We posted a stream of the version of this acapella-peppered, cheerful track that Kanye brought by Hot97 in August. Like then, we are blushing cause here's Beyonce beasting and cursing! But nothing her mom would not be proud of. And on the last working day before Kanye's fifth album drops, we're feeling like Ms. Donda, his passed mother, would be really proud, too. The Kanye we hear on this finished version "See Me Now" is the momma's boy we got to know on College Dropout and Late Registration, a wannabe Socrates, Lucifer-fearing, Fossil-watch-wearing immature adult. At this later stage in his career, Kanye acts crazy when he feels attacked. But we just don't buy that he's a cold or aggressive guy. No matter how much of douchebag Matt Lauer thinks he is, or how much he claims that title in his own songs, we think Donda raised him better. A single academic mom, she taught West to refuse to doubt his own greatness, but it seems she also successfully encouraged him to reach out to people to share in that pride and make it more meaningful. Kanye seems to be the most mindful and caring when he's around people he trusts and feels want him to grow. Releasing almost all the songs from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy this summer and fall was like a prolific kid artist rushing to bring a finished painting to their parents. Kanye needs to show off the gratification he takes from his own creative process, and hopes people will be able to wonder at how he pushes beyond his own maximal taste, tweaking things further, adding more guests and spit polish. Aside from the consistently excellent records, it's that supercharged desire to be loved, not the red patent suits or wacky tweets, that's kept our hearts open to all of Kanye, all these years. Mazel Tov on Monday!
