Even though Kanye West was born in Atlanta, it was Chicago where he grew up and found his voice. Here he went from handing out mix tapes on the South and West sides, to cutting his teeth as an uncredited producer, to releasing chart-topping singles and headlining major shows.
But West, who has changed his name to Ye, has become a polarizing figure in recent years. After taking out an ad in the “Wall Street Journal” apologizing for antisemitic and racist behavior, he has set off on a redemption tour with two nights of stops in Chicago.
Ahead of this week’s nearly sold-out Soldier Field performances, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times asked four Black Chicago writers to reflect on the legacy of Ye (formerly Kanye West) in the city that helped shape him.
Before Ye’s return to Chicago, writer Arionne Nettles examines her relationship with the artist’s music and cultural influence.
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As a Chicago kid, Kanye once touched the sky in my view. His fall has been hard to watch — and harder to forgive.
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Chicago was Ye’s biggest champion. He still represents it — the good, bad and ugly.
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This is the season when Jews forgive and ask for forgiveness. I don’t believe any of us are beyond that. Not even Kanye, writes Rabbi Tamar Manasseh.
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