Abstract and iconic, Jeen-Yuhs begins with the current Kanye freestyling beneath a concrete gazebo in blue shorts, flip flops, and a military vest.
Coodie, the creator and videographer of Jeen-Yuhs, along with another are tucked into the second frame behind the boards. While dictating the day to an assistant, an innocuous camera zooms in on Kanye’s phone. Twitter fingers at the ready.
“Should I tweet this? ‘Cause you know I be needin’ a translator.” Thus begins the three part Netflix special. Kanye West’s life, narrated and translated by Coodie. He explains to us he met Kanye West in Chicago and after being played the beat that would become “H to the Izzo” he began to film him. Coodie uses his narration, himself as a character, and this footage, decades in the making, to tell Kanye’s story..
Along with his narration, the time stamped footage attempts to take us through Kanye’s move from NYC to Chicago in search of a deal. The footage reminds us of a time when a younger Kanye felt trapped by the reigning trend of gangsta rap in Hip-Hop. Kanye fights on all fronts to be taken seriously as a rapper at Roc-A-Fella records. With a very uncleish arm draped over his shoulder, Dame-Dash tells us that Kanye is a, “Sweet, well-guided, religious guy.” Kanye frowns.
“Damn, he just hit me with the he-wouldnt-hurt-a-fly shit.” he says. While playing Jesus Walks for Scarface he chooses to take out his retainer, to the shock of Scarface who asks for its immediate removal from his vicinity. Scarface loves “Jesus Walks” and Kanye leaves his retainer where it is till the exact moment Scarface leaves. Watching a future multi-millionaire fight for his respect as a creative and a kind human being, is undoubtedly heart warming.
The camera follows him into his mothers home, through teary-eyed conversations with idols turned rivals, and his unwavering battle to break out of the countless boxes he finds himself in. Faith, prophecy, and genius are at the heart of the documentary’s strength. While visiting his mother Kanye tells us that whenever she heard one of his particular ideas she told him, “That’s a million dollars.” She may have been literally correct. Along the way we’re introduced to Coodie’s family. While watching his fathers family footage, we’re told that Coodie feels his background is very similar to the home Donda provided for Kanye.
Some might think this humbling portrayal, through intimate amateur film, is exactly what Kanye needs. But none of us know what Kanye needs, including the film Jeen-Yuhs. There was some controversy between Coodie and Kanye in the lead up to the film’s release. Kanye has said a few different things about the documentary that make a lot more sense after seeing it. This footage is priceless to any fan of hip hop, African-American culture, and maybe to Kanye himself. The footage is incredible because young Kanye’s words have a time capsule quality, but it’s unclear for who. His reaction will undoubtedly be another interesting chapter in his own story.
