Hurricane

"Hurricane" is a multifaceted song that delves into themes of spiritual crisis and redemption, personal turmoil, and the complexities of fame. At its core, the song is a narrative of finding faith amidst chaos. The title itself is a metaphor for the tumultuous events in Kanye West's life, including his marital problems with Kim Kardashian and his internal struggles.

The Weeknd's chorus sets a tone of spiritual awakening, with lyrics like "Finally free, found the God in me" and the biblical allusion of walking on water. This suggests a moment of divine revelation and the attainment of a higher state of consciousness, providing strength in the face of life's storms. The reference to "eighty degrees" is a subtle nod to the scientific condition required for a hurricane to form, further cementing the central metaphor.

Lil Baby's verse provides a grounded perspective on the hardships that accompany success. He speaks of sin, loss, and the pressures of wealth, offering a more street-level view of the struggles that can feel like a personal hurricane.

Kanye West's verse is a candid confession of his personal failings and the pain of his public life. He touches upon his infidelity, his divorce, his struggles with alcohol, and the feeling of being lost despite his immense success. The line "God made it rain, the devil made it hail" poignantly captures his perception of the duality of blessings and hardships in his life. The song ultimately conveys a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that through faith, it is possible to weather any storm and find inner peace.

The song opens with an ethereal and atmospheric introduction, with The Weeknd's signature falsetto vocals painting a picture of a dramatic, elemental scene. He sings of being in a state of total darkness, "all lights out for me," as lightning strikes a beach. There's a mention of "Eighty degrees," a temperature that's warm enough for a hurricane to form, which serves as a metaphor for the impending turmoil. However, amidst this chaos, he declares a newfound spiritual freedom and a connection to a higher power, exclaiming, "Finally free, found the God in me." This epiphany gives him the strength to metaphorically "walk on water," a clear allusion to the biblical story of Jesus. He feels empowered to float and survive even when a "thousand miles from shore," pleading with a paternal figure, "Father, hold me close, don't let me drown," confident in this divine protection.

Lil Baby's verse follows, shifting the narrative to a more grounded and personal reflection on his own struggles and sins. He describes himself "walkin' on the bridge" and casting his sins into the "deep end," a symbolic act of repentance. He touches upon the pain of loss, mentioning losing three friends in a single month and the emotional toll it has taken, leading to sleepless nights and a desire to restart his life. Despite his immense success, symbolized by a Maybach with sheepskin interior and having "deep pants" (a lot of money), he remembers his humble beginnings. He acknowledges the pressures that come with his status, being the one everyone relies on. He also alludes to the challenges of fame, the constant scrutiny, and the difficulty of genuine connection, as he mentions someone trying to "run off with my heart" but he "blocked off the exit."

The bridge, led by The Weeknd with backing vocals from KayCyy, reinforces the theme of divine oversight. They sing with conviction, "I know You won't," expressing an unwavering faith that they will not be forsaken. There's a sense of peace in the line, "So we silently sleep," even as they call for the rain to come down, suggesting an acceptance of life's storms, knowing they are being watched over.

Kanye West's verse is a deeply personal and introspective confession. He starts by admitting his past selfishness, being "out for self" and feeling like he was "up for sale." He introduces a powerful dichotomy: "God made it rain, the devil made it hail," illustrating the struggle between divine blessing and evil's corruption. He reflects on his journey, from a college dropout to a guest speaker at Yale, and the paradoxes of his life. He describes a period of spiraling, going "down, down, down," but then a sense of renewal and embarking on a "new trip." He candidly references his lavish lifestyle, acting "too rich," and a new romantic relationship. He then delves into the pain of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, mentioning their "sixty-million-dollar home" that he never truly felt at home in. He expresses feelings of being a "genius gone clueless" and the immense pressure and risk in his life. He touches on his struggles with alcohol, the pain of rumors, and his yearning for true love, even questioning Kim about what she loved in him. He laments the difficulty of finding truth and how painful it can be. The verse concludes with a commentary on societal judgment, stating, "Everybody's so judgmental," but asserting that he doesn't judge others because "everybody hurts." The song closes with a return to the chorus, but with a sense of resolution. The Weeknd now sees a bright dawn, a testament to overcoming the darkness and finding spiritual clarity.

