Kanye West's Tidal-exclusive album launch leads to mass piracy

[captaincranky]

AKAI GX-747, safely tucked away in a closet. Yes, old recordings degrade. I was lucky to purchase some unused Ampex 456 tapes from a recording studio that went digital. still in airtight plasticbags. Could be a trip down nostalgia lane to make a tape or two with my favourite music.

As long as you have a standalone Dolby unit handy. Otherwise, with a good high end on your speakers, everything will sound like someone is taking a shower while running a belt sander in the background.

 

[Mister_K]

Kanye albums aren't known for their "beats". He's actually incredibly talented - lyrically.

I am not sure if serious or ... You are right, however, but I still prefer the Beats, some of them are just insane!
(Madlib is a genius).

 

[Arturo]

Who the heck is that guy with strange name?

 

[wastedkill]

The argument is that a lot of Pirates wouldn't buy the work anyways, therefore the artist lost nothing

Amazing, so your saying because I would never in a million years buy a Volkswagen that I could just go on to the lot and take one to drive around and that would be justifiable? Your ridiculous, nothing more I can say about your logic towards piracy...

Funny how you think of digital media as physical, So if you save techspots article does that mean you've stolen the only working copy of techspot.com :O #yourlogic

Digital piracy cant be taken such a way, if im not gonna pay for his terrible music and I pirate it what has he lost? bandwidth that HE has to pay to his hosting providers? I'd say hes gained money if I didnt pirate or buy his stuff.

Digital media might not be free but I try before I buy and his music is really really bad so in effect I lost nothing and he lost nothing.

 

[Mister_K]

Third page and we are still discussing the morals of Pirating torrents? Cmon ... Talk about Flogging a Dead Horse.

 

[damnthereaper]

I find it hard to comprehend why the theft of Kanye West's album, is even sparking a copyright debate.

To me, if you want to record and sell "gangsta", then "gangstas" will listen to it.

So what do people do when they're gangsta? Well, they sell crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth. Why anybody in their right mind would expect them to pay for a stinking album is beyond me.

Gangsta wannabe pirate albums whilst they think about committing bigger crimes .

And ya know, all the shameless pirates of that garbage have exactly the same excuses which make the rounds here, plus a few more.

"I gotz me deez kidz", I gotz me me raghts, Kanye's one of us, he'd want me to have this, ad naseum".

West can't possibly believe he's mainstream in anything but an ethnic sense. Maybe he should do what "Puff Daddy" did, and pay somebody to design a clothing line for him, and slap his name on it.

I know many of the rest of us who enjoy actual, "music", would be deeply moved with gratitude. (But I don't even own a suit, so he'd have to skip one meal of "grats" < (see what I did there), on account of me.

Sorry Kanye, feel free to say a few obscene things about me in your next "album to be named....,er I mean stolen", later.

....Just wow. First off Kanye is no where close to being considered "gangsta rap", in not one album has he talked about "selling crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth". I also like how you automatically think Kanye fans must be some uneducated fools. I think Kanye is a genuis (crazy but a genuis), and I'm sitting on two degrees right now, thinking about a third. But your right though, those 21 grammys are probably just an "ethnic" fluke, smh.

 

[damnthereaper]

I find it hard to comprehend why the theft of Kanye West's album, is even sparking a copyright debate.

To me, if you want to record and sell "gangsta", then "gangstas" will listen to it.

So what do people do when they're gangsta? Well, they sell crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth. Why anybody in their right mind would expect them to pay for a stinking album is beyond me.

Gangsta wannabe pirate albums whilst they think about committing bigger crimes .

And ya know, all the shameless pirates of that garbage have exactly the same excuses which make the rounds here, plus a few more.

"I gotz me deez kidz", I gotz me me raghts, Kanye's one of us, he'd want me to have this, ad naseum".

West can't possibly believe he's mainstream in anything but an ethnic sense. Maybe he should do what "Puff Daddy" did, and pay somebody to design a clothing line for him, and slap his name on it.

I know many of the rest of us who enjoy actual, "music", would be deeply moved with gratitude. (But I don't even own a suit, so he'd have to skip one meal of "grats" < (see what I did there), on account of me.

