Image Source: IMDb, CELEBRITY GIG MAGAZINE, Audacy

Part one of Kanye ‘Ye’ West’s documentary ‘Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy’ is currently streaming on Netflix with the remaining parts due in coming weeks. Part one of the documentary is giving the audience insight into his starting to become an icon, the relationship he had with his mother and his mental health struggles.

‘Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy’ started filming almost 20 years ago and captured Kanye West’s journey throughout the years continuing with the subsequent stardom. The trilogy is directed by Coodie Simmons along with Chike Ozah who shared that from the very beginning he noticed that Kanye West was going to be a huge icon for the future generation. He also noticed a distinct change in Kanye West during his Glow in the Dark tour in 2008 which was followed by Kanye West’s mother Donda West's death in 2007.

Coodie Simmons said, "I could tell Kanye was grieving but he kept working. He refused to stop. Four months later he didn't seem like the same Kanye. We hardly even spoke." During the documentary, the audience will witness that Kanye West confides in Kid Cudi stating that he had been dealing with suicidal thoughts and substance abuse issues. Kanye West can be heard saying, "Even me, when I already had the house and the wife and the kids and the plaques…[I] would still have moments where I felt like, suicidal, would still have moments where I'm addicted to Percocets and don't even realize it, you know what I'm saying?"

Grammy-winning rapper, Kanye West confirmed that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, and the same year he received flak for publicly supporting then-President Donald Trump. Talking about Kanye West’s mental health struggles, Coodie said, "It was difficult watching Kanye on TV knowing he had issues with his mental health. They were calling him crazy, but to me, it seemed like he was crying out for help. In the past, Kanye might have rubbed folks the wrong way, but for the first time it felt like he really lost the people."

Kanye West’s turning towards religion has helped him a lot as he suggests. The process of him relying on god has also been showcased in the part one of ‘Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy’ and he can be heard and seen talking about his anxiety and fear but also feeling reborn since he turned towards religion. Kanye West’s 2016 hospitalization is also talked about in the documentary and a scene from July 2020 where he publicly announced that he’s going to run for president.

The audience has received part one of the documentary well. Image Source: POP Sugar 

Kanye West is heard speaking with real estate partners David Barry, Mike Novogratz, and Bryan Young in the Dominican Republic, "Have you guys ever been like, locked up in handcuffs and put into a hospital because your brain was too big for your skull?” Coodie Simmons shared that as he started to talk about his experience while he was in the hospital, the energy in the room shifted. Kanye said, "I do not communicate in a way that people understand in public because it's just truth, and we're in a world of lies." Coodie Simmons adds, "I had never captured this side of Kanye before and it just didn't feel right to keep filming so I cut the camera off.”

Kanye West’s comments about abortion during a campaign rally that went viral led to his breakdown. Coodie mentioned that he was genuinely concerned about the rapper when he saw him breaking down and so did his father Ray who called the rapper up and said, "I'm just concerned about you.” Simmons added, "You might say you miss the old Kanye. What I'm realizing now is every part of Kanye makes him who he is. Even with everything that's changed, I still see so much of the person I first put my camera on 21 years ago. We haven't always seen eye to eye, but for me, and I hope for him, each step of his journey has been a new awakening."

A still of Kanye and Donda West from 'Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy'. Image Source: Ready Steady Cut

In 'Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy', Kanye West was heard saying while working on his album that he does not care what the industry wants, but all he cares about is the real issues that have been ignored and his music is going to depict exactly that. Kanye West's documentary had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, and part one is now streaming on Netflix, with the rest to be rolled out over the next few weeks.

People have been praising and appreciating the rapper for putting in the hard work to achieve whatever he wanted to. Special mention for his mother Donda West who always believed in him and inspired him to be the best version of himself. There is a scene where Donda says to Kanye, “That is beautiful. And you know what? You need an angel to watch over you." No wonder why Kanye West dedicates everything to her as she was the one who truly believed in him when no one did and prayed not only for his good health but also for him to be brilliant at what he does. 

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.