Kanye West spoke on stage in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday (11/18/07). The rapper talked about the passing of his mother, his emotions, and the media. He also dedicated the song ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ [by Journey] to his mother. I typed up most of what he said since some of you asked.
.. The problems that we’re going through, the situations and hard times. And who would ever thought that these same songs would have to help me. And these shows, every show that I do has a different meaning to me now. Whether it’s “I Heard ‘Em Say, Nothings Ever Promised”, “You Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, “Jesus Walks”, “Touch The Sky”, or “That that don’t kill me can only make me Stronger”.
You know people call me and they say, “well you need to do this and you need to that.” And about 50 people, or 100 people that I ain’t never talked to in like the past 3 years call me out the blue talking about, “I just want to tell you that I give you [my] support and stuff.” Well I appreciate all the support and all that, but don’t suggest what I’m supposed to do.
[They say] “What you need to do is you need to stop touring and go home and clear your head.” Go home to what mother fucker?Because if they see you out and you go outside and then the media catches a glimpse.. MAN FUCK THE MEDIA! Nobody can tell me anything about, you know when they talk about celebrity lives and real lives and the difference with all this being on T.V. Right now, you can’t tell me nothing.
And there’s nothing that she loved more then to come to the shows and scream louder than any fan. Because she was my first fan that was screaming before anybody else. My first manager. And if she was here, she would tell me to “get on that stage and kill it dawg.” That was her favorite word, dawg. She would tell me to go on this ‘Glow in the Dark’ tour and take over the world and “be number one like how I taught you to be baby.”
Awww..
Kanye is being very strong especially with his tragedy just happening not too long ago. So sad, but good to see him at least trying to address his public and be strong.
I love him for that.
Go ahead Kanye, do you!!!!! This is so big of Kanye, even though I know he’s hurting, he knows that he will see his mother soon, this is only a temporary separation.
I’M GLAD KANYE HAS SPOKEN ON THIS BECAUSE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING “OH HE SHOULDN’T BE DOING SHOWS THIS SOON AFTER BLAH BLAH BLAH” FUCK WHAT ANYONE ELSE IS SAYING DO YOU KANYE!!
that is so sad.
I am glad that Kanye is doing his thing. You have to stay busy to keep your head straight and his mother would not want him to stop.
DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU!!!!!
I applaud him for working through this troublesome time. That takes major courage. I hope God blesses him with the strength needed to go on.
Gotta luv him.
Wow Kanye sounds upset, angry at everyone. You will know whats best for you Kanye. Just remember we did not hurt you mom and we all love you no matter what and want you to come out on top as you always do. We’re all praying. I actually think the media has been very supportive of you and your mom situation in bring to light the dangers of plastic surgery. Much love. You’re in my prays.
I applaud Kanye because even through everything that’s went on in the past week he’s still going strong. Only he knows whats best for him nobody can tell him what he should and shouldnt do, I agree. I’m glad he’s speaking out now.I’ll continue to keep him in my prayers.
Hes gonna be strong
he already is.
He know he is doing his mother proud right now because she would want him to continue doing something he loves and be happy.
Go kanye!
The stage my be the therapy that Kayne needs to get through the pain. We all heal in different ways. God Bless him and his family.
Kanye keep your head up god bless you.
Tell ‘em Kanye! Do what’s best for YOU & live your OWN life!
I feel so bad for Kanye… its hard enuff goin thru somethin like dat and havin to deal wit it in the public eye… dats horrible.
I understand what kanye is saying when he says that people tell him to stop touring and go back home…go back home to WHAT? The worse feeling in the world is not necessarily having a funeral, and not having visitors at your house consoling you, but the when everyone leaves at the end of the night and you are left there all by yourself…THAT is the worse feeling in the world.
I believe he will get through this and do some more amazing things. I cannot wait to see what he unleashes on the masses in the next 12 months. We have yet to see his true potential.
much love to kanye…i would still be stretched out on the floor some where….stay strong kanye!
he is doing what is best for himand what his mother would have wanted. i have much found respect for himm.
It’s so difficult a situation…. there’s got to be a window of time where you just have to let a guy as outspoken as Kanye just say what he wants — he gets a pass on anything he says for like the next year. (Not that this was bad, but just anything silly or out of place that he says, you just gotta let it ride.)
