American rapper Kanye West, or Ye, has had a career marked by both fame and failure. From revolutionizing hip-hop music to sparking widespread controversy, Kanye’s influence in modern media has been undeniable.
Kanye debuted in 2004 with his first studio album, The College Dropout, which exploded onto the hip-hop scene. His career skyrocketed after the releases of his next albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007). Fans loved Kanye’s outspoken and humorous views of the rap industry, not to mention his show-stopping music production. There was no doubt about Kanye’s success in the early 2000s—he was a breath of fresh air. Kanye’s musical ability to discuss a wide range of modern issues distinguished him from many of his contemporaries: Drake, Jay-Z, 50 Cent.
However, in 2009, during the annual MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye made headlines worldwide as he abruptly interrupted singer Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for the Best Female Video award. Kanye swiftly received backlash for his disrespectful stunt, marking it as the beginning of the downfall of his career.
His outrageous behavior grew even more during the later 2010s. While known for his outspoken views on controversial issues, Kanye announced that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, shocking many. Then in 2020, Kanye began an unsuccessful campaign for US president. In addition, after an eight-year marriage with superstar Kim Kardashian, Kanye divorced her in 2021. A year later, Kanye posted a series of derogatory antisemitic comments on social media, and more recently in February 2025. As a result, Kanye lost brand deals to major companies including Balenciaga, Gap, and most notably Adidas. Infamous for its highly successful shoe line, Yeezy, Adidas’s discontinuation in particular lost Kanye millions of dollars worth of stock in the blink of an eye. He also lost millions of social media followers on Instagram and Twitter (X), and received criticism from the public, celebrities, and politicians.
While many fans, including myself, find it truly sad to witness his downfall, Kanye’s influence in music, pop culture, and fashion has been undeniable. Kanye’s unapologetic and impulsive legacy still remains relevant in his role as a leading figure in entertainment. Whether it be through his successes or controversies, Kanye’s impact won’t ever be forgotten.
