Diamonds from Sierra Leone
"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Kanye West | ||||
from the album Late Registration | ||||
Released | May 2005 | |||
Recorded | 2004-05 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Kanye West singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Diamonds From Sierra Leone" on YouTube |
"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (originally "Diamonds") is a song by American rapper
A hip hop song, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" features a sample of "Diamonds Are Forever", performed by Shirley Bassey. Lyrically, it sees West connect his material wealth to Sierra Leone's blood diamonds and the resulting civil war. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly complimented West's lyricism. They often emphasized the rapper's focus on his status, while some critics praised the sampling of "Diamonds Are Forever". The song was awarded Best Rap Song at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards and won one of the Pop Awards at the 2006 BMI London Awards, before being named by Slant Magazine as among the best singles of the 2000s decade.
In the United States, the song peaked at number 43 on the
A remix of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", featuring Jay-Z, was sent to US radio stations by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam on June 15, 2005. The remix also samples Bassey's "Diamonds Are Forever" and sees Jay-Z rapping in the second part. Lyrically, it includes references to deaths of civilians in blood diamond mines and tension around consumerism. The remix garnered mostly positive responses from critics; they commonly appreciated the subject matter and some commended Jay-Z's appearance. It was ranked amongst best-of lists by multiple publications, including Dagsavisen and Rockdelux in 2005. West and Jay-Z performed the remix at the 2005 Summer Jam.
Background and recording
American record producer and composer Jon Brion had achieved fame from his distinctive production work for artists and film scores for auteurs, though was lacking experience in hip hop. West became a fan of singer-songwriter Fiona Apple whom Brion had produced for; while watching 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, he appreciated Brion's score. The pair became connected via their mutual friend Rick Rubin; West quickly phoned Brion and they instantly formed chemistry with each other. West enlisted him to work on Late Registration, marking Brion's first involvement in a hip hop project; the decision created confused reactions across his fanbase. Brion imagined people commenting that West has "gone off his rocker" and envisioning him making "an art record with some crazy, left-field music guy", clarifying this not to be "the case whatsoever".[1] The producer recalled West taking charge of production with his strong vision and mentioned the rapper's "quick, intuitive decisions".[1] Filmmaker Michel Gondry worked on "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" due to being in a studio where Brion had set up a drum kit one day.[1]
The song's production was handled by West, Brion, and
The song was originally recorded under the title of "Diamonds", being about West's "posse" and their everlasting strong bond.
Composition and lyrics
Musically, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" is a hip hop song.[11] The song contains a sped-up and looped sample of Bassey's "Diamonds Are Forever", written by Barry and Black, the former of whom also arranged and conducted the recording.[2][3][12] According to West, the song reminds him of "athletes running", "somebody boxing", and "working out when it gets really hype"; he envisioned it as "the soundtrack to your life".[13] The song features a heavy groove.[14] It has a lush arrangement that is constructed around the Bassey sample,[12] including keyboards accompanied by strings and harpsichords.[2][9][15] The song contains guitars, contributed by record producer Dave Tozer.[2] Live drums are also present, which were played by Gondry.[2] West said he expresses "the musicality" on the song by providing "40 bars", rather than putting out "something that was more radio".[13] On the song's chorus, West's tone ascends.[15]
In the lyrics of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", West links the material wealth that fame brought him with Sierra Leone's civil war and the illegal diamond trade causing it,[7][16][17] alongside showing off his status.[18] West looks at potentially receiving his desired level of praise, asking: "If you talkin' 'bout classics, do my name get brought up?"[19] On the chorus, West offers his "forever ever ever EVER ever" loyalty to Roc-A-Fella.[15] He recalls when he lost New Artist of the Year to Gretchen Wilson at the American Music Awards of 2004 on the song, criticizing himself for throwing a tantrum over it.[5][20] West also addresses his relationship with Dash: "You know the next question, 'Yo, where's Dame at?'/ This track's the Indian dance to bring our reign back."[10]
