Alex Kresovich, who has studied mental health references in pop music, said Kanye West’s 2008 album “808s & Heartbreak,” paved the way for a sub-genre known as emo rap. On the album, West, who now goes by Ye, chronicled his grief and depression after a breakup and his mother’s death.
“Not only are these songs existing,” he said. “The difference now is that we’re seeing these songs topping the charts.”
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