Parallels Between The Kanye West Documentary “jeen-yuhs” And The Job Search

If you’re a 2000s hip hop fan and nostalgic for “old Kanye,” I highly recommend the documentary series “jeen-yuhs.”

I came in expecting to relive some memories (like listening to “The College Dropout” in my college dorm room) and learn more about Kanye’s origin story. But, as I watched, I realized that the film tackles numerous transcendent themes that can be applied to a variety of scenarios beyond the music industry. From the perspective of a career coach, I kept thinking that it could be viewed as a guide to the job search and career progression. Here’s a summary of my takeaways.

Act I - “Vision”

Y’all don’t know my struggle
Y’all can’t match my hustle
You can’t catch my hustle
You can’t fathom my love, dude
Lock yourself in a room
Doing five beats a day for three summers
That’s A Different World like Cree Summer’s

The first episode sets up the narrative by introducing Kanye’s dream: to become a successful rapper and produce transformative music. It documents how he developed his skills and started working toward his goals. Part of what set him up for his eventual success was practicing (making beats and rapping) obsessively and refusing to give up even when he didn’t get much traction initially. In other words, he remained focused on making his vision a reality. His perseverance and self-belief — reinforced by the support of his mother and his friends — carried him forward during his early years. These principles are applicable to any job search.

Takeaways:

(1) You need a clear vision to help chart a path forward in your career.

(2) Keep practicing your craft, and find ways to strengthen your belief in yourself.

(3) Find people who you can support you on your journey.

Act II - “Purpose”

Nothing’s ever promised tomorrow today
But we’ll a find a way
And nothing lasts forever, but be honest, babe
It hurts, but it may be the only way

The second episode shows Kanye trying to establish credibility as a rapper and shed the image of only being a producer who makes catchy, innovative beats. It also chronicles his response to and recovery from a serious car accident (which led to the creation of the song “Through The Wire”). Even though he had “made it,” in many ways, Kanye had to keep pushing for the vision he had established years before.

Takeaways:

(1) Focus on being who you want to be as opposed to what others think you should be.

(2) You will be defined by how you navigate difficult times in your life/career.

(3) Continually revisit why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Act III - “Awakening”

No one man should have all that power
The clock’s ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I’m tripping off the power

The final episode is a departure from the first two. It deals with the aftermath of the death of Kanye’s mother Donda and his mental health challenges. At this point, he has fame and fortune (as well as a wife and children) but seems to be struggling internally. He also has delusions of grandeur and refers to himself in increasingly superlative terms. This episode can be viewed as cautionary tale about the risks that come with fame, money, and power.

Takeaways:

(1) Financial success and popularity alone aren’t enough to make us happy.

(2) Once you’ve “made it,” it’s important to find balance and maintain humility.

(3) It’s imperative that we prioritize our mental health above everything else.

I hope Kanye is able to find peace, stability, and meaning moving forward. Just like with his story, all of our futures are unwritten. Now is a good time to start writing yours.