Even though Beck was pretty cool with the on-stage rush and also thought Beyonce would beat him out for Album of the Year at the 2015 Grammys, a number of artists continue to come at Yeezy’s neck. Unfortunately the legend and 5-time Grammy Winner Michael McDonald Says Kanye West Doesn’t Make “Valid Music” in a bash-like post award commentary, and while he may have some “valid” points–is the whole “Hip Hop isn’t real music” card a weak play?
Michael McDonald Says Kanye West Doesn’t Make “Valid Music” and goes in on his credibility as an artist. While giving some credit to “the whole kinda cut-and-paste thing” as an art form, he’s aligned himself with a number of artists who think enough is enough from Kanye’s rants and are sticking up for Beck–even though Beck took the “no problems” exit from the highway days ago (sips tea):
“I don’t think it even really bears too much thought,” McDonald said. “It’s pretty obvious what Kanye’s problem is. When Kanye gets to a point where he can actually put a couple of notes together either vocally or two bars of valid music playing an instrument, then he might have a right to criticize somebody else. Until then I think he’s just talking to hear the sound of his own voice.”
Well damn…the perspective of Michael McDonald Says Kanye West Doesn’t Make “Valid Music” is a bit of a let-down, especially as the accomplished and soulful vocalist known for his participation in the groups Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers aside from his solo career, also has one of the most recognizable voices in the industry and continues to be sampled, respected, and be an inspiration to many a Hip Hop and R&B/Soul artist today. Michael McDonald Says Kanye West Doesn’t Make “Valid Music” but really–his real problem is he’s not a fan of electronically produced music.
“I don’t know if I call it songwriting from a musician’s standpoint. … Beck is obviously a consummate musician. He plays instruments, many instruments. He can make his own record without having a fleet of computer operators onboard.”
Yikes…shots! But judging “real music” and “art” is complex these days, because if Grammys are truly the definition of excellence in music (which many would say is NOT the case or it’s all political)–Kanye has a combined 21 Grammy Awards for his career so far. Not to mention everything he’s done artistically from College Dropout to the reigning Yeezus era, constantly pushing himself and the genre of Hip Hop, and simultaneously looking to influence design, fashion, and artist development.
Yeezy maintains he was really upset at the Grammys for disrespecting Beyonce, was not coming for Beck at all and has since apologized, so is Michael McDonald Says Kanye West Doesn’t Make “Valid Music” a little out of bounds? Is this whole “who does he think he is” atmosphere against Kanye “valid” or nah? Is it valid from a legend or does his beef with ‘new school’ digital engineering skew his whole attitude?
Check the gallery up top and the full podcast here.
