In a conversation with a CNN reporter last week, I talked about certain celebrity geniuses who reached a pinnacle of their careers that most artists never attain.
But instead of being remembered for their contributions to their art, these stars are remembered for the way they flamed out.
Kanye West is one such musical genius slash narcissist who will be remembered for the way his career went up in a ball of flames.
The NY Times’ Artsbeat blog reports that Kanye’s new music video for his lame track “Power” invites us into the dark, twisted fantasies of his mind “teeming with debauchery, degradation and the ominous specter of death.”
Sounds good so far, right?
In a coming video for his single “Power” that was created by the artist Marco Brambilla, Mr. West is seen standing imposingly with a heavy chain around his neck. As Mr. West raps the camera slowly zooms out in one continuous, unedited take to reveal him in a classical structure, surrounded by female attendants who are partly or entirely nude; some kneel before him on all fours, others wear devil horns and still others are suspended upside down from the ceiling. The Sword of Damocles hangs precariously over Mr. West’s head, and behind him an unseen executioner is preparing to strike him with a blade. (ArtsBeat was allowed to watch a portion of this video but was not permitted to post it.) Read More…
The video will be posted on Kanye’s blog next week.
**Denzel for “Training Day” voice**
“My Nigga…”
#teamkanye
Hey Bird *waves*
Yeah I think Kanye has gone thru a dark period and now he is expressing it creatively-
Mmmkay
Redeemed where are you?
#TeamYeezy
sounds like it will be hot
Just love Kanye…..
CWhatsHerFace says:
Redeemed where are you?
________________________
Jigga, Yeezy, Gaga, Rihanna and many more are followers of Aleister Crowley’s occult religious teachings called Thelema.
Bunch of dummies.
I love the song and will probably like the video.
i like kanye with his crazy azz reedem coming to save kanye in 4, 3 2 1!!
I think Kanye’s past media and public fiascos…have taken the attention away from his music. I was and will always be great!! (Though I did catch the “My Chain is Heavy fluck up)…..
I am not sure, without seeing the actual video and clearly understanding the lyrics, what his message is…..but I do hope for the sake of genuine talent…..that Kanye takes a moment to refocus on the music so he can hold securely to his place in history as music/rapper legend.
Or else we will continue to be hit with more garbage music that continues to empower stereo types and myths about our community. “All we do is Dance”????????????????????????????????????????
I don’t understand Christians who disregard the possibility of there being an evil force that tries to push a certain agenda. Doesn’t your very bible tell you that these things will happen? I mean wasn’t Lucifer kicked out of heaven and vowed to convert God’d people..blah blah blah?? Why is it so hard to believe that it may be coming true?
CORRECTION to COMMENT #13: “HE” was and will always be great (sorry narcissistic moment there..completely interjected myself…….OOPS)
@Stella
I don’t think people are saying it’s not true but becuz an artist is going thru a phase in life be it dark or the other doesn’t always mean devil worshipping I think to many are quit to point that finger
too many are quick
Choco says: ………..be it dark or the other doesn’t always mean devil worshipping………………….
___________________________________________________________
In Agreement!!!!
But Choco, if there are certain symbols or gestures that are clearly associated with “devil worshiping”, why would one associate themselves with those gestures knowingly? (Kanye wore a shirt with a Baphomet head for goodness sake!) I don’t think these people are devil worshipers per se but they are knowingly contributing to spreading an evil message…
StellaElla says:
But Choco, if there are certain symbols or gestures that are clearly associated with “devil worshiping”, why would one associate themselves with those gestures knowingly? (Kanye wore a shirt with a Baphomet head for goodness sake!) I don’t think these people are devil worshipers per se but they are knowingly contributing to spreading an evil message…
___________________________________________________________
In Agreement!!!!
StellaElla says: I don’t understand Christians who disregard the possibility of there being an evil force that tries to push a certain agenda. Doesn’t your very bible tell you that these things will happen? I mean wasn’t Lucifer kicked out of heaven and vowed to convert God’d people..blah blah blah?? Why is it so hard to believe that it may be coming true?
_________________________________________________________________
people who believe in GOD!! and those who consider themselves christians…absolutely believe there are forces of evil amongst us… and you are right……the KJ version of the bible speaks on it…..
However it doesn’t promote the “Salem Witch Hunts”………… we can not cast every aritist into the role of Devil Worshipper (as Choco just expressed)…we just can’t…not based on a video……….. This is where a prayer of discernment is necessary…this is where your own judgment and teachings and understandings of God has to reveal themselves to guide you accordingly
The core of Thelemic thought is “Do what thou wilt.” However, beyond this, there exists a very wide range of interpretation of Thelema. Modern Thelema is a syncretic philosophy and religion,[87] and many Thelemites try to avoid strongly dogmatic or fundamentalist thinking. Crowley himself put strong emphasis on the unique nature of Will inherent in each individual, not following him, saying he did not wish to found a flock of sheep.[88] Thus, contemporary Thelemites may practice more than one religion, including Discordianism, Wicca, Gnosticism, Satanism, Setianism, and Luciferianism.
_________________________________________________________
They may or may not be “Devil Worshipers”. That is up for speculation, but there is no doubt at all that they are either deep into Thelema or at least trying to pretend they are for whatever reason.
GGouch, I understand entirely where you’re coming from. Obviously not all artists are part of this agenda, what I’m saying is as a Christian, why would you knowingly support someone who makes a mockery of your religion?
I guess one can argue that it’s only belief that these artists are into what’s alleged but on the other hand it may just be ignorance-not knowing what certain signs mean or where they originate.
