Each person’s relationship with the enigmatic Kanye West is different; some hate him, some love him, but everyone feels some way. Today we explore, Kanye’s relationship with masks and the plight of great artists.

In an interview at the London Wireless Festival in 2014, Kanye states, “They let me make those shoes and we liked ’em, right? And they say, “No, no, no n*gga, not no more. That’s too much… stay in your place. Sit in front of that show and wear this jacket I made you. Stay in your place! Do what you get paid to do! Stay in your place! Don’t embarrass yourself trying to chase your dreams. Save face. Save face.”

Ye continued, saying, “That’s why I got this fucking mask on, because I ain’t worried about saving face. F*ck my face! That sounded wrong. [laughs] Pause. But they finally got a headline. But f*ck whatever my face is supposed to mean and f*ck whatever the name Kanye is supposed to mean, it’s about my dreams! And it’s about anybody’s dreams. It’s about creating. It’s not about the idea about being a fucking celebrity, it’s not about the idea of being a black man trying to do fashion and sh*t.”

(Ye was boo’d after this rant.)

Kanye West

The London Wireless Festival (2014)

It is no secret that many people believe that Kanye changed. However, when peeling back the layers, we can see that the only thing that changed was his level of influence.

Ye (Guevara’s) work has always been rooted in protest since his first single, a Hip-Hop gospel song. It’s no secret that the 2098 Legacy loves Kanye West and will inevitably side with Ye, perhaps more than we should. Nonetheless, he is a futurist and The Legacy is League of Futurists creating the world we want our future generations to thrive in. We live like ducks, staying afloat and paddling like crazy underneath. At a certain point of excellence, one has very few peers; one must lean on ideas and principles instead of mentors. When one is without peers, what they stand for is all the more important.

Many people call themselves artists, but artists are only as brilliant as the art that they present. If you do not post, publish, or share your ideas/work, you’re not an artist. The only way you will improve is if you get your back off the wall and open yourself up to critique. Some people are going to say your work sucks. Some will love it. As long as you make your audience feel something, you’ve won.