Sorry Kanye, feel free to say a few obscene things about me in your next "album to be named....,er I mean stolen", later.

....Just wow. First off Kanye is no where close to being considered "gangsta rap", in not one album has he talked about "selling crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth". I also like how you automatically think Kanye fans must be some uneducated fools. I think Kanye is a genuis (crazy but a genuis), and I'm sitting on two degrees right now, thinking about a third. But your right though, those 21 grammys are probably just an "ethnic" fluke, smh.

Also when I meant he never talked about those things he's never talked about them from experience just what he sees.

 

[Technician]

AKAI GX-747, safely tucked away in a closet. Yes, old recordings degrade. I was lucky to purchase some unused Ampex 456 tapes from a recording studio that went digital. still in airtight plasticbags. Could be a trip down nostalgia lane to make a tape or two with my favourite music.

Nice deck. Second only to the x2000m I have. Lol just kidding.

 

[Technician]

....Just wow. First off Kanye is no where close to being considered "gangsta rap", in not one album has he talked about "selling crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth". I also like how you automatically think Kanye fans must be some uneducated fools. I think Kanye is a genuis (crazy but a genuis), and I'm sitting on two degrees right now, thinking about a third. But your right though, those 21 grammys are probably just an "ethnic" fluke, smh.

Genius? Really? What exactly is his IQ?

 

[captaincranky]

....Just wow. First off Kanye is no where close to being considered "gangsta rap", in not one album has he talked about "selling crack, carry guns, sell heroine, commit armed robberies and so forth". I also like how you automatically think Kanye fans must be some uneducated fools. I think Kanye is a genuis (crazy but a genuis), and I'm sitting on two degrees right now, thinking about a third. But your right though, those 21 grammys are probably just an "ethnic" fluke, smh.

Well, I old so I'm isolated, but the only thing I've heard about Mr. West is him trashing Taylor Swift. Which he basically did, because she was a young, innocent, soft spoken white girl from Pennsylvania, and he thought an African American friend of his, deserved an award more than Ms.Swift did. Him running his yap about her (Swift), still continues.to this day.

Then there's his wife, someone who is famous for being famous. Maybe you & he think she deserves an award too, despite the fact she has no discernible talent. But then, what better way to get your face on TV every day than to start banging a Kardashian?

And BTW, I do hope you're from money. Because to me, it sounds like you haven't learned much, and that's a heavy student debt to repay.

Thomas A. Edison was a genius, so was Albert Einstein. In the field of music you have your Bachs ,Beeethovens, plus people who can actually play an instrument like Prince, (yes that's right, I said Prince), and Brad Paisley.

So where does Kanye West's "genius" fit in with that crowd? Wait I know! He knows how to get cameras pointed at him, and most recently, how to "play the victim", because a half million people stole his new album....boo, hoo

Every time I even talk about this guy West, it make's me want to take a shower, then move to Canada, or maybe the Ukraine.

 

[Raoul Duke]

....Just wow......I also like how you automatically think Kanye fans must be some uneducated fools. I think Kanye is a genuis (crazy but a genuis), and I'm sitting on two degrees right now, thinking about a third. But your right though, those 21 grammys are probably just an "ethnic" fluke, smh.

21 Grammy's just show popularity, nothing else.
Adolf Hitler was voted into office (70.84% voter turnout) to become the leading party in the Reichstag with 13.7 million votes (7.9 mil for #2) Germany had for the time a highly educated society, world leaders in dyes and chemistry. It's one of the reasons we find the Holocaust so shocking. Though there is a huge gap from Stalin and Mao's numbers down to Hitler (3rd place) in the mass murderers of the 20th century list.
The point is for a decade he was really, really popular. Popularity proves nothing perhaps except what sad creatures we are considered 'en masse'
The possession of university degrees likewise is no guarantee of intelligence. Although most grads score above average in IQ tests, high IQ is not correlated with success in life, or what (for the lack of a better term) wisdom. Some very wise people are by today's educational standards neither well educated or even literate.
I have 'degrees' and think Kayne West is a tool (use urban dictionary) and have zero use for his music. What has been proven, except that we disagree, have different tastes/opinions

 

[damnthereaper]

Genius? Really? What exactly is his IQ?

