So What's Up With Kanye's "Power" Video?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday or pre-empted by HPMA showcase coverage, Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture.

Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray

​This Week's Panel: Paul Wall, Fat Tony, Preemo, Sam Sneed, Thurogood Wordsmith

Not Invited: Taylor Swift

This Week's Prompt: Got an easy one for you this week: Kanye.

What did everyone think of his new video? Here it is if you want to pretend like you didn't watch it already. Was it effective? Lame? So over the top and conceptualized that it became about nothing?

What was he trying to convey? Why was he wearing that gigantic chain? Was that girl sitting down the girl from those Victoria's Secret commercials? And most importantly, is Kanye back? We know all of the answers to these questions because we're geniuses, but what do the rest of you all think about it?

​Paul Wall: Damn. I can't see the video over here* because Youtube is banned where I'm staying at due to explicit content and nudity. You can't get on World Star or none of those sights, it's crazy.

*Huge hat-tip to Paul Wall, who is currently in the Middle East doing shows for the troops. Even still, he proactively reached out to us to participate in this week's RRT. There are rappers here in Houston who manage to avoid this discussion each week. You should all feel terrible about yourselves.

Fat Tony: This video is completely over the top and ridiculously lavish. So much so that it almost seems immaculate in its conception and inception into our popular culture. My girlfriend described it as "beautiful." I concur.

So much gold, so many women, so much "POWER." I wish I could watch this short video clip on an IMAX screen. Kanye is living up to his "arrogant" persona perceived by present day critics and people with regular boring lives by releasing this "moving portrait." I am proud to be a fan of his work.

Preemo: I thought it was amazing. Kanye West has put himself into the category of hip-hop royalty by his hard work and hustle alone. He keeps evolving and growing artistically every time he comes out. I can only imagine the album I would put together with his production and guidance.

And the Osiris chain was bonkers. Slick Rick would have to give it up, that shit was bananas.