meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Still Processing

We Wouldn't Leave Kanye, But Should We?

Still Processing

The New York Times

News Commentary, Society & Culture, News, Arts

4.89.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 June 2018

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Almost one week after Kanye West released his eighth studio album, "Ye," we wonder what to do with artists who displease us. Going back to 2004, we take a closer look at Kanye, the artist, who questioned the role of higher education, called out former president George Bush after Hurricane Katrina on live television, and publicly grieved over the untimely death of his mother. We also examine Kanye, the problem, and try to understand how the same person who seemed to champion black solidarity in the early 2000s is now calling slavery a choice and aligning himself with President Trump. From "The College Dropout" to "808s & Heartbreak" to "Yeezus" to "Ye," we've kept listening to Kanye, but we ask ourselves: what will make us stop? Discussed this week:"Ivanka Trump, Samantha Bee, and the Strange Path of an Ancient Epithet" (Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, June 1, 2018)Rebecca Traister's tweets about Samantha Bee calling Ivanka Trump the C-word (2018)"Running Up That Hill" (Kate Bush, 1985) "The Man Who Ate Everything" (Jeffrey Steingarten, 1998)"Julián is a Mermaid" (Jessica Love, 2018)"O Superman" (Laurie Anderson, 1982)Kanye's comments about former president George Bush after Hurricane Katrina (MTV, 2005)"Ye" (Kanye West, 2018)"The Life of Pablo" (Kanye West, 2016)"Yeezus" (Kanye West, 2013)"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" (Kanye West, 2010)"808s & Heartbreak" (Kanye West, 2008)"Graduation" (Kanye West, 2007)"Late Registration" (Kanye West, 2005)"The College Dropout" (Kanye West, 2004)

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I'm Jenna Wortham.

0:01.2

I'm Wesley Morris.

0:02.4

We're two culture writers at the New York Times.

0:06.3

This is still processing.

0:14.4

Hi, Wesley.

0:15.7

Hi, how's it going?

0:17.2

How are you?

0:17.7

I'm so good.

0:18.4

How are you?

0:18.8

It's nice to see you.

0:20.2

Your vibes are strong, lady.

0:22.1

Thank you.

0:22.8

Your vibes are strong.

0:23.8

Thank you.

0:24.4

I feel good today.

0:26.1

So what's new in your world?

0:28.0

Well, first before I say anything else, it's Kanye Day.

0:31.5

We should tell everybody we're going to be talking about Kanye.

0:34.2

We're going to talk about the new album that came out on Friday.

0:37.0

We're going to talk upside down, inside out about around through Kanye all day.

0:43.3

OK.

0:44.1

But first, you asked me a question, how am I?

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The New York Times, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The New York Times and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.