Kanye West's 'Runaway': Genius?
Has the overachieving West exceeded his own standards with this acclaimed 34-minute music video?

The video: This weekend saw the MTV premiere of Kanye West's 34-minute music video for "Runaway" (watch below), the critically acclaimed hit song that he debuted at this year's Video Music Awards. In the conspicuously ambitious production, model Selita Ebanks plays a phoenix who rises from the ashes and falls in love with West, only to burn herself alive when she realizes their relationship is both flawed and doomed. Bonus touches: Over-the-top dance numbers, feathered ballerinas, and snippets from several other songs.
The reaction: This video has "solidified West as unquestionably the greatest pop star of this generation," says Kyle Anderson at MTV. West's "art house" direction "really works," concurs Sam McPherson at TV Overmind. The video "is totally ballsy in the world of hip-hop." Apparently, cracks Adrian Chen at Gawker, West "wrote, directed, and starred in a Kanye West–themed episode of Glee." It's nevertheless worth seeing, if only for Ebanks' implausibly skimpy outfits. Watch the video for "Runaway":
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Strep infections are rising in the US
Under the radar The cases have more than doubled in 10 years
By Devika Rao, The Week US