Kanye West's The Life of Pablo: A Closer Look

[@Volksgeist]

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[@mvxi4199]

Please do a video to ski mask

[@216productions]

Great vid. If you haven’t seen it, check out the video for “All Day / Feel Like That” on Vimeo (apparently it gets taken down when put on YT)- “Feel like that” is a super personal song that never came out as a single.

[@meadowharriss361]

Weird cut at 6:42

[@andreipopoviciu4569]

Really introspective and informative video, congrats! I think I've heard the song in the intro before, could you please tell me how it's called?

[@269thrash4]

Volksgeist love all your vids

[@caymanmenard5922]

“Yeezus is Kanye’s bachelor party the life of Pablo is the hangover” St8 facts

[@AJ-fv9ll]

Staight?

[@betergriffin3344]

NEGUS MBARKA stop typing in caps

[@AMuffler]

State facts?

[@abkngooch2758]

Buts what’s worse the pain of the hangover

[@FirstNameLastName-pg3pi]

steight?

[@mielvanvelzen5967]

Chances part of ultralight beam is to this day one of the most pleasant sounds my ears have ever heard

[@Volksgeist]

there ain't one gosh darn part you can't tweet

[@trthomaswroberts]

🙏 for good ass job collab project with chance and Kanye.

[@jhupp8707]

One of the best features of all time

[@What_was_wrong_w_jst_our_names]

When they come for you...

[@guessitsmyfault5064]

Man that song is so strong it brings chill bumps and almost makes me start the water works...it hits home so hard...west is one of the greatest to ever do it he knows who to go to and when!!!! MONSTER

[@kineticraptor3318]

Wolves is one if the most beautiful, touching hip-hop ballads I have ever heard. Sia is such a talented singer as well.

[@josemitchell-reyes3598]

kineticraptor bro preach that shit💯💯💯

[@losingmymindrnbro]

I feel as if it’s super underrated, it’s really good imo

[@user-ry1bc9pb9t]

The last verse from Kanye was yikes tho ngl

[@skeet1800]

Polarized we don’t talk about that verse. We talk about the version before the fixed album. The one where frank’s verse wasn’t a separate track.

[@AlejandroDiaz-cd2lt]

and frank ocean too! the most beautiful track

[@gatsu6906]

No More Parties In LA is a masterpiece Ye is the GOAT

[@soloqueueonly2850]

You forgot the man madlib created that beat on an ipad LOL, shout out madlib

[@chromeheartsfiend2668]

swag lord his ear is amazing to pick such a good sample but all he did was take like 4 parts of a record and loop them bro

[@soloqueueonly2850]

Hes a loop nigga he says it how it is

[@Uptheroyals80]

Kendricks verse is 🔥

[@Rude_Boi]

The Life of Pablo is the perfect blend of Old Kanye and New Kanye in my opinion. Great Album. "No More Parties in LA" is one of my favorite Kanye songs.

[@lonewalkerproductions]

Genuine question. Why is Kanye so good at making timeless efforts/projects? Half the things I thought I disliked at the time are all I listen to now. Yeezus, TOP, 808's (their album arts are iconic and inviting)

[@williamsmith8910]

he's actually as good or better than he says he is lol

[@xurgian6249]

Jeeses99 i liked yeezus because how different it was

[@brandonhahn3499]

@Jeeses99 I was the same way for the first like, 4 years after its release. But lately I've been listening to it a lot more and it's in my top 4 Kanye albums now. Hold My Liquor is a masterpiece in and of itself.

[@apolloxv8820]

Charles the dancer u hated it bc ppl y’all shit and forget to get their haircut and bc ppl don’t sit back and judgethe artist the art.

[@masyaf897]

I loved all those from first listen. I am ahead of my time like Ye 😎

[@leon-kx1ex]

You know Kanye is a goat when an album this good isn't even in his top 5

[@SuperBeybladerocks]

Factsss

[@spiderpigforlife1632]

It's his best tho 10/10

[@QuillPGall]

1. College Dropout (9) 2. Yeezus (8.5) 3. MBDTF (8) 4. TLOP (8) 5. Late Reg (8) 6. Graduation (7.5) 7. 808s (6.5)

[@Rohit-ri4vc]

@@QuillPGall L

[@spiderpigforlife1632]

1• TLOP 10 2• Late Registration 9.7 3• Yeezus 8.5 4• ye 8.4 5• The College Dropout 8.3 6• 808s 8.1 7• Graduation 7.3 8• MBDTF 7.2