Release and reception
In May 2005, the song was sent to US
The song was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, with them frequently praising the lyrical content. Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted it showcases West's unique role of the only popular rapper taking on politics by drawing "the links between the jewellery trade and Sierra Leone's civil war", being impressed with his attempt to discuss topics outside of his wealth and how funny "shooting people is, which is more than you can say for his contemporaries".[17] AllMusic's Andy Kellman picked the song as an example of West using identical lyrical strategies to his debut studio album The College Dropout (2004), citing how he goes from "boastful to rueful".[24] Kellman continued, seeing more importance in how "the conflict felt in owning blood diamonds will be lost on those who couldn't afford one with years of combined income", and also felt West demonstrates strength as "a pure writer" for mentioning uncovered subjects on the song.[24] A reviewer for Billboard detailed that heavier concerns are expressed on the song in comparison to other tracks on the album, "further expanding West's reach".[25] The staff of the Manchester Evening News saw the song as being built by reworking Bassey's "vocal styling" from "Diamonds Are Forever" with "an electro-tinged twist", assuring that the lyrical content is "simply toasting West's stardom".[26]
In a review for Uncut, Simon Reynolds noticed that the song's "giddy ascending chorus" demonstrates West pledging true loyalty to Roc-A-Fella after the label saved him from uncertain times, as well as commenting on the rapper's chants seemingly "showing off his new status symbols" less than "his aesthetic riches".[15] Reynolds thought the song is worthy of West's boasting "and then some", focusing on the Bassey sample maintaining his unmatchable sampling skills and also praising the lush production, which he considered to fit in with the lyrics.[15] Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield depicted that the song weirdly spins a James Bond theme into "an ominous lament for slave labor".[27] The Observer writer Kitty Empire stated the song did not only "loop a Shirley Bassey sample", but also constructed "lush arrangements around it".[12] Veteran critic Robert Christgau wrote in a review for The Village Voice that "the treated John Barry" of the song is certain to "sneak up over the long haul".[11] Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club was less enthusiastic, saying it comes from the type of "larger-than-life emotions" that only sampling "Diamonds Are Forever" can channel properly and captures West's "manic exhilaration".[28] Rabin further saw the song as "about the world racing along way too fast" and the sort of "scary sustained high" that appears to be never-ending, though felt "it echoes the less ambivalent joy" of fellow album tracks "Touch the Sky" and "We Major".[28] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly criticized the song for being clumsy and consisting of "all defensive boasts".[29]
Accolades
On Q's Readers 100 Greatest Tracks Of 2005 list, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" was voted in at number 69.[30] The track was named by Slant Magazine as the 86th best single of the 2000s decade; Cataldo directed praise towards the "Diamonds Are Forever" sample and West's skill "at transposing first-world guilt into the personal sphere".[31] In 2013, the results of a Rolling Stone readers' poll ranked it as West's ninth best song.[32] The track won the Best Rap Song award at the 2006 Grammy Awards, alongside receiving one of the Pop Awards at the 2006 BMI London Awards.[33][34] It garnered a nomination for the award of Outstanding Song at the 2006 NAACP Image Awards.[35]
Music video
In May 2005, it was reported that West was in Prague shooting a
At the beginning of the music video, children are portrayed going through the horrific experience of diamond mining in Sierra Leone while watched closely by abusive supervisors.[36] A supervisor holds up a diamond, before the scene transitions to mountains and then West standing around in a church. Footage of the children mining are juxtaposed with shots of West rapping in the empty streets of Prague, as well as a De Beers diamond commercial showing a wealthy man proposing to a woman with a ring that turns into blood after being placed on her finger.[14][36][37] West goes on to drive his expensive car into a jewelry store, though jumps out before the vehicle makes impact.[36] Shortly afterwards, he plays piano in a church as children run towards him. The video concludes with a message that reads "Please purchase conflict-free diamonds."[36] It was nominated for the awards of Best Male Video and Outstanding Music Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan and the 2005 NAACP Image Awards, respectively.[35][38]
