Netflix has released an exclusive clip from their new Kanye West documentary jeen-yuhs. Kanye West, the rapper, record producer, designer, and near-mythic figure, has had many chart-topping singles including “Gold Digger,” “Stronger,” and “Heartless.” He is also best known to reality TV fans as the man who married and then had a fabulously expensive divorce from Kim Kardashian.
jeen-yuhs will cover two decades of West’s career, and is described by Netflix as “an intimate and revealing portrait of Kanye’s experience.” The doc was directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, a directing duo previously known as “Coodie and Chike.” The pair have directed previous docs about NBA stars Earl Lloyd and Stephon Marbury, along with a heap of music videos for artists like Wale, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, and of course, Kanye West. They directed the music videos for “Two Words” and “Jesus Walks, Version 3,” but they have been working with Kanye since the video for his debut single “Through the Wire.”
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Related: Uncorked’s Jay-Z, Kanye West and Drake Wine Comparison Explained
At their global live stream fan event TUDUM, Netflix unveiled an exclusive first look clip at jeen-yuhs. The film will have three acts, stretching over two decades. It will cover everything from Kanye’s early days getting his break in the industry to his current status as a controversial but chart-topping figure whose name is on everyone’s lips. Check out the clip below, but be warned that it does contain NSFW language:
Click here to view original video
The clip Netflix shared was shot in New York City in 2002, presumably around the start of the film’s trajectory, if not the very beginning. It features Kanye West and rapper and actor Mos Def performing a freestyle rap backstage, ending on the big message: “F**k you, pay me!” It’s an intimate look at two icons of the rap scene in that period, performing to the best of their ability just for the sheer joy of being good at what they do.
jeen-yuhs has the potential to closely examine how the Kanye of today came from the Kanye of back then. The Kanye seen in this clip is someone as far removed from his new album Donda as, say, Olivia Rodrigo, or some other entirely unrelated artist. The star has been on a wild journey, and whether or not one’s opinions align with his, how he became such a monolithic megastar is sure to be a fascinating narrative to watch unfold from behind the scenes.
