The decades-long journey of a music icon is captured in a single, unfiltered visual narrative, the icon being Kanye West. Viewers can delve into the life of West, whose every peak and valley seems destined for the documentary lens, with one notable series available on Netflix.

Kanye West is arguably one of the most interesting and polarizing public figures of the twenty-first century. His story, marked by a tireless pursuit of creative recognition, seismic shifts in musical genres, and a public life filled with controversial moments, provides extraordinary material.

While there are many documentaries on the 'Donda' rapper, this one on Netflix presents his life in an undeniable, compelling narrative, worthy of a long-form visual chronicle.

The Netflix docuseries Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022) is an intimate and comprehensive portrait filmed over 20 years by Clarence Simmons (Coodie) and Chike Ozah. The docuseries is currently available to stream on Netflix in the United States, including Netflix Standard with Ads.

The three-part series is broken down into thematic acts: Act I: Vision, Act II: Purpose, and Act III: Awakenning. In the early acts, viewers can witness West’s persistence in the face of industry rejection, even as he produced major hits for others. A particularly emotional element is the footage featuring his late mother, Donda West, who was an unwavering source of confidence.

"You do not realize how great you are," Donda tells her son, words that underscore his innate conviction. The latter acts navigate his life after his mother's passing, his mega-fame, and his public struggles, showcasing how profoundly life and death shaped his trajectory. 

Coodie began filming Kanye West in 1998, long before he was a global superstar, capturing his desperate drive to transition from a producer to a rapper. This unprecedented access provides a fascinating, raw look at his early struggles.

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Beyond the trilogy, the iconic rise and fall of Kanye West is detailed in further productions, resulting in many other must-watch documentaries.

If Jeen-Yuhs focuses on the rise and initial awakening, other projects offer perspectives on his subsequent turbulent years. One such film is In Whose Name?, a 2025 documentary directed by Nico Ballesteros. This work covers a more recent six-year period of Kanye West's life, detailing his public life and mental health challenges.

This documentary explores major events, including his struggles with bipolar disorder, his controversial 2020 presidential campaign, and the collapse of his marriage. It provides a more contemporary and, at times, difficult look at the life of W,est dealing with the pressures of massive global fame.

Another watch, though older, is True Life Stories: Kanye West, which offers a thoughtful analysis of his journey from Chicago to global stardom. These documentaries are worth watching to gain a more complete picture of West, who continually evolves and challenges the status quo.

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Have you watched the Netflix docuseries, Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022)? Let us know in the comments below