Named as one of Time magazine’s “One Hundred Most Influential People in the World,” Kanye West is arguably one of the most successful hip hop artists of this decade. Producer turned rapper and known for his innovative beats and catchy lyrics, Kanye West has received over 10 Grammy Awards and 100 nominations and is credited with producing and writing hit songs for musical artists such as Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Brandy, Common, Jamie Foxx and many more.
Now, with the release of his new book, THROUGH THE WIRE: THE WORDS AND LYRICS OF KANYE WEST, his fans around the world can capture the quintessential spirit of the man who produced megahits like “Jesus Walks,” “Touch the Sky,” “Gold Digger,” and, of course, West’s breakout debut single, “Through the Wire.” THROUGH THE WIRE is a graphic memoir that illustrates the lyrics of twelve Kanye West songs, from his decision to drop out of college to pursue his dreams in music, through his days spent folding chinos at the Gap while struggling at night to make a name as a producer, through the pivotal car accident that eventually set him on the course to stardom and the epiphany of realizing exactly who he had become: an undeniable force in hip hop.
Bill Plympton illustrates Kanye’s story of strength and triumph by using his unique style of animation and illustration to create his vision of Kanye’s world. Each song is equipped with a deep, personal annotation and the biographical components that clarify the compelling lyrics. The pioneering work of Kanye, combined with vivid imagery, is sure to capture the reader’s attention.
Kanye states “These two lines could be a whole song…’When it feels like living’s harder than dying/For me, giving up’s way harder than trying.’ To have something and quit on it and to think, ‘Damn, I didn’t even try,’ that’s very hard for me. I’d rather try hard and fail. The real failure’s never trying.”
By interweaving picture with song, THROUGH THE WIRE illustrates a remarkable timeline of Kanye’s journey, undoubtedly providing readers the most vivid analysis of Kanye’s life and lyrics to date. It offers not only a collection of the life lessons behind the songs that propelled Kanye into mainstream stardom, but also gives a closer look at the rise of pioneering superstar.