"Hurricane" has one of the most storied and well-documented creation processes in Kanye West's recent discography. The song's origins trace back to September 2018, when West shared a snippet of a demo on his Instagram. At that time, the track was intended for his since-scrapped album, Yandhi, and was initially titled "80 Degrees." The original demo featured West singing the chorus, which would later be famously performed by The Weeknd.

Over the next three years, "Hurricane" went through numerous iterations and featured a revolving door of collaborators. At various points, artists such as Ant Clemons, Big Sean, 6ix9ine, Young Thug, and Ty Dolla $ign were rumored to be on different versions of the track. The beat itself was originally created by producer BoogzDaBeast and was offered to Chance the Rapper, who passed on it. When Kanye heard it, however, it reportedly sparked the creative direction for the entire Yandhi project.

The song was frequently leaked online in its various forms, building a mythic status among fans who had been eagerly anticipating its official release for years. After the Yandhi project was shelved, Kanye reportedly gave the track to Big Sean, before taking it back to rework for his own projects.

The final version of "Hurricane" that appears on the album Donda was debuted in July 2021 at one of West's listening parties. This version featured the crucial additions of The Weeknd on the chorus and a verse from Lil Baby. The decision to add these artists was seen by many as a masterstroke that elevated the song to a new level. Even after its debut, West continued to tweak the song, with producer Mike Dean famously polling fans on which version they preferred. The song was accidentally released on some streaming platforms on August 8, 2021, before being quickly pulled. It was officially released as part of the Donda album on August 29, 2021, and was later sent to radio as the album's lead single on September 14, 2021.

The rhyme and rhythm in "Hurricane" are integral to its structure and emotional impact, creating a dynamic interplay between the fluid, melodic sections and the percussive rap verses.

The song generally operates in a free verse structure, particularly within the rap verses, allowing for a more narrative and conversational flow. The tempo is moderate, creating a contemplative yet driving feel. The rhythm of the lyrics often plays against the musical rhythm, creating a syncopated and complex texture.

The Weeknd's Chorus: The chorus features a more structured rhyme scheme, though still loose. The rhymes are often slant or near rhymes (e.g., "me" and "beach"), which contribute to the ethereal and non-restrictive feel of the melody. The vocal delivery is smooth and legato, emphasizing the melodic contour over a strict rhythmic pulse.

Lil Baby's Verse: Lil Baby employs a more traditional rap flow with a consistent rhythmic pattern. He uses a mix of perfect rhymes ("deep end"/"three friends"/"West End"/"no pen"/"sheepskin") and internal rhymes to create a cohesive and flowing verse. His delivery is steady and confident, driving the narrative forward.

Kanye West's Verse: Kanye's verse is characterized by its rhythmic complexity and variation. He shifts his flow multiple times, moving from a more staccato, punchy delivery to a more melodic and drawn-out phrasing. He uses a series of rhyming couplets and triplets ("sale"/"hail"/"Yale"/"rail" and "chick"/"rich"/"trip") to build momentum and emphasize certain points. This rhythmic variety mirrors the chaotic and multifaceted nature of the experiences he is describing.

The overall structure alternates between the sung, rhythmically fluid choruses and the spoken, rhythmically dense verses, creating a powerful contrast that reflects the song's central themes of chaos and spiritual peace.

"Hurricane" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its powerful and atmospheric quality.

Musical Techniques:

• Atmospheric Production: The song is characterized by its atmospheric and spacious beat, which incorporates elements of gospel with its use of organs and a choir, alongside modern hip-hop production featuring heavy bass and intricate drum patterns. This creates a soundscape that is both ethereal and grounded.
• Vocal Layering and Processing: The vocals, particularly those of the Sunday Service Choir, are processed in a way that gives them an "alien" or otherworldly quality. The Weeknd's soaring falsetto provides a stark contrast to the more rugged rap deliveries of Kanye West and Lil Baby.
• Dynamic Shifts: The song structure features significant dynamic shifts, moving from the ambient, sung choruses to the intense, rhythmic rap verses. This creates a sense of narrative progression and emotional journey.

