ALBUM INFO
Breaking away from his usual sound, Kanye focused on utilizing a minimalist and electronic sound to reflect his feelings in this album. At the time Kanye’s fiance had ended their relationship and his mom, Donda West passed away during cosmetic surgery leaving West in a vulnerable emotional state. Even though the album received mixed reactions from fans it helped to inspire and shape other hip hop artists such as Drake and Jay-Z who became more confident experimenting with their sound.
THEMES & INSPIRATION
- Experiencing distressing personal events
- Loss, alienated fame and heartache
- Album was a way to work through the pain