He's considered a musical genuis, he's been one of the biggest producers in the industry, making records since the late 90's.

Well, I old so I'm isolated, but the only thing I've heard about Mr. West is him trashing Taylor Swift. Which he basically did, because she was a young, innocent, soft spoken white girl from Pennsylvania, and he thought an African American friend of his, deserved an award more than Ms.Swift did. Him running his yap about her (Swift), still continues.to this day.

Then there's his wife, someone who is famous for being famous. Maybe you & he think she deserves an award too, despite the fact she has no discernible talent. But then, what better way to get your face on TV every day than to start banging a Kardashian?

And BTW, I do hope you're from money. Because to me, it sounds like you haven't learned much, and that's a heavy student debt to repay.

Thomas A. Edison was a genius, so was Albert Einstein. In the field of music you have your Bachs ,Beeethovens, plus people who can actually play an instrument like Prince, (yes that's right, I said Prince), and Brad Paisley.

So where does Kanye West's "genius" fit in with that crowd? Wait I know! He knows how to get cameras pointed at him, and most recently, how to "play the victim", because a half million people stole his new album....boo, hoo

Every time I even talk about this guy West, it make's me want to take a shower, then move to Canada, or maybe the Ukraine.

Well actually I have no student debt, I paid it through scholarships, and my job funds my courses as part of their employee benefits program.

Well him interupping Swift during that speech, only hepled her gain more popularity by making her into a victim. Yeah what he did was a mean thing to do, but that doesn't mean his creative expressions are bad. If that was case then any movie that Tom Cruise makes should be ignored because he can act crazy some times. I'm not saying that man is a saint or a good person and Kim is not untalented, I'm saying that his music isn't an ethnic fluke. The funny thing is your bashing music you've never actually sat down and listened too. I don't listen to Country but that doesn't mean I don't think it takes talent to make a good country song. Also yeah it is kind of genius how he keeps himself in the spotlight. He trolls, knowing people like you will snap up the bait in a second, hating Kanye only actually empowers him more if you all haven't noticed.

21 Grammy's just show popularity, nothing else.
Adolf Hitler was voted into office (70.84% voter turnout) to become the leading party in the Reichstag with 13.7 million votes (7.9 mil for #2) Germany had for the time a highly educated society, world leaders in dyes and chemistry. It's one of the reasons we find the Holocaust so shocking. Though there is a huge gap from Stalin and Mao's numbers down to Hitler (3rd place) in the mass murderers of the 20th century list.
The point is for a decade he was really, really popular. Popularity proves nothing perhaps except what sad creatures we are considered 'en masse'
The possession of university degrees likewise is no guarantee of intelligence. Although most grads score above average in IQ tests, high IQ is not correlated with success in life, or what (for the lack of a better term) wisdom. Some very wise people are by today's educational standards neither well educated or even literate.
I have 'degrees' and think Kayne West is a tool (use urban dictionary) and have zero use for his music. What has been proven, except that we disagree, have different tastes/opinions

I concede that degrees don't automitcally equate to high IQ, but captaincranky was making it sound like only stupid uneducated people listen to Kanye. And it's ok to have different opinions, it just doesn't make sense to me is when people talk about how bad something is without actually listening/giving it a chance first. There's nothing wrong with having different opinions, but it's different when it's just a shot from the hip, instead from actual investigation.

 

[captaincranky]

He's considered a musical genuis, he's been one of the biggest producers in the industry, making records since the late 90's.

Well, AFAIK, publicists aren't normally qualified to administer or interpret IQ tests. And summarily claiming something, doesn't make it true.

I was working in a record store almost 40 years ago when I heard my first "rap" record. One of the cashiers turned to me and said, "oh yeah, they have it fixed so they don't have to bother singing anymore".

