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
I feel like Kanye would’ve gotten signed a lot sooner if he wasn’t talking to the hardest dudes in the industry with a retainer in his mouth. He never took it out and made it to the top while caring for his teeth. You love to see it! #JeenYuhs #Sundance22
— Alfonso Belloso (@baeoso) January 24, 2022
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
— Nancy Reagan’s Esophagus✨💓🦇 (@BasicBlaecGirl) January 26, 2022
#JeenYuhs it's so humbling to see Kanye West with his mother in the house he grew up in. I haven't been able to sleep since watching it. Ye faced so much rejection on his rise. Literally, people stayed playing him and he kept faith in himself.
— NerdyJoq (@osahontongo) January 24, 2022
Mannnnn. When ya see the first episode of #JeenYuhs 👀👀🥺🥺😂😂🥴🥴❤️❤️👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏿🙌🏿. That should be the type of emotions you go through lol. Said too much already lol. It’s going to be great.
— Bj Ayoleke (@africanphenom) January 26, 2022
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy debuts on Netflix on Feb. 16.
