Kanye West: The Extreme Human Experience

Effectively immortalized in the world of art and creation, the story of Kanye West is woven into the folklore of my generation. His eras and albums run like an on-demand TV show; but for some, they stopped watching a couple of seasons ago.  

In the newest season of Kanye, amongst the political antics, outbursts, and little musical output, was the release offeature length documentary, In Whose Name. Starting in 2018, an eighteen-year-old Nico Ballesteros followed around Kanye with simply a camera and tunnel visioned mindset to capture. And with over 3,000 hours of collected footage, Nico puts together a viewing experience that portrays Kanye in a unique but fair light; avoiding clear moral verdicts. Presenting Kanye’s actions, statements, and controversies as part of a larger inquiry into power, freedom, and the idolatry culture. 

“He never told me to stop. I was filming fifteen to eighteen hours a day. Sometimes I sleep for two or three hours…The camera never stopped…When Kanye watched the finished film, he said it felt like looking back on his life like he was dead.” – Nico Ballesteros on Associated Press (2025).

Kanye West emerges in In Whose Name as a singular visionary, defined by a series of raw, larger-than-life moments. Throughout the documentary, he repeatedly returns to some version of the same declaration — “I do what I want,” “no one can change me”. These moments are often accompanied by violent vocal outbursts, expressions of frustration rooted in a deep fear of control and an obsessive determination to dictate destiny. In a world determined to manage him, Kanye believes in his messaging with such intensity that it must be released, regardless of consequence; a constant struggle to reclaim autonomy. 

The viewer enters the Nico curated Kanye West experience with a desire to understand and leaves with hesitant sympathy. Rather than functioning as a traditional biography or redemption arc, the film positions itself as an open-ended portrait. What does hand crafted agency over your destiny look like when taken to its extreme?  

“…the reality distortion field of Ye. No one questioned why someone was filming him. It translated everywhere…”– Nico Ballesteros on Associated Press (2025).

The documentary is filled with great set piece scenes and intimate moments with Kanye and his contemporaries. From the futuristic boundary bending architecture projects in Wyoming, the ritualistic intensity and larger than life imageryof Sunday Service, the cultural timestamps and theatrical events of the Donda listening parties, to the cluttered warehouse studios with clothes on the floor and images taped to the walls. Kanye creates exactly what he imagines; operating in environments that mirror his mind.  

Here are a couple of my favorites.  

WHO IS REALLY FREE?

To think that someone incarcerated has a better chance of seeing Kanye is everything Kanye.  

Kanye decides to hold a Sunday Service event, effectively his church, inside of a maximum-security prison. A place full of people who have effectively lost hope and desire in this world. Their faces marked by thought and regret hoping music will serve as a form of salvation and mental escape toward a slightly brighter life. All in solidarity and understanding that this event is bigger than them; a chance to redeem a small part of their soul through religion and music.  

Giving us the viewers, a pause. To remember to be grateful for what we have. To be grateful for freedom. The concept of freedom is again played with. Who is free at this moment: the prisoners or Kanye? The constraints of one are obvious while the other’s is translucent but still very much there. Kanye’s music is there to free them while also hoping to free himself.  

Whether or not these people inside of the prison are genuine in their intentions and sincere in their self-growth, in that moment they look like they are. An army of prisoners was held down by the sounds of music. A truly touching and beautiful scene that brightly shines light on Kanye’s moments of positivity in this world. How his music and influence can stroke across smiles and forgiveness if used the right way.  

It is revealed that his idea for the Sunday Service came while he was in the hospital. A shiny silver lining from a deeply dark time for Kanye.  

“This is not a concert, this a mission.” – Kanye West tells the prisoners (2018).

Highlighting just how loved a figure like Ye is inside of not only the music community but the creative community and society. For many in his sphere and cultural radius, a way back from going full MAGA would not be possible. But Kanye is deeply imprinted into the minds of many and is immortalized through his art; there is always a way back.True love and appreciation by all the many whose minds he changed and hearts he touched. And as the prison scene proves, whether this moment represents genuine transformation or temporary escape is unknowable — but its emotional power is undeniable. 

CAMARADERIE & CONSEQUENCE

The Chris Rock and Kanye moment backstage post his rant/monologue on SNL while wearing the MAGA hat is a moment of dear kinship between the two. A rant about trusting your instinct, not apologizing for what you want to be a part of, going against the grain, resisting constraint and hesitation, being fully you, and using love as a passage of healing is mostly very relevant in an ever more controlling world.  