Music is art. For me to accept it as art, it needs to be melodic, contain metaphor, tap into myth, tradition, history, and ceremony. A first hand recitation of events in the "hood", complete with spewing the most vulgar of profanity, doesn't come close to art or music. Any digital sequencer can supply the 3 note, wildly out of proportion bass, which seems to captivate its 3rd or 4th generation welfare recipient intended audience completely. That demographic has on average, about a 2,000 to 3,000 word working vocabulary. Hip-hop "music", works nicely with that. You get the "seven words you can't say on TV", plus stuff they either won't understand, or have to look up. (Public libraries, better hold on tight to your dictionaries)

Well actually I have no student debt, I paid it through scholarships, and my job funds my courses as part of their employee benefits program.

"Well actually", I'm still baffled why you felt you needed to include any degrees you might have, into this discussion. Was it to try to intimidate us? Or is it because straight up, you need to brag about them to cover up any insecurities you might have? Or did you think it would help you force your opinion on us?

Well him interupping Swift during that speech, only hepled her gain more popularity by making her into a victim.

OK well, as far as I'm concerned, if you didn't do something as a favor, don't take credit for doing one. Especially in the case of West, who had this "favor" blow up in his face.

He trolls, knowing people like you will snap up the bait in a second, hating Kanye only actually empowers him more if you all haven't noticed.

I don't see how I can "empower" West. I wouldn't even steal his album. As for the concept of, "black power" I've seen it in action decades before this fool West tried to harness it for his own financial gain. Consider Dr. Dre", "Beats" headphones. They cost, (IIRC), about 16 dollars to make. They sell like hotcakes to fans of hip-hop fans for about $200.00. Oddly the more some people try to deny stupidity, the more overtly they display symptoms of it.

I concede that degrees don't automitcally equate to high IQ, but captaincranky was making it sound like only stupid uneducated people listen to Kanye. And it's ok to have different opinions, it just doesn't make sense to me is when people talk about how bad something is without actually listening/giving it a chance first. There's nothing wrong with having different opinions, but it's different when it's just a shot from the hip, instead from actual investigation.

"Captaincranky says", I've heard that before. Apparently, that "empowers you", to talk harder out your a**. But don't worry, I'm not going to call a news crew and take credit for, "doing you a favor".....

Here, enjoy Steven Colbert's take on Kanye:

 

[damnthereaper]

Well, AFAIK, publicists aren't normally qualified to administer or interpret IQ tests. And summarily claiming something, doesn't make it true.

I was working in a record store almost 40 years ago when I heard my first "rap" record. One of the cashiers turned to me and said, "oh yeah, they have it fixed so they don't have to bother singing anymore".

Music is art. For me to accept it as art, it needs to be melodic, contain metaphor, tap into myth, tradition, history, and ceremony. A first hand recitation of events in the "hood", complete with spewing the most vulgar of profanity, doesn't come close to art or music. Any digital sequencer can supply the 3 note, wildly out of proportion bass, which seems to captivate its 3rd or 4th generation welfare recipient intended audience completely. That demographic has on average, about a 2,000 to 3,000 word working vocabulary. Hip-hop "music", works nicely with that. You get the "seven words you can't say on TV", plus stuff they either won't understand, or have to look up. (Public libraries, better hold on tight to your dictionaries)

"Well actually", I'm still baffled why you felt you needed to include any degrees you might have, into this discussion. Was it to try to intimidate us? Or is it because straight up, you need to brag about them to cover up any insecurities you might have? Or did you think it would help you force your opinion on us?

OK well, as far as I'm concerned, if you didn't do something as a favor, don't take credit for doing one. Especially in the case of West, who had this "favor" blow up in his face.

I don't see how I can "empower" West. I wouldn't even steal his album. As for the concept of, "black power" I've seen it in action decades before this fool West tried to harness it for his own financial gain. Consider Dr. Dre", "Beats" headphones. They cost, (IIRC), about 16 dollars to make. They sell like hotcakes to fans of hip-hop fans for about $200.00. Oddly the more some people try to deny stupidity, the more overtly they display symptoms of it.

"Captaincranky says", I've heard that before. Apparently, that "empowers you", to talk harder out your a**. But don't worry, I'm not going to call a news crew and take credit for, "doing you a favor".....

