Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye West - podcast cover

Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye West

New School Criticswatchingthethrone.com
This is an in-depth-yet-entertaining dive into the lyrics and narrative artistry of Kanye West's music. We go track by track through Ye's discography, revealing the narrative and poetic techniques he uses, tracking his growth as a storyteller, and illuminating the narratives behind each of his albums.

Episodes

My StorYe: Rob Haze

Rob Haze is a comedian. Kanye fans may also know him as the co-host of the Book of Ye podcast. Join Chris in discovering Rob’s StorYe, from his beginnings of becoming a Kanye fan, to what happened to Book of Ye, to the history between Watching the Throne and Book of Ye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 26, 20192 hr 35 min

My StorYe: Creator of the "DidYandhiDrop" Twitter Account

Jackson is the voice behind the infamous “DidYandhiDrop” Twitter account. He spent almost a year making commenting on the long awaited and oft delayed Kanye project. He speaks with Chris about the origin story of the account and the experience of running it through the highs and the lows of the journey to Kanye’s 9th solo album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 20191 hr 2 min

An Interview With The World Famous Tony Williams

The World Famous Tony Williams sings on "Spaceship" and 25 other Kanye West tracks. He co-wrote "Street Lights" and 10 other Kanye West tracks. He's a Grammy winner. He's Kanye West's cousin. In this special interview, Chris talks with Tony about his career, his newest album (To Gain the World), and much much more. It's a rare insight into one of Kanye's most important collaborators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 08, 20191 hr 21 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Chris's Take

OUR BOY IS BACK!!! Chris is home from his honeymoon and ready to talk some Ye—specifically, he's ready to give us his first impressions of Jesus is King. In this episode, Chris sits down with Travis and recounts his first listening experience and how he's been feeling about the album over the past week. Then Chris and Travis discuss their general theories on the album's narrative. It all serves as a preview to their song-by-song, line-by-line dissection of Jesus is King...which starts next week!...

Nov 05, 20191 hr 12 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: The Most Unruly's Take

In the week leading up to Chris's return from his honeymoon, Travis is hosting some of Watching the Throne's favorite guests to hear their reactions to Kanye West's new album, Jesus is King. Today, Travis speaks to the creator of The Most Unruly YouTube channel, Don. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 03, 20192 hr 45 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Jordan Johnson's Take

In the week leading up to Chris's return from his honeymoon, Travis is hosting some of Watching the Throne's favorite guests to hear their reactions to Kanye West's new album, Jesus is King. Today, Travis speaks to series regular and resident troll Jordan Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 30, 20191 hr 1 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Anna Zeck's Take

In the week leading up to Chris's return from his honeymoon, Travis is hosting some of Watching the Throne's favorite guests to hear their reactions to Kanye West's new album, Jesus is King. Today, Travis speaks to an old friend of the show, Anna Zeck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 20191 hr 6 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Martin Connor's Take

In the week leading up to Chris's return from his honeymoon, we're hosting some of Watching the Throne's favorite guests to hear their reactions to Kanye West's new album, Jesus is King. Today, Travis speaks with Martin Connor, co-writer of The Yeezus Book and founder of Rap Analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 27, 20191 hr 14 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Cole Cuchna's Take

In the week leading up to Chris's return from his honeymoon, we're hosting some of Watching the Throne's favorite guests to hear their reactions to Kanye West's new album, Jesus is King. Today, Travis speaks with Cole Cuchna, the host of the Dissect podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 201951 min

First Reactions to Jesus is King: Travis's Take

OMG JESUS IS KING IS HERE!!! To celebrate, while Chris is on his honeymoon, Travis is going to host a line-up of several episodes where some special guests discuss their first reactions to the album. Today Travis kicks things off by himself, going through his thought process during his first few listens of Jesus is King. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 25, 201926 min

Our Report from the Jesus Is King Experience in Chicago

In the lead-up to the release of Jesus is King, Kanye West has hosted a handful of live listening sessions—and Travis attended the Chicago party. In this episode he sits down with Chris to recount the evening. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour. Check out our merchandise line....

Sep 29, 201946 min

My StorYe: Mr Hudson

Chris speaks with Benjamin Hudson McIldowie — aka Mr Hudson. The English Electropop musician talks about collaborating with Kanye West on 808s & Heartbreaks and how it's guided his musical career ahead of his new album, When the Machine Stops. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tou...

Aug 23, 201949 min

My StorYe: Don, creator of The Most Unruly

Chris speaks with Don, the creator of The Most Unruly YouTube channel. The Most Unruly has done extensive work covering Kanye’s artistry and discography, but has, for the time being, reached the end of Kanye content. So Don talks about Kanye, the journey of The Most Unruly, and what’s next for him. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety,...

Aug 16, 20191 hr 10 min

My StorYe: Bink! The Humble Monsta, Producer of "Devil In A New Dress"

On this episode, Chris talks with Bink! The Humble Monsta. Kanye fans may know him as the original producer of Devil in a New Dress. But his history with Kanye dates much further. Hear directly from Bink about his career, his relationship with Kanye, his thoughts on Devil in a New Dress, and more! If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, ...

Aug 09, 201942 min

The Forbes Kanye Interview: Behind the Scenes with Zack O’Malley Greenburg

Zack O’Malley Greenburg, senior editor for Forbes, got spend a day with Kanye for a Forbes cover story. Hear, first hand, what the experience was like—from Zack’s initial call with Kanye, to their midnight hike through the Calabasas hills. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour. C...