“I thought this country said I could be me” – Kanye on SNL (2018).

Backstage however, Kanye is visibly uneasy and unsure of what he just said, but Chris Rock is so excited for him. Chris repeatedly references Sinead O’Connor ripping up the image of the Pope and equating that pop cultural moment to Kanye’s recent antics. How the world just doesn’t get him yet, that society will eventually catch up. Providingcomfort and friendship in a time of mental transition. 

This scene was one of my favorites, not really because of all the minor details and undertones, and who is endorsing who, whatever. But because of camaraderie that is directly juxtaposed to the Michael Che confrontation. Chris Rock is embracing all of Kanye, seeing a friend in distress, in transition, and in hesitant commitment to his message. No matter what, he is here to support him because he knows him and knows his intentions aren’t made in malice. Instead of questioning, Chris simply uplifts. Right or wrong.  

With the Michael Che confrontation happening mere seconds after Chris Rock, we as viewers are giving a microcosmof the Kanye West experience. Loved and hated at the same time but always moving forward with what he believes in.  

This moment was also a part in the freedom extremist movement for Kanye. A sacrifice of goodwill in the world of public opinion and friendships all for his belief in doing what you want to do.  

PERMISSION: MY THOUGHTS ON KANYE

“…the more and more you do, like beautiful things, the more and more you got to show the dark things…when people try to hide the dark cause there’s no light, so they stay inside of the gray…but we can show [the documentary] all the spectrums of who we are, dark and the light.” – Kanye West, In Whose Name (2025).

There can be no dark without light, it is a lesson as old as time.  

Nothing in this world is a closed and open book, a black and white image. There are always multiple angles, views, and stories to be heard; more aspects to be sapped and applied.  

If you look at Kanye and just focus on the negative, the narcissism, the self-obsession, the antics, or the new outrage–you are missing the point. I believe that makes Kanye West ever more impactful. It vindicates adds a sense of likeness knowing that this enigma of creation is also a work in progress. There are 10 different negative words that can correctly and accurately describe him but just as many positive ones can too.  

Although there’s no way to approach his recent actions lightly—going full Nazi, destroying brand deals, and running for president—there are still parts of the larger picture worth examining. Analyzing how autonomy, when taken to an extremist end, becomes both godlike and imprisoning. Analyzing how the brutal climb to the top makes you a magnifying glass for all of us to watch. How you have indefinite and vicarious power through your creations; freedom from the benefits; but are held to those standards and isolated art pieces forever. A prisoner of your art, the escape that built your path towards freedom. No money to buy you out; only love to craft a bed of peace.  

A creative empire built on the fabric of the American dream, was executed at a ruthless scale only to be burned down by the same hands; accelerating toward a There Will Be Blood ending. So many ideas become overwhelming; so many thoughts turn overbearing. No peace of mind — only the pursuit of it. A true visionary, an ever-working creative factory housed inside someone who is also an egotistical and descriptive self-absorbed zealot obsessed with getting his way.

I can still see the light in Kanye because he helped turn my head to see my own. 

Watching his interviews or listening to his music stretches my brain. Something loosens. I can breathe a sense of release; letting myself get lost and enthralled in the video-game world he architects. My creative battery is getting recharged. I instantly want to create something. His relentless pursuit of greatness is so inspiring to me and humorous, helps me smile and realize at the end of the day all we can do is try to impact those around us. I don’t have the gear, drive, or mental capacity to reach a height like that but can still earn a smile through expression in my corner of the world. A dynasty of creative output contextualizes my life; Kanye is not a moral guide; he is a compass towards self-confidence and self-belief.  

That in a world full of sameness and aesthetics chasing, happiness and fulfillment can be found by being you. To value my sense of taste, smile, and personality; to duplicate your vision and unique energy into everything you do. Looking back at a piece of art you created, a song you made, a smile you had, an outfit you designed, YOU did it. There will never be another you. As imperfect as you might be you can hang your hat on the fact that it was yourself who was there and not a vicariously lived through emotion or expression.  

I want to leave you with one of the most touching and introspective quotes from Kanye in the documentary. A deep breath in his world of madness.  

“I’ve suffered so much trauma, the fact that I’m still here, that I’m still breathing right now. Just another day. Every day is a blessing. Every day is a blessing to be alive. Every day is a blessing to be free, mentally free, spirituallyfree…it’s all a blessing…I’m talking to you with a dog mask on! And it’s beautiful.” Kanye West (Ye), In Whose Name (2025).