Here, enjoy Steven Colbert's take on Kanye:

I'm not tying to intimidate you. You mentioned being uneducated, and then you mentioned the possibility of me in student debt. All I said that I wasn't. I mean't no disrespect.

I said nothing about black power, and I'm just going to get this out of the way now, you can keep try to keep taking this to a race level, but I'm not going to bite.

Whoever though, the beats headphone, arn't the only products like that. A lot of stuff catered to all types of demographics that are made cheaply and sold for a lot more, this is nothing new in capitalism.

You empower him because he wants his name coming out of your mouth and everyone's mouth. I'm a fan of his muisc, so I have no problem saying his name.

Your definition of music is what Hip hop is. Not all rap is about the hood, just the small amount you"ve heard of it. If you want I can recommend some rap groups who don't talk about the hood at or are vulgar, Atmosphere and Lecrae are really good examples of story telling without the hood elements and vulgar language that disturbs you. The audience of hip hop is much broader then you believe, as is the lyrical content and ability. Taylor Swift can paint a good picture with words, but the lyrics are still at a 4th grade reading level, the same goes for Kanye and other rappers (you want lyrical poetry, Kendrick Lamar kills, it but there's always those disturbing hood references). What your saying is the equivalent of reading 2 pages randomly out of book and then judging the whole book on those 2 pages instead of looking at as a whole. Hip hop is melodic, it taps into history and myth, with metaphors. You don't relate to the music, so you don't see it. Just because you don't relate to it doesn't mean that it's not music, and equal creative expression.

That video of Colbert is making fun of him as the crappy person Kanye is to her, that's not been my point. My point is what he does is an exaggerated act of himeslf, he's an *******, yeah. His music kicks though.

 

[captaincranky]

....[ ]....I said nothing about black power, and I'm just going to get this out of the way now, you can keep try to keep taking this to a race level, but I'm not going to bite.

Actually it is at a race level, you just keep trying to deny it. About 20 years ago, a grade school cheer leading squad made the local channel's daytime variety show. The music starts, and it's rap. So, since there isn't much beyond words & a drum, I decided to listen closely. Sure enough, about halfway through the "song", "The N word" appeared. Now, as you might expect, I was rip roaring offended by this, and wondered how they got that s*** past the censors. While you seem defer from admitting stuff like that particular word has any basis in race, or race relations, I surely don't.

Whoever though, the beats headphone, arn't the only products like that. A lot of stuff catered to all types of demographics that are made cheaply and sold for a lot more, this is nothing new in capitalism.

Yeah well, Apple hijacked the Dr.Dre stuff, and now they pander to all tastes, from the hood to the boardroom. It would be interesting to compare the profit margins across the demographics, but I suppose that's something we'll never know.

You empower him because he wants his name coming out of your mouth and everyone's mouth. I'm a fan of his muisc, so I have no problem saying his name.

I almost hate to admit this, but here goes. The only to beings who are going to hear KW's name come out of my mouth are "Matti" & "Baxter", a ragdoll & a Maine coon.

Your definition of music is what Hip hop is. Not all rap is about the hood, just the small amount you"ve heard of it. If you want I can recommend some rap groups who don't talk about the hood at or are vulgar, Atmosphere and Lecrae are really good examples of story telling without the hood elements and vulgar language that disturbs you. The audience of hip hop is much broader then you believe, as is the lyrical content and ability.

Oh, foul language doesn't upset me. I simply think that true art shouldn't need the crutch of it to make it's point. And if you want to take it back to the point where it pretty much started, that would be The Jefferson Airplane's, "Volunteers". They were making the point of the police harassing long hairs with the line, "up against the wall m***** f*****". Then there was Bob Dylan's, "Subterranean Homesick Blues", which for all intents and purposes was seminal rap.

You see, I live in the "hood", and what comes out of the car speakers, vehemently disputes what is coming out of your mouth. As paradoxical as it may sound, I don't want to listen to rap which isn't racist or profane. I always get the impression that artists attempting to elevate the art form, are in effect, apologizing for it. (Sorry, an old mind can be a closed mind).

