Kanye West is an iconic and influential artist who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. His songs often contain meaningful and inspiring lyrics that provide insight into his life and the world around him. One of his most popular and beloved songs is “Real Friends,” a track off his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo. The lyrics of this song capture the complex nature of relationships and the importance of having real friends in our lives. In this article, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the lyrics of Kanye’s song “Real Friends” to explore the themes, ideas, and messages contained within. We’ll also discuss what the song means and how it relates to our own lives.
Kanye’s Real Friends
Kanye West’s song “Real Friends” was released on February 11, 2016, and was quickly embraced by music lovers worldwide. It was the lead single off of his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo. The song’s lyrics offer an honest and raw look into his relationships with others and himself.
Kanye’s lyrics in “Real Friends” share his reflections on the difficulty of maintaining genuine friendships and relationships in the face of fame and success. He expresses his disappointment in this idea of ‘fake friends,’ people who only care about how they can benefit from knowing him. In this way, he speaks to a universal sentiment that resonates with so many.
The song was a huge success, peaking at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the US Hip-Hop/R&B Airplay chart. It also peaked in the top 10 of countries like Ireland, Canada, and Belgium. The song was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA in November 2016.
The song’s accompanying music video was released on February 17, 2016. It was directed by Coodie & Chike and features home video footage of Kanye interacting with close friends and family members. This video provides fans an intimate look into Kanye’s life, and helps to further emphasize his lyrics and the message behind the song.
Overall, “Real Friends” is an important part of Kanye West’s discography. Fans and critics alike continue to praise its honest and emotional lyrics. Its universal sentiments of friendship, authenticity, and
Meaning Behind Lyrics
Kanye West’s song “Real Friends” offers an honest, reflective look into the rapper’s past relationships. Through his lyrics, West paints a vivid portrait of a complex and often difficult world of fame, money, and friends. The song is a reminder to prioritize genuine connections over monetary value or fame.
The lyrics “real friends” appear throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that genuine relationships can be hard to come by when you’re a celebrity. West contrasts his real friends with people who are only interested in his money or his status. He reflects on past friendships and how quickly they can change when someone has something to gain.
The song highlights the importance of maintaining genuine connections, even in the face of potential betrayal. West recognizes the value of understanding and empathy in relationships, noting that “blood ain’t always thicker than mud.” He admits his own shortcomings and regrets from past relationships, offering a message of hope for the future.
The song has resonated with West’s fans worldwide, with the video for the song surpassing 13 million views on YouTube. It has been featured on numerous popular playlists, and its lyrics have been quoted in conversations around the world. By reflecting on his own experiences in the song, West has created an anthem for anyone who has ever felt betrayed or abandoned by a “real friend.”
Overall, Kanye West’s song “Real Friends” provides an open, honest look into the difficulties of having meaningful relationships when you
Music Video
Kanye West’s song, “Real Friends,” has been a chart-topping hit since its release in 2016. The official music video for the song premiered on West’s website in June of 2016 and caught the attention of fans around the globe. Directed by West himself, the visual features a few of his close friends, including Ty Dolla Sign, and showcases the rapper’s ability to create a heartwarming story that resonates with his listeners.
Since its release, “Real Friends” has been viewed over 150 million times, making it West’s third most popular music video. The video has become a staple of West’s repertoire, showcasing his creativity and ability to express his emotions in a meaningful and impactful way. Alongside the visuals, the song itself has become a fan-favorite, reaching the top of the US R&B/Hip-Hop and US Rap charts, with an impressive peak of #35 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With its moving and emotive lyrics, “Real Friends” is a reminder of the importance of our relationships with our closest companions. West’s story-telling ability, combined with his musical prowess, has made the video and song a timeless classic and an influential addition to the hip-hop genre. Additionally, the song and video has been praised for its strong message, addressing issues such as the difficulty of keeping and maintaining real friendships in the music industry.
“Real Friends” serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that those close to us can make all the difference in our lives
Production
Kanye West’s “Real Friends” was released in 2016 and is a single from his album The Life of Pablo. This song is about the struggles of keeping up with friendships and frustrations with fake friends. The song also touches on the idea of being lonely, even when surrounded by people.
The production of the song was handled by Kanye West, Boi-1da, and Frank Dukes. Boi-1da is an award-winning producer from Toronto, Canada who has produced for major artists such as Eminem and Drake. Frank Dukes is a Grammy Award-winning producer whose credits include working with the likes of Travis Scott, Post Malone, and Nas. According to XXL Magazine, “This combination of Boi-1da’s and Dukes’s dark and brooding production helps to elevate the song’s emotional impact.”