Literary Techniques:

• Allusion: The song is heavily reliant on biblical allusions, most notably the act of "walking on water," which frames the central theme of faith and redemption.
• Juxtaposition: Kanye West's verse employs stark juxtaposition to highlight the paradoxes of his life, such as "God made it rain, the devil made it hail," and being a "school dropout" who is also a guest speaker at Yale.
• Metaphor: The titular "Hurricane" is an extended metaphor for personal chaos, a theme that is woven throughout the track.
• Introspective Narrative Voice: Both Kanye and Lil Baby adopt a deeply personal and introspective narrative voice, using their verses as a form of confession and reflection on their lives, struggles, and mistakes.

"Hurricane" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, largely due to its long and anticipated history and its central placement on the highly awaited Donda album. As one of the most teased and leaked songs from the Yandhi era, it had already built a cult following among Kanye West's fanbase.

Upon its official release, "Hurricane" was met with widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the contributions of The Weeknd and Lil Baby as perfect additions that completed the track. It was a commercial success, debuting at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Streaming Songs chart. The song also reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Christian Songs charts, showcasing its crossover appeal.

The song's success was further solidified when it won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. This win tied Kanye West with Jay-Z for the most Grammy awards among rappers.

The song's animated music video, released in March 2022, also generated discussion for its surreal and symbolic imagery, which continued the visual themes of the Donda era. The video depicts an army of digital avatars escaping from a prison and being baptized, which was interpreted as a commentary on spiritual liberation and the public's perception of the artist.

Overall, "Hurricane" stands as a landmark track in Kanye West's later discography, not only for its musical quality and commercial success but also for its fascinating and protracted creation story, which in itself became a part of the song's cultural narrative.

"Hurricane" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its themes of spiritual struggle and redemption.

The Hurricane: The central metaphor of the song, the hurricane, represents the tumultuous and chaotic periods in the artists' lives. For Kanye, this includes his marital breakdown, public controversies, and internal battles. The lyric "Eighty degrees," sung by The Weeknd, is a scientifically accurate reference to the minimum water temperature required for a hurricane to form, grounding this metaphor in a real-world phenomenon.

Walking on Water: This is a direct biblical allusion to the story of Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. In the context of the song, it symbolizes an act of faith and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges through a connection with a higher power. It represents a state of spiritual transcendence and invincibility against life's storms.

Water and Drowning: Water is a recurring motif with dual symbolism. On one hand, it represents chaos, turmoil, and the danger of being overwhelmed ("don't let me drown"). On the other, it is also a source of cleansing and rebirth, as in the line "Bring down the rain." This duality reflects the song's central tension between struggle and salvation.

Light and Darkness: The song employs the classic symbolism of light versus darkness to represent spiritual states. The opening lines, "all lights out for me," depict a state of despair and being lost. The eventual arrival of a "bright dawn" at the end signifies hope, clarity, and redemption.

The Bridge: Lil Baby's verse, where he is "walkin' on the bridge" and throwing his sins over, symbolizes a transition from a past life of sin to a new path of repentance and righteousness.

Several recurring phrases and motifs are central to the structure and meaning of "Hurricane."

"I can walk on water": This is the most significant recurring phrase and the song's primary hook. It appears in The Weeknd's chorus and is a powerful declaration of faith and newfound strength derived from a divine source. Its repetition reinforces the central theme of spiritual empowerment and overcoming adversity.

The Motif of Water: Water is a pervasive motif throughout the song, appearing in various forms – rain, the sea, and the threat of drowning. It symbolizes both the chaos of the "hurricane" and the potential for cleansing and rebirth. The phrase "Father, hold me close, don't let me drown" is a recurring plea for divine protection against these overwhelming forces.

"I know you won't": This phrase, sung in the bridge, serves as an affirmation of faith. It's a direct response to the fear of being forsaken, expressing a confident belief in divine oversight and protection. Its repetition builds a sense of security and peace amidst the storm.

Light and Darkness Imagery: The motif of light and dark is used to represent the journey from despair to hope. The song begins with "all lights out for me" and ends with the hopeful image of a "bright dawn." This progression from darkness to light is a classic narrative arc of redemption that frames the entire song.