Letters: Sep. 19, 2005

Rap Superstar Kanye West

Our profile of Kanye West brought kudos for his sampling of soulful artists as he spins the hip-hop nation away from gangsta rap. His statement, however, at a Hurricane Katrina fund raiser about President Bush and race--two weeks after he appeared on the cover--got a decidedly more mixed response

Your cover story on hip-hop musician Kanye West [Aug. 29] was a brave and smart choice. You gave insights into who he is and, more important, why we should care. West does everything a true musical artist should do: write, produce and perform. He not only employs the traditional hip-hop technique of sampling but also uses samples of influential artists like Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross. West's songs pay homage to the origins of hip-hop and give today's generation a chance to hear legendary musicians.

JUSTIN LI

Ottawa

In the same week, I received two great things in my mailbox: season tickets to the opera and TIME featuring Kanye West on the cover. While I don't profess to be an expert on opera and hip-hop is far from my typical genre, I do know what I like--music that awakens a deeply emotional chord in my being. West's The College Dropout rotates in my CD player between operas by Puccini and Bizet. His lyrics and music are soul baring and thought provoking, and they speak to the human spirit the way great opera does.

ROBERTA A. SHOULBERG

Neshaminy Valley, Pa.

Who cares about Kanye West except other hip-hoppers? I'll bet most of your subscribers have never heard of him.

HOMER C. LAMBORN

Redding, Calif.

I always hear snobby people dismiss hip-hop as trash. Although I am offended by what they say, I am forced to admit that sometimes it is true. Since the death of Tupac Shakur nine years ago, the hip-hop industry has just been spitting out meaningless raps over catchy beats. Thank you, Kanye, for putting life back into hip-hop. And thank you, TIME, for bringing well-deserved media coverage to West's music. Now the public knows there is still hope for hip-hop.

AARON PYON

South Pasadena, Calif.

Your article on West enlightened  me about his background and views of rapping. He shows the class, intellect and business ethic of African Americans. As a white teacher in an urban setting, I am pleased to see a role model for many of my students who aspire to become rappers. You don't need to be a drug-dealing thug to rap!

KATRINA MAURER

Holyoke, Mass.

While I appreciated your story on the musical talents of West, did you really need to go so far as to call him a "class act"? You noted that West dropped out of college and made something of himself. Kids are going to read that and think they can do it too. But that isn't classy, just lucky. And what about West's lyrics? He claims he tried not to use nigga, but he does--frequently. Perhaps West should have done the classy thing and stuck to his convictions. Just because a man wears a Polo shirt and wingtips, that does not make him a class act.

BRIE DAIGLE

Melbourne, Fla.