[@nisio9513]

Saint Pablo is such an underrated masterpiece

[@MediumDSpeaks]

Ima let you finish, but kaptainkristian had one of the greatest video essays of all time

[@Volksgeist]

youre coming for my brand 😂🤪

[@MediumDSpeaks]

@@Volksgeist you already know

[@LieLikesMusic]

Good one 😂💦

[@ZXTech]

Medium d made you famous volksgeist

[@MediumDSpeaks]

@@ZXTech shit that's true

[@Trxpamvs]

Kanye West one of the greatest *MUSICIANS* yeah not only rapper but *MUSICIANS* to ever do it change my mind.

[@VCardGaming]

He's one of the best artists to ever do it, and easily the best of this generation

[@monojuice]

NEGUS MBARKA he doesn’t even write what are you talking about? That statement alone just told me everything I needa know from you lol. He goes into the studio and speaks on whatever he’s feeling, hence why his lyrics aren’t exactly the best. Despite that he’s made phenomenal music with godly production that has birthed a new genre and a new generation of rappers. As an artist I’d really only put him behind MJ and probably prince

[@monojuice]

NEGUS MBARKA he doesn’t write... he literally said he doesn’t write his songs and this was back in 05 when he said that lol

[@monojuice]

adam lopez dawg what the FUCK are you talking about

[@jasonmarbles8721]

I’ve always felt like TLOP was Ye saying goodbye to every aspect of his past music, career, and persona. After this he went to the hospital, backed Trump, etc. and he’s never really been the same since. Yes he evolves and changes every era but there’s never been more of a shift as the one between TLOP and Ye. This album functions as a farewell tour of sorts.

[@jasonmarbles8721]

And it was a fucking phenomenal ride

[@sanathrajesh5580]

In many ways, you’re right. TLOP is his way of saying farewell to the celebrity lifestyle. Not to disregard Ye, KSG or JIK (because they’re all great albums, in their own respect), but you can tell he’s no long as focused or zeroed in on the music as he used to be before 2016. Every Kanye album up till TLOP was not an album, but an experience. I’m just glad to be alive in the same timeline as Kanye West, who I personally regard as my idol.

[@Aj-bh6zy]

This is perfect

[@drivedonniedrive]

Real Friends, 30 Hours, & No More Parties In LA are all the reason why i love the album so much.

[@acollierr17]

The primary reason I go back to that album (other than the listening sessions I have every now and then going through Ye's discography).

[@PittsburghRecordingStudio]

FML!!!!

[@Rude_Boi]

Those are my favorite songs on the album too. Ultralight Beams, Father Stretch My Hands, and Highlights are my shits too.

[@kwatlikekana583]

Same

[@thomasnelson5758]

FML and Wolves too. The whole run from FML onwards is just insane, it's where the album leans into the darker, moodier territory and it's so good. Represents that split pretty well, the first half of the album is sky high and euphoric, starting with FML is where the core concept of the album (dichotomies, light vs. dark, family man vs. debauchery, hero vs. villain, etc) really gets driven home.

[@WAMIl]

This is the album I consider the best The one that made me actually start listening to his music from the past and now.

[@SyrebralVibes]

Seeing that Volksgeist notification pop up instantly makes my day 100% better 😍

[@Volksgeist]

[@Patek007]

Damn. This channel is getting better by every minute

[@ichbinnilsroth]

Ikr

[@prod.kashkari3075]

I would have probably cried tears of joy if I witnessed that tour especially when kid cudi and Kanye hugged ending their beef

[@paulvangenhassend5146]

Bro you deserve the big interviews with the rappers, i think you would finally ask true, critical and inspiring questions the artists, listeners and the interviewers want.

