Kim Kardashian might have broken the internet, but it seems like Kanye West has broken the very world of art with his recently-released music video for “Famous.”
Though inspired by a painting by artist Vincent Desiderio, it’s sufficient to say the music video is nothing more than a revamped version of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover.
The Beatles crafted its artwork with figures who were meaningful to the band's time period, including gurus, world leaders, musicians and writers.
West essentially does the same thing, except he seems to put more emphasis on the controversial than the beloved.
Oh, by the way, they’re all naked.
On the far left side of the bed, we have former Republican President George W. Bush, a figure Kanye infamously said “doesn’t care about black people.”
Next is the editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour, who West obviously has a bone to pick with after she called his April fashion show “migrant chic.”
To her right is Donald Trump. ‘Nuff said.
Rihanna gets the displeasure of having to sleep next to that buffoon. Her inclusion is this music video is more than likely because of her friendship with West, as well as her uncredited vocals on the track itself.
Morbidly amusing is placing Rihanna next to Chris Brown who, of course, domestically abused Rihanna yet is still beloved by many female fans. All right.
OK, now here’s the one you were all waiting for. Yes, Taylor Swift’s likeness appears in the video. Are you surprised? After West claimed he has a chance of having sex with Swift because he “made that bitch famous,” it would only be civil and polite of him to apologize and not include her in the video.
But as we all know, “civil” and “polite” are omitted words from West’s vocabulary.
To add insult to injury, she’s sleeping next to West who, in turn, is sleeping next to Kardashian.
Beside Kardashian is Ray J, who many have argued made the former famous in the first place. It’s sort of a revere of the whole Swift lyric. Ray J had sex with Kardashian, and now “that bitch” is famous.
West’s ex-girlfriend Amber Rose also made an appearance in the video. The only explanation I can think of for this is a possible diss toward Rose’s lover Wiz Khalifa, who West is currently feuding with.
Caitlynn Jenner, who is related to West by marriage, is the penultimate figure in this modern-day Renaissance painting. Her revelation last year as a transgender woman tore down the wall of transgender secrecy and opened up conversations about transgender rights.
Finally, we have Bill Cosby, who has become one of the most infamous comedians in history after news spread about his alleged serial rapings in the past. Let’s also not forget that West tweeted “BILL COSBY INNOCENT !!!!!!!!!!” in February. Keepin’ it classy, Yeezus.
It’s uncertain how many of the aforementioned celebrities in the video are real or merely wax figures. You can certainly see some of the people breathing within the video, which makes throws out the idea that they’re all made of wax.
The only two people we could probably safely assume were real in the video were West and Kardashian. It’s essentially their video anyhow.
Representatives of both Bush and Trump have denied it was them in the video.
While Rihanna is known for being provocative, I doubt she would be willing to sleep next to Brown, even if it was a wax figure. The latter also denied he was in the video on Twitter.
Could Swift be in it? Ha. Funny.
We could also reasonably cancel out Wintour, Cosby, Rose and Ray J.
Jenner I’m uncertain of.
Regardless of how you might feel about West or his controversial actions, there is something to be said about this video. This will probably continue to be his most recognized music video well beyond his time.
It’s art, by definition, because it has opened up discussions that have already been forgotten.
More importantly, it’s a joke, and West recognizes that by egging on celebrities to sue him during the weekend on Twitter.
Perhaps I have just already been corrupted by the misogyny and hatred in West’s “Monster” music video, but I don’t hate this release. Besides maybe the NSFW imagery, there should be no reason why anyone else should be upset either.
West clearly stated in an interview he was not trying to attack or favor anyone based on their inclusion in the video, merely just making a comment on fame.
As far as I’m concerned, no harm has been done.
afaulds@indiana.edu | @a_faulds9615
