Everything I Am (Kanye West song)

"Everything I Am" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song features guest scratches from DJ Premier and includes additional vocals from Tony "Penafire" Williams. It was written and produced by West, while Prince Phillip Mitchell, George Clinton, Chuck D, Eric Sadler, and Hank Shocklee received songwriting credits as their material was sampled. West received the song's beat from the recording sessions for Common's seventh studio album, Finding Forever (2007). DJ Premier recorded seven different scratching styles, crafting varied drum break rhythms at West's instruction. West set the song to be relatable for a schoolgirl who gets picked on, attempting to connect with Wendy Williams. A sparse hip hop ballad with soul, pop, and gospel elements, its riff relies on elements of Mitchell's "If We Can't Be Lovers". The song also includes elements of Public Enemy's "Bring the Noise" and both samples are combined with DJ Premier's scratches, appearing on the hook.

Lyrically, the song features West's self-examination of his insecurities that make him who he is and paraphrasing his vision of Mahatma Gandhi, "Everything you're not made you everything you are."^[1] "Everything I Am" received widespread acclaim from music critics, who often cited it as a highlight of the album. Some praised the composition and focused on DJ Premier's scratches, while reviewers generally praised West's rapping too. The song was certified platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America. West performed a medley of "Champion" with the song during the premiere for season 33 of Saturday Night Live in September 2007, breaking into a freestyle at the end. Solange Knowles used the latter for the basis of her song "Fuck the Industry" in 2010, eight years before a lawsuit was launched against both West and her by Mitchell for unauthorized sampling of "If We Can't Be Lovers" on their songs. In the years since its inclusion on Graduation, the song's acceptance of what one lacks making them who they are has been noted for its influence.