Kanye West is getting the full academic treatment in 2014.
The controversial hip-hop superstar is the focus of a new 300+ page textbook that examines the social, musical and cultural impact of his image and music. The Cultural Impact of Kanye West is edited by Julius Bailey and due to be released to be the public on March 6. The book is being touted as a thorough analysis of the “moral and social implications of West’s words, images and music in the broader context of Western civilization’s preconceived ideas.”
Since emerging in the mid-2000s, Kanye has become one of hip-hop’s most popular and acclaimed artists. He’s also become one of the most controversial people in music and entertainment. He’s gained a reputation for being unpredictable and arrogant, but Bailey believes that his antics have a far-reaching impact and his music has significantly affected cultural perceptions.
“The ability of popular art to offer societal critiques and challenge received ideas has been recognized throughout history. Through rap and hip hop, composers, singers, and entertainers have recently provided a voice questioning and challenging the sanctioned view of the times. This book offers an in-depth reading of the works and cultural impact of Kanye West. Looking at the moral and social implications of West’s words, images, and music in the broader context of Western civilization’s preconceived ideas, the contributors consider how West both challenges religious and moral norms and propagates them.”
