Kanye West, both a contemporary producer/songwriter and a rapper, "is undoubtedly one of the most talented and accomplished young producers to have emerged in recent years" (VH1 Biography). He boasts many themes and inspirational ideas in his song lyrics; one particular motif that recurs in several of his tunes is the apparent notion of success and failure and the contrast between the two. West shows through his lyrics that he himself has succeeded because …showed first 75 words of 1318 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1318 total…pits and slums and steadily earned his way into the top of the game. He portrays the ideal man who starts off with whatever little he has and builds a strong foundation that leads to success. He also writes and raps about the other end where people live in dismal failure, making a clear distinction from success. Ultimately, West's message comes out to be that people are who they choose to make themselves to be.