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Everything We Learned From Kanye West's Jeen-Yus Netflix Doc

Netflix's Jeen-Yus Gives Us the Old Kanye Back

Netflix is giving us the old Kanye with its new documentary, Jeen-Yus: A Kanye Trilogy. The first chapter of the three-part docuseries premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, giving viewers insight into the rapper's early days through video footage filmed over the course of 20 years. The documentary is directed by two of West's collaborators, Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, and features tons of star-studded cameos, including Beyoncé, Kobe Bryant, Pharrell Williams, Mase, and of course, Jay-Z. However, the best appearance comes from West's late mother and number one cheerleader, Donda West.

Though West was involved in the making of the project, the 44-year-old rapper recently demanded that he get the final edit and approval of the doc before its Feb. 16 release on Netflix. "I'm going to say this kindly for the last time. I must get final edit and approval on this doc before it releases on Netflix," he wrote on Instagram. "Open the edit room immediately so I can be in charge of my own image. Thank you in advance 😊." It's unclear if West's request was granted.

Ahead, check out the biggest takeaways from part one of Jeen-Yus: A Kanye Trilogy.

Image Source: Netflix

1. Act 1: Vision

  • 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.

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