Kanye's rise from the ashes?

A little under a year ago Kanye West was a phariah.

I guess that's just the way the world works, express a valid opinion based on a President's response to a disaster and no one cares. Rudely, but all the same correctly proclaim that Beyonce had the best video of all time and the entire world sides with the pop star major label product. I'm not gonna front, aside from the millions in the bank and supermodel looking gold diggers, dealing with that much misplaced hatred must have sucked. If I had an Amber Rose at my side I too would have said fuck it, and disappeared for a while.

But even more interesting has been his return. It really started with his joining twitter soon before power dropped. He was easy to follow, you got exactly what you expected, silliness, wanton luxury consumption, twit pics of a life led by few, and unexpectedly, some rambling introspection. And as expected, it is a hit.

Power itself was a departure from the normal Kanye opening single. Dark and introspective wit over a track that was patently un-pop. A short teaser video based on an imagery of hell that was only available on the interwebs. There was no upbeat beat or MTV worthy video. I for one wondered what is Kanye up to. I understood his desire to move toward deeper artistry in his work but not how exactly he could do that and sell records according to the industry model.

His next departure from the norm was GOOD fridays, say what, who can resist free music. Great beats, great rhymes what more could you want(phonte voice). It made sense, it kept him relevant musically, and us patient, while allowing him forgo releasing other tracks until he played runaway at the VMA's.

Then there is the masterstroke. The Runaway video. It is an impressive accomplishment. He showcases his music, his desire to have what he makes seen as real art, and the emotional turmoil of the last year in a beautifully shot easy to watch short film. As far as the music, he gives us just enough of it to confirm that his album should be at least good, while again leaving us wanting.

I really think that Kanye West has waged an incredible campaign for our hearts and minds. He may have lain a blueprint for all artists on how to explore your other artistic interests while setting your album up for monster first week sales. I won't call Kanye the official rapper of the internet generation, but one thing is for sure he does get the internet generation, and that will only help his star burn brighter.