March 28, 2024

I’ve run out of patience with ‘Kanyadians’

Babbling Brooks column for 0218

There are certainly heavier subjects to take on than celebrity behavior. Nearly any military who have recently returned from overseas duty would probably agree.

But if I must indulge in such frivolity, and spend 600 words and a few minutes on someone who doesn’t deserve the energy, it might as well be with Kanye West. It isn’t only West’s ridiculous statements or actions that seem to bother me, or the complete lack of effort that seems to go into his so-called music.

It’s the millions of fans, who I’m guessing are mostly younger listeners, who find West to be a misunderstood genius and defend him and call him an artist. West’s on-stage antics during and after the 57th annual Grammys were the latest in a long history of award-show interruptions with self-serving grandstanding.

As if having videos and songs aggrandizing and self-praising weren’t enough, West has to be even more the center of attention — and awards show producers allow it, mistaking his boneheaded selfishness for courage. Sadly, a generation of fans, who can already broadcast ignorance as far as their social network and their technology savvy will allow, are being led by this new level of me-first mentality.

Even when West is discussing racism and other worthy topics, he comes off as selfish — even by the incredibly high self-obsessed standards of the male rap world. His followers, while certainly handed a bag of damaged pop-culture leaders by my generation and those before, are rarely questioning West’s silliness, and don’t really know enough history to know how out of touch West has become.

My term for West’s apologists — “Kanyadians” — is not meant to insult anyone born north of the border, but it does involve their home country, as many Americans have been accused of “heading for Canada” when not supporting West or towing the party line of the establishment.

Even Saturday Night Live’s lampooning of West, an ill-deserving musical guest amid the likes of Paul McCartney and Paul Simon in Sunday night’s 40th-anniversary special, couldn’t make his prime-time antics seem less immature.

West has won 21 Grammys, making him one of the most successful artists of his era. Yet he complains about one thing or another, ad nauseam, and none of his whining seems to set off anything but his most sensible fans.

Kanyadians seem willing to overlook mistakes such as West waiting for two handicapped fans to stand up at a September concert, or to make excuses for Obama because blacks don’t have as much money or connections as Jews. They’ll pretty much give him a pass on anything, as long as recording-industry people keep delivering something new of his to download.

I’ve always leaned toward calling athletes and other entertainers and leaders role models — no matter what Charles Barkley says — even though their lifestyle seems to lead them in the other direction.

Operating under a heavy glare is tough. High compensation and the privileges of traveling to fascinating places and meeting amazing people should make it worth it to try. Trying is something Kanyadians don’t really value, and that’s one of the reasons I’m the most concerned about West’s popularity.

History is filled with examples of folks who stumbled into success, but West not only doesn’t put effort into his alleged artwork, but he doesn’t put effort into well-calculated thoughtful public statements, being aware there are other people around him, or giving his child a normal name. North West will be followed throughout her life, thanks partly to her name.

Kanyadians would be better served following an orator with actual talent, such as slam poet Hakim Bellamy or even an actor such as Denzel Washington. If one studies prophets, think how far Washington or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. towers above the Kanyadians’ idol.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com