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kanye west
Kanye West - The College Dropout
 (Roc-A-Fella Records)

- reviewed by Chris G.

Welcome to the next stage in hip-hop, taking it back, that's what we're doing here. While the beats rattle along on the rocky road, the words start to flow, rapping about anything.. with passion and truth on the tongue. Many times we talk about the need for rappers to say something besides gleam and rings in their songs, here we have the ehem.. blueprint.. for that example. The beauty of the disc is that there is no false pretense: he's not overly negative or positive.. this is a balanced dude who takes pleasure in poking fun at people at both extremes of life. Anyone who lived through the D.A.I.S.Y. age will recognize the space that Kanye's in; for those not familiar with it.. let's just say it's the decision to be yourself whether it's popular or not.. you, do you, with no fear of looking uncool, because, hey.. you know your cool, and ultimately whether your wearing a teddy bear sweater or a fitted cap, real recognizes real.

The D.A.I.S.Y. is that time when Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul were the soundtrack of the streets. The members of those groups lived in the hood, but they didn't let the negative aspects of the hood consume their music. They were able to achieve a following because they focused on living.. speaking on things the everyday mufucka could relate to. And yes, leave that mufucka in there..

more..

- reviewed by Chris G.

Welcome to the next stage in hip-hop, taking it back, that's what we're doing here. While the beats rattle along on the rocky road, the words start to flow, rapping about anything.. with passion and truth on the tongue. Many times we talk about the need for rappers to say something besides gleam and rings in their songs, here we have the ehem.. blueprint.. for that example. The beauty of the disc is that there is no false pretense: he's not overly negative or positive.. this is a balanced dude who takes pleasure in poking fun at people at both extremes of life. Anyone who lived through the D.A.I.S.Y. age will recognize the space that Kanye's in; for those not familiar with it.. let's just say it's the decision to be yourself whether it's popular or not.. you, do you, with no fear of looking uncool, because, hey.. you know your cool, and ultimately whether your wearing a teddy bear sweater or a fitted cap, real recognizes real.

The D.A.I.S.Y. is that time when Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul were the soundtrack of the streets. The members of those groups lived in the hood, but they didn't let the negative aspects of the hood consume their music. They were able to achieve a following because they focused on living.. speaking on things the everyday mufucka could relate to. And yes, leave that mufucka in there..

What everyday things does Kanye bring to the table? How about the madness of college graduates who can't get a job, despite holding a degree and crazy references. Then how about thinking who needs all that book learning anyway. You could be the guy/girl that dies with a stack of PHDs and never made a dime, either way you can't get a job. What to do? Hmmmm.

How about being asked to talk to the children.. give them some encouraging words,and you start bigging up the drug dealers on the block. Nice. How about seeing the joke in that?

How about laying into the idea that many people have fucked up things that happen in their families. How about saying that it doesn't matter, cause that's family shit, we gonna keep it family.. and who cares, really, people have fucked up things that happen in their families. That ain't nothing groundbreaking.

Finally.. how about doing a song that tells how you made it.. you the college dropout, talking about the jewels you wear, because you can afford them; modeling teddy bear sweaters; hopping out of big trucks.. talking like your the man. How about doing a song that tells how you got here.. it's really an every day story, something that people can relate to.. the story of a dude who simply persevered. That's something everybody can relate to.. it's definitely what everybody wants, the secret of happiness and success, mufucka.

back to the ratings..

Track By Track
-- Degrees --102030405060708090100
1.  Intro
2.  We Don't Care
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. New Workout Plan
12. Slow Jamz
13. Breathe, Breathe Out
14. School Spirit Skit 1
15. School Spirit
16. School Spirit Skit 2
17. Lil Jimmy Skit
18. Two Words
19. Through the Wire
20. Family Business
21. Last Call
The Industry Says

Pitchfork - 8.5.. "Frequently delayed, retooled, overdubbed, teased on the mixtape circuit, overloaded with skits and guest stars, and dispersed in multiple misleading forms over the Internet, the retail version finally takes the form of a flawed, overlong, hypocritical, egotistical, and altogether terrific album."


Stylus Magazine - 9.1.. "Best of all is ‘Jesus Walks’, where Kanye makes his spiritual toil sound like triumph thanks to marital drums and a little gospel choir fervor, sounding a clarion call of salvation to all would-be doubters and haters. He swears that he's not trying to "convert atheists into believers”, but listening to The College Dropout might just convince you that Kanye West is the Second City's Second Coming."


The OnionAV - -.. "an ambitious concept album that uses West's departure from college as a symbol for his disillusionment with society. Now that he has hip-hop's undivided attention, West seems intent on injecting it with elements far more dangerous, provocative, and rare than the murder, debauchery, and drug use found on many multi-platinum rap albums: The College Dropout instead turns on substance, social commentary, righteous anger, ornery humanism, dark humor, and even Christianity."



Your Breakdown

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