The Kanye West Documentary Reflects On the Beginning of a Hip-Hop Era
“Jeen-Yus: A Kanye Trilogy” showed Kanye West over two decades as he emerged in the music industry. (Picture by Sundance Institute)
The anticipated documentary “Jeen-Yus: A Kanye Trilogy” highlights the beginning of Kanye West’s rapping career. It recently played at the Sundance Film Festival 2022.
Directors Chike Ozah and Clarence ‘Coodie’ Simmons said they wanted to produce an authentic experience for fans, music lovers, and pop culture. Coodie said that he wanted to share Kanye’s story together as a family.
“I told Kanye that I wanted to show it to him when we were all together so we could laugh together and cry together,” he said.
Coodie was the cameraman for the film that was videotaped over 20 years ago in the streets of Chicago. He said that he was telling the story of one of the greatest visionaries he’s ever met.
“Every great story begins with a vision,” Coodie said in the film.
The film opens up with Kanye being well-known in the music industry as a producer in 2002. He was known for the beat he made for Jay-Z’s hit song, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” and was making waves in the music industry. Kanye was known to create unique beats for real cheap, but he only did that so he could rap off of them. He was an up-and-coming producer when he was introduced to Coodie, who saw the potential in Kanye to be something more.
“His rhythms and confidence made Kanye stand out,” Coodie said.
The documentary was set to follow Kanye’s life as he progressed through the music industry; Coodie followed him. Coodie received a front-row seat to all the successes, downfalls, rejections, and family moments with Kanye.
In one of those moments, Kanye met with Roc-A-Fella to potentially get signed with the record label. He played “All Fall’s Down” for them, and even though they liked the song, they didn’t take Kanye seriously as a rapper.
Even though he felt rejected, he was determined to become a famous rapper. Many of his counterparts believed that he was going to make it too.
“When someone becomes great, that’s when people hate,” rapper Memphis Bleek said. “And that’s what makes them so great.”
The Chicago directors documented the producer turned rapper in this anticipated documentary. (Picture by Sundance Institute)
Coodie said he saw the hunger that Kanye had.
“I wasn’t in the streets shooting people because I was determined,” Kanye said. “I felt like I wanted to make it in the music industry. I might be living your American dream, but I’m nowhere near mine.”
One of the people who rooted for Kanye’s American dream was his mother, Donda. When Kanye felt low from the rejections of the music industry, he invited Coodie and another mutual friend to his mother’s house. Ms. West was all smiles with the young men. She encouraged Kanye to stay true to himself and conquer the music industry.
“You play tracks like Michael Jordan shoots free throws,” she said.
Coodie saw the influence Kanye’s mother had on him.
“Ms. West lifted his spirits and gave Kanye the confidence he needed,” Coodie said.
This confidence carried Kanye to find his way through the music industry.
As Kanye was finding his way, the music industry didn’t seem to want a ‘Kanye.’ Coodie stated that music executives were looking for the next Jay-Z and DMX; they hadn’t thought of something “in-between Hip-Hop and street rap.” So Kanye had to convince others of what he brought to the table. He did this by getting a spot on the hit MTV show with Sway, “You Hear It First.”
The premiere introduced Kanye to the world as a rapper, and not just a producer, through a freestyle. According to Kanye, the show was a success. He also landed an interview with XXL Magazine. During the interview, Kanye credited No I.D. and Dug Infinite for showing him the ropes. However, the writer only included No I.D., not Dug in the article. Thus, Dug created a diss track on Kanye and bashed him on the airways. Coodie caught on camera Kanye’s reaction to the bashing and his frustrations with his long-time friend.
“Even though they talked it out, Kanye realized that while he’s on top, things like this will happen,” Coodie said.
Coodie revealed that it made Kanye not trust even his inner circle.
“I’m breaking down barriers for everyone,” Kanye said. “I don’t owe anyone anything except my mother.”
Coodie said that this setback made him work harder. They set out to New Jersey for Kanye to work on his latest tracks, “Jesus Walks” and “Family Business.” He wanted to impress Roc-A-Fella, so he contacted rapper Scarface to say a verse in his songs. When the rapper heard the songs, he was impressed with their originality. Even though Scarface didn’t rap in the songs, the stamp of approval gave Kanye the confidence to present the pieces to the executives at Roc-A-Fella.
Finally, the executives signed Kanye to the label, solidifying Kanye’s belief in himself as a rapper.
“Watching his dreams become a reality showed that when you move in faith, all things are possible,” Coodie said.
The documentary ended by showing Kanye’s tragic car accident that caused his fractured jaw. Coodie promised that the rest of the trilogy will be something the audience would want to see.
“You’re going to see the making of “College Dropout”, and Kanye winning a Grammy,” he said. “The third episode is a heartbreaking one, you have the ups and downs that Kanye went through. It’s going to show that no matter what, you can overcome it.”
Netflix picked up the documentary, with more episodes, starting February 16, 2022.