Wake Up, Mr. West: Kanye West and the Double Consciousness of Black Celebrity

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Black celebrities in America have always walked a precarious line between their perceived status as spokespersons for their race and their own individual success -and between being not black enough for the black community or too black to appeal to a broader audience.

Few know this tightrope walk better than Kanye West, who transformed hip-hop, pop and gospel music, redefined fashion, married the world’s biggest reality TV star and ran for president, all while becoming one of only a handful of black billionaires worldwide.

Despite these accomplishments, his polarizing behavior, controversial alliances and bouts with mental illness have made him a caricature in the media and a disappointment among much of his fanbase. This book examines West’s story and what it reveals about black celebrity and identity and the American dream.