Kanye West’s: The Runaway Film Review Essay Example

myth and passion by making her subject to his will as seen on the day after her meteor falling. She wakes up to see it on the news but West quickly dismisses her from it, saying:
…First rule of the world baby, don’t pay attention to anything on the news…

This isan obvious reference to west’s life as a celebrity where the media is always judgmental about what he is doing and how he does it. In my opinion, this was particular to an incident where West interrupted Taylor Swift, and everybody was insulting him for it. At this point, one can safely assume that the Phoenix is west’s alter-ego and his artistic life force.

The Phoenix has a child-like fascination and is immediately awe-inspired by the beauty of the world, and the amazing wonders of nature. Similar to how artists take photographs of wildlife as well as paint landscapes, the LadyPhoenix seems to understand how fascinating and delicate the world can be. This translates to Kanye being inspired by the beauty of the world all around him hence motivating him to create something from it. Kanye managed to bring out the vulnerability of the world around him quite well since he personally has a particular clumsy love for society. Often he attempts to do well but goes on to inflict damage- take, for instance, trying to praise Beyoncé while at the same time interrupting Taylor’s speech. The Phoenix then proceeds to listen to an instrumental remix; she likes the beats and starts dancing. This prettymuch makes sense since Kanye also like beats. Since we know that the Phoenix is a manifestation of Kanye’s creative force – his

muse- he predictably continues to make beats so as to keep the Phoenix happy. The scenes that follow show him teaching the Phoenix how to do things, it’s as though he is trying civilizing and refining it. This symbolically means that he is striving to remodel and rejuvenate the artistic passion within himself.

At this point, this narrative can be labeled as pretty flat; however, I think that West was able to install another lens through which to look at it: racism, mainly referring to the domestication and appropriation of the black culture by an exceedingly dominant white culture. According to Jacqueline Cruz- studying Culture and Media at the New School in New York City- the depth of “Runaway” hasn’t been efficiently recognized. She insists that Kanye has particular ambitions pinpointing clear moments of the video where West does little to hide what he want the conversations to focus on. The first clear symbol is the men in red KKK robes marching while holding a giant effigy of Michael Jackson in his later years. The presentation and use of race are pretty obvious: West wants us to ponder on how the white culture completely absorbs and destroys infamous black icons. This argument is further emphasized by another key scene, one that Cruz singles out as the most important of the music film. It is a scene in a dilapidated warehouse that visualizes black men and women clad in stark white suits dining while all of the servants are Caucasian. West clearly tackles a very complex issue by trying to evoke an inverted play scenario of upper-class white norms and culture.

The ballets dancers also manage to idealize

the symbol of a reverse white culture. Traditionally, ballet is considered to be a thing of the white culture, but in West’s “Runaway” set, the dancers are seen wearing black tutus. With full effect, west appears to be throwing tantrums at the nature of appropriation and unveils it to be just an element of power. He insinuates that those using their powers to do such things are looking to calm and tame others passions eventually. This not only transcends to the nature of the white culture but also to all groups who emulate the powerful or desire to misuse power. When the Phoenix narrative is considered in this context, it clearly emulates the nature of people trying to exert their power on other unwilling people.

All that being outlaid, the Phoenix storyline of the Runaway film does reveal a lot of stylization in the mold of sexualization. This clearly shows an unawareness of how the aforementioned power abuse and appropriation include how women are sexually depicted in the media and the music industry in general. This particular take on the story is not that obvious, hence that aspect might gradually change depending on your individual view of the story.Another scene that clearly illustrates an unimaginable level of unawareness is when the servants bring the main dish to the dining table. To the awe of the Phoenix bird, it’s a bird of some kind. West indicates that this is what happens in the music world, people are fed on other people’s art. The bird (art) is supposed to be the representation of something artistic and beautiful but all people want is to eat it. This isan obvious

metaphor to Kanye and his fame; nobodyreally cares about his feelings only the product he presents to the world.

As the Runaway video progresses, it becomes apparent the Phoenix no longer views the world as beautiful; mainly because she has witnessed the hidden truths about it. Upon seeing statues, she claims that they are Phoenix that didn’t burn hence turned to stone. Statues are considered to be one of the oldest and most well-known forms of art. The lady phoenix says:
…anything that is different you try to change, you try to tear it down, you rip the wings of the phoenix and they turn to stone, and if I don’t burn I will turn to stone…

In the modern world, anything that is not similar to the world is never accepted or is considered bad. In metaphor, this means that if the Phoenixdoesn't go back to her world, she’ll turn into just a mere statue that can no longer exhibit any beauty but her appearance only. However, Kanye is against her leaving since he realizes that she represents his artistic alter-ego. Without this side he isn’t the same creative force, he will become an entirely different person. Eventually, the Phoenix leaves West lost in the world and all alone. He gradually became famous and well known all over the world but was it worth it? Now he has to try finding that side of him again.

