Loyalty goes both ways: Kanye and Kim example

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by Ugochukwu ‘Thanos ‘ Ifeanyi

Right from the moment I heard Jesus Walks, over a decade ago, I instantly became hooked on the sound, harmony and perfection which was something I had only associated with products from the Shady/Aftermath stables before then, as epitomised by Eminem and 50 cent through D-12 and G-Unit

But it was only when I heard Diamonds from Sierra Leone that I knew I would be a lifetime fan of this artiste: Kanye West!

I had known him as a producer, as he was instrumental in making Jay Z aka Jay Hova a living legend by producing over 85% of his hit songs from writing to beat production, most ironically, the Izzo Hova track.. It was Yeezy that nicknamed Jay Z, Jay Hova which literally translates into the God of Rap

Fast forward after monster tracks like Gold Digger, Stronger, Can’t Tell Me Nothing even daring to release his album on the same day as 50 cent and even out selling him in the opening week, Yeezy embodied everything I wanted to be in life: A loyal friend, focused, dedicated, bluntly honest and someone who wasn’t afraid to take risks and make mistakes

When his grandmum who raised him died, he went through a terrible patch, he became increasingly blunt, saying things as they are without trying to be political or pretending regards of the negative bashing rained on him by the media and moguls, Kanye went ahead to float his clothing line

He introduced the Yeezy 350 in 2016 which became a global sensation, so much so that I bought a pair for $200 and it still sits on my wardrobe till date as I wear it only on very special occasions.. But then, Yesus never could get over an incident he was involved in a few years back, and that came back to haunt him as the cooperate America ganged up against him to bankrupt him as he has invested a massive fortune of his into the clothing line

A few years ago, Taylor Swift was awarded the Best Album of the Year which came as a shock even to me as Beyonce clearly had the best albums, best hits, multiple number 1s et al, and thus, Kanye West took the mic off of Taylor and spoke his mind, saying Beyonce should have won it as he didn’t see how Swift should have won that award… Kanye got vilified for defending his family

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Note that Kanye got to know Beyonce through Jay Z, he accepted her and supported their union from Day 1, however, my respect for Beyonce and Jay Z took a knock when Beyonce and Jay Z cut all ties with Kanye West for his decision to date Kim Kardashian.. They said they cannot associate with a pornstar and gave him an ultimatum to choose between them and Kim.. Kanye chose Kim!

Frankly, I didn’t expect it to last but surprisingly, Kim calmed Kanye down so much so that he went from the angry, erratic genius to a clam, calculated mogul.. A few months in, they announced their engagement to the disbelief of the world but by now, I admired Kanye for sticking to his choice and daring the world

Once Kim announced the engagement, people like Ray J, her ex, started releasing sextapes every week of him and Kim when they were together and he went on TV and Radio to vilify and make mockery of Kanye, referring to Kim as a used up whore and other outrageous comments, which were enough to drive a man crazy but not Kanye.. Kanye simply granted one interview and replied Ray J saying “You had her, now she is mine and mine alone”… This comment tore the world into parts as even Beyonce came out to attack Kim labelling her as loose, cheap and worthless.. It was here that Kanye West stepped up and officially warned Beyonce and Jay Z never to speak about his wife or relationship unless they want to end up in a ditch.. Beyonce and Jay Z have never said peem again till date.. Kanye also banned them from associating with him indefinitely

During this time, Kanye was in debt and even his childhood friend, Jay Z whom he helped make a legend, even Beyonce whom he stood up for and got attacked by the world, none of them came to his rescue even though the combined wealth of Jay Z and Beyonce then was over $1bn!… They left him to rot just because he chose Kim Kardashian over them

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Note also that Kim Kardashian was richer than Kanye West by a long margin yet she was submissive to Kanye, only granted interviews with his permission and never disobeyed Kanye West in all things including not featuring their children on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which would make the babies millionaires overnight but Kanye wanted his children to grow up with a normal childhood before being exposed to the ugly industry of showbiz

Last year, Jay Z made history as the first rapper ever to become a Billionaire, which is no mean feat as I even celebrated him but in 2020, Kanye West not only became a billionaire but is 3x richer than Jay Z.. Uwa na-eme ntughari!

So what lessons abound in Kanye West’s story who by the way is a college dropout and became a music producer?

  1. Always be yourself regardless of what anybody thinks
  2. The person you defend, help and trust, can abandon you, ostracize you and ridicule you
  3. Make your own choice and stand by them whether good or bad
  4. Your choice of marriage partner matters a lot. What others think doesn’t matter
  5. A good woman still submits to her husband no matter her level. It was Kim’s submission to Kanye that made him stay with her despite the fact she is known pornstar and not taken seriously in the world. Kanye West gave her a surname, lifted her public profile and made her a respectable woman.. Today, she is a UN ambassador amongst others, things she would never have been without a man in her life
  6. A good man defends his decisions including his spouse from all forms of ridicule even from his best friends, family and outsiders at all cost regardless of what he stands to lose
  7. Kim saw past Kanye West as the blunt, irritating man portrayed in the media just as Kanye saw past Kim as the pornstar, olatunji as she was portrayed in the media, and decided to become a super couple who have positively impacted on each other, while raising a beautiful family, free of scandal
  8. People change for the right persons. Kim changed for Kanye and Kanye changed for Kim. Both of them never went a month without scandals but since they got together, they have been relatively clean
  9. Loyalty doesn’t always pay.. Know when to walk away. Despite knowing Jay Z for over 20yrs, Kanye knew it was time to bounce and cut ties with his oldest friend who had become family to him. If he hadn’t he would still be in debt today
  10. Take a risk and you shall succeed. Kanye and Kim took risks with each other, today, they are not just richer but stronger than Jay Z and Beyonce who tried everything in their powers to break them apart
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In the end, I am glad to have Yesus as a role model alongside Eminem and 50 cent.. Between these 3 men, there is nothing you can’t achieve even though their stories differ as Eminem is who he is today because of his loyalty to Dr Dre despite being richer than him and 50 cent got this far because of his loyalty to Eminem even though he is richer than Dr Dre and Eminem combined.. Loyalty pays but it depends on who you are loyal to

If you are loyal to Dr Dre or Eminem who will do anything to see you succeed even supersede them, then remain loyal till the day you die but if you remain loyal to Jay Z who will want to control your life and never help you out or assist when needed, then you should do what Kanye West did and get to stepping

The choice is yours.. Loyalty goes both ways.. If the person you are loyal to ain’t loyal to you, stop wasting your time

Congrats Kanye West..!

©Ugochukwu ‘Thanos’ Ifeanyi
Media/Sports Consultant
Rap/Hip Hop Addict
Nnewichi Nnewi
Anambra State
08122473841
[email protected]

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