"It was a strike against me that I didn't wear baggy jeans and jerseys and that I never hustled, never sold drugs"

In the quote "It was a strike against me that I didn't use baggy jeans and jerseys and that I never hustled, never ever offered drugs", Kanye West articulates the stigma or prejudice he dealt with for not adhering to certain stereotypes related to the hip-hop and wider city culture. This statement is layered with social review, showcasing his awareness of the social and cultural expectations put upon individuals, particularly young Black males, within these neighborhoods.

Kanye highlights the presumptions about authenticity and identity in hip-hop, a category often rooted in expressions of battle, street life, and rebellion. By specifying that not using "saggy denims and jerseys" and not engaging in activities like drug dealing was a "strike against" him, Kanye suggests that he was judged or thought about less reputable within the hip-hop neighborhood since he did not fit the conventional 'gangsta' image that was prevalent in the 1990s and early 2000s. This shows a more comprehensive difficulty of navigating an identity that diverges from mainstream expectations-- an identity that was perhaps more middle-class, rural, or different from the stereotypical urban story.

By selecting not to adopt this image, Kanye faced resistance and was perhaps marginalized within particular circles. His declaration recommends a critique of the narrow definitions of masculinity and authenticity in hip-hop culture. It underscores the pressures artists feel to comply with a particular image to be accepted or effective.

The quote likewise highlights Kanye's more comprehensive narrative of tough standards and redefining what it means to be an artist in the hip-hop industry. His success is a testament to his capability to go beyond these stereotypes and to produce his own definition of success, authenticity, and cultural expression. In essence, Kanye West highlights the significance of credibility over conformity, and the nerve it requires to remain real to oneself in the face of societal pressure to suit predefined functions or identities.