I hate to rant but I was totally confused a few years ago about religion and all that jazz. Interestingly enough I always questioned God’s existence until I started researching this stuff. If God exists, the devil does too. It makes so much sense! I mean, there can only be so many coincidences!
This is the wrong venue to have these discussions; I hate to bore people. But people should look into it, then disregard it instead of being totally ignorant to the subject.
Very well put StellaElla.
I don’t think it’s the wrong place to discuss these things though. I think Sandra actually posted this because people are alleging these things.
@Stella
I know what you are saying however take the symbol away and just look at it like a fad everyone is speaking of 2012, armagheddon, illuminati so it’s sorta like they are going with the trending topic at times feel me-yes there are some out there that do worship evil not even Satan and imo Satan is not the only evil thing in the universe we as humans can be evil and do the Devil’s work so it all become ambiguous becuz there is not one answer and there may not ever be one-
@StellaElla
I don’t know much about other beliefs but I agree with what you’ve said. Christianity always seems to be the belief that takes the hit in the music videos, movies, etc. In Jay-Z’s On to the Next One video, why all the Christian symbols? Why not use Bhuddism, Hinduism, Rastafarianism (?)? To me that says alot, obviously there is something to it, no? But as you said, this may not be the venue for these debates, but to each his own.
@Stella
No sweets this is not the wrong venue GOD is working in this thread as well don’t you see we are communicating and learning and sharing I think any place is a good place for that…
Love Kanye!
Very well put StellaElla.
I don’t think it’s the wrong place to discuss these things though. I think Sandra actually posted this because people are alleging these things.
**********************
Thanks man. I’m a fan of your posts also
@Choco, I agree that this illumintai topic has become a fad. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say about worshiping evil but I don’t think that’s possible…one would worship the evil ‘doer’ as opposed to just general evil…I think.
@Zephyr, Right?! things that make you go hhhmmm
@Stella
No I’m saying some ppl are sick with pain hurt and despair and they are not worshipping Satan when they do evil deeds some folks worship themselves which translate to worshipping Evil not the Symbol or Character behind evil
Ok Choco, Gotcha! I don’t agree but I understand.
@Stella
Well that’s why we are all GOD’s children there’s some common ground in that : )
@Choco I ain’t mean to be all up in your biz or nothing. But did you say you practice Wicca in another post?
Ye
me
@CWhat
Yep y?
@ Choco
You make a good point about the fads and trends. You can look at it like a trend and that may be the case here; But you have to admit, these are very deep philosophies and very far from normal in the black community especially and are not intended to be adapted to on a whim.
I think people should know that there is in fact meaning behind the symbolism in the videos and what have you, and not just random artistic expression. It’s the idea of people not knowing what’s really meant by some of this stuff that’s disturbing because if they did, they likely wouldn’t be down with it. That’s all.
____________________________________________________
@ StellaElla, Thanks for the compliment!
Just making sure it was you, because I also heard you ask Redeemed how she feels about you practicing Wicca but I didn’t hear her response.
@Sanfi
I hear you but answer me this if those folks who do put up these symbols don’t know the meaning behind them how affective can it be-I understand about subliminal brainwashing trust but it’s a lot more to it-I’m only human and I ask GOD for the answers he can provide with my faith and life lessons and my own experiences I can apply what GOD has taught but only through trials and tribulations…
@CW
Redeemed doesn’t think for oneself imo the bible is what make her think she’s not using her own mind so when I asked her opinion she was unable to provide one now whose a vacant soul I ask???
@ Choco
I don’t think it matters if people(followers) know what it is. It’s the idea of drawing from peoples’ energy. Whether or not it’s real or complete BS, they believe by making people follow them or throw up the roc or whatever it may be, that they are drawing power from their energy.
You’re right though, thats a very basic way of looking at it and it gets very, very deep!
@Sanfi
You know in the movie Interview with a Vampire when Brad and Antonio met as vampires-Antonio appreciated Brad as a vampire more than his own loyal family of bloodsuckers becuz Brad was smarter than the rest he could reflect and use his mind not be some emptyheaded follower-the same applies to Satan what good is it to have a bunch of followers that are VACANT-IDIOTIC VOID-so trust those signs may draw energy but it is not drawing the type of POWER it wants to draw!
@ Choco
Sure it’s quantity over quality if anything at all! I’m completely with you here. It’s probably a bunch of BS but THEY believe in it!
It’s just the idea that we as a society are so gullible to follow anything whether good or bad without truly knowing the difference. It’s dangerous!
@Sanfi
But it’s not dangerous it’s part of GOD’s plan has been all along he has to select by how we live and serve him…just stay on your right path and keep GOD first and ask him to walk with you – you will be fine in the valley of evil you have survived thus far I can only help those who want it-makes my guilt a lot less
@ Choco
I’m sure you’re right and no matter what, if there is a GOD, there’s nothing we can do in this life that we won’t answer for in the hereafter so to speak. If that is true, it will surely be curtains for these heathens! LOL
SanfiPolemikos says:
@ Choco
You make a good point about the fads and trends. You can look at it like a trend and that may be the case here; But you have to admit, these are very deep philosophies and very far from normal in the black community especially and are not intended to be adapted to on a whim.
I think people should know that there is in fact meaning behind the symbolism in the videos and what have you, and not just random artistic expression. It’s the idea of people not knowing what’s really meant by some of this stuff that’s disturbing because if they did, they likely wouldn’t be down with it. That’s all.
____________________________________________________
That is exactly what I have been trying to say! If people (ESPECIALLY Christians) knew about the symbols they’re throwing up, or wearing on their clothes and putting on their KIDS, they wouldn’t dare do it!
since the song is basically saying the evils that power brings and how it changes you, i look forward to this video. i love kanye west and i love his music. he is by far one of the best rappers out