| |
CD Review:
College Dropout, Kanye West
COLLEGE DROPOUT
1. Intro
2. We Don't Dare
3. Graduation Day
4. All Falls Down
5. I'll Fly Away
6. Spaceship
7. Jesus Walks
8. Never Let Me Down
9. Get 'Em High
10. Workout Plan
11. The New Workout Plan
12. Slow Jamz
13. Breathe In Breathe Out
14. School Spirit Skit 1
15. School Spirit
16. Lil Jimmy Skit
17. Two Words
18. Through the Wire
19. Family Business
20. Last Call
THE LOWDOWN
[ Note: Yes, I know that this CD has been out for like a million years, but when an artist comes along and completely blows me away, I feel like I must give credit where credit is due. ]
He's been called arrogant, cocky, rude and a bad dancer, but the one word that fully defines Kanye West is talented. If you haven't already picked up the CD - buy it and you'll see why he is the baddest dude in the hip-hop game.
I remember driving with my sister and a friend early on this year when Through the Wire came on the radio. When I heard the first few beats, I was eager to tell them that it was my new favourite song. I then went so far as telling them not to speak to me until the song had finished, because I needed to savor every second of the track. As soon as the song ended, they informed me that I was crazy for liking a song "that made Chaka Khan sound like she was on helium." I just laughed and told them that they were listening to a true genius at work.
This CD is undeniably a classic waiting to happen. Hip-hop heads years from now will name the College Dropout as the album that made them want to get into the hip-hop game. Not just because it is filled with a bunch of hits, it's that Kanye West is the first artist to come along in a very long time and challenge the conventions of what sells in hip-hop. He expresses to the audience that he has more on his mind than just money and booty. He does this by including more personal and introspective content rather than producing a CD full of songs that glorify the hip-hop lifestyle.
On "Through the Wire," he details the events of his survival of a near fatal car accident where his jaw was wired shut - hence the title. I love the fact that he took this tragic event and was able to put a positive spin on it. It becomes an inspirational track about overcoming odds instead of being a depressing account of a near death experience. On All Falls Down (my fave track) he speaks about a few of his insecurities and the reasons why we sometimes make bad choices in life. But it wasn't until he released the single Jesus Walks that I truly realized how talented Kanye West is. This larger than life song contains lyrics about Jesus and includes a gospel-esque chorus. Although Kanye was fully aware that rap + spiritually don't necessarily equal a hit, he still decided to include it on the album. Not many artists can pull this off, but Mr. West did and produced a number one song. He even filmed three different versions of the videos to show how much he believed in the song. He deserves respect for defying the norm and rapping about his own concerns and beliefs.
What I love the most about this CD is that it is apparent that Kanye took his time putting it all together. Production is tight and the songs and numerous skits seem to work well beside each other. Most of the content on the album deals with Kanye's dislike for the time that he spent in college. Graduation Day is a perfect example of how much he hated his college career. He drums into our head how higher education is not necessarily for everyone - especially not him. Being a girl that hated school (I did enjoy university though…), I can relate to the feeling of being trapped into doing something because it seems like the right thing to do. Luckily for Kanye and for us, he was able to leave school and pursue what he really loved - music.
Even though Kanye comes off as being intelligent and very deep, he shows a less serious side with the songs Slow Jamz featuring Jamie Foxx, and The New Workout Plan. The latter is a funny song about how women need to get into shape in order to land a man. Normally such a song would anger me, but it was meant to be funny and not taken seriously.
I know that Kanye is the It Boy at the moment (he has collaborated with Brandy, Janet Jackson, Mase, Twista, etc.), but I suggest that you add College Dropout to your already-growing CD library. It is a great album and gives us a sneak peek into what the future of hip-hop holds.
He deservingly gets five headphones for College Dropout. ¤ Michelle
COLLEGE DROPOUT:
