fbpx
Wikipedia

Can't Tell Me Nothing

April 12, 2024

For the mixtape, see Can't Tell Me Nothing (mixtape). For the Tim McGraw song, see Live Like You Were Dying.

"Can't Tell Me Nothing" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song contains additional vocals from Young Jeezy and Connie Mitchell. It was produced by West with DJ Toomp with West being responsible for 60 percent of the production. The song originated from Young Jeezy's "I Got Money", after West made changes to the track. On May 15, 2007, the song premiered via Hot 97 and was released by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam that same day as the lead single from the album. A hip hop track, it was described by West as a theme song for the people. The lyrics see West reflecting on his fame while he expresses different types of feelings.

"Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Single by Kanye West
from the album Graduation
B-side"Barry Bonds"
ReleasedMay 15, 2007
Recorded2005–2006
Studio
GenreHip hop
Length4:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Kanye West
  • DJ Toomp
Kanye West singles chronology
"Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)"
(2007) 		"Can't Tell Me Nothing"
(2007) 		"Stronger"
(2007)
Music video
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" on YouTube

"Can't Tell Me Nothing" received universal acclaim from music critics, who mostly appreciated the lyrical content. Others praised the production, while some critics highlighted the song's inclusion on Graduation. It was listed amongst the best tracks of 2007 by several publications, including Consequence of Sound and Pitchfork. The song received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, ultimately losing to "Good Life". The former reached number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100, alongside peaking at number 20 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and was certified triple platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It has also been certified gold in both Australia and the United Kingdom by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and British Phonographic Industry (BPI), respectively.

An accompanying music video was released on May 25, 2007. It sees West walking around El Mirage Lake unaccompanied, while his silhouette follows him. The video received positive reviews from critics, who have often complimented its camerawork. The song's alternate music video was released on July 25, 2007, which features Zach Galifianakis and Will Oldham lip-syncing "Can't Tell Me Nothing" at Galifianakis's farm. West performed the song live throughout 2007 and 2008, including at a Live Earth concert in the former year. He later performed it at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Glastonbury Festival in 2011 and 2015, respectively.

"Can't Tell Me Nothing" was used in the film The Hangover (2009), marking the first of three times that West's music would be featured in the films from the series of the same name. In 2013, West named it his favourite song out of his entire discography. Francis and the Lights covered the song in 2009, and an acoustic cover version was later performed by Taking Back Sunday in 2011. The song's Young Jeezy-featuring remix was released in July 2007, which contains a verse from him.

Background and development edit

 
DJ Toomp produced the song alongside West.

Following on from meeting West when working on rapper T.I.'s second studio album Trap Muzik (2003), record producer DJ Toomp went to New York and joined West in the studio for the creation of Graduation. West showed a high amount of respect for him and was using an Ensoniq ASR-10 keyboard in the studio, which DJ Toomp said "is the same keyboard I've been using since day one."[1] Speaking of the two of them collaborating for the album, he opined that "it definitely felt like a team atmosphere" and also "felt like, 'we.'" DJ Toomp admitted that he "would say that sixty percent of 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' was Ye, and forty me," while he called West "a mastermind."[1] In an interview with Revolt, DJ Toomp explained that his 40 percent of the song's production was the beat and bassline, while the 60 percent contributed by West consisted of the strings, synths, and the "oh-oh-ah-oh-ah-oh" backing vocals.[2] He revealed that the song was originally supposed to be a remix of West's Def Jam labelmate Young Jeezy's song "I Got Money", since West loved "the whole cadence of how that beat was flowing" and "wanted the song to be a remix featuring him."[2] However, Young Jeezy ultimately "wasn't really feeling it" according to DJ Toomp, which led to the song being passed on to West.[2]

Young Jeezy also offered an explanation of how "Can't Tell Me Nothing" came from "I Got Money" during an interview with HipHopDX, saying that it was supposed to be a collaboration between him and T.I. for the former's third studio album The Recession (2008).[3][4] The song was recalled as being sent to West by Young Jeezy and he subsequently recorded a verse, before getting in contact with DJ Toomp after discovering that he was the producer and West then heavily altered the sonic direction of "I Got Money".[3][4] Due to the changes made by West, Young Jeezy explained that he decided not to release the song on the album.[4] By 2007, six months later, the song was unused until West played "Can't Tell Me Nothing" for Young Jeezy at a studio session in Los Angeles, which is a reworked version of "I Got Money", though he revealed that West asked him for permission to use his ad-libs and was granted it.[3][4] The track marked the two's first collaboration, though Young Jeezy admitted after contributing that he "was like, 'Yo, [West] owes me one."[3][5] For giving back to him, West delivered a verse on Young Jeezy's single "Put On" (2008).[6]

While traveling to Japan for a few days in 2006, West visited Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami at the artist's Kaikai Kiki studio in Asaka.[7] West told Murakami that he is a fan of him and asked about the artist's works; Murakami drew designs for West during the meeting and the two of them arranged to meet at a later date in the United States.[7] The cover art of the single was designed by Murakami.[8] Accompanying artwork for the album's other singles was also created by Murakami, alongside him overseeing the art direction of Graduation.[9] Despite "Can't Tell Me Nothing" not achieving the same level of radio success as the album's subsequent singles, West took pride in the fact that the song had marked his first hood anthem, and it gave him a new level of popularity in the hood.[10][11] West also explained during an interview with Concrete Loop that the song "is like the people's anthem and radio didn't want to play it," while comparing the challenge faced by him to playing a video game.[12] In the same interview, West stated that the song's "actual melody is made to rock 50,000 people," which he called the reason as to "why it's so simple."[12] According to West, he tried to step up as a rapper with the song and West recalled that after fellow rapper Andre 3000 heard the song "he said, 'I believe you.'"[10] West named "Can't Tell Me Nothing" as an example of him creating a track "that people never heard before."[13]

Composition and lyrics edit

 
"Can't Tell Me Nothing"
A 25-second sample of the song's chorus, which includes strings in its instrumentation.[14] The chorus features a loop of Connie Mitchell's vocals, alongside the frequent repetition of Young Jeezy's backing ad-libs.[4][14][15][16]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Musically, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" is a hip hop track.[17] The song features slow, moody synth-driven production, which contains foghorn keyboards.[18][19] It also includes a bassline alongside strings.[2] West explained that the song's chords are akin to that of a rock melody, specifically comparing them to the music of Led Zeppelin.[12] The song contains ad-libs from Young Jeezy in the background, which are repeated throughout the chorus.[4][15][16] Additional vocals are also provided by Connie Mitchell of the Australian electronic group Sneaky Sound System, being looped within the song.[15][20]

West explained that he wanted to create a theme song with the track, describing it as being a song for the people.[21] Lyrically, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" serves as West's reflection on his fame and as a result of this, he hovers between insecure and confrontational while marked by bitter regret as well as self-aware defiance.[18] West begins the song by expounding his conflicted feelings regarding wealth and desire, describing a compulsion to spend that overwhelms any and all other objectives in life.[22] This is tied by West into his perceived overall inability to keep himself together even as he grows into an increasingly prominent figure in the public eye with lyrics like, "I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny / And what do I do? Act more stupidly."[23] Uncertainty is also expressed by West in the song's lyrics, with him asking: "Then you can't tell me nothing, right?"[24] Shortly afterwards, West affirms "you can't tell me nothing."[24] The song marks the first use of the word "apologing[25]", which was invented as a way to rhyme "apologizing" with the previous line's "collagen". West said the line "When You Try Hard, That's when you Die Hard" is about having accepted who he is and stopping trying to prove himself all the time, while West revealed that it refers to the outfit worn by him at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006.[12]

Release and reception edit

West premiered "Can't Tell Me Nothing" via Hot 97 on May 15, 2007, with it being played by DJ Enuff.[26] That same day, the song was released as the lead single from Graduation.[26] West decided on the song being the first single due to fellow rapper 50 Cent calling it his favorite song from the album, after West met with 50 Cent and played the album to him.[27] On June 19, 2007, the song was serviced to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations through West's record labels Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.[28] A 12" vinyl was later released for the song by Universal Music on August 7 of that year.[29] On September 11, 2007, West's third studio album Graduation was released, featuring "Can't Tell Me Nothing" as the sixth track.[30]

The song was met with universal acclaim from music critics, with general praise for West's lyricism. In a highly positive review for Slant Magazine, Eric Henderson noted "Can't Tell Me Nothing" for having the "most justifiable title" on the album and expressed the opinion that "you couldn't find a campus library cavernous enough" for annotating the song.[31] Dan Weiss from LAS Magazine highlighted it as the peak of West's examination of "his character flaws every few tracks in a manner that's neither pitying nor arrogant" throughout the album, with Weiss branding the song a "secret sing-along."[32] Dave Heaton of PopMatters described the song as a "powerful single," while he commented that it is the only track on Graduation which deals with reservations about the album's "major theme" of fame and wealth "in any substantial way."[22] In the Chicago Tribune, Greg Kot chronicled West's performance as "defiant, defensive, rueful, sarcastic and deadly passionate."[33] Nathan Rabin from The A.V. Club called the song a "terrific hyper-soul single" that "tempers" the enthusiasm of West "with the haunting realization that for someone who's hit the top, there's nowhere to go but down, and the public's love has a tricky way of curdling into resentment."[34] MTV writer Shaheem Reid called it "aptly titled," while complimenting West's rapping for him dropping "a myriad of one-liners."[16]

Writing for NME, Louis Pattison labeled the song "pretty special," describing it as "a rare sort of track that brings little but chest-pumped arrogance and shameless cash-flashing to the table."[35] Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania of RapReviews viewed "Can't Tell Me Nothing" as "brilliant" and pointed out that the beat, verses and chorus are "all classic stuff."[36] Spin journalist Charles Aaron praised the song's "soulful double-unconsciousness."[37] For Pitchfork, Mark Pytlik asserted that the song's production somehow takes "on new life in context of the record."[38] In a less enthusiastic review, The Guardian's Dorian Lynskey branded it a "tense, angry" track, though criticized certain lyrics for being disappointing.[39]

