kanye west graduation

The show's what Kanye would expect from a band A-Trak likes. Loud and aggressive and playful, and he knows he's going to have bruises in the morning. He wants them.

He feels alive like he hasn't in what feels like months. The music drills into his brain, his heart echoes the thump of the bass, and he raises his hands above his head, loses himself in it, in the people, the press of bodies around him. Every once in awhile he catches a glimpse of A-Trak, eyes drifting to his from where he holds court at the bar - making sure I'm okay, Kanye thinks - and smiles. He can't disappear because no one escapes the watchful gaze of A-Trak. Kanye feels safe - first time in awhile for that, too.

When it's all over, A-Trak drives him home. They're silent, most of the way. A-Trak is like that a lot, when the cameras are off and they're out of the public eye. He chooses his words carefully, Kanye thinks. Knows the value of quiet. Smart guy.

They sit in Kanye's driveway for several long minutes, and Kanye mostly waits, because he senses there's something to say. He's more perceptive than people give him credit for.

A-Trak's fingers tap on the steering wheel. "Rosie O'Donnell wants to buy one of my bikes."

"Huh." Kanye's not sure what to say.

"She's gay."

"Yeah, I kind of already figured that out." There's a ghost of a smile on Kanye's lips.

"I'm gay, too, you know."

Kanye starts to giggle, because yes, yes, it's true. A-Trak is gay. A-Trak told them that years ago, when the whole thing started out, and he's not at all sure why it's funny, but Rosie's gay, and so is A-Trak, and maybe they'll be grand marshals of some Big Gay Parade somewhere. The giggles turn to full-fledged laughter, and before Kanye realizes what's happening he's laughing so hard he's crying. Then he is crying, great big fat tears streaming down his face and A-Trak's arms around him, A-Trak's voice soft in his ear.

It's been a long time since he's let himself cry.

When he's done, he wipes his face and gets out of the car, nodding at A-Trak, who rolls down his window. "Good to see you're still alive in there," he says, and backs out of the driveway. "By the way, you should check out this record by these French robot dudes, Daft Punk. Everyone at the club loves it."

Kanye stands there for a long time, well after his taillights have disappeared into the distance.

btw did al just keep this fennessey article in the holster while waiting for the right time to use it or did he just stumble upon it the around the time the thread was started? we demand answers. or have you dudes lolled @ this before?

-- J0rdan S., Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:13 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

we lolled on board (and specifically about "I'm often pleased by Rakim" I think offboard) way before this thread, I think I had to stop clowning him (in public) by that point just because I don't need any more tough guy e-mail from dude about it, but the first post in this thread was just an opportunity I couldn't resist.

had tried to stop clowning him, i meant to say.

this thread = the gift that keeps on givin'

i'm translucent btw

got "Barry Bonds" on right now and can't help but be taken with how much it shats on "See You in My Nightmares"

so sean fenn has started a new group tumblr called Fetishizing The Other http://fetishizingtheother.tumblr.com/

do you guys think that he's gonna include "I also love the dress. The dashikis, baggy pants, giant clocks that hang around your neck, throwback jerseys — they’re all vibrant and different and fun."

that is vile

what a dairy queen

Huh, I always thought Donald Fagen was saying "Italian," not "champion."

-- jaymc, Tuesday, September 4, 2007 7:00 PM (5 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

lol @ "did you realize you were Italian in their eyes." paging Passantino...

― Alex in Baltimore, Tuesday, September 4, 2007 3:14 PM (3 years ago) Bookmark

last time i listened to "Kid Charlemagne" i totally sang along to the line as 'Italian' without even thinking about it or doing it on purpose