Chance The Rapper isn’t the only friend and collaborator reaching out to Kanye West following the producer’s nervous breakdown and temporary psychosis. Chicago rhymer Twister also reached out by penning a heartfelt open letter to the producer who gave him his first No. 1 hit 13 years ago.
Twista’s letter, posted on Fake Shore Drive, touches on the mental fortitude needed to not just survive but also remain both relevant and successful in the music business. The quick spitter explains Kanye’s troubles by comparing them to the ‘smile of a clown,’ writing, “A clown gets paid to make other people happy, even if that clown might be going through a mental breakdown, that clown can’t let the public see him cry or else he might lose the only job that helps him take care of his family.”
As it relates to the stressful music business, Twista adds that there’s an enormous amount of backbreaking pressure put on artists to “stay hot forever.” He says the the industry views cash as king and the longer an artist’s career lasts, the more money is made of their backs. It’s a kind of pressure Twista says comes from all sides, including “fans, record label, friends, family, bill collectors and the media” who want artists to “keep making hot music” and never become old news.
Twista encourages fans to pray for Kanye as he continues to also send prayers up himself. “I pray that Kanye finds that one thing that money and fame can’t buy….#PeaceOfMind.
His explanation of the music business and the load artists carry around share similarities Dave Chappelle once expressed about Martin Lawrence during his Inside The Actor’s Studio interview. In 1996, at the height of his success, Lawrence reportedly ran into the street with a loaded gun, yelling “fight the establishment” and “they’re trying to kill me.” The comedic actor was treated for complete exhaustion and dehydration. Without saying too much, Chappelle posed the question of why do so many strong-willed, successful stars such as Lawrence, Mariah Carey and even himself crack under pressure.
“So what is happening in Hollywood? Nobody knows,” Chappelle said. “The worst thing to call somebody is ‘crazy.’ It’s dismissive. ‘I don’t understand this person, so they’re crazy.’ It’s bullsh*t. Because people are not crazy. They’re strong people. Maybe the environment is a little sick.”
Watch the segment below.
