Vibe.com, February 28th, 2005
Jay-Z looked quite proud of his girl, even standing to his feet at one point to applaud her fabulous pipes, and perhaps three equally excellent costume changes and enough diamonds dangling from her ears and neck to blind us watching at home.
Academy Award host Chris Rock proved he ain't never scared, but is always funny as he clowned one celebrity after another and checked Sean Penn for his attempted comeback after Rock cracked on actor Jude Law. Lesson here? Sean Penn, learn to take a joke, and don't mess with the man CR unless you're prepared to get laughed at.
Sunday night in Chicago was all about Kanye West. WGCI radio even proclaimed it Kanye West Day. Unless you've been vacationing on Mars you know that Mr. West recently took home three Grammy's for best rap album, best rap song and best R&B; song, and his latest collaboration with Common has been making its presence known on the radio. He joined Common, Do or Die, and some more Chicago folk to perform at the House of Blues, but I caught up with him beforehand downtown at the Hard Rock Hotel where he was awarded the Hennessy Privilege award in recognition of his good work in the community. Plus, he was given a $10,000 check for Loop Dreams, a Kanye West Foundation initiative for at-risk high school students.
All mess about his big ego, tantrums and assorted gossip aside, Kanye, attired in preppy stripes and a myriad of geometric designs in his hair, appeared appreciative of the award, past recipients of which include Magic Johnson, Al Sharpton and Spike Lee. West promised to be even more generous with his time and efforts to help Chicago's up and coming entertainers enjoy lasting success in the music business.
"The whole movement of good music, we're just trying to make something classic that you can listen to years from now," said West. "I go to my uncle's place and he'll have Bill Withers on and Marvin Gaye and all these classic artists, and instead of trying to mimic what's out now I try to see what made their songs so classic and apply that to modern day music. That's why we call it good music."
West's Loop Dreams initiative works to keep musical instruments in schools and gives at-risk high school students an incentive to stay in school to learn how to write and produce music while improving their academics. "I don't feel like a trumpet is going to keep a kid in school that's dealing with gang activity, unwanted pregnancy or poverty, and their mother's on a work program where it takes them three hours to get home at night," said West. "Drums aren't gonna keep kids in school just offa that. What I'm gonna do is not going to turn the earth upside down, but I want to start a program where instead of having to put away your CDs (in school), you have to bring your CDs. You bring 'Drop It Like It's Hot' and we figure out how did they make that beat? Just imagine. Some people sell drugs to go to the studio. Some people leave school to go to the studio. Why not bring the studio in the school?"
"We presented Kanye West's Foundation with a $10,000 check to acknowledge him reaching back into the community and trying to help other people," said Dexter King, senior brand manager of Hennessy's Prestige range. "Hennessy has been part of the music community for years. We've had a lot of up and coming artists from Dwele to Jill Scott. We're doing things with John Legend now, so to have an artist that has already made it not only set up a Foundation dedicated to helping other people learn and love music, but then helps under-privileged or at-risk youth really come up. A lot of schools are cutting these programs, so I think anything we can do to help is really great. We thought this award was very, very appropriate."
Kanye's everywhere right now. You can't hardly turn on the radio without hearing him or someone that he's worked with, and in an industry known for it's bling, last night he seemed kinda light. Having seen his acceptance on TV, I figured one of 'em ought to be hanging from a gold chain around his neck! So I asked where his Grammy's were, and apparently it takes a while to actually get them. When they come in, we'll know it. "You know how Lil Jon walk around with a pimp cup? I'ma be walking around with at least one of my Grammy's," said West.
And there's no rest for the West. With a visit to the chiropractor down to adjust something, he couldn't remember what, to ensure he gets eight good hours of sleep a night, Kanye's got several projects pending. "Common's album is up next, it's called Be. Then we have the Late Registration album which should be out in July, and the new Common video. I'm really getting into directing a lot too," said West. "We're just gonna keep on being creative and making stuff for the fans to enjoy and just have a good time with it."
So critics, take that! Your boy Kanye's got a heart and a conscious, and he's using big talent (not a big head) to help kids who need it. I know, I know, my objective journalist bit has gone out the window, but I'm from Chicago so gimme a break and join me in celebrating this celebrity goodwill windfall 'cause Lord knows, it don't happen often. Peace to Jon Jon, Don C, and my boy Len sick at the crib!
Although it's "officially" the end of Black History Month, in one day in multiple cities three of the top Black men in entertainment took home accolades weighty enough to inspire us all for the rest of the year. Let that be a lesson to us. If you want it, you can get it, and when you do, share. If I was Chris Rock I might add, 'and whoever got somethin' funny to say better prepare to get checked!'
