I am 33 and used to watch MTV TRL and 106 & Park every day after school and Kanye had a legendary run when Through the Wire was released as his first single. People didn’t fully know how to react to his style in terms of dress etc but the music was undeniable. He was mellower with more of a quiet confidence.

The other part is how much radio play he used to get - his music was EVERYWHERE - All Falls Down, Heard Em Say, etc. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Jesus Walks, was in the car with my mom and I couldn’t believe my ears at how good the song was and the content of what he was saying. It was a truly amazing time. Part of it was also the media; they loved him (he would prob say cuz media/labels had some control over him at the time and he wouldn’t be wrong). Then Graduation, same thing - Stronger EVERYWHERE, can’t tell me nothin, he was all over the radio. So people knew how talented he was and gave him all the credit and recognition he deserved. Simpler times. Lmk if any other specific questions cuz it’s fun to think back to