Taylor Swift can paint a good picture with words, but the lyrics are still at a 4th grade reading level, the same goes for Kanye and other rappers (you want lyrical poetry, Kendrick Lamar kills, it but there's always those disturbing hood references). What your saying is the equivalent of reading 2 pages randomly out of book and then judging the whole book on those 2 pages instead of looking at as a whole. Hip hop is melodic, it taps into history and myth, with metaphors. You don't relate to the music, so you don't see it. Just because you don't relate to it doesn't mean that it's not music, and equal creative expression.

Taylor Swift the empowered young, secure, and vibrant woman, is mostly hype. When she just was strumming her guitar and singing songs she wrote in high school, she was a whole lot more endearing than she is now. I could go on, but won't.

That video of Colbert is making fun of him as the crappy person Kanye is to her, that's not been my point. My point is what he does is an exaggerated act of himeslf, he's an *******, yeah. His music kicks though.

Kanye West gives the impression of being a bipolar egomaniac with a huge chip on his shoulder. Whether that's fact, fiction, or the convenience of self invention, I honestly could care less.

What follows is music as a true art, an historical retelling of the German invasion of Russia , including the desperation, tragedy, death, destruction, and horror of the worst in mankind, finally leading to the defeat of the worst tyrant in all of history. And all in under 8 minutes!. I doubt you'll listen or like it, but what the hell, if you do you might learn something.

I'm sure the story of millions of lives needlessly lost can't really carry the impact of a single person getting "capped" in the hood but, I'm old, and hence amuse easily.

 

[Technician]

I'm not tying to intimidate you. You mentioned being uneducated, and then you mentioned the possibility of me in student debt. All I said that I wasn't. I mean't no disrespect.

I said nothing about black power, and I'm just going to get this out of the way now, you can keep try to keep taking this to a race level, but I'm not going to bite.

Whoever though, the beats headphone, arn't the only products like that. A lot of stuff catered to all types of demographics that are made cheaply and sold for a lot more, this is nothing new in capitalism.

You empower him because he wants his name coming out of your mouth and everyone's mouth. I'm a fan of his muisc, so I have no problem saying his name.

Your definition of music is what Hip hop is. Not all rap is about the hood, just the small amount you"ve heard of it. If you want I can recommend some rap groups who don't talk about the hood at or are vulgar, Atmosphere and Lecrae are really good examples of story telling without the hood elements and vulgar language that disturbs you. The audience of hip hop is much broader then you believe, as is the lyrical content and ability. Taylor Swift can paint a good picture with words, but the lyrics are still at a 4th grade reading level, the same goes for Kanye and other rappers (you want lyrical poetry, Kendrick Lamar kills, it but there's always those disturbing hood references). What your saying is the equivalent of reading 2 pages randomly out of book and then judging the whole book on those 2 pages instead of looking at as a whole. Hip hop is melodic, it taps into history and myth, with metaphors. You don't relate to the music, so you don't see it. Just because you don't relate to it doesn't mean that it's not music, and equal creative expression.

That video of Colbert is making fun of him as the crappy person Kanye is to her, that's not been my point. My point is what he does is an exaggerated act of himeslf, he's an *******, yeah. His music kicks though.

I am certain that none of your degrees is in English or grammar. I am guessing you might have a BS in BS. kidding.

 

[Technician]

Well, AFAIK, publicists aren't normally qualified to administer or interpret IQ tests. And summarily claiming something, doesn't make it true.

I was working in a record store almost 40 years ago when I heard my first "rap" record. One of the cashiers turned to me and said, "oh yeah, they have it fixed so they don't have to bother singing anymore".