I know he’s frustrated, but I kinda think the advice whichever friend gave him to just take some time off is good advice. Perhaps performing is a way of getting your mind off of things and escaping for a bit. But if it were me and I had the money that Kanye does, I’d just go home, look at some pictures and movies of my mom and just be with family for a bit. But it’s up to him how he wants to handle this.
I just feel so bad. (The worst was seeing him just bent over with his face in his hands while the music was playing in the video posted earlier). You could feel the pain through the screen.
He gotta work thru the pain the best way he know how… i feel him & hope he makes it thru alright
thisis justso sad i feel so bad for him cuz he prob paid for her surgery…well my prayers are with him and whatever he feels that its the best way for him to cope let him cope. we luv you kanye keep your head up
No one can understand what a person goes through when they lose their mother. There is no right time or right way to grieve. He is doing what he feels he needs to do to help him cope with his loss. Although he is an entertainer and in the public eye – the public does not have a say in his life – esp. not in this matter.
Nothing can be more personal and painful –
A house is not a home – home is where the heart is, and as close as he was with his mother; she lives deep in his heart….. and always will.
KEEP STRONG KANYE….WE LOVE YOU!!
OK – last thing….. I just don’t think he should feel pressure to finish tour dates just because money is on the table. I almost was getting a little frustrated listening to the crowd while he was speaking…. I know they’re from another country and maybe don’t know how to react, but you just kinda wanna hear silence and a little applause.
Not sure about others, but I wouldn’t really wanna see a concert with this having happened. Half of Kanye is watching him come out all cocky and stuff. It just doesn’t seem right. What would Golddigger be like?
kanye is just doing him and i think thats a good thing, im pretty sure that is exactly what ms. donda west would have liked.
keep moving, i must agree with the everyone here. I lost my mother and father and you must move on….F staying home F the media…do your thing…god bless
That tribute was so uplifting and moving. I am so proud of him for staying strong and having such honesty about his feelings. I truly admire him for letting the world see his intimate expressions of love for his mother. That dedication was befitting of his unique way of approaching life. Rather than being a sad moment, it honored her spirit through intense color, sound, emotion and creativity that defis the average way most people cope with loss.
I love what I know of this young man and I pray that God will keep him strong.
OMGosh this bought me to tears!!!! I remember meeting Kanye sometime ago and telling him how much his confidence inspired me. Watching this footage made me see that despite what troubles may come our way we must remain strong knowing that God has it under control.
Thank you Kanye!!
That’s a true champion right there!
I love him, even when he acting a fool I still love him.
i’m speechless!!!!!!!
Dude’s stronger than me cuz I woulda been falling apart right now if that were my mom.
Everyone deals with death in their on way Kanye breathes music so performing maybe his therapy . I think Ms. West would want him to carry on he is strong.
WE LOVE YOU KANYE!!! The world is praying for and with you……blessings!!
beautiful.
thats RIGHT.
Go home to WHAT? his mom was his everything.
i wouldnt know what to do with myself if i was in that situation.
he’s staying true to himself and to what he loves. His mother helped
him be who he is. and he’s doing it for her now.
Is there anyway we could get a transcript or can yall quote him in anyway because I can’t see the video! Either way much love to Kanye…Chicago loves you!
I love Kanye. Thanx Concrete Loop, this one spoke to me.
Am I the only one that heard the underlying eloquence in his voice as he spoke? Some may misinterpreted it for being angry but I felt something else. He couldn’t of stated it better & that’s real…WHAT THE BLEEP is he going home to? Everyone mourns in their own way and who are WE to choose which way is best for him? Be Blessed YE’ I know your reading this (smiles).
sometimes we as people don’t realize that we are born & taught how to live & that no one prepares us for death, with that said we all handle things in a different way. Kanye gets much love & respect from me not just as a fan but as another human being that can understand his plight!
Hold Ya head Ye’ we got you & R.I.P. To Dr. Donda West
sp*…may have
I believe KANYE WEST was put on the Earth to serve a very valuble purpose. Whether people realize it or not, he`s truly my inspiration.
Kanyeeeze, keep your head up.
Kanye, you said it best. Just do you. No one knows but you. You know she’s always there for you. Now she is with you at every show, every appearance, and she’s gonna push you in a way you never thought she could. This life here is so short to the eternity we’ll all soon be in. So Kanye, make that music! She didn’t leave you…she’s just preparing your heavenly home, just like she did when she prepared for your earthly home.
