Thoughts.

People on Twitter are freaking today because Kanye has released a new single, a collaboration with T.I., and those who suspected Kanye’s recent tweet storm about Candace Owens, Trump, free thinking, etc. was simply a publicity stunt, are feeling like they now have their proof.

You can listen to a bit of the song right here. It’s absolutely dreadful, but then again, I think most of Kanye’s “music” is dreadful.  There are a couple songs of his that eventually grew on me (like Gold Digger and Stronger), but yeah, most of his stuff is just ear torture.

But here’s the thing.  If you don’t listen to it, and you just read the lyrics, it’s kinda fascinating.  And what’s remarkable is that it’s almost like it was written in real time, while the whole Kanye Dragon Energy Extravaganza was happening this whole week.  It’s about Kanye rocking his MAGA hat, and the reaction to it, and the lyrics present both sides of the argument.  At the end, it just sharply cuts off with a call-out to the world to continue the discussion.

So yeah – it’s a safe bet that his tweets this past week were a way of getting attention to his new single, but at the same time, it’s probably also a safe bet that he really does believe the stuff he’s saying.  And he’s saying it anyway, recognizing that he’ll get backlash and ALSO recognizing exactly why he’ll get it.

Another flame on the fire for folks who think this is solely a publicity stunt and was orchestrated in advance is the fact that the lyrics include the line, “See that’s the problem with this damn nation, All Blacks gotta be Democrats…” which you’ll recall is what Chance the Rapper tweeted (and then later apologized for.)

Anyway, here are the lyrics to the new song, called Ye Versus the People.  The italicized lyrics are what’s “sung” by TI, and the regular font is what’s “sung” by Kanye.  They’re having a convo, y’all.

I know Obama was Heaven-sent
But ever since Trump won, it proved that I could be President
Yeah you can, at what cost though?
Don’t that go against the teachings that Ye taught for?
Yo, Tip, I hear your side and everybody talk, though
But ain’t goin’ against the grain everything I fought for?
Prolly so, Ye, but where you tryna go with this?
It’s some shit you just don’t align with and don’t go against
You just readin’ the headlines, you don’t see the fine print
You on some choosin’-side shit, I’m on some unified shit
It’s bigger than your selfish agenda
If your election ain’t gon’ stop police from murderin’ niggas, then shit…
Bruh, I never ever stopped fightin’ for the people
Actually wearin’ the hat’ll show people that we equal
You gotta see the vantage point of the people
What makes you feel equal makes them feel evil
See that’s the problem with this damn nation
All Blacks gotta be Democrats, man, we ain’t made it off the plantation
Fuck who you choose as your political party
You representin’ dudes just seem crude and cold-hearted
With blatant disregard for the people who put you in position
Don’t you feel an obligation to them?
I feel a obligation to show people new ideas
And if you wanna hear ’em, there go two right here
Make America Great Again had a negative reception
I took it, wore it, rocked it, gave it a new direction
Added empathy, care and love and affection
And y’all simply questionin’ my methods
What you willin’ to lose for the point to be proved?
This shit is stubborn, selfish, bullheaded, even for you
You wore a dusty ass hat to represent the same views
As white supremacy, man, we expect better from you
All them times you sounded crazy, we defended you, homie
Not just to be let down when we depend on you, homie
That’s why it’s important to know what direction you’re goin’ now
‘Cause everything that you built can be destroyed and torn down
You think I ain’t concerned about how I affect the past?
I mean, that hat stayed in my closet like ’bout a year and a half
Then one day I was like, “Fuck it, I’ma do me”
I was in the sunken place and then I found the new me
Not worried about some image that I gotta keep up
Lot of people agree with me, but they too scared to speak up
The greater good of the people is first
Have you considered all the damage and the people you hurt?
You had a bad idea, and you’re makin’ it worse
This shit’s just as bad as Catholic preachers rapin’ in church
Y’all been leadin’ with hate, see I just approach it different
Like a gang truce, the first Blood to shake the Crip’s hand
I know everybody emotional
Is it better if I rap about crack? Huh? ‘Cause it’s cultural?
Or how about I’ma shoot you, or fuck your bitch?
Or how about all this Gucci, ’cause I’m fuckin’ rich
You’ll deal with God for the lack of respect
Startin’ to make it seem like Donnie cut you a check
Now you toyin’ with hot lava, better be careful with that
What’s it mean to gain the world if you ain’t standin’ for shit?
Okay I gotta say it, Ye, you sound high as a bitch
Yeah, genocide and slavery, we should just try and forget
And all that free thought shit, find a better defense
But if Ye just stuck in his way, he can leave it at that
Fuck it
Alright T.I.P., we could be rappin’ about this all day, man, why don’t we just cut the beat off and let the people talk?

There was a comment from a black woman on the lyrics page which I thought was interesting, and went back to Kimber’s earlier point about Kanye’s ability to potentially shift perspectives.  BEHOLD:

I get what Kanye is trying to do. He is trying to open people’s minds and hearts. Trump may talk and act recklessly but he is not all bad. Some of his policies are actually good. He is also saying instead of being angry all d time y don’t everybody work together. Besides watching only CNN and other liberal media would make you angry bcos dey only report d bad sometimes even shallow stuff and twist his words. People need to make the decisions themselves and not follow d bandwagon bcos thats what most black people are doing. Anyway dis song was probably recorded in a day like a freestyle or something.

Anyway, discuss. Simple publicity stunt and nothing more?  Or are we truly seeing the beginning of a cultural windshift?