by David Duda-Dziewierz
Through his lyrical universe and wild interviews, we'll explore the life of musician, producer, and fashion designer Kanye West. We get up close and explore the fine line between madness and genius, viewing the world both from his perspective and from the standpoint of those affected by a relentless man who, despite all controversies, refuses to be stopped.
Presentation
Players: 4
Gamemasters: 1
Total runtime: 4 hours
Language: Danish/English
Age limit: 18+
Material to be read: 2 pages + handouts
“I don’t expect to be understood at all”
Kanye West
KANYE follows the life of Kanye West through key moments over the past 20 years. From his commercial breakthrough with "Jesus Walks" in 2004 to the recent turbulent period marked by multiple accusations of fraud, violence, and abuse that can no longer be ignored, as he faces an uncertain future.
Kanye's lyrical universe revolves around his star-studded life, filled with wild highs and lows, his battle with mental illness, and his unwavering Christian faith. The narrative unfolds as a fragmented story reflecting a divided, bipolar mind where mania can lead to both groundbreaking achievements and incomprehensible public controversies.
The scenario consists of a series of short, intense scenes that delve into the essence of Kanye. Players' choices heavily influence which scenes are played and in what order, ensuring that the overall experience and story vary with each playthrough.
- Music
- Faith
- Madness
Player types:
It is an advantage for players to have some knowledge of Kanye, his music, and his controversies. The players shift between different facets of his personality, the protagonist, and the people shaping his life, without a fixed character throughout the scenario. The style is direct and emotionally charged, much like Kanye himself, moving between deep, dark lows, grand visions, and chaotic manic episodes sometimes on the edge of comedy without tipping over.
Gamemaster type:
As the GM, you need to have a solid grasp of playing the music, which is used multiple times throughout the scenario both to set the mood and frame the various scenes. Additionally, you need to manage the many short scenes so you can guide the players based on the experience they are aiming for. Finally, there are moments where you can step in as an NPC if you also want to share in the spotlight.
Content notes
Mental illness, substance abuse, violence, as well as multiple accusations of sexual harassment and assault. The latter two will not be active elements in the scenario, but for some, they may be a dealbreaker.