Accolades edit

"Can't Tell Me Nothing" appeared on year-end lists for 2007 of multiple publications. The track was voted 34th on The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll for that year with 12 mentions, tying it with 4 other songs for the position.[40] PopMatters named the track the 30th best song of 2007, with Barry Lenser of the magazine praising West's performance as well as calling the track "rich and hypnotic."[41] It was ranked as the 29th best song of the year by Junkmedia, while Pitchfork listed the track as the 25th best song.[18][42] Stylus Magazine cited it as the 13th best song of 2007.[43] The track was ranked by Entertainment Weekly as the sixth best song of the year, and the staff admitted that the beat "might be [West's] most mesmerizing ever."[44] Consequence of Sound named it the third best song of 2007, while the track's best achievement was being listed as the second best song of the year by laut.de.[45][46]

For the 2014 issue of XXL that celebrated 40 years of hip hop, the track was listed as one of the five best singles of 2007.[47] In 2009, the track was ranked as the fifth best song of the 2000s by Complex.[48] On a 2017 list of the greatest rap songs since 2000 by Cleveland.com, the track was ranked at number 56.[49] In 2014, LA Weekly named "Can't Tell Me Nothing" the 17th best song in hip hop history.[50] Complex named the track their song of the Complex decade, which spanned from when the magazine was founded in 2002 to its 10th anniversary in 2012.[51] The track was later ranked by Complex as West's second best song in 2018, while the magazine listed it among rap's most motivational songs two years later.[52][53]

At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, the song and fellow Graduation single "Good Life" were both contenders for the award of Best Rap Song.[54] This made West the only artist to receive two nominations for Best Rap Song at the ceremony; he was mostly nominated in rap categories.[54][55] However, the song lost the award to "Good Life" at the Grammy Awards.[56] "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was nominated for Track of the Year at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, ultimately losing to "Party Like a Rockstar" by Shop Boyz.[57][58]

Music videos edit

 
The first music video is set at El Mirage Lake in Victor Valley.

Two separate music videos were released to accompany "Can't Tell Me Nothing". The first music video was directed by Hype Williams, who West had collaborated with previously on videos.[59] Due to wanting to create simplistic images with the visual, West reached out to Williams.[59] It was filmed at the dry lake bed El Mirage Lake, which is located in the Mojave Desert's northwestern Victor Valley.[59] On May 25, 2007, the video was premiered by West through his website.[60] It was also released for download via the iTunes Store.[61]

The music video is set in both daytime and the night, seeing West wearing a mankerchief and medallion.[19][59] It features West as the sole star, with him walking around the desert.[19] West is accompanied by his silhouette, and there is a vivid blue sky and blazing sun in the background.[62] A number of scenes are shot from above, showing the body of West moving in and out of view.[19] Following on from the shots, a smoke machine and spotlights are turned on.[19] A Lamborghini car is included in the video, appearing as B-roll footage.[59] In another B-roll shot, a girl wearing a fly away burka is shown, which was compared to the clothing worn in the 1998 music video for American singer Madonna's single "Frozen".[59] Steven Gottlieb of Video Static called the visual "surprisingly watchable" and commented that its "epic scope makes sure we can't take our eyes off [West]," while Nadine Cheung from The Boombox described West as looking "tough" as his silhouette "dances among a sprawling desert."[59][62] Entertainment Weekly's Chris Schonberger opined that the music video "offers a rather insightful takeon Kanye's [sic] controversial persona" and said he "is removed from the vices that threaten his yearning for spirituality" when wandering the desert, as well as noting the clip's "epic quality" due to the scenes shot from above.[19] The staff of Stereogum highlighted the video's "stuttering camera work."[63]

An alternate music video for "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was directed by American actor Michael Blieden, who shot it in New York after receiving an email from comedian Zach Galifianakis that told him to fly there for the filming. The production was handled by Blieden and film director Inman Young.[64] Of the video's creation, Blieden recalled him and the production team asking themselves, "What if two farmers from North Carolina set out to make their own Kanye West music video...and succeeded?" Though hiring clog dancers for the visual was Galifianakis's idea, they were tracked down by Young.[64] West had been introduced to Galifianakis's work through his personal trainer, and eventually asked him to perform in the alternate video after attending one of Galifianakis's stand-up shows in Los Angeles.[65][66] The unscripted, low-budget music video was filmed at Galifianakis's farm in North Carolina.[67] Galifianakis admitted that he struggled to lip-sync the song's lyrics at the correct pace, as well as finding it difficult to use a tractor.[67] On July 25, 2007, West shared the alternate music video on his website.[66]

In the video, Galifianakis and folk singer-songwriter Will Oldham lip-sync to the song while dancing on tractors, with the two of them being surrounded by cows.[67] Various farm-related high jinks are featured, and Galifianakis and Oldham spit gratuitously.[67] An exploding tractor, numerous clog dancers, and hay bales are included.[66][67] In one scene, the words "I Love Turd" are shown on Galifianakis's forehead while he holds a chainsaw.[67] The alternate video was selected by Rolling Stone as the third best music video of 2007, while Pitchfork listed it as one of the top 50 videos of the year.[68][69] On a list of the top 50 music videos from the 2000s decade, Pitchfork ranked the clip at number 13.[70] At the 2009 Antville Music Video Awards, the alternate music video was nominated for Most Fun Video.[71]

Commercial performance edit

The song debuted at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated June 9, 2007, standing as the third highest new entry of that week.[72] For the same issue, the song entered at number 73 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[73] It ultimately peaked at number 41 on the Hot 100 for the issue date of September 29, 2007.[74] The song was present at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for that week, though it rose four places to peak at number 20 on the chart the following week.[75][76] On September 29, 2007, the song peaked at number eight on the US Hot Rap Songs chart.[77] In September 2020, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling 3,000,000 certified units in the US.[78]

On the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at number 107 for the chart dated June 23, 2007.[79] As of October 24, 2019, it ranks as West's 32nd most popular track of all time on the UK Singles Chart.[80] "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shelving 600,000 units in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2023.[81] For the issue date of September 29, 2012, the song entered at number 159 on France's SNEP chart.[82] The following week, it rose 14 places to number 145.[82] In December 2015, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 35,000 copies in Australia.[83]

Live performances edit

On June 1, 2007, West made a surprise appearance at DJ Gomez Warren's set in Los Angeles to play "Can't Tell Me Nothing".[84] West performed the song as part of his set at a concert of the Live Earth event in 2007, accompanied by a string section which included female members that wore exotic face paint.[85] On July 7 of that year, West performed the song during his appearance at the Manchester Apollo for the Manchester International Festival.[86] For S.O.B.'s impromptu jam session in Manhattan on July 18, 2007, hosted by Hot 97, West deliver a performance of the song.[87] West performed a medley during his in-studio appearance for MTV's Total Request Live on August 10, 2007, which consisted of the song and fellow Graduation single "Stronger".[88] On September 11 of that year, West transitioned from a snippet of the album's track "Champion" into a performance of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" when appearing on BET's 106 & Park.[89] West performed the song to open the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, surrounded by black-clad dancers who moved around similarly to ballerinas.[90] At the launch party for the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX in Los Angeles' Griffith Park on October 17, 2007, West made a surprise appearance that included him performing the song.[91]

During his surprise appearance at a Kid Sister concert in New York's Museum of Natural History on January 25, 2008, West delivered a performance of the song.[92] West performed "Can't Tell Me Nothing" as a duet with collaborator Jay-Z at the American Airlines Arena in Miami for the opening concert of the Heart of the City Tour, co-headlined by Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, on March 22, 2008.[93] At the opening of Murakami's exhibit in the Brooklyn Museum on April 4 of that year, West performed the song live, extending the performance into a freestyle.[94] West and Young Jeezy performed "Can't Tell Me Nothing" together at the Philips Arena in Atlanta for the 13th annual Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash concert on June 13, 2008.[95] During the first concert of West's conceptual Glow in the Dark Tour, an LCD screen seated behind him displayed a fiery explosion that ignited for the song's "oh" vocals while he performed.[96] West performed the song on the final night of Lollapalooza 2008 in his hometown of Chicago, which he co-headlined with Nine Inch Nails.[97] Dressed in an all red outfit, West performed "Can't Tell Me Nothing" during his set at Z100's the Jingle Ball concert in Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2008.[98]

 
West performed the song for his headlining set at Glastonbury in 2015.

West delivered a performance of the song in Hyde Park when headlining the second and final day of the 2009 Wireless Festival.[99] On August 6, 2009, he performed it for Casio G-Shock's the World event at Cipriani's on Wall Street, performing in front of a shifting digital display screen that counted down the time West was onstage.[100] At the 2011 Coachella Festival, West transitioned from his single "Jesus Walks" (2004) into a performance of the song.[101] West's dancers left the stage during the transition and for the performance, he remained at the front of the stage throughout.[101] West headlined the 2015 Glastonbury Festival, with his set including a performance of the song.[102] As part of West and his gospel group the Sunday Service Choir's tribute to deceased basketball player Kobe Bryant at the Super Bowl LIV in 2020, they performed the song.[103] West and the Sunday Service Choir performed a gospel version of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on February 16, 2020.[104]

In popular culture edit

During West's rivalry with 50 Cent that was caused by the coinciding release date of September 11, 2007 for both Graduation and 50 Cent's third studio album Curtis, West recalled "Can't Tell Me Nothing" being "the #2 song [on the radio]" in New York at one point, while 50 Cent simultaneously had the radio's most popular song with the album's third single "I Get Money".[105] West explained that the singles were "neck-and-neck," which he called "exciting to people."[105] By October 2007, West recalled people comparing the song to "Spaceship" from his debut studio album The College Dropout (2004), saying people told him that both songs gave them inspiration "when they going [sic] to work."[12] "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was included as the sixth track on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 26, released on November 13, 2007 as the 26th edition of the Now series in the US.[106]

For the soundtrack of 2009 American comedy film The Hangover, the song was included.[107] It is played alongside a scene that sees the wolfpack driving to Las Vegas for the film's bachelor party, with the line "Wait 'til I get my money right" being part of the portion of the song which is featured.[107] West's music was used in all of the films released as part of The Hangover trilogy, being included in the soundtrack for the second and third installments of the film series in 2011 and 2013, respectively.[107] In an October 2013 interview on Power 106, West revealed that the track is his favorite song to have been released by him.[108] On August 16, 2018, Kanye's wife Kim Kardashian shared a video of her playing the song to their son Saint West, who recognized it as being rapped by his father.[109]

