Kanye West reveals the moment he knew he was going to be famous

On his 47th birthday, the billionaire rapper reveals the lyric that predicted his fame.

Ye, better known as Kanye West, shared the moment he knew he would become a household name. 

The controversial music artist, who first rose to fame in the mid-2000s, revealed the lyric that he believed would change his life forever during an interview with James Corden in 2019.

During their '300,000-foot Carpool Karaoke' segment on the way to his Sunday Service choir, Ye recounted the exact moment he realized his future fame. Ye said, "I remember saying, 'Breathe in this moment, because this will be the last moment I can walk around in public.' Because I had written the line, 'She got a light-skinned friend look like Michael Jackson/ Got a dark-skinned friend look like Michael Jackson.'"

This line, from the 2003 track ‘Slow Jamz’ featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista, was a turning point for Ye. He told Corden, "I was like, 'I will be famous after this line.'" ‘Slow Jamz,’ released through Atlantic and Roc-A-Fella Records, became the first chart-topping hit for all three artists, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. It also earned nominations for Best Collaboration at the BET Awards and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the Grammy Awards.

Reflecting on the impact of ‘Slow Jamz,’ Ye's confidence in his success proved accurate. Alongside hits like ‘Gold Digger,’ ‘Stronger,’ and ‘Runaway,’ ‘Slow Jamz’ remains one of his most popular tracks.

Ye's career has since expanded into fashion with his Yeezy collaboration with Adidas, and his political views and personal life have kept him in the spotlight. Yet, the lyric that sparked his journey to fame continues to resonate.