Jul 12, 201957 min

The 2019 Best Kanye West Song Tournament Death Match Extreme

Every year we get Christmas, we get a birthday, we get the Best Kanye West Song Tournament Death Match Extreme. In this year's 3000 edition, deals are struck, alliances are formed, upsets are given, and friendships are shattered into oblivion. What song will Chris, Travis, and Jordan decide is Kanye West's greatest achievement? In what is surely the greatest episode of any podcast ever—let's find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 20192 hr 24 min

My StorYe: Matt Kessler

Matt Kessler creates the Too Many Records YouTube channel. His StorYe involves vinyl and a personal encounter with Kanye out in the wild! If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out our two Kanye West shirts currently on the market (we have a Runaway and a Hold My...

Oct 09, 20182 hr 4 min

Pre-Wedding, Pre-YANDHI AMA

It's the night before Travis' wedding. It's the night before YANDHI. And what are the Watching the Throne hosts to do? How about answer some questions! And try to break their record for longest episode ever! If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out our two Kany...

Sep 29, 20183 hr 21 min

My StorYe: Chris Mench

Chris Mench is the news editor at Genius, and just so happens to be a big Kanye fan. Hear how his StorYe got started and the journey he’s gone on in one of those rare and wondrous times where a Chris interviews a Chris. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out ...

Sep 26, 20181 hr 1 min

My StorYe: Jacobi IV

Jacobi IV is an artist on a mission. Hear how Kanye has helped shape his approach as a solo artist and empower him to make the music he’s passionate about. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out our two Kanye West shirts currently on the market (we have a Run...

Sep 21, 20181 hr 26 min

Our StorYe: Caleb & Clementine Smidt

Meet Caleb Smidt and his daughter Clementine. Hear how and why they’ve bonded over Kanye West’s music and what they’ve learned through the journey. If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out our two Kanye West shirts currently on the market (we have a Runaway and...

Sep 14, 20181 hr 10 min

The Time Kanye West Went on Jimmy Kimmel and Gave One of the Best Interviews Ever

It was the four seconds heard around the world—the moment Kanye West couldn't answer a question about Donald Trump. Well...couldn't immediately answer. Which in retrospect seems kinda normal. Which makes you wonder why everyone is so mad about it. Which makes you wish someone would talk sensibly about Kanye's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. Oh, hi! Chris and Travis are here to do just that. They discuss the ins and outs of what is now a classic Kanye West interview. From Trump to bipolarism to Pornh...

Aug 17, 20182 hr 36 min

My StorYe: Chase Crawford

Director, actor, podcast host, and all-around go-getter Chase Crawford dishes on his relationship with Kanye's music over the years. Check out his podcast: According to the Internet Follow him on twitter: @chsecrwfrd If you'd like to support the show, please rate us on iTunes, or help us out on Patreon. You can buy The Yeezus Book—a scholarly, visual-heavy coffee table book that breaks down Yeezus in its entirety, from the album's narrative to the production to the tour—on June 18. Check out our...

Aug 14, 20181 hr 10 min

My StorYe: Justin Hunte

Listen in awe as Justin Hunte brings to bear his prodigious knowledge on rap history and culture to speak on his highs and lows with Kanye. Justin Hunte is Head of Video Production & Development for Ambrosia For Heads. A former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX and creator of DX's popular series The Breakdown and #DXLive, Hunte has debated at the prestigious Oxford Union and is featured on Shade45's "All Out Show w/ Rude Jude," as well as Revolt TV’s “Revolt Live” Billboard magazine, digital campaigns...

Jul 25, 20181 hr 8 min

My StorYe: Donna-Claire Chesman

Donna-Claire discusses her relationship with Kanye's music, music in general, and writing about Ye's Wyoming projects. Listen for some insight and compassion. Donna-Claire Chesman is an East Coast-based music writer, who loves Big L and The Fugees as much as jazz and her pet parrot. She is a senior writer for DJBooth and content strategist for Audiomack. Her past bylines include: Pigeons and Planes, Mass Appeal, XXL, Vinyl Me, Please, and others. Find her on Twitter, if you're so inclined. https...

Jul 17, 20181 hr 5 min

My StorYe: Leon Laing

Leon Laing is a Jamaican-American and founder of Vigor Online, an award-winning website that posts online stories about urban music, culture, and the arts in mainly the Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas. Chris and Leon discuss Leon’s journey with Kanye’s music and Leon’s collection of Kanye magazine interviews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 20181 hr 19 min

First Reactions to Kanye’s New Album, ye

Before Chris and Travis dive headfirst into dissecting every nook and cranny of Kanye West's new album, ye, they're here to give some knee-jerk reactions to the days leading up to the album, their expectations, the live stream, and how they generally feel about the album about 12 hours in. On Tuesday, they'll start their full-on track-by-track analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 01, 20181 hr 4 min

My StorYe: Robin Petering

Yeezy Super-stan Robin Petering dishes on her experience with Kanye West concerts and more in this week's StorYe! Robin is a community inclusive researcher who specializes in homelessness advocacy. She runs a research consulting firm called Lens (the name for which was inspired by Frank Ocean). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 201858 min

My StorYe: TinyTosha

Artist LaTosha Maddox shares how Kanye helped fuel her creative journey. She is a 23 year old African American Visual Artist who takes strong influence in Pro Black themes and Pop Culture. After beginning her Art Education at The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center and Academy of Arts in Frederick Maryland she pursued a Fine Arts Degree at Louisiana State University. Currently residing in the DMV area, taking time off to focus on an array of creative pursuits. Visit contact for any personal inquiries ...

May 18, 201851 min

Lift Yourself?

Poopy-di scoop Scoop-diddy-whoop Whoop-di-scoop-di-poop Poop-di-scoopty Scoopty-whoop Whoopity-scoop, whoop-poop Poop-diddy, whoop-scoop Poop, poop Scoop-diddy-whoop Whoop-diddy-scoop Whoop-diddy-scoop, poop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 20181 hr 13 min