Author : Joshua K. Wright
Publisher : McFarland
Page : 285 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2022-01-13
Category : Music
ISBN : 9781476686486
"Wake Up, Mr. West" by Joshua K. Wright Pdf
Black celebrities in America have always walked a precarious line between their perceived status as spokespersons for their race and their own individual success--and between being "not black enough" for the black community or "too black" to appeal to a broader audience. Few know this tightrope walk better than Kanye West, who transformed hip-hop, pop and gospel music, redefined fashion, married the world's biggest reality TV star and ran for president, all while becoming one of only a handful of black billionaires worldwide. Despite these accomplishments, his polarizing behavior, controversial alliances and bouts with mental illness have made him a caricature in the media and a disappointment among much of his fanbase. This book examines West's story and what it reveals about black celebrity and identity and the American dream.