Kanye West, Spaceship | Rap BNGRZ

On the 9^th edition of Rap BNGRZ (2022), we break down the banger status of “Spaceship” performed by Kanye West.

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ring on the braggadocio, drip, sex, and kick-a$$ery – is that even a real word?  Regardless of whether it is or isn’t, you’ve entered Rap BNGRZ territory! On Rap BNGRZ (bangers, spelled properly), the premise is simple and like other columns gracing The Musical Hype (Outlandish Rock is its rock brotha from a different motha). BNGRZ provides background info and commentary on cocky, confident, ferocious hip-hop/rap songs. The bangers featured on BNGRZ can be brand-spanking-new or certified classics. On the 9^th edition of Rap BNGRZ (2022), we break down the banger status of “Spaceship” performed by Kanye West featuring GLC and Consequence.

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Theme & Lyrics

“I’ve been workin’ this grave shift and I ain’t made shit / I wish I could buy me a spaceship and fly past the sky.” Woo! “Spaceship” marks one of the best songs from The College Dropout, 2004’s Grammy-winning masterpiece by Kanye West.  Call this one a classic Rap BNGRZ entry. Is West really going to buy himself a spaceship? Nah dawg – it’s escapism!

The production work (West) on this five-and-a-minute banger is terrific, hearkening back to old-school soul.  Notably, Mr. West brilliantly samples the Marvin Gaye classic “Distant Lover”, which fuels the fire for sure.  Of course, Mr. West doesn’t escape on his own – he’s assisted by GLC and Consequence, not to mention additional vocals from The World Famous Tony Williams and a then little-known John Legend.  For some context, Legend would release his major-label debut, Get Lifted later that year.

Focusing on the song, West expands on the sentiment conveyed by chorus in the first verse. He expresses disillusionment with his job.  I must agree with Complex Magazine that this is one of West’s best verses – a gem through and though.

“If my manager insults me again

I will be assaulting him

After I fuck the manager up

Then I’m gonna shorten the register up

Let’s go back, back to the Gap

Look at my check, wasn’t no scratch

So, if I stole, wasn’t my fault

Yeah, I stole, never got caught.”

WOO! Following up West’s brilliant verse is tough, but GLC and Consequence bring their own fair share of excellence. A prime example of the hunger and desire to escape for GLC also references a mall job just like West:

“In the mall until 12 when my schedule had said 9

Putting them pants on shelves waiting patiently I ask myself

Where I want to go, where I want to be

Life is much more than running in the streets.”

As for Consequence, he focuses on the present and never returning to being an unknown rapper and broke:

“Had to be a catastrophe with the fridges staring back at me

Cause nothing’s there, nothing’s fair

I don’t want to ever go back there

So, I won’t be taking no days off ‘till my spaceship takes off.”

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Final Thoughts  

Just to reiterate, “Spaceship” ranks among the best Kanye West songs.  Furthermore, I’d argue it’s one of the best rap records of the aughts.  Sure, “Jesus Walks” is bigger, and “Through the Wire” marked a breakthrough, but “Spaceship” is magnificent.

Appears in :

• 13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapism

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Kanye West • The College Dropout • Roc-A-Fella • 2004

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Kanye West, “Spaceship”: Rap BNGRZ No. 9 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, cottonbro, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Roc-A-Fella, RODNAE Productions, WoodysMedia]

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