Conclusion

To recap the whole situation, “Runaway” might not be a typical length form of art but you have to admire Kanye West for coming up with this film. Many might call the whole work egocentric, but the fact is, he took a

risk, and it was well worth it. One of the most asked questions in the music world is whether Kanye is self-aware and surprisingly, the answer is simple. If you listen to the song “Runaway,” he plainly explains ways in which he is a bastard and a nuisance. Here you learn that he is aware of both how his actions are seen and the reputation he has gained. In fact, the whole of his “My Dark Twisted Fantasy” album is based on a premise of self-awareness. Despite this, his penchant to provoke mixed feelings in this music film is truly impressive. It is catchy, bombastic, the visuals are amazing, and the whole set is a tinge experimental. This is exactly the reason why West will continue to command respect in the music industry albeit being publicly intolerable.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West is without a question a standout amongst the most convincing characters of our time. During a time where the interminable stream of online talk has fixed the limit, Kanye unflinchingly contradicts this libertarian perspective on being a genius in the 21st century. Taking Nas' unceasing mantra and running a mile with it, the world is his, and he has no issue directing procedures all on his terms. Kanye gladly possesses an intersection amongst Prince and Axl Rose: a happily polarizing virtuoso, one of the best living entertainers and conceivably the last genuine rock star. For better or worse Mr. West knows quite well how to make his first impression. This is not only on the red carpets but also seen in the way he sets the right tone for his albums by using

great opening songs. The 1st song on his 2010 album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” does exactly the same thing by showcasing both the lows and the highs Kanye West’s psyche that he explores and opens up to throughout the album.

The overuse or abuse of Auto-tune that numerous people condemned on his last collection, "808s and Heartbreak", is gone in this one except for toward the end of "Runaway" and amid the chorus to "Lost in the World" and is utilized more as a secondary impact than the essential style. In its place are solid shake motivations, similar to the ones utilized as a part of"Georgous", "Power", and "Whale of a Life" while as yet keeping up his spirit beat establishments in melodies like "Villain in a New Dress" and "Habitual pettiness". His expressive style for this collection is a blend of commending the advantages of the superstar way of life, while likewise censuring its negative impacts on him and others around him. Set in the more extensive picture, the planning of Dark Fantasy tells a tale inside itself. His career's narrative arc is captivating, a Grecian tragedy to rival each one of them. This is the agonizing preview of a ruler watching his empire disintegrate around him, showered in feeling before an ascent from the powder instills him with more hubris than some time recently. It is all aspects of Kanye without a moment's delay: forcefully predominant, emotionally powerless and vulnerable, boldly arrogant, severely hesitant, ludicrously unconscious; like a cornered creature quickly pushing through feelings as the walls surround in, urgent for an escape.

Interestingly, it might have turned out to be excessively great for

its own good. As strange as it is, I envision listening to it for the first time! Similarly as with every essential minute, I recall precisely where I was the point at which it struck: lying in bed on a drizzly evening, eagerly tuning in, unrestricted by any diversions. I had intentionally maintained a strategic distance from all GOOD Fridays, in light of the fact that I needed to hear it in full. It's odd now that I had assembled such a level of reckoning without even a first taste; however I could detect a tempest brewing. The collection features huge numbers of the top contemporary craftsmen like Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Kid Cudi, John Legend, and Niki Minaj, and even figures out how to squish in eleven distinct specialists into the highlight of the collection, "The greater part of The Lights". However, his actual musical prowess is best put into test when he ventures out of the crate framed by routine contemporary specialists and explores with components from Chris Rock, Elton John, outside the box shake's Justin Vernon, and even an extract from a Gil Scott-Heron lyric to completely represent the complexities that exist in his brain and music.