Commercial performance
"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 94 for the chart issue dated May 21, 2005.[39] The song reached number 83 in its third week on the Hot 100, before declining 11 places back to number 94 on the issue dated June 11, 2005.[40][41] The following week, the song rebounded by 36 positions to number 58 on the chart.[42] The song fell down the Hot 100 again by five places to number 63 on the issue dated June 25, 2005, though eventually surpassed the rebound position by peaking at number 43 in its 12th week on the chart.[43][44] "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" lasted for 19 weeks on the Hot 100.[45] The song further peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the issue date of July 2, 2005.[46] It debuted at number 18 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart issue dated May 14, 2005, ultimately climbing to number 11 three weeks later.[47][48] The song further peaked at number 24 on the US Rhythmic chart.[49] On November 20, 2018, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for pushing 1,000,000 certified units in the US.[50]
The track was most successful in the United Kingdom, charting at number eight on the
Live performances and other usage
West performed the song live on the fourth episode of
At Summer Jam 2008 on June 1, West started his appearance by performing "Diamonds from Sierra Leone".[70] He was backed by explosive lights, pyrotechnics, and a multiple-piece band, though focused heavily on the music while hunched over.[70][71] West performed a medley of hits that included the song and "Jesus Walks" (2004) at the 2009 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London, while rocking his customary aviator shades and black suit jacket.[72] He performed on an elevated section of the stage, being surrounded by four topless dancers that wore tiaras and body paint.[72] West provided a performance of the song at the 2011 Coachella Festival.[73] West performed a shortened version of it as part of a medley of over 10 songs for 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 12, 2012, while rocking a Pyrex hoodie and leather kilt.[74][75][76] He performed the song for his headlining appearance at the 2014 Bonnaroo Music Festival.[77] The tempo for West's headlining set at the 2015 Glastonbury Festival went up from earlier during his performance of the song, which began from the set's 1:05:37 mark.[78][79] The crowd cheered loudly in response to the performance, as well as yelling the lyrics back at West.[80]
Fellow rapper Lupe Fiasco raps over the song's instrumental on "Conflict Diamonds", which was released on his second mixtape Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge of the Nerds (2006). The song's lyrics feature Lupe Fiasco discussing the illegal diamond trade in Africa, mostly referencing the western area of the continent. For the song's conclusion, he raps: "Props to Kanye, I call it 'Conflict Diamonds'."[81]
Remix
On June 15, 2005, the remix of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", featuring Jay-Z, impacted radio in the US, through Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.[14] It was later released for digital download in the country on July 5.[82] On August 30, 2005, the remix was included as the thirteenth track on Late Registration, coming seven places before the original.[24] Like the song, it contains a sample of Bassey's "Diamonds Are Forever".[2] West's rapping is succeeded by Jay-Z's verse, which he delivers during the second part of the remix.[12][83][84] Throughout the remix, the deaths of many civilians in blood diamond mines are referenced, as well as the tension between criticizing consumerism and being unable to resist it.[7][28][29] West also alludes to the irony of wealthy African-Americans having bling as a result of Africans' suffering, alongside pleading with Uzbek-American jeweler Jacob the Jeweler to be told his diamonds were not a product of conflict.[12][84] Jay-Z mostly discusses his ongoing feud with Dash, while he also pledges allegiance to his frequent collaborator Memphis Bleek after the rapper's albums had not sold well.[84] He asserts that instead of a businessman, he is "a business, man..."[85]
The remix was mostly well received by critics, often being praised for the subject matter. Rabin believed the "Jay-Z-blessed remix" evokes West's common theme of "the tension between criticizing consumerism and feeling powerless" to avoid the temptations.