[@DawiThumbnails]

CLASSIC I DON'T EVEN CARE WHAT YALL TELLING ME

[@911EVERLASTINGGOSPEL]

me either!!!! Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:4

[@waleodukoya5704]

undoubtable classic no one gives a shit. till this day

[@NinjaScat]

that pic of cudi, ye, and travis is fire af

[@Termina648]

I remember going on a bus to another city with my family on vacation, it was during the night and I decided to listen to The Life of Pablo again, it was raining outside and it was an unique experience, almost like if the whole album was supposed to be listened at night starting as a party with songs like Father stretch my hands pt 1-2, Famous and Highlights and then the party is over and everyone is starting to leave and Kanye is just there sitting on his mansion reflecting on what his life had become, that's why when I heard you say "The life of Pablo is the hungover" it caught me off guard, I've been feeling the same way since I first heard it, Kanye is my favorite artist, and I can't wait for Yandhi, great video! :D

[@isaiahdemeule8090]

cant wait for yandhi... poor soul

[@swiftxmiles]

This will sound crazy, but I think The Life Of Pablo alongside KSG, MBDTF and Graduation will be my favorite Kanye albums. While I do love Ye, Life of Pablo felt less rushed, even though it's wasn't even fully complete. I hope this year we will get another album like Life of Pablo.

[@aldric6815]

@Jeeses99 how you can put 3 albums ahead of the College Dropout is beyond me. smh

[@aldric6815]

Jeeses99 you clearly don’t understand Kanye or his music then

[@aldric6815]

Jeeses99 ahahaha just cos you lost the argument

[@hiddenname2482]

Yeezus aged like fine wine, I was really disappointed about it when I first heard it. I kept revisiting it and after about my 5th listen I kind of just clicked with it

[@kinozolte]

@@aldric6815 sorry that he has his own opinion, stop crying that he didn’t put college dropout lmao

[@LeBeautiful]

clicked this video faster than yeezy's going out of stock. TLOP is an album that just grows on you naturally, every single play-through. thank you, Volksgeist!

[@JayKud]

Such a well produced and written video as always, keep up the amazing work!

[@KamilHenri]

It just isn’t possible for Kanye to release an album that isn’t classic. No matter how many favourite artists I have, I can’t name a single one who has so consistently had an impact with each release. NAME ONE YE PROJECT THAT AINT CRAZY

[@Trxpamvs]

For real kanye a living legend.

[@SuperBeybladerocks]

This is indeed facts

[@baddworld]

Ye is the worst album he’s made but its not even like horrible, it’s just not great like all the others, in my opinion

[@AustinNovel]

Kamil Henri Ye wasn’t good. Average at best. He said he told his team the ideas he had and would go to sleep and let them make it so his hand was hardly on that release. To me it’s a blemish on his career though. The one project I wish he hadn’t released and would have rather gone without. Perhaps it will grow on me but that feels like wishful thinking

[@atticusguillory7018]

Austin Kuipers I mean even than Yikes, Ghost Town, All mine and I thought about killing you are all pretty good (with Ghost town being a 10/10 in my opinion) and the other 3 are still alright so saying it’s a blemish on his career while I don’t disagree shows just how amazing his career has been

[@cheesecakelasagna]

This was my gateway record to Kanye West. It blew my mind.

[@croppedinpeace]

NEGUS MBARKA everyone has their own entrance to the genius of Ye, no need to hate.

[@thecommentor5050]

The quality of these video essays is just amazing

[@ry3276]

never clicked a video faster

[@sentirionll9894]

Father stretch my hands pt 1 is beautiful and one of the best kanye songs

[@Jaymo0]

This guy can make a any album sound like a master piece with lots a meaning 😂

[@novasrain2126]

Jaymes But this is a master piece with lots of meaning

[@griffin7670]

I love how kanye removes the model pic in the clean cover

[@ryanshields8560]

One of kanyes best albums, hate seeing it at the bottom of everyone's rankings just because it's 'new kanye'. People don't realise how good it its

[@barry.mccockiner]

Ryan Shields 2nd best album of his

[@dracomalfoyvevo]

The Life Of Pablo might not be the best kanye album but most defenitly kanye's most powerful album

[@jonathanwoolridge1089]

hey man for what it's worth, you've been such an incredible inspiration to me and my passion for music. It was my new year's resolution to to delve deep into an artist or band every month, and February started off with Kanye. Your videos have been such a tremendous help in fostering the analytical side that wants to understand these records so that I'm better at being able to put my thoughts into words so for that, I can just say thanks dude haha. Keep up the fantastic work, man

[@jeremydavis5661]

In before rock purists who hate Kanye show up

[@brozuff8825]

Jeremy Davis i used to be a rock purist before I listened to frank ocean and kanye. I listen to alot of rap and rock now

[@jacksoninc.4062]

I was a rock purist once too. I loved Queen more than anything else. Now i love Kanye too with a few more

[@nuked9944]

These videos bring me back to the vibes I had when I first heard the album.. after every video I watch of yours I listen to the album and hear it in a new light.. thank you.