Remixes and other versions edit

 
Two of the song's remixes feature Young Jeezy, and the staff of Rap-Up viewed his appearance on the official remix as appropriate.[110]

The official remix of "Can't Tell Me Nothing", which features Young Jeezy, was released on July 25, 2007.[110] Pimp C of American hip hop duo UGK had originally been slated to appear on the remix, though his verse was ultimately removed due to him dissing Young Jeezy in it.[111] Speaking about the situation, Pimp C recalled promising not to "drop that shit, because Kanye told me that the song is a prayer," and a reworked version of the song's chorus was also recorded by him.[111] Of the remix, Jay-Z said that it was used to help build up anticipation for Graduation and he also admitted that there is "a strategy involved" for putting "yourself in the best position."[112] The remix includes a verse by Young Jeezy and new lines from Kanye West.[110] Later in 2007, it was released on the A-side of the song's 12" vinyl, while also released as the B-side to "Good Life".[29][113][114][115]

Another remix was released on August 30, 2007, with guest appearances from fellow rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes alongside Young Jeezy.[116] It features shouting by DJs and Lil Wayne delivering instant message speak, as well as more ad-libs from Young Jeezy.[116] The following month, the Rocafella Remix of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was released, featuring West's labelmates Beanie Sigel and Freeway.[117] On February 7, 2009, West linked to American pop project Francis and the Lights' cover version of the song on his blog.[118] The cover maintains the hip hop sound of the original version and the project's lead singer Francis Farewell Starlite felt that being among the artists shared via West's blog is "an honor," while he explained that covering the song "was in essence a 'call' to him" that sent a personal message about his feelings towards West's music.[17][119] During Billboard's instalment of Mashup Mondays for August 8, 2011, alternative rock band Taking Back Sunday performed an acoustic cover of the song.[120] On November 26, 2014, recorder and early woodwinds player Carlos Serrano shared a mashup of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" with English singer Sam Smith's single "I'm Not the Only One" (2014) to his SoundCloud page.[121]

Track listing edit

U.S. 12" vinyl'[113]

A-side
  1. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Album)
  2. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Instrumental)
  3. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Remix) (featuring Young Jeezy)
B-side
  1. "Barry Bonds" (Main)
  2. "Barry Bonds" (Instrumental)
  3. "Barry Bonds" (Accapella)

Credits and personnel edit

Information taken from Graduation liner notes.[15]

Recording

Personnel

  • Kanye West – songwriter, production
  • DJ Toomp – songwriter, production
  • Andrew Dawson – recording, mix engineer
  • Anthony Kilhoffer – recording
  • Tony Rey – recording
  • Mike Dean – mix engineer
  • Richard Reitz – assistant mix engineer
  • Bram Tobey – assistant mix engineer
  • Jason Agel – assistant mix engineer
  • Nate Hertweck – assistant mix engineer
  • Anthony Palazzole – assistant mix engineer
  • Andy Marcinkowski – assistant mix engineer
  • Darryl Beaton – keyboards
  • Chris Rob – keyboards
  • Young Jeezy – additional vocals
  • Connie Mitchell – additional vocals

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications and sales for "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[83] Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[127] Gold 45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[128] Gold 150,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[78] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release dates and formats for "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
United States June 19, 2007 Rhythmic contemporary radio
[28]
August 7, 2007 12" vinyl Universal [29]

Further reading edit

  • Richardson, Chris (February 2011), "Can't Tell Me Nothing": Symbolic Violence, Education, and Kanye West", Popular Music and Society, 34 (1): 97–112, doi:10.1080/03007766.2011.539831, S2CID 56118993