Stay encouraged.
GOOOOOOOOO KANYE!!!! DAMN WHAT A MAN!!!! MUCH PROPS TO KANYE!!!!!
I admit that I was a fan that questioned why he was still performing but after seeing the video it all makes sense and I commend him for continuing. I know music is his second love and his therapy. Keep doing your thing Kanye.
This is just so sad. No one knows his pain until they experience the sudden loss of a parent. I just pray for him and his family right now. Death is hard to deal with as it is and it’s even worse when you are in the public eye and you have people scrutinizing every move you make what is wrong and what should/should not have been done. I just pray that God will give him the strength to get through this; God only knows what a heart can survive.
Kanye, grieve, be strong, cry, and do what you have to do to be ok… and know that we, as your fans, love and support you!
She was so proud of you! RIP Dr. Donda West- May your spirit live on
wonderful tribute. keep ya head up kanye!
Your in my prayers & stay strong.
To true Kanye no one can tell you how to think or feel.We all grieve in our own way.
The thought alone of losing a good mother is heartbreaking. Its hard to lose a mother that you know no matter wat you become she would love and support you to the fullest. A mother that loves you enough to understand you is a gift from God…those mothers never really die.
I’VE ALWAYS LUVED KANYE’S MUSIC AND I FEEL 4 HIM.HE HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOM LIKE I DO WITH MINE.COULDN’T AND WOULDN’T WANT TO …IMAGINE HIS PAIN.BUT KANYE SEEMS STRONG BY NATURE AND IT’S SO TRAGIC CAUSE HIS MOM DIDN’T EVEN HAVE 2 BE DEAD.BUT BECAUSE OF THE PRESURE OF HOLLY-WEIRD…SHE’S GONE.STAY UP KANYE…YOU’LL BE BACK 2 THAT HAPPY “LOUIS VUITTON” DON IN NO TIME BABE:)
I totally understand why he’d keep going on tour. For one it keeps his mind off thinkin and re-thinkin about his mothers death. Being alone isnt good in a time like this, its good he can lose himself in the music. Tbh i just want to hug him.
awwww.. this soo breaks my heart.. i get tears in my eyes..
i feel soo bad for kanye…:(
im goin to his concert next week.. im sooo excited and wierded out at the same time
hope its great.. i know its gonna be phenomenal
much luv to kanye
watching this is soo sad
i admire his strength for continuing performing, and i know from personal experience that in times of turmoil it is best to work or focus on something. it takes ur mind off things
however i also know that not grieving can really screw a person up. u shouldnt hold anger, grief or sadness inside u should cry as much as u need.
i hav loads of respect for kanye and hope he stays strong
I think Kanye should take some time off to grieve. I know he is going through some terrible pain. Plus the media and all are all up in his business and the circumstances surrounding his moms death.
I feel for him, I am sorry that he lost his mom before her time. I havent lost a parent but at some point in all our lives we will feel the same lost. May God be with him and his family.
The one has spoken…
I lost my mother at the end of my first semester in Law school & everyone looked at me crazy when I said I wanted to go back and finish and not take anytime off. But I knew that is what my mother wanted…Kanye knows what he is doing and maybe being on stage in front of those who support him and love what he does is therapy for him…it ain’t about the paycheck or ego it’s about…taking time off for me would have been the worse thing to do and it maybe the worse thing for him too. Especially the way the media hounds celebrities, right now he might not even get the chance to grieve “properly” without the media looking and scrutinizing…..I am sure once his tour is over and thing die down a bit he will take some needed time for himself to reflect. Unless you have gone through a similiar situation it is hard to judge what he should be doing. Different strokes for different folkes and what you may think is the “proper” way to grieve isn’t necessarily the way someone else needs to do it.
what is the beat we hear on the backround?anyone know?
Everyone grieves differently. I think performing was therapeutic for him but I also think thats why he had the breakdown he had. You can only hold it in but so long. I know he’s going to have plenty more breakdowns but if being on stage helps him prolong them, then that’s his decision. I think the media has been excellent. I’ve seen the media make jokes about celebrity death so much (crocodile man-can’t think of his name right now) that it’s finally nice to hear them be supportive. I also think they know better than to play with a black man that just lost their mother so I doubt if they’d do anything stupid. They know who to mess with!
Keep your head up Kanye!!