Through the Wire

Through the Wire is a song by American rapper Kanye West, from his debut studio album The College Dropout. The song was written by Kanye West, Chaka Khan, David Foster, and Tom Keane, and features Chaka Khan on vocals. It was produced by Kanye West and recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, with additional production by Che Vicious and Kanye West at Sony Music Studios. The song samples Chaka Khan's 1985 single Through the Fire, which was written by David Foster, Tom Keane, and Cynthia Weil.

Background and recording

The song was recorded in 2002, after Kanye West was involved in a near-fatal car accident in Los Angeles, which left him with a shattered jaw. Kanye West has said that he was inspired to write the song by his experiences in the hospital, where he was forced to have his jaw wired shut, and by the music of The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and Jay-Z. The song was produced by Kanye West and features a sample of Chaka Khan's Through the Fire, which was also sampled by Nas in his song N.Y. State of Mind. Kanye West has said that he was influenced by the production style of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and The RZA, and that he wanted to create a song that would showcase his lyrical ability and storytelling skill, similar to The Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest.

Composition and musical style

The song features a soulful, atmospheric instrumental, with a sample of Chaka Khan's Through the Fire and a drum pattern inspired by The Neptunes and Timbaland. The song's lyrics are a personal and introspective account of Kanye West's experiences, including his car accident and his subsequent recovery, and feature references to Michael Jackson, Prince, and Marvin Gaye. The song's musical style is characterized by its use of soul and jazz samples, and its blend of hip hop and electronic music influences, similar to the work of Daft Punk, Air, and Justice. Kanye West has said that he was influenced by the music of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Curtis Mayfield, and that he wanted to create a song that would showcase his vocal ability and emotional range, similar to Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.

Critical reception and legacy

The song received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Kanye West's lyrical ability and the song's innovative production, which was compared to the work of DJ Shadow, The Avalanches, and UNKLE. The song was named one of the best songs of 2003 by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and The New York Times, and was included on lists of the greatest songs of all time by NME, The Guardian, and Mojo. The song has been cited as an influence by many artists, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, and has been sampled and referenced by numerous other artists, including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Rihanna. Kanye West has said that the song was a breakthrough moment in his career, and that it helped to establish him as a major force in hip hop, alongside Jay-Z, Nas, and DMX.

Commercial performance

The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song also peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 4 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, and was a hit in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The song's success helped to establish Kanye West as a major commercial force in hip hop, alongside Eminem, 50 Cent, and The Game. The song has been certified multi-platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and has been named one of the best-selling singles of all time by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Michael Haussman and features Kanye West performing the song in a hospital bed, interspersed with footage of him recovering from his car accident and working in the studio with Chaka Khan and other musicians, including Common, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def. The video also features footage of Kanye West's family and friends, including his mother Donda West and his mentor No I.D., and includes references to Michael Jackson's Thriller and Prince's Purple Rain. The video was praised by critics for its innovative direction and its emotional intensity, and was named one of the best music videos of 2003 by MTV and BET. The video has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and has been named one of the greatest music videos of all time by Rolling Stone and NME. Category:Hip hop music