References edit

  1. ^ a b Hobbs, Linda (November 22, 2012). "DJ Toomp Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records". Complex. from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Nelson Jr, Keith (November 21, 2019). "DJ Toomp talks T.I. creating Trap Music, working with Kanye, an unreleased JAY-Z/Rihanna collab and more". Revolt. from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Wallace, Riley (September 7, 2019). "Jeezy Reveals Kanye West's 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' Was Originally His Record". HipHopDX. from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "How Jeezy's Ad-libs Ended Up on Kanye West's 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". Def Jam. September 11, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  5. ^ A., Aron (September 6, 2019). "Jeezy Reveals How His Ad-Libs Landed On Kanye West's 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". HotNewHipHop. from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  6. ^ Tigg, FNR (September 10, 2019). "Jeezy Explains How He Got Kanye West's Classic Verse for 'Put On'". Complex. from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Kato, Akiko; Wilson, Wayne. (in Japanese). Kaikai Kiki. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Kanye West's new Can't Tell Me Nothing single". Artnet. July 24, 2007. from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  9. ^ Martin, Francesca (August 1, 2007). "Kanye West Mixes Manga and Music With the 'Warhol of Japan'". The Guardian. London. from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (February 4, 2008). "Kanye West: Will The Grammys Reward His Confidence In Graduation?". MTV. from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  11. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 1, 2007). "Kanye West On Making Hottest MCs List: 'It Feels Better Than Winning An Award'". MTV. from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
  12. ^ a b c d e Laws, Angel (October 5, 2007). . Concrete Loop. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  13. ^ Welch, Will (April 15, 2020). . GQ. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Im, Jackie (September 10, 2007). "Kanye West : Graduation". Treblezine. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d Graduation (Media notes). Kanye West. Roc-A-Fella Records. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ a b c Reid, Shaheem; Richard, Yasmine (May 22, 2007). "Kanye West Reveals Tour Details, Signs Up Madonna's Choreographer". MTV. from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  17. ^ a b Isenberg, Daniel (May 18, 2012). "The 10 Best Indie Covers Of Kanye West Songs". Complex. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c "The 100 Best Songs of 2007". Pitchfork. December 17, 2007. from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Schonberger, Chris (May 30, 2007). "Watching Kanye West's 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' video". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  20. ^ Shipley, Al (September 11, 2017). "Kanye West's 'Graduation': 10 Things You Didn't Know". Rolling Stone. from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  21. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 29, 2007). "Kanye's Graduation: Inside The NYC Listening Party For West's So-Called 'Comeback'". MTV. from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
  22. ^ a b Heaton, Dave (September 10, 2007). "Kanye West: Graduation". PopMatters. from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
  23. ^ Kot, Greg (August 31, 2007). . Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  24. ^ a b Swann, Jennifer (February 4, 2013). "Top 10 'You Can't Tell Me Nothing' Rappers". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  25. ^ Kanye West – Can't Tell Me Nothing, retrieved April 1, 2024
  26. ^ a b "Kanye Releases 'Nothing,' Plus Mary J., Phil Spector, Bono, Lindsay, Christina, Rihanna & More". MTV. May 15, 2007. from the original on May 18, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2007.
  27. ^ Serpick, Evan (September 6, 2007). "Kanye vs. 50 Cent". Rolling Stone. from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  28. ^ a b . FMQB. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  29. ^ a b c "Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing [Vinyl]". Amazon. from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  30. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Graduation – Kanye West". AllMusic. from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  31. ^ Henderson, Eric (September 7, 2007). . Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on June 6, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Weiss, Dan (2007). . LAS Magazine. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  33. ^ Kot, Greg (June 1, 2007). . Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2007.
  34. ^ Rabin, Nathan (September 11, 2007). "Kanye West: Graduation". The A.V. Club. Chicago. from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  35. ^ Pattison, Louis (September 13, 2007). . NME. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  36. ^ Padania, Jesal 'Jay Soul' (September 11, 2007). "RapReview Of The Week - Kanye West's 'Graduation'". RapReviews. from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  37. ^ Aaron, Charles (November 2007). "Doo Wah Diddy". Spin. 23 (11): 114. from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  38. ^ Pytlik, Mark (September 11, 2007). "Kanye West: Graduation". Pitchfork. from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  39. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (September 7, 2007). "Kanye West, Graduation". The Guardian. London. from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  40. ^ . The Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  41. ^ "The 50 Best Songs of 2007". PopMatters. May 29, 2020. from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  42. ^ "2007 in Review". Junkmedia. December 28, 2007. from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  43. ^ . Stylus Magazine. October 31, 2007. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  44. ^ . Entertainment Weekly. December 18, 2007. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  45. ^ . Consequence of Sound. February 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  46. ^ (in German). laut.de. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  47. ^ . XXL. January 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  48. ^ . Complex. 2009. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  49. ^ Smith, Troy L. (August 24, 2017). "100 greatest rap songs since 2000". Cleveland.com. from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  50. ^ Kangas, Chaz (August 11, 2014). . LA Weekly. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  51. ^ . Complex. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  52. ^ Barber, Andrew; Klinkenberg, Brendan; Scarano, Ross (January 5, 2018). "The Best Kanye West Songs". Complex. from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  53. ^ Callas, Brad; Josephs, Brian; Scarano, Ross (May 29, 2020). "Rap's Most Motivational Songs". Complex. from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  54. ^ a b Harris, Chris (December 6, 2007). "Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Justin Score Big Grammy Nominations". MTV. from the original on November 13, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  55. ^ Goodman, Dean (December 6, 2007). "Kanye West, Amy Winehouse spice up Grammy race". Reuters. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  56. ^ "Kanye West | Artist". Grammy. from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  57. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (September 14, 2007). "T.I. Leads BET Hip Hop Awards Nods". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  58. ^ "Hip Hop Awards 2007". BET. April 25, 2016. from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  59. ^ a b c d e f g Gottlieb, Steven (June 7, 2007). "New release: Kanye West 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". Video Static. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  60. ^ "Green Day Cover 'Simpsons' Theme Song, Plus Linkin Park, Kanye West, Young Jeezy, Brandy & More, In For The Record". MTV. May 25, 2007. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
  61. ^ "Kanye West | Can't Tell Me Nothing". Kanye West Blog. from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  62. ^ a b Cheung, Nadine (August 2, 2007). "Video of the Day: Can't Tell Kanye West Nothing". The Boombox. from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  63. ^ "New Kanye West Video – 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". Stereogum. May 25, 2007. from the original on April 6, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  64. ^ a b . The Claw Productions. Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2007.
  65. ^ Montgomery, James (July 26, 2007). "Kanye West Video Star Zach Galifianakis Explains Wacky Tractor-Filled Clip". MTV. from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  66. ^ a b c Watercutter, Angela (July 25, 2007). "The Kanye West/Will Oldham/Zach Galifianakis Collabo You Never Saw Coming". Wired. from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  67. ^ a b c d e f "Kanye West Posts Hilarious 'Nothing' Clip; Plus Beyonce, Backstreet Boys, Wyclef Jean, Lil Wayne, J.K. Rowling, Lindsay Lohan & More". MTV. July 25, 2007. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
  68. ^ . Rolling Stone. December 21, 2007. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  69. ^ Richardson, Mark; Plagenhoef, Scott (December 17, 2007). "Top 50 Music Videos of 2007". Pitchfork. from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
  70. ^ Plagenhoef, Scott (August 31, 2009). "The Top 50 Music Videos of the 2000s". Pitchfork. from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2008.
  71. ^ . Antville. January 8, 2008. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  72. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (July 7, 2007). . Billboard. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2007.
  73. ^ "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – June 9, 2007". Billboard. from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  74. ^ "Top 100 Songs – September 29, 2007". Billboard. from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  75. ^ "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – September 29, 2007". Billboard. from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  76. ^ "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – October 6, 2007". Billboard. from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  77. ^ "Top Rap Songs Chart – September 29, 2007". Billboard. from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  78. ^ a b "American single certifications – Kanye West – Can't Tell Me Nothing". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  79. ^ a b Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: Kristine W – Tammy Wynette". Zobbel.de. from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  80. ^ White, Jack (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West's Official Top 40 biggest songs in the UK". Official Charts Company. from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  81. ^ a b "British single certifications – Kanye West – Can't Tell Me Nothing". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  82. ^ a b c "Kanye West – Can't Tell Me Nothing" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  83. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  84. ^ "Kanye West Plays 'Nothing' For The Ladies; Plus Katharine McPhee, Wyclef Jean, Daddy Yankee & More, In For The Record". MTV. June 5, 2007. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  85. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (July 7, 2007). "The Police, West, Mayer Close Out Live Earth New York". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2007.
  86. ^ Cooper, Leonie (June 16, 2007). "Kanye West; Carling Apollo, Manchester, Monday July 2". NME. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  87. ^ "Mariah Carey Working On 'Stone Groove'; Plus Britney Spears, Eve, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Common, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes & More, In For The Record". MTV. July 20, 2007. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  88. ^ Cohen, Jonathan; Grimes, Taylor (August 7, 2007). "Beyonce, Timberlake Lead MTV VMA Nominations". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
  89. ^ "Stadium Status". Complex. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on July 31, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
  90. ^ Rabin, Nathan (June 24, 2008). "Ephemereview: The 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards". The A.V. Club. from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  91. ^ Halperin, Shirley (October 17, 2007). "Things We Saw (and Heard) at the Kanye West T-Mobile Party". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  92. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (February 8, 2008). . Billboard. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  93. ^ Castillo, Arielle (March 24, 2008). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  94. ^ Checkoway, Laura (April 4, 2008). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 7, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  95. ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 16, 2008). "Young Jeezy Brings Out Usher, Kanye West; T.I. Returns To Hometown Stage, At Atlanta's Birthday Bash". MTV. from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  96. ^ Crosley, Hillary (May 14, 2008). . Billboard. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  97. ^ Gendron, Bob (August 4, 2008). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 12, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  98. ^ Dombal, Ryan (December 15, 2008). . The Village Voice. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  99. ^ "Kanye West Closes Wireless Festival With Crystal-themed Show". NME. July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  100. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 6, 2009). "Kanye West Plays Intense, Brooding Set At New York G-Shock Party". MTV. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  101. ^ a b Martens, Todd (April 18, 2011). "Coachella 2011: Kanye West doesn't play it safe as he closes the Indio fest". Los Angeles Times. from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  102. ^ Brydon, Grant (2015). "Watch Kanye West's headlining Glastonbury performance". RWD Magazine. from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  103. ^ Tesema, Feleg (February 3, 2020). "Watch Kanye's Tribute Kobe Bryant at Super Bowl Sunday Service". Highsnobiety. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  104. ^ Wittich, Jake (February 16, 2020). "Kanye West mixes gospel classics with eclectic catalog at second Sunday Service in Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  105. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (August 21, 2007). "Kanye West Thanks 50 Cent For Much-Hyped Rivalry: 'We Push Each Other'". MTV. from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  106. ^ "Now That's What I Call Music! 26 - Various Artists". AllMusic. November 13, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  107. ^ a b c Mason, Aiden (July 16, 2018). "The Five Best Uses of Kanye West Songs In Movies". TVOM. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  108. ^ Kurp, Josh (October 28, 2013). "And Kanye West's Favorite Kanye West Song Is..." Uproxx. from the original on January 4, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  109. ^ Merrett, Robyn (August 16, 2018). "Saint West Recognizes Kanye's Voice On 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". People. from the original on March 16, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  110. ^ a b c "New Music: Kanye West f/ Young Jeezy – 'Can't Tell Me Nothing (Remix)'". Rap-Up. July 25, 2007. from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  111. ^ a b Ivey, Justin (July 28, 2016). "Kanye West Censored Pimp C's Verse on 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'". XXL. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  112. ^ Reid, Shaheem (July 30, 2007). "Jay-Z Calls Kanye West And 50 Cent's LP Face-Off 'A Fantastic Thing For Hip-Hop'". MTV. from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  113. ^ a b "Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing - Vinyl 12" - 2007 - US - Original". HHV. from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  114. ^ "West, Kanye Featuring T-Pain - Good Life". Amazon. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  115. ^ "Good Life (feat. T-Pain) - Single by Kanye West". Apple Music. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  116. ^ a b "Audio: Kanye f. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes & More Jeezy Adlibs, 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' Remix". The Fader. August 30, 2007. from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
  117. ^ "Kanye West f. Beanie Sigel & Freeway - Can't Tell Me Nothin' (Rocafella Remix)". HipHopDX. September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  118. ^ Woolf, Jake (July 7, 2016). "Kanye's New Video with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights Is Delightfully Self-Aware". GQ. from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  119. ^ Shteamer, Hank (March 12, 2009). "Backtalk: Francis and the Lights". Time Out New York. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  120. ^ Domanski, Gabrielle (August 9, 2011). "Taking Back Sunday 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' (Kanye West cover)". Exclaim!. from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  121. ^ Berman, Eliza (November 26, 2014). "Sam Smith Kanye West Mashup: Full Audio". Time. from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  122. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  123. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  124. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  125. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  126. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - 2007 Year End Charts". Billboard. 2007. from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  127. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kanye West". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  128. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Kanye West; 'Can't Tell Me Nothing')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 4, 2023.

External links edit

  • at MTV (archive from 2008)
  • "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Remix) on YouTube

