Kanye West’s latest documentary, Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, the first part of which was released by Netflix on Tuesday (February 16), has brought many revelations to light showing the humble beginnings of the artiste’s career.

While the music and fashion mogul is usually seen as an open book, Part One of the three part documentary has revealed that there are many elements of the artiste’s life that were kept from the public and were quite instrumental in his rise to fame.

For those of you who are yet to watch Part One of the inspiring 2022 documentary, prepare for some spoilers ahead.

Overly confident Kanye didn’t come with fame, he was always that way

Throughout Part One of the documentary, viewers are privy to behind the scenes footage of the star’s ‘coming up’. Though an unknown member of the rap industry to the public, it is evident that Kanye’s confidence has never faltered. Essentially, the Kanye we were unaware of then, is the same Kanye we know now.

In an interview with David Letterman, rap mogul Jay-Z explained that much of his respect for Kanye stems from the fact that he never changed, even after gaining fame.

“What I respect about him is that he’s the same person. …He [once] interrupted our studio session and stood on a table and started rapping. We were like, ‘Can you please get down’. He was like, ‘No, I am the saviour of Chicago’. He didn’t even have a record.”

His self-absorbed and overly-confident nature never came with fame, but was with him from the very start, seemingly an innate quality.

His late mother, Donda, who also appears in the film, used the word ‘self-absorbed’ to describe him as a child.

Recalling a past memory, Donda shares in the documentary: “You know Kanye was always self-absorbed in a way.”

As they sat at the steps of the star’s former home in Chicago, she continued: “You went to kindergarten from here, they picked you up from right across the street, and I came to kindergarten one day and you looked down in the hall and saw me and you were on the top of a sliding board, and you said, ‘I don’t need you.’ “

In another scene, Donda shared that she thought it important that West knew, even though he was down-to-earth and humble, he could have a lot of confidence which could sometimes come off as arrogant. She added that it was important for him to remain grounded as “the giant looks in the mirror and sees nothing” .

Although extraordinarily confident back then, it wasn’t something to frown upon, but rather something to be inspired by. It was his confidence and belief in himself that helped him to achieve many of the heights he has reached over the years.

He played ‘All Falls Down’ to Rock-A-Fella and no one seemed to care

Kanye’s All Falls Down featuring Syleena Johnson was first played by the artiste to the Rock-A-Fella employees and no one seemed to care.

During the documentary, we see that in his attempts to get signed to the label as a rapper, he visits the marketing department as well as executive assistant to play the demo for them.

Though he might have chosen the wrong people to play for, it’s quite illuminating in hindsight to see that no one was truly moved by the song.

“Roc-A-Fella just wouldn’t take him seriously as a rapper. It’s like they only looked at him like a producer. …It felt like he [Dame Dash] just wanted to keep Kanye around to make beats for his artistes,” Coodie, the videographer, says in his narration.

Today, All Falls Down is a Grammy nominated, 2x platinum track. This shows what amazing things can be achieved if you just believe in your abilities.

Kanye was a sought after beat producer in the rap industry

Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West at first was part of the 1990s hip hop group, The Harlem World. During that time he would also produce beats for local artistes and became well-known for his work within the rap industry.

It became evident that, due to his incredible producing talents, many artistes were interested in his material.

Throughout the film there are even instances where a young Kanye walks through the halls of Rock-A-Fella records and musicians passing by would mention how great and talented he was and go on to remind or ask the Jesus Walks hitmaker for a beat.

“It’s a lot of people man, they asking for handouts and it’s like they pointing fingers man. I know people’s that [are] mad at me because I wouldn’t give them a beat for free,” West shares while being filmed driving.

Donda was very supportive of Kanye’s career

West, who appeared almost defeated after his mother’s passing in 2007, shared scenes which showed how instrumental his mother was to his career. Fans get to see how very supportive Donda C. West was of her son, which is quite moving, given that many parents usually frown upon the arts and instead push their children to pursue white and possibly blue collar jobs.

After his radio interview at the hip hop and R&B radio station 1075 WGCI, with host Teefa, West and videographer Coodie are seen heading to the former’s apartment where his mother has come to stay with him.

A hospitable and welcoming Donda sits with both Kanye and Coodie and reminds her son of a song he had made when he was a teen, even reciting most of the lyrics.

“You know the one I used to always try to get you to do Kanye and you never did it, what said, ‘I walked through the halls of the schools and it’s cool to be known for my rapping ability but what about the brothers who ain’t got it like me…,” Donda rapped, going on to continue some of the song.

“I said Kanye keep on doing it, that’s a million dollars. Remember everything you would do I said that’s a million dollars.” The pair then went on to rap the song together.

His mother, who died in 2007, seems to still have an impact on him today, as evidenced by the release of his Donda and upcoming Donda 2 albums.

Kanye did a lot of work on Jay-Z’s Blueprint album

Many people may not know, but Kanye West was very instrumental in the success of Jay-Z’s certified 2x multi-platinum The Blueprint album.

Kanye West produced five of the 13 songs on the album – the third track Izzo (H.O.V.A), the second track Takeover, the eighth track Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love), the ninth track Never Change and the bonus/hidden record Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2).

Izzo (H.O.V.A) was premiered at the first ever BET awards held on June 19, 2001. The beat, which samples The Jackson 5’s I Want You Back, was created by West some time before and, after West was brought on to Rock-A-Fella records as a beat producer, he played the instrumental for Jay-Z who instantly fell in love with the sound.