2017 was a year of self-imposed musical exile. Fueled by a strange resolution, I embarked on a journey listening exclusively to Kanye West’s music for an entire year. This post delves into the unexpected impact this experience had on me.
Why Kanye?
While I’ve always enjoyed Kanye West’s music, I never considered it to be objectively “good.” Furthermore, his public persona often struck me as arrogant. However, 2017 marked a turning point. It was the year I truly committed to pursuing my adult goals, and I surprisingly credit Kanye for a significant portion of my newfound drive.
Growth Through Music
Summarizing the lessons learned would be challenging, but Kanye’s music undeniably fostered a period of introspection and action. It instilled a greater sense of purpose, urging me to nurture ideas and translate them into reality. This newfound focus permeated my professional life, making 2017 a year of goal-oriented achievement.
A Sacrifice of Musical Diversity
The experiment wasn’t without its drawbacks. I undeniably missed out on exploring new releases and revisiting music by other beloved artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and Jay-Z. Even Kanye’s most ardent young fan (myself included) would likely yearn for Eminem’s iconic tracks at some point.
Unexpected Rewards
Despite the limitations, the experience wasn’t entirely negative. Kanye’s music grew on me, each album offering a unique and relatable narrative that mirrored various aspects of life. His music provided a constant soundtrack, perfectly complementing my mood and enhancing the present moment. This is a testament to Kanye’s artistry; his music resonates deeply when fully explored.
Breaking the Kanye Chains
The first song of 2018? It depended entirely on my mood. While I contemplated various options, a recent craving for Stereophonics’ “Indian Summer” surfaced. Part of me wanted to share the lessons learned from Kanye with the world, perhaps by forcing a night of his music on my friends (a humorous, yet admittedly mean-spirited, idea). Ultimately, this post will be updated with the song that truly ushered in 2018.
**Edit:** As the clock struck midnight, our celebratory gathering became a marathon of “Runaway.” It was, undeniably, fantastic.