April 12, 2024
tell, nothing, mixtape, mixtape, mcgraw, song, live, like, were, dying, song, american, rapper, kanye, west, from, third, studio, album, graduation, 2007, song, contains, additional, vocals, from, young, jeezy, connie, mitchell, produced, west, with, toomp, wi. For the mixtape see Can t Tell Me Nothing mixtape For the Tim McGraw song see Live Like You Were Dying Can t Tell Me Nothing is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album Graduation 2007 The song contains additional vocals from Young Jeezy and Connie Mitchell It was produced by West with DJ Toomp with West being responsible for 60 percent of the production The song originated from Young Jeezy s I Got Money after West made changes to the track On May 15 2007 the song premiered via Hot 97 and was released by Roc A Fella and Def Jam that same day as the lead single from the album A hip hop track it was described by West as a theme song for the people The lyrics see West reflecting on his fame while he expresses different types of feelings Can t Tell Me Nothing Single by Kanye Westfrom the album GraduationB side Barry Bonds ReleasedMay 15 2007Recorded2005 2006StudioDoppler Atlanta Sony Music NYC Record Plant Hollywood Chalice Los Angeles GenreHip hopLength4 31LabelRoc A Fella Def JamSongwriter s Kanye West Connie Mitchell Aldrin DavisProducer s Kanye West DJ ToompKanye West singles chronology Classic Better Than I ve Ever Been 2007 Can t Tell Me Nothing 2007 Stronger 2007 Music video Can t Tell Me Nothing on YouTube Can t Tell Me Nothing received universal acclaim from music critics who mostly appreciated the lyrical content Others praised the production while some critics highlighted the song s inclusion on Graduation It was listed amongst the best tracks of 2007 by several publications including Consequence of Sound and Pitchfork The song received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ultimately losing to Good Life The former reached number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100 alongside peaking at number 20 on the US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart and was certified triple platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA It has also been certified gold in both Australia and the United Kingdom by the Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA and British Phonographic Industry BPI respectively An accompanying music video was released on May 25 2007 It sees West walking around El Mirage Lake unaccompanied while his silhouette follows him The video received positive reviews from critics who have often complimented its camerawork The song s alternate music video was released on July 25 2007 which features Zach Galifianakis and Will Oldham lip syncing Can t Tell Me Nothing at Galifianakis s farm West performed the song live throughout 2007 and 2008 including at a Live Earth concert in the former year He later performed it at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Glastonbury Festival in 2011 and 2015 respectively Can t Tell Me Nothing was used in the film The Hangover 2009 marking the first of three times that West s music would be featured in the films from the series of the same name In 2013 West named it his favourite song out of his entire discography Francis and the Lights covered the song in 2009 and an acoustic cover version was later performed by Taking Back Sunday in 2011 The song s Young Jeezy featuring remix was released in July 2007 which contains a verse from him Contents 1 Background and development 2 Composition and lyrics 3 Release and reception 4 Accolades 5 Music videos 6 Commercial performance 7 Live performances 8 In popular culture 9 Remixes and other versions 10 Track listing 11 Credits and personnel 12 Charts 12 1 Weekly charts 12 2 Year end charts 13 Certifications 14 Release history 15 Further reading 16 References 17 External linksBackground and development edit nbsp DJ Toomp produced the song alongside West Following on from meeting West when working on rapper T I s second studio album Trap Muzik 2003 record producer DJ Toomp went to New York and joined West in the studio for the creation of Graduation West showed a high amount of respect for him and was using an Ensoniq ASR 10 keyboard in the studio which DJ Toomp said is the same keyboard I ve been using since day one 1 Speaking of the two of them collaborating for the album he opined that it definitely felt like a team atmosphere and also felt like we DJ Toomp admitted that he would say that sixty percent of Can t Tell Me Nothing was Ye and forty me while he called West a mastermind 1 In an interview with Revolt DJ Toomp explained that his 40 percent of the song s production was the beat and bassline while the 60 percent contributed by West consisted of the strings synths and the oh oh ah oh ah oh backing vocals 2 He revealed that the song was originally supposed to be a remix of West s Def Jam labelmate Young Jeezy s song I Got Money since West loved the whole cadence of how that beat was flowing and wanted the song to be a remix featuring him 2 However Young Jeezy ultimately wasn t really feeling it according to DJ Toomp which led to the song being passed on to West 2 Young Jeezy also offered an explanation of how Can t Tell Me Nothing came from I Got Money during an interview with HipHopDX saying that it was supposed to be a collaboration between him and T I for the former s third studio album The Recession 2008 3 4 The song was recalled as being sent to West by Young Jeezy and he subsequently recorded a verse before getting in contact with DJ Toomp after discovering that he was the producer and West then heavily altered the sonic direction of I Got Money 3 4 Due to the changes made by West Young Jeezy explained that he decided not to release the song on the album 4 By 2007 six months later the song was unused until West played Can t Tell Me Nothing for Young Jeezy at a studio session in Los Angeles which is a reworked version of I Got Money though he revealed that West asked him for permission to use his ad libs and was granted it 3 4 The track marked the two s first collaboration though Young Jeezy admitted after contributing that he was like Yo West owes me one 3 5 For giving back to him West delivered a verse on Young Jeezy s single Put On 2008 6 While traveling to Japan for a few days in 2006 West visited Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami at the artist s Kaikai Kiki studio in Asaka 7 West told Murakami that he is a fan of him and asked about the artist s works Murakami drew designs for West during the meeting and the two of them arranged to meet at a later date in the United States 7 The cover art of the single was designed by Murakami 8 Accompanying artwork for the album s other singles was also created by Murakami alongside him overseeing the art direction of Graduation 9 Despite Can t Tell Me Nothing not achieving the same level of radio success as the album s subsequent singles West took pride in the fact that the song had marked his first hood anthem and it gave him a new level of popularity in the hood 10 11 West also explained during an interview with Concrete Loop that the song is like the people s anthem and radio didn t want to play it while comparing the challenge faced by him to playing a video game 12 In the same interview West stated that the song s actual melody is made to rock 50 000 people which he called the reason as to why it s so simple 12 According to West he tried to step up as a rapper with the song and West recalled that after fellow rapper Andre 3000 heard the song he said I believe you 10 West named Can t Tell Me Nothing as an example of him creating a track that people never heard before 13 Composition and lyrics edit nbsp Can t Tell Me Nothing source source A 25 second sample of the song s chorus which includes strings in its instrumentation 14 The chorus features a loop of Connie Mitchell s vocals alongside the frequent repetition of Young Jeezy s backing ad libs 4 14 15 16 Problems playing this file See media help Musically Can t Tell Me Nothing is a hip hop track 17 The song features slow moody synth driven production which contains foghorn keyboards 18 19 It also includes a bassline alongside strings 2 West explained that the song s chords are akin to that of a rock melody specifically comparing them to the music of Led Zeppelin 12 The song contains ad libs from Young Jeezy in the background which are repeated throughout the chorus 4 15 16 Additional vocals are also provided by Connie Mitchell of the Australian electronic group Sneaky Sound System being looped within the song 15 20 West explained that he wanted to create a theme song with the track describing it as being a song for the people 21 Lyrically Can t Tell Me Nothing serves as West s reflection on his fame and as a result of this he hovers between insecure and confrontational while marked by bitter regret as well as self aware defiance 18 West begins the song by expounding his conflicted feelings regarding wealth and desire describing a compulsion to spend that overwhelms any and all other objectives in life 22 This is tied by West into his perceived overall inability to keep himself together even as he grows into an increasingly prominent figure in the public eye with lyrics like I feel the pressure under more scrutiny And what do I do Act more stupidly 23 Uncertainty is also expressed by West in the song s lyrics with him asking Then you can t tell me nothing right 24 Shortly afterwards West affirms you can t tell me nothing 24 The song marks the first use of the word apologing 25 which was invented as a way to rhyme apologizing with the previous line s collagen West said the line When You Try Hard That s when you Die Hard is about having accepted who he is and stopping trying to prove himself all the time while West revealed that it refers to the outfit worn by him at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006 12 Release and reception editWest premiered Can t Tell Me Nothing via Hot 97 on May 15 2007 with it being played by DJ Enuff 26 That same day the song was released as the lead single from Graduation 26 West decided on the song being the first single due to fellow rapper 50 Cent calling it his favorite song from the album after West met with 50 Cent and played the album to him 27 On June 19 2007 the song was serviced to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations through West s record labels Roc A Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings 28 A 12 vinyl was later released for the song by Universal Music on August 7 of that year 29 On September 11 2007 West s third studio album Graduation was released featuring Can t Tell Me Nothing as the sixth track 30 The song was met with universal acclaim from music critics with general praise for West s lyricism In a highly positive review for Slant Magazine Eric Henderson noted Can t Tell Me Nothing for having the most justifiable title on the album and expressed the opinion that you couldn t find a campus library cavernous enough for annotating the song 31 Dan Weiss from LAS Magazine highlighted it as the peak of West s examination of his character flaws every few tracks in a manner that s neither pitying nor arrogant throughout the album with Weiss branding the song a secret sing along 32 Dave Heaton of PopMatters described the song as a powerful single while he commented that it is the only track on Graduation which deals with reservations about the album s major theme of fame and wealth in any substantial way 22 In the Chicago Tribune Greg Kot chronicled West s performance as defiant defensive rueful sarcastic and deadly passionate 33 Nathan Rabin from The A V Club called the song a terrific hyper soul single that tempers the enthusiasm of West with the haunting realization that for someone who s hit the top there s nowhere to go but down and the public s love has a tricky way of curdling into resentment 34 MTV writer Shaheem Reid called it aptly titled while complimenting West s rapping for him dropping a myriad of one liners 16 Writing for NME Louis Pattison labeled the song pretty special describing