Kanye West, Famous | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 12^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song “Famous” by Kanye West. 

Bring on the controversy, won’t you? Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 12^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Famous” by 🎙 Kanye West. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous…” Oh boy, 🎙 Kanye West. 🎙 Taylor Swift did see an upward trajectory following West’s despicable move at the MTV VMAs in 2009, but he did not make her famous.  Furthermore, referring to her as a ‘bitch’ is distasteful, not to mention having the arrogance to believe they’d have sex. Before he transitioned to Christian rap (we guess), Mr. West, musically, has had his polarizing moments.  That’s not even mentioning his outspokenness beyond the music.  Unpacking the excerpted lyric speaks to part of the controversy surrounding “Famous” which appears on his most unorthodoxly rolled-out album, 💿 The Life of Pablo.

While that’s the most objectionable lyric from 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper on “Famous,” it’s not the only suspect one.  How about Exhibit B, which speaks to West’s ego, narcissism, and perhaps, delusion.

“For all the girls that got dick from Kanye West
If you see ‘em in the streets give ‘em Kanye’s best
Why? They mad they ain’t famous
They mad they’re still nameless.”

How utterly disgusting and distasteful.  The thing is, while the Taylor Swift lyric created another feud between West and Kim Kardashian, the bigger controversy with the song involves the music video. 

Music Video 🎶📼 

I spent ample time discussing some questionable lyrics served up by West, but it is the music video that takes the cake. Nothing speaks controversy more than nudity, right? Well, the “Famous” video features nude likenesses of ‘famous’ celebrities including two former presidents – YIKES!  According to West, the video is a “comment on fame”.  Wow…

Final Thoughts 💭 

So, what does one make of “Famous” by Kanye West? Well, musically, it’s another fine Kanye West joint. 🎙 Rihanna assists with superb vocals – she has a one-of-a-kind, distinct tone. As for West himself, his aggressiveness over a hard backdrop is appreciated, controversy aside.  That said, the controversy is lit, period.  The Taylor Swift stuff – petty.  The way he writes off his ‘conquests’ – shameful.  The music video with nude likenesses of Donald Trump and George W. Bush – f**kin’ weird man! 

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 10 Songs That Embrace Being Famous
🔗 🎧 13 F Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

🎙 Kanye West • 💿 The Life of Pablo • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2016

Kanye West, “Famous”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 12 [📷: Aidan Feddersen on Unsplash, Brent Faulkner, Def Jam, The Musical Hype]