The Remix was positioned at number 16 on
Track listings
US vinyl[22]
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" – Instrumental
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" – A cappella
Australia CD single[97]
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" – Album Version (Explicit)
- "Jesus Walks" – Remix (Explicit)
- "The New Workout Plan" – Remix (Album Version, Explicit)
US digital download – Remix[82]
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (Remix feat. Jay-Z) [feat. JAY-Z] – 3:34
Credits and personnel
Information taken from Late Registration liner notes.[2]
Recording
- Recorded at The Record Plant (Hollywood, CA) and Grandmaster Recording Studios (Hollywood, CA)
- Mixed at Larrabee North Studios (Los Angeles, CA)
Personnel
- Kanye West – songwriter, producer
- Devo Springsteen– songwriter, producer
- John Barry – songwriter
- Don Black – songwriter
- Jon Brion – producer
- Anthony Kilhoffer – recorder
- Tom Biller – recorder
- Manny Marroquin – mix engineer
- Richard Reitz – assistant engineer
- Jarred Robbins – assistant engineer
- Tom Craskey – keyboards
- Dave Tozer – guitars
- Michel Gondry – live drums
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[50] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | May 2005 | Mainstream radio
|
Original | [21] | |
June 21, 2005 | Vinyl | [22] | |||
July 5, 2005 | Digital download | Remix | [82] | ||
United Kingdom | July 14, 2005 | Maxi CD
|
Original | Mercury | [109] |
Australia | August 1, 2005 | CD | Universal Australia | [97] | |
United States | August 2, 2005 | Universal | [23] |
References
- ^ a b c Perez, Rodrigo (August 12, 2005). "Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration". MTV. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Late Registration (Media notes). Kanye West. Roc-A-Fella Records. 2005.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ WalesOnline. September 22, 2005. Archivedfrom the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "Shirley Bassey Wants To Work With Kanye West". Starpulse. October 29, 2007. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007 – via World Entertainment News Network.
- ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa (July 24, 2005). "Kanye West's Argument With Himself". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c Boyd, Brian (March 16, 2007). "Taking the rap for bloody bling". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rashbaum, Alyssa (June 15, 2005). "Kanye Gets Conscious on 'Diamonds' Remix". Vibe. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Lynskey, Dorian (August 5, 2005). "Natural born show-off". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9780976773566 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d Reid, Shaheem (April 20, 2005). "Kanye Shows Off First Late Registration Single". MTV. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (August 30, 2005). "Growing by Degrees – Kanye West adds new subtlety, complexity, and Jon Brion to the idea of sophomoric". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Empire, Kitty (August 28, 2005). "West ends the wait". The Observer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Reid, Shaheem (May 17, 2005). "Kanye West Shooting 'Diamonds' Video In 'Pray-Goo'". MTV. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Throw Your Diamonds in the Sky: Kanye West Returns with Epic New Video 'Diamonds From Sierra Leone'; Hype Williams-Directed Video Set to Air This Week as Hot New Remix Feat. Jay-Z Blasts off at Radio". New York: Business Wire. June 15, 2005. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Reynolds, Simon (July 28, 2005). "Kanye West – Late Registration". Uncut. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "For Kanye, Confidence Is King". Billboard. August 29, 2005. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (August 19, 2005). "Kanye West, Late Registration". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (August 29, 2005). "A Producer in Another Star Turn". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ISSN 0886-3032. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ Jones, Steve (August 29, 2005). "Kanye West's 'Registration' is right on time". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on May 2, 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ ASIN B006QDF5A0. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ ASIN B0009WXGGY. Archivedfrom the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Kellman, Andy. "Late Registration – Kanye West". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Mercury)". Manchester Evening News. July 4, 2005. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (August 25, 2005). "Late Registration". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Rabin, Nathan (September 7, 2005). "Review: Kanye West: Late Registration". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Browne, David (August 29, 2005). "Late Registration". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "Foo Fighters". Q. No. 233. December 2005.
