Hawaii is an island located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the U.S. It is home to eight major islands, including its beautiful islet named Oahu, also known as “The Gathering Place.” In 2009, while in hot waters, rapper Kanye West found the perfect place for “The Hawaii Sessions.”
Before making it as a rapper, Kanye was a producer. In the early 2000s, he was crafting beats for Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z’s back-then music label. As covered in my previous post, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001) is a Hip-Hop classic. An album where West left his stamp as a beat-maker.
However, West didn’t want to hide behind a beat forever. He wished to break free and let the lights shine on him. Eventually, he signed to Roc-A-Fella Records (2002).
The years to follow birthed LPs such as “The College Dropout” (2004), “Late Registration” (2005), “Graduation” (2007), and “808s and Heartbreak” (2008). Nonetheless, such a legacy was tarnished at the infamous Video Music Awards (2009).
Ever since, Kanye has carried a crucifix, which pinpoints him to that event. The reason why he was labeled as crazy, delusional, to even a jackass by the then-president of America.
Subsequently, under such a thunderstorm, he knew he had to find spirituality away from society. And indeed he did, in the remote island of Oahu, Hawaii.
The Hawaii Sessions
The months to follow sparked creativeness to a new height. Consequently, he flew in a variety of artists to work with. Namely, top-tier producers Mike Dean, RZA, Q-Tip, Madlib, Swizz Beatz, No I.D., and musicians Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Nicki Minaj, CyHi The Prynce, Rihanna, and Bon Iver.
Ultimately, the Hawaii sessions crafted “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” (2010). A body of art never quite seen before in which he showcased his rap skills. In addition, his retrieval expanded horizons beyond music, and Ye fell in love with fashion.
“I just needed time alone
-Kanye West, Power (2010)
with my own thoughts.
Got treasures in my mind
but couldn’t open up my own vault.”
Therefore, in 2016, once again in hot waters, he exiled himself to a place called “Wyoming.” Clearly, you can’t help to pinpoint a similarity. A genius who is about to do it again.
Part 2: Wyoming Session premieres: May, 2021.
In the meantime, watch his fashion-inspired video “Runaway,” his full-length film, and listen to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” in the link below.
- “Runaway” music video by Kanye West. Directed by Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010) ↩︎
- “Runaway” full-length film by Kanye West. Directed by Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
- “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” album by Kanye West. Cover artwork by George Condo and Virgil Abloh (Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
