Kanye West is once again the center of attention as In Whose Name? hits theaters today. The new documentary, directed by Nico Ballesteros, offers an unfiltered look at the rapper’s most turbulent years. Ballesteros, who began filming in 2018 at only 18 years old, followed Ye with an iPhone for six years, collecting more than 3,000 hours of material that has been cut into a 106-minute feature.
The film doesn’t shy away from difficult chapters in West’s life. It shows his ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder, the public unraveling of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, and the fallout from remarks about Jewish people in 2022 that cost him millions in endorsements. It also rewinds to earlier controversies, including the night he interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs in 2009, while adding new footage that brings viewers into his inner circle.
One of the most striking moments comes from Pharrell Williams, who urged West to be careful in 2018. “One f–ked up facet, just like a diamond, one f–ked up facet can f–k the whole thing up,” Pharrell told him while warning that even one misstep could destroy everything he had built. Looking back, the warning feels like it predicted exactly what happened.
The documentary also exposes cracks in his marriage long before the world knew. In one clip, Kardashian challenges him after he tells reporters they planned to move to Chicago, and Ye admits he had been off his medication for months. Another heated scene captures him shouting at Kris Jenner until she breaks down in tears.
Other moments include Michael Che confronting West backstage at Saturday Night Live and a bizarre conversation with Elon Musk, filmed while the two lounged on a bed after a Miami concert.
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