it as a rare sort of track that brings little but chest pumped arrogance and shameless cash flashing to the table 35 Jesal Jay Soul Padania of RapReviews viewed Can t Tell Me Nothing as brilliant and pointed out that the beat verses and chorus are all classic stuff 36 Spin journalist Charles Aaron praised the song s soulful double unconsciousness 37 For Pitchfork Mark Pytlik asserted that the song s production somehow takes on new life in context of the record 38 In a less enthusiastic review The Guardian s Dorian Lynskey branded it a tense angry track though criticized certain lyrics for being disappointing 39 Accolades edit Can t Tell Me Nothing appeared on year end lists for 2007 of multiple publications The track was voted 34th on The Village Voice s Pazz amp Jop poll for that year with 12 mentions tying it with 4 other songs for the position 40 PopMatters named the track the 30th best song of 2007 with Barry Lenser of the magazine praising West s performance as well as calling the track rich and hypnotic 41 It was ranked as the 29th best song of the year by Junkmedia while Pitchfork listed the track as the 25th best song 18 42 Stylus Magazine cited it as the 13th best song of 2007 43 The track was ranked by Entertainment Weekly as the sixth best song of the year and the staff admitted that the beat might be West s most mesmerizing ever 44 Consequence of Sound named it the third best song of 2007 while the track s best achievement was being listed as the second best song of the year by laut de 45 46 For the 2014 issue of XXL that celebrated 40 years of hip hop the track was listed as one of the five best singles of 2007 47 In 2009 the track was ranked as the fifth best song of the 2000s by Complex 48 On a 2017 list of the greatest rap songs since 2000 by Cleveland com the track was ranked at number 56 49 In 2014 LA Weekly named Can t Tell Me Nothing the 17th best song in hip hop history 50 Complex named the track their song of the Complex decade which spanned from when the magazine was founded in 2002 to its 10th anniversary in 2012 51 The track was later ranked by Complex as West s second best song in 2018 while the magazine listed it among rap s most motivational songs two years later 52 53 At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008 the song and fellow Graduation single Good Life were both contenders for the award of Best Rap Song 54 This made West the only artist to receive two nominations for Best Rap Song at the ceremony he was mostly nominated in rap categories 54 55 However the song lost the award to Good Life at the Grammy Awards 56 Can t Tell Me Nothing was nominated for Track of the Year at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards ultimately losing to Party Like a Rockstar by Shop Boyz 57 58 Music videos edit nbsp The first music video is set at El Mirage Lake in Victor Valley Two separate music videos were released to accompany Can t Tell Me Nothing The first music video was directed by Hype Williams who West had collaborated with previously on videos 59 Due to wanting to create simplistic images with the visual West reached out to Williams 59 It was filmed at the dry lake bed El Mirage Lake which is located in the Mojave Desert s northwestern Victor Valley 59 On May 25 2007 the video was premiered by West through his website 60 It was also released for download via the iTunes Store 61 The music video is set in both daytime and the night seeing West wearing a mankerchief and medallion 19 59 It features West as the sole star with him walking around the desert 19 West is accompanied by his silhouette and there is a vivid blue sky and blazing sun in the background 62 A number of scenes are shot from above showing the body of West moving in and out of view 19 Following on from the shots a smoke machine and spotlights are turned on 19 A Lamborghini car is included in the video appearing as B roll footage 59 In another B roll shot a girl wearing a fly away burka is shown which was compared to the clothing worn in the 1998 music video for American singer Madonna s single Frozen 59 Steven Gottlieb of Video Static called the visual surprisingly watchable and commented that its epic scope makes sure we can t take our eyes off West while Nadine Cheung from The Boombox described West as looking tough as his silhouette dances among a sprawling desert 59 62 Entertainment Weekly s Chris Schonberger opined that the music video offers a rather insightful takeon Kanye s sic controversial persona and said he is removed from the vices that threaten his yearning for spirituality when wandering the desert as well as noting the clip s epic quality due to the scenes shot from above 19 The staff of Stereogum highlighted the video s stuttering camera work 63 An alternate music video for Can t Tell Me Nothing was directed by American actor Michael Blieden who shot it in New York after receiving an email from comedian Zach Galifianakis that told him to fly there for the filming The production was handled by Blieden and film director Inman Young 64 Of the video s creation Blieden recalled him and the production team asking themselves What if two farmers from North Carolina set out to make their own Kanye West music video and succeeded Though hiring clog dancers for the visual was Galifianakis s idea they were tracked down by Young 64 West had been introduced to Galifianakis s work through his personal trainer and eventually asked him to perform in the alternate video after attending one of Galifianakis s stand up shows in Los Angeles 65 66 The unscripted low budget music video was filmed at Galifianakis s farm in North Carolina 67 Galifianakis admitted that he struggled to lip sync the song s lyrics at the correct pace as well as finding it difficult to use a tractor 67 On July 25 2007 West shared the alternate music video on his website 66 In the video Galifianakis and folk singer songwriter Will Oldham lip sync to the song while dancing on tractors with the two of them being surrounded by cows 67 Various farm related high jinks are featured and Galifianakis and Oldham spit gratuitously 67 An exploding tractor numerous clog dancers and hay bales are included 66 67 In one scene the words I Love Turd are shown on Galifianakis s forehead while he holds a chainsaw 67 The alternate video was selected by Rolling Stone as the third best music video of 2007 while Pitchfork listed it as one of the top 50 videos of the year 68 69 On a list of the top 50 music videos from the 2000s decade Pitchfork ranked the clip at number 13 70 At the 2009 Antville Music Video Awards the alternate music video was nominated for Most Fun Video 71 Commercial performance editThe song debuted at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated June 9 2007 standing as the third highest new entry of that week 72 For the same issue the song entered at number 73 on the US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart 73 It ultimately peaked at number 41 on the Hot 100 for the issue date of September 29 2007 74 The song was present at number 24 on the US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart for that week though it rose four places to peak at number 20 on the chart the following week 75 76 On September 29 2007 the song peaked at number eight on the US Hot Rap Songs chart 77 In September 2020 Can t Tell Me Nothing was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA for selling 3 000 000 certified units in the US 78 On the UK Singles Chart the song peaked at number 107 for the chart dated June 23 2007 79 As of October 24 2019 it ranks as West s 32nd most popular track of all time on the UK Singles Chart 80 Can t Tell Me Nothing was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry BPI for shelving 600 000 units in the United Kingdom on December 22 2023 81 For the issue date of September 29 2012 the song entered at number 159 on France s SNEP chart 82 The following week it rose 14 places to number 145 82 In December 2015 Can t Tell Me Nothing was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA for shipments of 35 000 copies in Australia 83 Live performances editOn June 1 2007 West made a surprise appearance at DJ Gomez Warren s set in Los Angeles to play Can t Tell Me Nothing 84 West performed the song as part of his set at a concert of the Live Earth event in 2007 accompanied by a string section which included female members that wore exotic face paint 85 On July 7 of that year West performed the song during his appearance at the Manchester Apollo for the Manchester International Festival 86 For S O B s impromptu jam session in Manhattan on July 18 2007 hosted by Hot 97 West deliver a performance of the song 87 West performed a medley during his in studio appearance for MTV s Total Request Live on August 10 2007 which consisted of the song and fellow Graduation single Stronger 88 On September 11 of that year West transitioned from a snippet of the album s track Champion into a performance of Can t Tell Me Nothing when appearing on BET s 106 amp Park 89 West performed the song to open the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards surrounded by black clad dancers who moved around similarly to ballerinas 90 At the launch party for the new T Mobile Sidekick LX in Los Angeles Griffith Park on October 17 2007 West made a surprise appearance that included him performing the song 91 During his surprise appearance at a Kid Sister concert in New York s Museum of Natural History on January 25 2008 West delivered a performance of the song 92 West performed Can t Tell Me Nothing as a duet with collaborator Jay Z at the American Airlines Arena in Miami for the opening concert of the Heart of the City Tour co headlined by Mary J Blige and Jay Z on March 22 2008 93 At the opening of Murakami s exhibit in the Brooklyn Museum on April 4 of that year West performed the song live extending the performance into a freestyle 94 West and Young Jeezy performed Can t Tell Me Nothing together at the Philips Arena in Atlanta for the 13th annual Hot 107 9 Birthday Bash concert on June 13 2008 95 During the first concert of West s conceptual Glow in the Dark Tour an LCD screen seated behind him displayed a fiery explosion that ignited for the song s oh vocals while he performed 96 West performed the song on the final night of Lollapalooza 2008 in his hometown of Chicago which he co headlined with Nine Inch Nails 97 Dressed in an all red outfit West performed Can t Tell Me Nothing during his set at Z100 s the Jingle Ball concert in Madison Square Garden on December 12 2008 98 nbsp West performed the song for his headlining set at Glastonbury in 2015 West delivered a performance of the song in Hyde Park when headlining the second and final day of the 2009 Wireless Festival 99 On August 6 2009 he performed it for Casio G Shock s the World event at Cipriani s on Wall Street performing in front of a shifting digital display screen that counted down the time West was onstage 100 At the 2011 Coachella Festival West transitioned from his single Jesus Walks 2004 into a performance of the song 101 West s dancers left the stage during the transition and for the performance he remained at the front of the stage throughout 101 West headlined the 2015 Glastonbury Festival with his set including a performance of the song 102 As part of West and his gospel group the Sunday Service Choir s tribute to deceased basketball player Kobe Bryant at the Super Bowl LIV in 2020 they performed the song 103 West and the Sunday Service Choir performed a gospel version of Can t Tell Me Nothing at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on February 16 2020 104 In popular culture editDuring West s rivalry with 50 Cent that was caused by the coinciding release date of September 11 2007 for both Graduation and 50 Cent s third studio album Curtis West recalled Can t Tell Me Nothing being the 2 song on the radio in New York at one point while 50 Cent simultaneously had the radio s most popular song with the album s third single I Get Money 105 West explained that the singles were neck and neck which he called exciting to people 105 By October 2007 West recalled