[@mathiaspeloso9560]

I can’t seem to understand why people hate on this album so much. It’s definitely not his best album but it’s a masterpiece for sure. Ye standard only gets higher with the passing of time...

[@khoado1872]

Volksgeist you are so far the best Channel on KZbin

[@billyrizek142]

Life of Pablo is so underrated. Personally my 3rd favorite Kayne album

[@עדןשפראו]

You can't tell me you think this is better than MBDTF, TCD and 808's

[@kys3264]

@@עדןשפראו TCD aint top3 in most peoples lists

[@monojuice]

Delvin Nguyen no it’s not, people don’t even rate TCD over Late Registration lol. Most people’s top 3 usually consist of MBDTF, 808s, and Graduation

[@IHav3No3n3mies]

1. KSG 2. Late Registration 3. MBDTF 4. TLoP 5. GRADUATION 6. THE COLLEGE DROPOUT 7. Ye 8. 808S AND HEARTBREAK 9. YEEZUS 10. JESUS IS KING 11. WATCH THE THRONE

[@raskal1434]

life of pablo is one of my favourite albums ever

[@alexdesforges5026]

The life of Pablo is undoubtedly a masterpiece

[@TheRJPowell]

This is probably his most UNDERRATED ALBUM

[@fct3453]

One of the best videos I've seen on KZbin in the last 2-3 months hands down. The knowledge, the visuals and the mix between your southing voice and tracks. Hope to see more of you @Volksgeist

[@kaustubhxdd]

9 mins is too short to describe the album. But its the longest someone has deservingly praised it. Powerful video.

[@Echani3007]

Please do a video about Solace or Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt

[@FinnJohnson]

Loved this essay. Very well put together and very good points made as well. A couple of things I would've chosen to mention about the album: -The album's pre-release songs like Champions, and Facts (non-Charlie Heat Version) -Post-Album-release addition of Saint Pablo -Lyric changes throughout the album -Kid Cudi dispute and resolution There's probably a couple more things that I can't think of off the top of my head but these are all events I remember from when I was 16 haha. Anyways awesome stuff!

[@albertpicewicz6429]

i wish i can discover you for the first time again

[@Volksgeist]

♥️

[@ThatOneGuy7550]

Same

[@user-es1vk1qk2c]

TLOP was amazing. It takes me back to a time. I saw him on tour in LA, it was a moment.

[@LieLikesMusic]

Volksgeist, you are now the silver surfer in the flesh ❤️

[@ityyax2931]

Waves is so so so nice.

[@cammydoc5995]

Incredible video as usual, your analysis and form of describing music and art never ceases to amaze me. Please don't stop making these.

[@brendzone]

I'm nice at Ping Pong

[@Clarkv2]

Croc

[@channel13632]

This is art.

[@luispanameno1594]

A man of culture I see

[@אהדאדרי-ה6ר]

I admire you sensei

[@bioof4]

Everyone loves mbdtf but I genuinely think this is Kanye’s best work

[@NikeAthletics10]

Weird enough that this video was made just as I started going back through this album, I realized how underrated it really was. It's ashame people don't understand Kanye and just seem him in the negative perception without listening to his music.

[@jacksonblum2253]

"The album is often called mess...innovative!" Couldn't agree more. The album really grew on me. Great video!

[@camm5981]

Probably the best music channel on YT (yes that includes melon)

[@Volksgeist]

whoa there 😂

[@camm5981]

Volksgeist off topic but are you gonna make that Rodeo video?

[@Volksgeist]

soon™️

[@camm5981]

Volksgeist I just got flashbacks from antidote’s single cover 😂

[@Svpphire2]

You need sooo much more subs! These videos are so well made!

[@josephclarke4873]

Love from the UK man, your videos are so detailed and interesting. Don't usually comment but this was a great video. That Kanye Brits performance will go down in history!

[@ThatOneGuy7550]

One of my favourite Ye records, being covered by one of my favourite video essayists

[@eddyac-f4c]

You deserve wayyyy more recognition

[@Mankiratsinghsehra]

This channel is underrated

[@Volksgeist]

What should I cover next? Let me know here! ⬇️⬇️

[@camm5981]

Childish Gambino

[@BoogieMonkie]

paintings

[@DFMusic811]

Cover Ab-Soul's status as the Top Dawg Underdog. At least when his new album comes out.

[@13579gameboy]

Metronomy

[@czachaj7813]

Santana?