- ^ "The 100 Best Singles of the Aughts". Slant Magazine. January 25, 2010. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Readers' Poll: The Ten Best Kanye West Songs". Rolling Stone. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Artist – Kanye West". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "2006 BMI London Awards". BMI. October 3, 2006. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
- ^ a b "37th Annual NAACP Image Awards Noms Announced". Emmys. January 21, 2005. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Complex. Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ Elibert, Mark (August 26, 2019). "Hype Williams' 20 Best Videos: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ Scott Lapatine (July 31, 2006). "2006 MTV Video Music Award Nominations". Stereo Gum. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – May 21, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – June 4, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – June 11, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – June 18, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – June 25, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – August 6, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Music: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart – July 2, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top Rap Songs Chart – May 14, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Music: Top Rap Songs Chart – June 4, 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kanye West Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Kanye West – Diamonds from Sierra Leone". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Kanye West – Diamonds from Sierra Leone". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ White, Jack (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West's Official Top 40 biggest songs in the UK". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone". VG-lista. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Kanye West: Diamonds From Sierra Leone" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography Kanye West". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ Jenkins, Craig (June 9, 2015). "The Funniest Moments From Wild 'N Out". Complex. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West at Abbey Road for Radio 1". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Late Orchestration – Live at Abbey Road Studios by Kanye West". Apple Music (GB). Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Fleischer, Adam (February 25, 2015). "We're About To Get Another Taste Of Kanye West's New Album". MTV. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West scores biggest crowd so far at Coachella". NME. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (April 27, 2007). "Diana concert lineup spans the generations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "Concert for Diana – Timeline". BBC. Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West plays rousing set at US Live Earth". NME. July 8, 2007. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Flynn, Bob (September 17, 2011). "First Night: Kanye West, Corn Exchange, Edinburgh". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Dalton, Stephen (August 20, 2007). "Kanye West". The Times. Corn Exchange. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (June 2, 2008). "Kanye West Joins Lil Wayne Onstage At Hot 97 Summer Jam, But Alicia Keys, T-Pain and D-Block Steal The Show". MTV. Archived from the original on November 10, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Fowler, Linda A. (June 2, 2008). "Kanye West eclipsed by other acts at Summer Jam". NJ.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kanye West Closes Wireless Festival With Crystal-themed Show". NME. July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- Rolling Stone India. May 11, 2011. Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "12–12–12 Concert for Sandy Relief Setlist". Billboard. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Pederson, Erik (December 12, 2012). "The Concert for Sandy Relief: Concert Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West and Alicia Keys Perform at '12.12.12: The Concert for Sandy Relief'". Rap-Up. December 12, 2012. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Gruger, William (June 14, 2014). "Kanye West's Bonnaroo Return: Minimal 'Yeezus' & Maximum Media Hate During Inspiring Set". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ Goodacre, Kate (June 27, 2015). "Kanye West brings drama to Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage: 'You are watching the greatest living rock star on the planet'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Zo (June 27, 2015). "Watch Kanye West's Contentious Glastonbury Performance In Full". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West's Glastonbury performance was surprisingly very un-Kanye-like". Oxford Mail. June 28, 2015. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Paul (May 2, 2019). "The brilliant ambiguity of Lupe Fiasco's 'The Truth Is Among Us'". The Fader. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ ASIN B000VZ93VG. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c Weiner, Jonah (September 2005). "Kanye West: Late Registration". Blender. No. 40. p. 130. Archived from the original on May 4, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c Crosley, Hillary; Aswad, Jem (June 14, 2005). "'Diamonds' Remix: Kanye Raps About Rocks, Jay Raps About Roc". MTV. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2005.
- ^ a b X, Dharmic (August 13, 2013). "A (Brief) History of Jay Z & Kanye West Competing". Complex. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Fennessey, Sean (August 25, 2005). "Kanye West: Late Registration". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Ahmad, Azeem. "Kanye West – Late Registration". musicOMH. Archived from the original on January 12, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Gasteier, Matthew (August 29, 2005). "Kanye West . Late Registration". Prefix Mag. Archived from the original on November 20, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Debatt" [Debate]. Dagsavisen (in Norwegian). December 13, 2005. Archived from the original on October 21, 2006. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005". Blender. January 10, 2006. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "The 100 Best Songs of The Complex Decade". Complex. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ Hatchman, Jonathan (March 25, 2015). "Kanye West: 10 of the Best". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "'Watch The Throne': Jay-Z and Kanye West's 10 Best Collaborations". Billboard. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West And Jay Z's 8 Best Collaborations". Capital FM. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ Gissen, Jesse (June 1, 2012). "The 25 Best Summer Jam Moments". Complex. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Memphis Bleek Didn't Like Jay Z's Shout-Out On Kanye West 'Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)'". XXL. February 12, 2014. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 1st August 2005" (PDF). ARIA Charts. August 1, 2005. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via Pandora.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 299.
- ^ "Issue 814" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 33, 2005" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Kanye West – Diamonds From Sierra Leone". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 2005 Year End Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ASIN B0009WXGGY. Archivedfrom the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
External links
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" Lyrics at MTV (archived from 2009)
- "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (Remix) Lyrics at MTV (archived from 2009)