Part one of Kanye West’s three-part documentary jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy premiered at the virtual Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 23, and there is already controversy with the film.
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy chronicles Ye’s early days as a musician. The documentation began in 1998 and covered his career for more than 20 years. After former comic and host of Channel Zero in Chicago, Clarence “Coodie” Simmons, interviewed West for the show, he was hired by the musician to document his journey while pursuing his music career.
In 2019, Simmons and his creative partner, Chike Ozah, successfully pitched the idea of jeen-yuhs to Time studios. Ozah told Variety that West had no control over the project and noted that Simmons and himself spent three years editing the film.
“No. He has no control over it. He trusts us,” said Ozah. “We’re not making a biased film. We’re not trying to make a commercial for Kanye. It’s more just like celebrating and showing this relationship between these two men [West and Simmons]. It is not meant to skew you in one direction or not.”
Netflix reportedly paid $30 million for jeen-yuhs. However, West is now demanding the final cut of the film. Ye posted a message on Instagram making the demand on Jan. 21.
“I’m going to say this kindly for the last time, wrote West. “I must get final edit and approval on this doc before it releases on Netflix. Open the edit room immediately so I can be in charge of my own image. Thank you in advance ? .”
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Despite the controversy surrounding the film’s final cut, viewers who saw the documentary love it already and can’t wait to see the second and third parts. Fans were particularly moved by the scenes, including West’s late mother, Donda West. Footage also includes West with Mos Def, Pharrell and Jay Z during his time at Roc-A-Fella Records.
West’s relationship with the Kardashians is briefly touched on in the documentary.
Just saw the new Kanye Jeen-Yuhs documentary. Wow, I am even more inspired by his journey. 🙌🏾#JeenYuhs #AncestorsWildestDreams
— Shawn Antoine II (@ShawnAntoineII) January 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/baeoso/status/1485441575186362368?s=20
the old footage really puts you on his journey. i’m more inspired now than i usually am. #JeenYuhs pic.twitter.com/W15lR6OI44
— Kamaron Leach (@Kamaron) January 26, 2022
Not me balling my eyes out every time Donda shows up😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#JeenYuhs
— BasicBlaecGirl.LoL on Bluesky Social (@BasicBlaecGirl) January 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/osahontongo/status/1485563872849313796?s=20
https://twitter.com/africanphenom/status/1486131738472370176?s=20
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy debuts on Netflix on Feb. 16.