Music is art. For me to accept it as art, it needs to be melodic, contain metaphor, tap into myth, tradition, history, and ceremony. A first hand recitation of events in the "hood", complete with spewing the most vulgar of profanity, doesn't come close to art or music. Any digital sequencer can supply the 3 note, wildly out of proportion bass, which seems to captivate its 3rd or 4th generation welfare recipient intended audience completely. That demographic has on average, about a 2,000 to 3,000 word working vocabulary. Hip-hop "music", works nicely with that. You get the "seven words you can't say on TV", plus stuff they either won't understand, or have to look up. (Public libraries, better hold on tight to your dictionaries)

"Well actually", I'm still baffled why you felt you needed to include any degrees you might have, into this discussion. Was it to try to intimidate us? Or is it because straight up, you need to brag about them to cover up any insecurities you might have? Or did you think it would help you force your opinion on us?

OK well, as far as I'm concerned, if you didn't do something as a favor, don't take credit for doing one. Especially in the case of West, who had this "favor" blow up in his face.

I don't see how I can "empower" West. I wouldn't even steal his album. As for the concept of, "black power" I've seen it in action decades before this fool West tried to harness it for his own financial gain. Consider Dr. Dre", "Beats" headphones. They cost, (IIRC), about 16 dollars to make. They sell like hotcakes to fans of hip-hop fans for about $200.00. Oddly the more some people try to deny stupidity, the more overtly they display symptoms of it.

"Captaincranky says", I've heard that before. Apparently, that "empowers you", to talk harder out your a**. But don't worry, I'm not going to call a news crew and take credit for, "doing you a favor".....

Here, enjoy Steven Colbert's take on Kanye:

I am all jazzed about Kanye's new winged, diamond headed wolves, can't wait for those to drop on the street.

 

[captaincranky]

I am all jazzed about Kanye's new winged, diamond headed wolves, can't wait for those to drop on the street.

Given West's (alleged) current financial woes, he should probably brand those whatever they ares, "Mr. Kardashian's", so the fed can't seize them for back taxes.

Kanye should watch himself stepping too far into the spider's web. If history is any indicator, the only way to get away from`a Kardashian woman, is to leave your junk on the table, on your way out the door...

Just ask her:

 

[damnthereaper]

I am certain that none of your degrees is in English or grammar. I am guessing you might have a BS in BS. kidding.

Haha naw, I just type in a hurry when commenting and don't really take the time to spell check, I should though, but I'm too lazy lol.

 

[damnthereaper]

Actually it is at a race level, you just keep trying to deny it. About 20 years ago, a grade school cheer leading squad made the local channel's daytime variety show. The music starts, and it's rap. So, since there isn't much beyond words & a drum, I decided to listen closely. Sure enough, about halfway through the "song", "The N word" appeared. Now, as you might expect, I was rip roaring offended by this, and wondered how they got that s*** past the censors. While you seem defer from admitting stuff like that particular word has any basis in race, or race relations, I surely don't.
Yeah well, Apple hijacked the Dr.Dre stuff, and now they pander to all tastes, from the hood to the boardroom. It would be interesting to compare the profit margins across the demographics, but I suppose that's something we'll never know.
I almost hate to admit this, but here goes. The only to beings who are going to hear KW's name come out of my mouth are "Matti" & "Baxter", a ragdoll & a Maine coon.

Oh, foul language doesn't upset me. I simply think that true art shouldn't need the crutch of it to make it's point. And if you want to take it back to the point where it pretty much started, that would be The Jefferson Airplane's, "Volunteers". They were making the point of the police harassing long hairs with the line, "up against the wall m***** f*****". Then there was Bob Dylan's, "Subterranean Homesick Blues", which for all intents and purposes was seminal rap.

You see, I live in the "hood", and what comes out of the car speakers, vehemently disputes what is coming out of your mouth. As paradoxical as it may sound, I don't want to listen to rap which isn't racist or profane. I always get the impression that artists attempting to elevate the art form, are in effect, apologizing for it. (Sorry, an old mind can be a closed mind).

Taylor Swift the empowered young, secure, and vibrant woman, is mostly hype. When she just was strumming her guitar and singing songs she wrote in high school, she was a whole lot more endearing than she is now. I could go on, but won't.

Kanye West gives the impression of being a bipolar egomaniac with a huge chip on his shoulder. Whether that's fact, fiction, or the convenience of self invention, I honestly could care less.