The album begins off with Nicki Minaj presenting her on rendition of Roald Dahl's version of Cinderella on "Dull Fantasy". Nicki's part, in full, states, "You may think you've peeped the scene/You haven't, the genuine one's unreasonably mean/The diluted one, the one you know/Was made up hundreds of years prior/They made it sound all wack and cheesy/Yes, it's terrible, impacted exhausting/Twisted fictions, wiped out addictions/Well, assemble 'round kids, zip it, tune in."(West,et al) The media depicts the

life of distinction as some kind of imagination of all daylight and rainbows, however no one outside of a big name really comprehend what such a life resemble. In the background it's considerably more aggravating and genuine with "curved fictions, wiped out addictions." This is the thing that sets the topic for whatever is left of the collection.

The following track, "Stunning," commences with the melodic guitar playing of Mike Dean, who gives guitar, keys, and drums to the collection. Kid Cudi goes ahead the snare and components a verse from unbelievable Wu-Tang part Raekwon. The tune highlights a significant number of my most loved great Yeezy lines, for example, "I treat money the way the administration treats AIDS/I won't be fulfilled till' all my n****s get it, get it?" Later he raps "I require more beverages and less lights/And that American Apparel young lady in just tights."(West, et al). The tune both lashes out at pundits and society, while he additionally discusses his desires and cravings.
"Control," one of the big deal hits from the collection, discusses the threats of one man having an excess of force. Once in a while, having an excessive amount of force can make a man crazy (particularly from acclaim), and place them in a circumstance nobody ought to be in. The end of the melody discusses a celebratory suicide: "Now this will be a wonderful passing/I'm bouncing out the window, I'm releasing everything." One approach to take a gander at this is if Kanye somehow happened to bite the dust now, he'd as of now have fulfilled a considerable measure that he's needed and he'll be dead before the media

can bring about his death like what happened to Michael Jackson.
Elton John gives the lovely, melodic piano solo on "The greater part of the Lights Interlude" which later transforms into Kanye's hit-single "The greater part of the Lights." Allegedly, this tune took three entire years to deliver and get everybody together. The tune discusses how individuals seek the spotlight, yet Kanye is attempting to demonstrate to every one of them of the lights and how life in the spotlight is sugarcoated and can be extremely dim and wicked. In the start of the ensemble Kanye states: "The greater part of the lights, Cop lights, streak lights, spot lights, strobe lights, road lights/All of the lights, the majority of the lights/Fast life, tranquilize life, hooligan life, Roc life consistently, All of the lights." Kanye misuses all the diverse parts of such an existence.

The man welcomes opprobrium in each aspect of life, and honestly we ought to be happy he does. Cutting edge music and culture everywhere, is better for the crazy unpredictability and colossal ability of Kanye Omari West. Indeed, even set against a vocation that has seen no deficiency of highlights, what Yeezy oversaw in 2010 with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was really novel: he diverted all the poo that had subsumed him and stamped his most consummate assortment of work, a historic point that made compassion out of nothing for a standout amongst the most censured individuals on the face on the earth. Utilizing an apparatus numerous guaranteed to no longer convey the significance of years past, he lifted himself from the most minimal ebb back onto his legitimate roost upon the highest

point of Olympus, moving the worldwide perspective in 68 minutes and 36 seconds.

Moral Challenge and General Conclusion

The runaway film has generally challenged me to think about the racial setting of the entire society and most importantly, it has led me to ponder about my identity. Personally, the questions piqued by this music film about myself are “who am I? What group do I belong to? What reputation do I have in the society?” This piece of art provoked me to want to research on that gradually. Kanye’s personality and inner-selfwas perfectly portrayed by the Lady Phoenix, where he was never afraid to expose his creativeness to the world. This fact has not only motivated to avoid being a hypocrite by expressing exactly what I feel but also tolet social views disrupt my identity rarely. Most people are not aware of their identities since they hide behind social masks and do everything that the society expect of them. This goes against personal awareness which is mostly associated with one’s sense of self-respect and well-being. All said and done; I believe that each person is very thoughtful, rigorous and proactive about our identities. Answering and focusing on a few questions will enable you to mold your identity and eventually your life hence allowing you to accomplish expectations you have for yourself better.

Works Cited

1. Anderson, Reynaldo, and John Jennings. "Afrofuturism: The Digital Turn and the Visual Art of Kanye West." The Cultural Impact of Kanye West. Palgrave Macmillan US, 2014. 29-44.
2. Bowmer, Megan E., and Jen Scott Curwood. "From Keats to Kanye: Romantic Poetry and Popular Culture in the Secondary English Classroom." Journal of Adolescent & Adult
   Literacy (2016).