BONUS: On Trump, 'Jeen-Yuhs' director breaks with Kanye; talks drive, talent & the retainers with Ari

The Beat with Ari Melber

Ari Melber, MS NOW

Politics, News, Versant Media, Ms Now, Daily News, Versant, Government

4.6 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 8 March 2022

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

From rebuking Pres. Bush over Hurrican Katrina, to backing Pres. Trump, to mounting his own brief run for President, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has made himself a controversial, unavoidable part of American politics, music, culture, fashion, social media, and business for decades. Two of his oldest collaborators and friends, Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, explain their belief and fascination in the artist and billionaire entrepreneur Ye -- even amidst some disagreements over politics, values, and business -- as they unveil one of the most unusual, long-running documentaries ever made, Netflix's "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy." The new film draws on hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage, 20 years in the making, which began when Simmons decided to devote years to filming a then-unknown music producer. In one of the most extensive, in-depth interviews about the project, Simmons and Ozah talk with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber about Ye; his relationship with them, other artists and his mother Donda - whom they knew well; the complex backstory of the project; the racial dynamics that Ye faced in the industry; their discussions about Drake narrating the film; how anyone can tap the lessons of passion and a "genius" mindset; and, on a lighter note, the way a young Ye's retainers figured into his early years. Ye is a complex artist and person who has proven controversial, maddening, gifted, and inspiring to so many people around the world. This bonus podcast explores some of the reasons for that, with people who have studied his life and work.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey everyone listening to the podcast. This is Ari Melbourne, as you can tell from my greeting. This is a
0:06.3	podcast exclusive, not just the normal TV show that we sometimes post. I wanted to share with you a special
0:12.5	interview we did about someone you've heard of, someone who's controversial for more than just his
0:17.1	politics, although definitely that. I'm talking about Yeh, Kanye West, and that new
0:21.7	Netflix documentary, Genius, a Kanye trilogy. In this podcast extra, you'll hear my in-depth
0:27.0	conversation with Cudy Simmons and Chiquet Ozaha, who are two of Yeas good friends who made this
0:32.4	documentary, including back in the old days and the old Yeh, even he knows, many people prefer to the new Ye.
0:38.3	We talk about their process, we talk about art, we talk about culture, and of course I asked them about some of the A's biggest mistakes.
0:46.3	They think voting for Trump or backing Trump was one of them.
0:49.3	So this is a really in-depth conversation. It hasn't aired on the beat yet, but we do sometimes this extra stuff, even with everything else going on the world, to keep an eye on culture and other stories. So you can hear that podcast extra coming up. You can always connect with me at ari melbourne.com. You can sign up there for my free newsletter at ari melbourne.com. Just pick the free option. Or connect with me on social media at Ari Melbler or at The Beat with Ari. And as always, if you want to rate the podcast, if you give us five stars or whatever you think we deserve,
1:15.2	that helps too. Without any further intro, here is our podcast extra exclusive interview for you
1:21.7	with these genius filmmakers.
1:24.8	Here we are on The Beat with Ari Melblerba and I am joined now by the directors of the historic
1:29.1	Netflix documentary genius, Cudy Simmons and Chiquet Oza. Thanks for being here. Oh, man, thanks
1:34.8	for having us. This is a long time in the making. So for those who know and appreciate it and
1:40.4	those who may not know, let's begin by just looking from the film at your relationship with Ye.
1:45.0	Give it up for my boy, Cooty.
1:47.0	This is a Cooty right here. He shot all the footage in Chee-E.
1:54.0	I wouldn't be here but what for this man right here?
1:58.0	Toast the camera, man Tost, all right.
2:01.6	So Kudi and Chiquet come in our office.
2:04.6	They got two giant duffel bags.
	...

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