What follows is music as a true art, an historical retelling of the German invasion of Russia , including the desperation, tragedy, death, destruction, and horror of the worst in mankind, finally leading to the defeat of the worst tyrant in all of history. And all in under 8 minutes!. I doubt you'll listen or like it, but what the hell, if you do you might learn something.

Your right that is music, I guess I just consider it another equal form of music.

I'm sure the story of millions of lives needlessly lost can't really carry the impact of a single person getting "capped" in the hood but, I'm old, and hence amuse easily.

I'm not saying that rap doesn't have a black culture, but rap has grown a lot bigger then just black culture. You have a lot of white rappers now who have legitimately followings as much black artists (Eminem, Yelawolf, Mac Miller, and MGK to name a few). Yeah a lot of balck rapers use the N-word, it's a part of black culture. It's not really used as a shock value word by most rappers, because it's a part of daily language, which takes it's roots from black people taking a word and trying to give positive spin on it. Hence "ger" becomes "ga".

Here's 2 songs from one of my favorite rappers, Luipe fiasco and both paint stories that this isn't about "capping someone".

Kick Push pt 2- Tells a story about a group of kids from different backgrounds trying to find freedom through skate boarding.

B**** Bad- Don't let the title fool you, the message is about where the use of the word comes from, and how it's meaning has derived itself in pop culture and it's effect on those children growing in that culture.

Another gem, that has almost no profanity at all:

Atmosphere: Waitress- Simply a song about homeless guy who wants attention from a waitress. She treats him badly everyday but still comes in just to see her. Like a lot of songs he paints a narrative that's easy to follow but with his last lines changes the whole meaning of the song.

 

[3volv3d]

"In that case, he shouldn't be surprised if widespread piracy of his work continues."

Why? Whatever kind of man kanye may be, nothing gives people the right to steal the fruits of his labour. No one is forcing these pathetic 'fans' to listen to the album (and might I add that it's available to stream for free on his website); I think it's shameful that these people defend their actions so.

Music piracy isn't theft. Unethical, but not theft.

Not that want to become involved in this age old argument again, but I fail to see why it wouldn't be theft. The artist is losing out on potential royalty fees through unauthorised dissemination of his intellectual property, which is neither ethical nor legal.

The argument is that a lot of Pirates wouldn't buy the work anyways, therefore the artist lost nothing

That is nothing but a total cop-out crap argument by people who steal music, movies and games to "justify" their actions. What do you think the percentages are of people are who steal the item, then decide to buy that same item after they already have it? 1%? Less than 1%?

Actually Jo Whiley did something on TV a few years back ( don't ask how many ), people who do not pirate music bought x amount of music. People who pirated music, bought 50% more.
And we all know why. You buy an album, and that 1 or 2 songs on it that made you buy it, that were on the radio, they were the best, the rest, don't do it for you, and you feel ripped off.
So, people tend to think "hell no" about every artist, and stay away for a while before making another purchase. Where as Pete the Pirate, he downloaded 20 albums, and he was like, wow those 8 suck, but them 12, I would buy them for my car... And he didn't feel he wasted his money.
But I can tell you this, Pete hates Kanye... cause he's just another... freakin.... n...o talent rapper !

 

[Technician]

I don't buy music at all. I also don't steal music. I only listen to free music because that's how music should be, free.

 

[Brock Kane]

Hahahahahahahahaha! Karma!

 

[Wil Ray]

I already said that these exclusivity deals would backfire. Here's proof. I don't find it surprising that people (even Kanye fans) are unwilling to pay $20 per month just listen to Kanye. That's what Kanye's exclusive deal says. It doesn't even matter what other artists are available at tidal. If you already have them via some other streaming service, why would it? If you're already a member of Google Music, Apple Music, or Groove Music you have millions of song choices. However, if you want to listen to this Kanye album, you must now sign up for another $20 a month just to listen to it. That is the simple math. But not to worry even exclusives eventually show up on Youtube. If they make a video, they're going to put it on Youtube. Youtube Red (includes Google music) is unstoppable.

 

[Wil Ray]

Kanye isn't actually selling the album, so his fans aren't actually buying it.