people comparing the song to Spaceship from his debut studio album The College Dropout 2004 saying people told him that both songs gave them inspiration when they going sic to work 12 Can t Tell Me Nothing was included as the sixth track on the compilation album Now That s What I Call Music 26 released on November 13 2007 as the 26th edition of the Now series in the US 106 For the soundtrack of 2009 American comedy film The Hangover the song was included 107 It is played alongside a scene that sees the wolfpack driving to Las Vegas for the film s bachelor party with the line Wait til I get my money right being part of the portion of the song which is featured 107 West s music was used in all of the films released as part of The Hangover trilogy being included in the soundtrack for the second and third installments of the film series in 2011 and 2013 respectively 107 In an October 2013 interview on Power 106 West revealed that the track is his favorite song to have been released by him 108 On August 16 2018 Kanye s wife Kim Kardashian shared a video of her playing the song to their son Saint West who recognized it as being rapped by his father 109 Remixes and other versions edit nbsp Two of the song s remixes feature Young Jeezy and the staff of Rap Up viewed his appearance on the official remix as appropriate 110 The official remix of Can t Tell Me Nothing which features Young Jeezy was released on July 25 2007 110 Pimp C of American hip hop duo UGK had originally been slated to appear on the remix though his verse was ultimately removed due to him dissing Young Jeezy in it 111 Speaking about the situation Pimp C recalled promising not to drop that shit because Kanye told me that the song is a prayer and a reworked version of the song s chorus was also recorded by him 111 Of the remix Jay Z said that it was used to help build up anticipation for Graduation and he also admitted that there is a strategy involved for putting yourself in the best position 112 The remix includes a verse by Young Jeezy and new lines from Kanye West 110 Later in 2007 it was released on the A side of the song s 12 vinyl while also released as the B side to Good Life 29 113 114 115 Another remix was released on August 30 2007 with guest appearances from fellow rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes alongside Young Jeezy 116 It features shouting by DJs and Lil Wayne delivering instant message speak as well as more ad libs from Young Jeezy 116 The following month the Rocafella Remix of Can t Tell Me Nothing was released featuring West s labelmates Beanie Sigel and Freeway 117 On February 7 2009 West linked to American pop project Francis and the Lights cover version of the song on his blog 118 The cover maintains the hip hop sound of the original version and the project s lead singer Francis Farewell Starlite felt that being among the artists shared via West s blog is an honor while he explained that covering the song was in essence a call to him that sent a personal message about his feelings towards West s music 17 119 During Billboard s instalment of Mashup Mondays for August 8 2011 alternative rock band Taking Back Sunday performed an acoustic cover of the song 120 On November 26 2014 recorder and early woodwinds player Carlos Serrano shared a mashup of Can t Tell Me Nothing with English singer Sam Smith s single I m Not the Only One 2014 to his SoundCloud page 121 Track listing editU S 12 vinyl 113 A side Can t Tell Me Nothing Album Can t Tell Me Nothing Instrumental Can t Tell Me Nothing Remix featuring Young Jeezy B side Barry Bonds Main Barry Bonds Instrumental Barry Bonds Accapella Credits and personnel editInformation taken from Graduation liner notes 15 Recording Recorded at Doppler Studios Atlanta GA Sony Music Studios NYC The Record Plant Hollywood CA and Chalice Studios Los Angeles CA Mixed at Encore Studios Los Angeles CA and Chung King Studios NYC Personnel Kanye West songwriter production DJ Toomp songwriter production Andrew Dawson recording mix engineer Anthony Kilhoffer recording Tony Rey recording Mike Dean mix engineer Richard Reitz assistant mix engineer Bram Tobey assistant mix engineer Jason Agel assistant mix engineer Nate Hertweck assistant mix engineer Anthony Palazzole assistant mix engineer Andy Marcinkowski assistant mix engineer Darryl Beaton keyboards Chris Rob keyboards Young Jeezy additional vocals Connie Mitchell additional vocalsCharts editWeekly charts edit 2007 weekly chart performance for Can t Tell Me Nothing Chart 2007 PeakpositionUK Singles OCC 79 107US Billboard Hot 100 122 41US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 123 20US Hot Rap Songs Billboard 124 8US Rhythmic Billboard 125 362012 weekly chart performance for Can t Tell Me Nothing Chart 2012 PeakpositionFrance SNEP 82 145 Year end charts edit 2007 year end chart performance for Can t Tell Me Nothing Chart 2007 PositionUS Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 126 77Certifications editCertifications and sales for Can t Tell Me Nothing Region Certification Certified units salesAustralia ARIA 83 Gold 35 000 Denmark IFPI Danmark 127 Gold 45 000 Germany BVMI 128 Gold 150 000 United Kingdom BPI 81 Platinum 600 000 United States RIAA 78 4 Platinum 4 000 000 Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Release history editRelease dates and formats for Can t Tell Me Nothing Region Date Format Label s Ref United States June 19 2007 Rhythmic contemporary radio Roc A FellaDef Jam 28 August 7 2007 12 vinyl Universal 29 Further reading editRichardson Chris February 2011 Can t Tell Me Nothing Symbolic Violence Education and Kanye West Popular Music and Society 34 1 97 112 doi 10 1080 03007766 2011 539831 S2CID 56118993References edit a b Hobbs Linda November 22 2012 DJ Toomp Tells All The Stories Behind His Classic Records Complex Archived from the original on April 8 2020 Retrieved August 10 2020 a b c d Nelson Jr Keith November 21 2019 DJ Toomp talks T I creating Trap Music working with Kanye an unreleased JAY Z Rihanna collab and more Revolt Archived from the original on December 20 2019 Retrieved February 20 2020 a b c d Wallace Riley September 7 2019 Jeezy Reveals Kanye West s Can t Tell Me Nothing Was Originally His Record HipHopDX Archived from the original on September 29 2019 Retrieved April 21 2020 a b c d e f How Jeezy s Ad libs Ended Up on Kanye West s Can t Tell Me Nothing Def Jam September 11 2019 Retrieved August 9 2020 A Aron September 6 2019 Jeezy Reveals How His Ad Libs Landed On Kanye West s Can t Tell Me Nothing HotNewHipHop Archived from the original on September 9 2019 Retrieved August 9 2020 Tigg FNR September 10 2019 Jeezy Explains How He Got Kanye West s Classic Verse for Put On Complex Archived from the original on April 6 2020 Retrieved August 9 2020 a b Kato Akiko Wilson Wayne カニエ ウェストがカイカイキキにやってきた Kanye West visits the studio in Japanese Kaikai Kiki Archived from the original on April 9 2009 Retrieved August 10 2020 Kanye West s new Can t Tell Me Nothing single Artnet July 24 2007 Archived from the original on June 30 2016 Retrieved August 7 2020 Martin Francesca August 1 2007 Kanye West Mixes Manga and Music With the Warhol of Japan The Guardian London Archived from the original on December 4 2013 Retrieved August 10 2020 a b Reid Shaheem February 4 2008 Kanye West Will The Grammys Reward His Confidence In Graduation MTV Archived from the original on February 6 2008 Retrieved February 5 2007 Reid Shaheem August 1 2007 Kanye West On Making Hottest MCs List It Feels Better Than Winning An Award MTV Archived from the original on October 17 2007 Retrieved August 5 2007 a b c d e Laws Angel October 5 2007 Exclusive Interview W Kanye West Concrete Loop Archived from the original on October 6 2007 Retrieved October 5 2007 Welch Will April 15 2020 Kanye West on His Next Album Designing Yeezy and Kobe Bryant GQ Archived from the original on April 15 2020 Retrieved April 21 2020 a b Im Jackie September 10 2007 Kanye West Graduation Treblezine Retrieved August 11 2020 a b c d Graduation Media notes Kanye West Roc A Fella Records 2007 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link a b c Reid Shaheem Richard Yasmine May 22 2007 Kanye West Reveals Tour Details Signs Up Madonna s Choreographer MTV Archived from the original on May 24 2007 Retrieved May 22 2007 a b Isenberg Daniel May 18 2012 The 10 Best Indie Covers Of Kanye West Songs Complex Retrieved August 12 2020 a b c The 100 Best Songs of 2007 Pitchfork December 17 2007 Archived from the original on July 28 2020 Retrieved August 9 2020 a b c d e f Schonberger Chris May 30 2007 Watching Kanye West s Can t Tell Me Nothing video Entertainment Weekly Retrieved August 11 2020 Shipley Al September 11 2017 Kanye West s Graduation 10 Things You Didn t Know Rolling Stone Archived from the original on June 22 2020 Retrieved August 11 2020 Reid Shaheem August 29 2007 Kanye s Graduation Inside The NYC Listening Party For West s So Called Comeback MTV Archived from the original on October 21 2007 Retrieved August 29 2007 a b Heaton Dave September 10 2007 Kanye West Graduation PopMatters Archived from the original on June 27 2018 Retrieved September 12 2007 Kot Greg August 31 2007 Graduation day arrives Kanye West exploits his growing pains Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on November 7 2007 Retrieved October 1 2007 a b Swann Jennifer February 4 2013 Top 10 You Can t Tell Me Nothing Rappers LA Weekly Retrieved August 10 2020 Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing retrieved April 1 2024 a b Kanye Releases Nothing Plus Mary J Phil Spector Bono Lindsay Christina Rihanna amp More MTV May 15 2007 Archived from the original on May 18 2007 Retrieved May 15 2007 Serpick Evan September 6 2007 Kanye vs 50 Cent Rolling Stone Archived from the original on July 25 2020 Retrieved August 7 2020 a b Available For Rhythmic Airplay FMQB Archived from the original on October 29 2007 Retrieved August 7 2020 a b c Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing Vinyl Amazon Archived from the original on February 20 2015 Retrieved August 6 2020 Kellman Andy Graduation Kanye West AllMusic Archived from the original on March 26 2019 Retrieved September 12 2011 Henderson Eric September 7 2007 Kanye West Graduation Slant Magazine Archived from the original on June 6 2010 Retrieved August 11 2020 Weiss Dan 2007 Reviews Kanye West Graduation LAS Magazine Archived from the original on November 3 2007 Retrieved August 11 2020 Kot Greg June 1 2007 Kanye Lupe Pharrell Collaborate on Thom Yorke Track Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on June 17 2008 Retrieved June 8 2007 Rabin Nathan September 11 2007 Kanye West Graduation The A V Club Chicago Archived from the original on May 22 2013 Retrieved August 10 2020 Pattison Louis September 13 2007 Kanye West Graduation NME Archived from the original on October 20 2007 Retrieved August 10 2020 Padania Jesal Jay Soul September 11 2007 RapReview Of The Week Kanye West s Graduation RapReviews Archived from the original on February 28 2008 Retrieved August 11 2020 Aaron Charles November 2007 Doo Wah Diddy Spin 23 11 114 Archived from the original on May 27 2016 Retrieved August 11 2020 Pytlik Mark September 11 2007 Kanye West Graduation Pitchfork Archived from the original on September 29 2009 Retrieved August 11 2020 Lynskey Dorian September 7 2007 Kanye West Graduation The Guardian London Archived from the original on October 5 2014 Retrieved August 10 2020 Pazz and Jop 07 The Village Voice Archived from the original on February 9 2008 Retrieved August 11 2020 The 50 Best Songs of 2007 PopMatters May 29 2020 Archived from the original on July 12 2020 Retrieved August 11 2020 2007 in Review Junkmedia December 28 2007 Archived from the original on January 7 2008 Retrieved August 11 2020 Top 50 Songs of 2007 Pop Playground Stylus Magazine October 31 2007 Archived from the original on November 1 2007 Retrieved August 9 2020 The 10 best songs of 2007 Entertainment Weekly December 18 2007 Archived from the original on December 29 2007 Retrieved August 9 2020 Top 50 Songs of 2007 Consequence of Sound February 20 2017 Archived