A Three-Part Kanye West Documentary Is Coming to Netflix
Amid making headlines for his divorce from Kim Kardashian and his whirlwind romance with Julia Fox, Kanye West will next be the focus of a new Netflix documentary. Jeen-Yuhs, a three-part
project from directors Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah, spans 21 years of the rapper’s life and includes never-before-seen archival footage.
The filmmaker duo, better known as Coodie & Chike, previously directed some of West’s early 2000s music videos, like “Jesus Walks” and “Through the Wire.” According to a synopsis from Sundance, where Jeen-Yuhs will premiere virtually later this month, Coodie first started recording and interviewing West at Jermaine Dupri’s birthday party in 2002. What followed was a decades-long journey with the rapper, producer, fashion designer, and controversial pop culture icon.
News that Netflix acquired the title came in April 2021. At the time, Variety reported that the footage would cover West’s “career in music and fashion, his failed 2020 presidential bid, and the death of his mother, Donda West.” Here’s what else we know.
When does Jeen-Yuhs premiere?
The doc starts streaming on Netflix on Wednesday, Feb. 16. It’s touted as a “three-week event,” so each installment will likely drop weekly. Rolling Stone also reports that Jeen-Yuhs will hit theaters on Thursday, Feb. 10.
It will make its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, Jan. 23.
Are there any trailers yet?
Yup. Netflix initially shared a first look of Jeen-Yuhs in September 2021 featuring West in 2002, trading rhymes with Mos Def from their collab “Two Words.”
The official trailer followed in January 2022, revealing more clips from the doc, some shot as early as 2002. The montage shares glimpses of West discussing his genius status with Rhymefest, linking up with Pharrell Williams, getting his jaw treated after surviving a car accident, creating in the studio with JAY-Z, dancing with his mother Donda, launching The Life of Pablo with Kid Cudi, and much more. Watch below.