The instrumental of the song features a piano-driven track with a hard-hitting drum pattern and haunting strings. The combination of the melodic instruments and the percussive elements create an eerie atmosphere that meshes perfectly with the song’s lyrical content.
Kanye West’s “Real Friends” has been praised by critics for its production and raw emotion. According to Rap-Up, “The track has a reflective tone with soulful strings and a haunting piano loop.” The song has also been nominated for Best Rap Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
Overall, Kanye West’s
Reception
Kanye West’s “Real Friends” has quickly become a fan favorite since its release on 2016’s The Life of Pablo. It’s a reflective and honest look at his relationships with those close to him, and its thoughtful lyrics have resonated with listeners of all generations.
Since its release, the heartfelt track has gone on to become one of Kanye’s most successful singles, peaking at #45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also had a significant presence on streaming services, with over 300 million plays on Spotify and over 550 million views on YouTube.
The single has also received critical acclaim. Billboard praised its “smooth, jazzy production” and said that it was “a vivid reminder of why Kanye is so revered.” Pitchfork called it “one of West’s strongest performances in recent years,” while The Guardian awarded it five stars and said it was “among his finest work.”
The profound impact of the song has extended far beyond music. Mental health organizations have adopted its lyrics as a rallying cry for understanding and empathy. It has even become an unofficial anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement, with many people citing the song’s powerful message of friendship and loyalty in relation to the cause.
All in all, “Real Friends” has proven to be one of Kanye’s most successful and beloved songs to date, with its meaningful lyrics providing a powerful source of inspiration to listeners around the world.
Popularity
Kanye West’s song “Real Friends” is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt let down or betrayed by a friend. The track was first released on West’s seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo, which was released in February 2016. Since then, it has gone on to become one of Kanye’s most popular songs, with over 350 million streams on Spotify alone.
The popularity of “Real Friends” can be attributed to its relatable lyrics, which resonate with many people. The song speaks to how seemingly strong friendships can become strained over time, and how easily people can start to feel isolated and alone. The chorus – “real friends, how many of us? How many of us, can’t be real friends?” – speaks to the fact that even in the age of social media, it can be hard to find genuine connections.
The song has been praised by many critics, with Pitchfork noting its “introspective lyrics about sorting through fake friends” and Rolling Stone calling it “a strong, incisive look at his relationships”. It has also been the subject of numerous viral memes on social media, further driving its popularity.
It is clear that “Real Friends” has resonated with many people around the world, with its honest depiction of friendship struggles. In a time when many people feel isolated and disconnected, this song has provided a sense of solidarity and comfort. As such, it has become one of Kanye West’s most popular songs, and will likely remain so for years to come.
Legacy
Kanye West’s 2005 single “Real Friends” is an ode to the importance of true friendship, and how hard it can be to keep those bonds strong and healthy. The song has been praised for its raw and honest lyrics that speak to the struggles of staying connected in a world of superficial relationships. According to Rolling Stone, the track is an example of West’s “ability to expertly navigate the nuances of friendship.”
The song is a cornerstone of West’s musical legacy, and it has resonated with fans for years. In 2019, Complex Magazine ranked the track number four on their list of the Top 50 Kanye West Songs of All Time. The song was also included on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and it regularly appears on fan-curated lists of the best Kanye West songs.
The song’s themes of friendship and loyalty are timeless, and the song continues to receive praise today. In 2020, Pitchfork rated the track 9 out of 10 stars, writing that the beat and sample are “a study in subtlety, layering a warm, melancholic mood over a simple, yet effective rhythm.”
Since its release, the song has been sampled and referenced by numerous artists, including Drake, Kid Cudi, and Childish Gambino. The track has become a cultural touchstone, and it reflects the power of West’s artistry. As the Los Angeles Times put it, “This is Kanye at his most soulful, insightful, and, yes, real.”
From its candid lyrics to its reson
Conclusion
Kanye West’s “Real Friends” is a powerful song that speaks to the complexities of friendship and its importance in our lives. Its lyrics reflect the duality of the relationships we have with our closest friends, the beauty and the pain that comes with it. The song is a reminder of the need to appreciate the people we have in our lives and the memories we share. It serves as a powerful call for us to reflect on our relationships and to make sure we don’t take those we love for granted. This is a song that will surely stand the test of time and will remain an anthem of friendship and appreciation. Let us all take a moment to listen to the song and remember the importance of the relationships that surround us.
