- West began his music career as a producer, making cheap beats for other artists. After leaving Chicago and moving to New York in hopes of getting a record deal, West made beats for artists like JAY-Z, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def, but the only reason he even made beats in the first place was so that he could rap over them.
- In an attempt to get signed by Roc-A-Fella Records, West once bum-rushed the record label's office and went around playing his music to the employees. "After producing half of The Blueprint, his sights were set on getting signed with the number one rap label, Roc-A-Fella Records. He just needed to convince JAY-Z and his cofounders, Dame Dash and Biggs, that he deserved a spot on the Roc," director Coodie said in a voiceover. Unfortunately, his attempt failed, but it definitely got him noticed.
- West had a tough time getting signed. Even though the A&R of Capitol and Rawkus Records personally wanted to sign West, the heads of the labels didn't believe a producer/rapper could sell records. Damon was also initially interested in West and said he would sign him, but he didn't follow through on his promise until much later and only after giving him the runaround.
- West's late mother, Donda West, kept him grounded and humble as his career started taking off. As West prepared for his interview with MTV's You Hear It First, Donda was shown rapping her son's lyrics and giving him some important life advice in a throwback clip. "You got a lot of confidence, come off a little arrogant, even though you're humble and everything, but it be important to remember that the giant looks in the mirror and sees nothing," she told him. "I think the way you handle yourself is really just perfect. But at the same time that you remember, like, to stay on the ground, and you could be in the air all at the same time."
- Scarface was supposed to do the hook on "Jesus Walks," but he never returned to the studio to record. When West and Scarface got in the studio together, West played two tracks for him, "Jesus Walks" and "Family Business," hoping they could work together and West could finally get signed to Roc-A-Fella. "Even though Scarface never made it back to record, getting validation from one of the best rappers alive was more encouragement for Kanye to keep moving forward," Coodie explained.
- West predicted his Ye name change. West's first name, Kanye, is an Ethiopian-French name that means "the only one." However, he most recently changed it to "Ye." In an old clip, West is seen predicting his name change when he notices that his last name was left off of the program for WGCI's 2002 music conference. "Kanye. Now, who the f*ck is Kanye? . . . My name is Kanye West," he says. "This should've been like, 'Ye.' Chicago's very own Ye."
Parts two and three of Jeen-Yus: A Kanye Triology will be available to stream on Netflix on Feb. 16.