Champion (Kanye West song)
"Champion" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song includes additional vocals from Tony "Penafire" Williams and Connie Mitchell. West wrote a letter to Steely Dan requesting to sample their work, which persuaded the band to approve of this. Band members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were credited as co-writers with West on the song due to their work being sampled, while the rapper produced it with Brian "AllDay" Miller. A hip hop, electro, and R&B number that samples Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne", it was described by West as a theme song for the people. Lyrically, the song sees Kanye focusing on his fatherly relationship with Ray West.
"Champion"
September 11, 2007
- Sony Music (NYC)
- Record Plant (Hollywood)
2:47
- Kanye West
- Walter Becker
- Donald Fagen
- Kanye West
- Brian "AllDay" Miller
"Champion" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who frequently highlighted the sample of "Kid Charlemagne". Some praised Kanye West's rapping skills, while a few critics commended the production. Though not released as a single, the song reached number 99 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was certified platinum and silver in the United States and the United Kingdom by the Recording Industry Association of America and British Phonographic Industry, respectively. An accompanying music video was released in August 2008, following the participation of a hand puppet version of West in an event based on the Olympic Games at Adolfo Camarillo High School. West performed a medley of the song and "Everything I Am" during the premiere for season 33 of Saturday Night Live in September 2007. In February 2008, the former was covered by K-os for Triple J's Like a Version.
Composition and lyrics[edit]
Musically, "Champion" is a hip hop, electro, and R&B number, with undertones of jazz rock.[7][8] It runs for under three minutes, registering an exact length of two minutes and forty-seven seconds (2:47).[4][9][10] The track is based around a looped vocal sample of the 1976 recording "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan,[4][9] which is used for the hook of "Did you realise that you were a champion in their eyes?"[8][11] It also includes 1980s synthesizers from Omar Edwards, 808 handclaps, and a repeated exclamation of "Hey!"[3][4][8][12] Williams and Mitchell's additional vocals interject: "This is the story of a champion/ Tell me what it takes to be No 1."[13]
West explained that he wanted to create a theme song with "Champion", describing it as being a song for the people.[14] In the lyrics of the song, Kanye shows his appreciation for Ray West despite the struggles in their relationship as he recalls various memories.[7][8][9] During the first verse, Kanye expresses pride that while his father was a capable entrepreneur to find a new scheme each summer, he was also able to buy him new clothes each school year.[7] Kanye acknowledges Ray's inspiration as a motivation speaker in the second verse, asserting that his school visits for persuading students to continue studies led them to go from feeling invisible to invincible.[8] Kanye West also mentions how fellow rapper Lauryn Hill became focused on Zion, wishing that she was still dedicated to music.[15]
Release and promotion[edit]
On September 11, 2007, "Champion" was released as the second track on West's third studio album Graduation.[16] A music video for "Champion" was directed by Nabil Elderkin, who also worked with West backstage on his Glow in the Dark Tour (2008).[17] It was filmed at Adolfo Camarillo High School in Camarillo, California and incorporated Olympic imagery, which had also been done in 2008 by US presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain in their campaigns.[8][18] On August 12, the video was shared to West's blog.[19] The theme is based on the Olympics and features a hand puppet version of West, who participates in the 100 m sprint at a sporting event known as the "Unified Games". After the puppet qualifies to complete in the games from a live TV vote, flashbacks are shown of the training he went through to compete.[8][20] The race then commences and nearing the finishing line, the puppet is able to pass the other runners and emerge victorious.[8]
West performed a medley of the song with fellow album track "Everything I Am" that led into a freestyle for the premiere to season 33 of Saturday Night Live on September 29, 2007.[21][22] On February 14, 2008, Canadian singer K-os delivered an acoustic cover of the song for the weekly segment Like a Version on Australian radio station Triple J.[23] A remix of "Champion" by Nick Catchdubs was included as the third track of Sky High on November 17, a mixtape consisting of remixes of various tracks that West originally produced and it was compiled by DJ Benzi with the rapper's associate Plain Pat. The project was commissioned by West and his team in the lead up to 808s & Heartbreak, with each remix experiencing at least five reiterations before release and they mostly have a club-friendly dance theme.[24] The remix was also shared to BBC Music.[25]
Information taken from Graduation liner notes.[4]
Recording
Personnel