from the original on September 17 2018 Retrieved October 31 2019 Jahrescharts in German laut de Archived from the original on December 21 2007 Retrieved August 11 2020 XXL Lists The Best Hip Hop Songs And Albums Of The Last 40 Years XXL January 9 2014 Archived from the original on January 10 2014 Retrieved August 11 2020 Top 100 Songs Best of the 2000s Complex 2009 Archived from the original on December 5 2009 Retrieved August 11 2020 Smith Troy L August 24 2017 100 greatest rap songs since 2000 Cleveland com Archived from the original on February 22 2020 Retrieved April 21 2020 Kangas Chaz August 11 2014 The 20 Best Hip Hop Songs in History LA Weekly Archived from the original on August 13 2014 Retrieved July 26 2019 The 100 Best Songs of The Complex Decade Complex April 18 2012 Archived from the original on April 20 2012 Retrieved April 18 2012 Barber Andrew Klinkenberg Brendan Scarano Ross January 5 2018 The Best Kanye West Songs Complex Archived from the original on June 9 2019 Retrieved August 11 2020 Callas Brad Josephs Brian Scarano Ross May 29 2020 Rap s Most Motivational Songs Complex Archived from the original on December 9 2019 Retrieved August 11 2020 a b Harris Chris December 6 2007 Kanye West Amy Winehouse Foo Fighters Jay Z Justin Score Big Grammy Nominations MTV Archived from the original on November 13 2010 Retrieved December 8 2007 Goodman Dean December 6 2007 Kanye West Amy Winehouse spice up Grammy race Reuters Retrieved August 10 2020 Kanye West Artist Grammy Archived from the original on December 8 2018 Retrieved August 7 2020 Concepcion Mariel September 14 2007 T I Leads BET Hip Hop Awards Nods Billboard Retrieved August 7 2020 permanent dead link Hip Hop Awards 2007 BET April 25 2016 Archived from the original on December 12 2017 Retrieved August 7 2020 a b c d e f g Gottlieb Steven June 7 2007 New release Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing Video Static Retrieved August 13 2020 Green Day Cover Simpsons Theme Song Plus Linkin Park Kanye West Young Jeezy Brandy amp More In For The Record MTV May 25 2007 Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved June 7 2007 Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing Kanye West Blog Archived from the original on June 3 2007 Retrieved August 13 2020 a b Cheung Nadine August 2 2007 Video of the Day Can t Tell Kanye West Nothing The Boombox Archived from the original on September 14 2013 Retrieved August 13 2020 New Kanye West Video Can t Tell Me Nothing Stereogum May 25 2007 Archived from the original on April 6 2011 Retrieved August 13 2020 a b Cant Tell Me Nothing alternate video with Zach Galifianakis The Claw Productions Archived from the original on December 17 2007 Retrieved August 27 2007 Montgomery James July 26 2007 Kanye West Video Star Zach Galifianakis Explains Wacky Tractor Filled Clip MTV Archived from the original on August 8 2007 Retrieved July 26 2007 a b c Watercutter Angela July 25 2007 The Kanye West Will Oldham Zach Galifianakis Collabo You Never Saw Coming Wired Archived from the original on December 23 2016 Retrieved August 13 2020 a b c d e f Kanye West Posts Hilarious Nothing Clip Plus Beyonce Backstreet Boys Wyclef Jean Lil Wayne J K Rowling Lindsay Lohan amp More MTV July 25 2007 Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved July 25 2007 Weekend Rock List 2007 s Best Music Videos Rolling Stone December 21 2007 Archived from the original on December 24 2007 Retrieved April 10 2008 Richardson Mark Plagenhoef Scott December 17 2007 Top 50 Music Videos of 2007 Pitchfork Archived from the original on March 10 2016 Retrieved March 28 2008 Plagenhoef Scott August 31 2009 The Top 50 Music Videos of the 2000s Pitchfork Archived from the original on March 7 2016 Retrieved August 31 2008 Antville Music Video Awards 2007 Antville January 8 2008 Archived from the original on April 9 2016 Retrieved August 13 2020 Cohen Jonathan July 7 2007 Rihanna Tops Hot 100 And New Canadian Tally Billboard Archived from the original on February 28 2009 Retrieved July 15 2007 Top Hip Hop Songs R amp B Songs Chart June 9 2007 Billboard Archived from the original on July 7 2019 Retrieved April 21 2020 Top 100 Songs September 29 2007 Billboard Archived from the original on January 5 2019 Retrieved August 7 2020 Top Hip Hop Songs R amp B Songs Chart September 29 2007 Billboard Archived from the original on April 12 2019 Retrieved August 7 2020 Top Hip Hop Songs R amp B Songs Chart October 6 2007 Billboard Archived from the original on March 30 2018 Retrieved August 7 2020 Top Rap Songs Chart September 29 2007 Billboard Archived from the original on May 5 2019 Retrieved August 11 2020 a b American single certifications Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved July 12 2022 a b Zywietz Tobias Chart Log UK Kristine W Tammy Wynette Zobbel de Archived from the original on June 7 2013 Retrieved September 6 2010 White Jack October 24 2019 Kanye West s Official Top 40 biggest songs in the UK Official Charts Company Archived from the original on October 24 2019 Retrieved April 21 2020 a b British single certifications Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing British Phonographic Industry Retrieved January 11 2024 a b c Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing in French Les classement single Retrieved December 27 2014 a b ARIA Charts Accreditations 2015 Singles PDF Australian Recording Industry Association Retrieved August 10 2020 Kanye West Plays Nothing For The Ladies Plus Katharine McPhee Wyclef Jean Daddy Yankee amp More In For The Record MTV June 5 2007 Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved April 19 2008 Cohen Jonathan July 7 2007 The Police West Mayer Close Out Live Earth New York Billboard Retrieved July 8 2007 Cooper Leonie June 16 2007 Kanye West Carling Apollo Manchester Monday July 2 NME Retrieved June 16 2007 Mariah Carey Working On Stone Groove Plus Britney Spears Eve Kanye West Swizz Beatz Common Zac Efron Amanda Bynes amp More In For The Record MTV July 20 2007 Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved November 10 2008 Cohen Jonathan Grimes Taylor August 7 2007 Beyonce Timberlake Lead MTV VMA Nominations Billboard Retrieved August 18 2007 Stadium Status Complex September 12 2007 Archived from the original on July 31 2007 Retrieved September 14 2007 Rabin Nathan June 24 2008 Ephemereview The 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards The A V Club Archived from the original on November 21 2019 Retrieved August 12 2020 Halperin Shirley October 17 2007 Things We Saw and Heard at the Kanye West T Mobile Party Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on July 23 2012 Retrieved October 17 2007 Concepcion Mariel February 8 2008 Kid Sister Jan 25 2008 New York Museum of Natural History Billboard Archived from the original on February 8 2008 Retrieved August 9 2020 Castillo Arielle March 24 2008 Jay Z Mary J Blige and Guests Bring the Heat in Miami at Tour Opener Rolling Stone Archived from the original on March 27 2008 Retrieved July 17 2009 Checkoway Laura April 4 2008 Kanye West Gets the Art Crowd High at Intimate Brooklyn Gig Rolling Stone Archived from the original on April 7 2008 Retrieved April 19 2008 Reid Shaheem June 16 2008 Young Jeezy Brings Out Usher Kanye West T I Returns To Hometown Stage At Atlanta s Birthday Bash MTV Archived from the original on June 18 2014 Retrieved July 30 2008 Crosley Hillary May 14 2008 Kanye West May 13 2008 New York Madison Square Garden Billboard Archived from the original on May 16 2008 Retrieved January 26 2009 Gendron Bob August 4 2008 Even Without Obama Kanye West Reclaims Chicago and Lollapalooza Rolling Stone Archived from the original on August 12 2008 Retrieved August 4 2008 Dombal Ryan December 15 2008 Live Teenage Girls Run Z100 s Jingle Ball The Village Voice Archived from the original on April 21 2009 Retrieved April 7 2009 Kanye West Closes Wireless Festival With Crystal themed Show NME July 6 2009 Retrieved July 6 2009 Reid Shaheem August 6 2009 Kanye West Plays Intense Brooding Set At New York G Shock Party MTV Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved August 6 2009 a b Martens Todd April 18 2011 Coachella 2011 Kanye West doesn t play it safe as he closes the Indio fest Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on December 10 2018 Retrieved August 12 2020 Brydon Grant 2015 Watch Kanye West s headlining Glastonbury performance RWD Magazine Archived from the original on August 9 2015 Retrieved August 12 2020 Tesema Feleg February 3 2020 Watch Kanye s Tribute Kobe Bryant at Super Bowl Sunday Service Highsnobiety Retrieved August 12 2020 Wittich Jake February 16 2020 Kanye West mixes gospel classics with eclectic catalog at second Sunday Service in Chicago Chicago Sun Times Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved August 12 2020 a b Reid Shaheem August 21 2007 Kanye West Thanks 50 Cent For Much Hyped Rivalry We Push Each Other MTV Archived from the original on July 28 2020 Retrieved August 7 2020 Now That s What I Call Music 26 Various Artists AllMusic November 13 2007 Retrieved August 8 2020 a b c Mason Aiden July 16 2018 The Five Best Uses of Kanye West Songs In Movies TVOM Retrieved August 7 2020 Kurp Josh October 28 2013 And Kanye West s Favorite Kanye West Song Is Uproxx Archived from the original on January 4 2016 Retrieved October 28 2013 Merrett Robyn August 16 2018 Saint West Recognizes Kanye s Voice On Can t Tell Me Nothing People Archived from the original on March 16 2020 Retrieved August 12 2020 a b c New Music Kanye West f Young Jeezy Can t Tell Me Nothing Remix Rap Up July 25 2007 Archived from the original on October 22 2007 Retrieved August 10 2020 a b Ivey Justin July 28 2016 Kanye West Censored Pimp C s Verse on Can t Tell Me Nothing XXL Retrieved August 12 2020 Reid Shaheem July 30 2007 Jay Z Calls Kanye West And 50 Cent s LP Face Off A Fantastic Thing For Hip Hop MTV Archived from the original on January 20 2016 Retrieved July 31 2007 a b Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing Vinyl 12 2007 US Original HHV Archived from the original on June 19 2013 Retrieved August 6 2020 West Kanye Featuring T Pain Good Life Amazon Retrieved August 11 2020 Good Life feat T Pain Single by Kanye West Apple Music Retrieved August 11 2020 a b Audio Kanye f Lil Wayne Busta Rhymes amp More Jeezy Adlibs Can t Tell Me Nothing Remix The Fader August 30 2007 Archived from the original on October 4 2009 Retrieved August 30 2007 Kanye West f Beanie Sigel amp Freeway Can t Tell Me Nothin Rocafella Remix HipHopDX September 27 2007 Retrieved August 12 2020 Woolf Jake July 7 2016 Kanye s New Video with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights Is Delightfully Self Aware GQ Archived from the original on June 25 2018 Retrieved August 12 2020 Shteamer Hank March 12 2009 Backtalk Francis and the Lights Time Out New York Retrieved August 12 2020 Domanski Gabrielle August 9 2011 Taking Back Sunday Can t Tell Me Nothing Kanye West cover Exclaim Archived from the original on September 9 2017 Retrieved August 12 2020 Berman Eliza November 26 2014 Sam Smith Kanye West Mashup Full Audio Time Archived from the original on February 18 2017 Retrieved August 12 2020 Kanye West Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved December 27 2014 Kanye West Chart History Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Retrieved December 26 2014 Kanye West Chart History Hot Rap Songs Billboard Retrieved December 26 2014 Kanye West Chart History Rhythmic Billboard Retrieved December 26 2014 R amp B Hip Hop Songs 2007 Year End Charts Billboard 2007 Archived from the original on March 30 2019 Retrieved January 30 2019 Danish single certifications Kanye West IFPI Danmark Retrieved July 7 2022 Gold Platin Datenbank Kanye West Can t Tell Me Nothing in German Bundesverband Musikindustrie Retrieved June 4 2023 External links edit Can t Tell Me Nothing Lyrics at MTV archive from 2008 Can t Tell Me Nothing Remix on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Can 27t Tell Me Nothing amp oldid 1216757658, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.