[@yohan2657]

I’ve been waiting for this vid ...

[@twiittter]

Volksgeist confirmed wavy 🌊

[@gabrielhiggins2046]

This channel deserves so many more subs.

[@maximal8768]

Saint Pablo is my favorite song ever!

[@bacon8rfries28]

Excellent video my man. Got me listening to that work of art once again. First day it came out I was hooked and your video made me feel nostalgic af

[@henningsostmann7386]

Genius!!!!!!! You brought analytic too a new level!!!

[@kanyesghostproducer1608]

I'll never get the credit I deserve for this masterpiece. My best work

[@AnktDVD]

Volkgeist confimed wavy🌊🌊🌊

[@123yea]

Volksgeist you gotta do Rodeo please bro ❤️

[@mehmetcoskun1665]

I love Ye and your channel dude

[@vihaanrao5741]

It’s about time u made this

[@jvstn1321]

Thank you for making this!! I always thought this record was MAD underrated

[@KICK839]

Beloved rapper of all time huh

[@bilalfatman2221]

honestly watched this video like 5 times and in here thinking volksgeist knows what hes doing man

[@N4lax]

Im always happy seeing updates to his next album Good video man!

[@ethandew1768]

The whole "which / one" is, in my mind Kanye choosing where he'll take his music career based on which Pablo. He chose religion.

[@jayandre327]

best channel on youtube alongside polyphonic. period.

[@alexevell]

I was re listening to this album this morning, very underrated piece of art

[@derrickbaruga4761]

The Life of Pablo is my favorite album period... it's what I like... you can't be mad

[@fabolousninenine30]

TLOP is one of my all time favourite records. It's so diverse, yet so cohesive and great in a unique way. TLOP was an event.

[@Jermuzz]

Your channel should have way more subs. I hope this blows up. Keep it up!

[@chrisk3405]

I’ve been telling everybody they’re sleeping on this album, love to see the video. My favorite tracks are Ultralight Beam, Father Stretch My Hands, Famous, Real Friends, Wolves, No More Parties in LA

[@vtmntvtrn]

volksgeist never disappoints with a video

[@diffypoo]

This was beautifully done volks mate, keep up the great work!

[@jhonstoliver7582]

Wow the videos seem to get better and better. Keep up the good work

[@Nick_song]

Such an inspiration

[@KYOKU]

The graphics on these keep getting better and better and better 👀

[@911EVERLASTINGGOSPEL]

i prayed for a verse concerning this and went to randon bible verse online and this is the very first one i got: Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:4 .. TAKE HEED THE LORD MOST HIGH HAS SPOKEN!!!!!

[@leongoldsztern5126]

i feel like this was too short, amazing video!

[@ajfreeney]

The people who performed on stage with him at the Brits were mostly UK rappers and their mates. For example, Skepta and Stormzy.

[@Kemoclout]

the 30 hours sample spooks me out after finding out what it was

[@24Carrot]

I don’t know why people say this isn’t a good album. This album was amazing

[@4vrZayy]

how do you not have 1m subs, all of your videos are so well thought out and edited.

[@varshboorugadda2327]

I love your videos man, I can watch them for hours🙌🙌

[@pasharustamov27]

my favorite Ye album, don’t care what anybody tell me.

[@expensivesuit7286]

Beautiful video, and generally a pretty spot-on analysis of the record. I’d argue that saying the TLOP is not experimental is off base, though. In many ways, TLOP is an experiment on every level: structure, editing, pacing, delivery and what an album can be. It’s also sonically experimental, and contains some sounds and styles that aren’t on any other Kanye record. (Also, saying it’s the first time Kanye has not been experimental is off base. College Dropout is a great record that sounded fresh and unique when it was released, but ultimately it’s just a very well-made rap album. There’s nothing experimental about it.) Anyway, when TLOP is compared to the Beatles’ White Album, I get that 100%, because just as the White Album was four artists bringing their separate visions to the table and combining them into a monster of an album that’s all over the place in sound, TLOP is like Kanye bringing the different artistic impulses and elements of his personality together, as you point out, and letting them run wild in a chaotic frenzy. Great album, though, obviously. I wonder if it’s the last great full-length album Kanye will make.

[@crankyducks777]

feels like yesterday when it dropped. I was on vacation to Portland and shit felt surreal.

[@doccrobb990]

6:41 the album is often called (messy) INNOVATIVE