So I was on the way back to the mainland from my brother’s wedding in St. Thomas when I decided to listen to Kanye West’s new record. Seemed a good time, since I had a 4 hour layover and no juice in my cell phone and I’d already written a draft on a piece I hope to run this week.
The other day, someone asked whether Kanye was the greatest artist in hip hop history. I thought that was a bit much, but I’m not comfortable dismissing that notion. He and Just Blaze changed the game with their work on The Blueprint, and Kanye’s proven more than just a capable rapper. Granted, as a rapper, he’s really not often much more than capable, but his artistic vision is incredible. His approach to making albums stands in defiance of the current rap-by-numbers approach, yet he makes records accessible enough for just about everyone to appreciate his obviously bougie story. It’s genius at work.
But the greatest artist? I’ll have to think about that a little later.
In the meantime, let’s think about Graduation, his latest effort. It’s the heat. Is it as good as Late Registration or College Dropout? I’m not sure. However, I’m thinking this is his ATLiens. A lot of people pick on me for saying ATLiens is my least favorite OutKast record, but that’s the truth. That doesn’t mean it’s not incredible. I’d just like to listen to the others before that one.
(Actually, lemme calm down…that was my thought before Idlewild. Hold your horses, AD and Alldaydre. I’m also not saying this record from Kanye is as good as ATLiens…I so get tired of explaining that one.)
Anyway, this is his ATLiens because it’s crazy cohesive, very introspective, and incredibly consistent. Unlike the other Kast records, ATLiens has no skippers. Same goes for Graduation, though it doesn’t have anything as incredible as “We Major” “Never Let You Down.” I’m feeling the samples, even though it seems Kanye’s gotten bored with sampling black people. That said, I’m always okay with a dope Daft Punk sample.
I haven’t listened to this enough to give a real on thorough review, but I can tell you that Kanye’s now given us three incredible records, three different records, and three we’ll be able to listen to for a while.
And finally, something that most of us that have been listening to Kanye tracks since the first leaked College Dropout came out…he finally released “Home.”
Now, here’s why I point this out. Leaving “Home” and “My Way” off College Dropout was unforgivable. Just about every change Kanye made to CD after it leaked worked. Going to 808s on “Workout Plan” was the right move. “All Falls Down” was actually better with Syleena Johnson singing than with the Lauryn sample. “Never Let Me Down” went from good to classic. So did “Family Business.”
That said, “My Way” was the best song on the record, and “Home,” an allegorical ode to Chicago, was right there with it. It needed to be remastered, but it was an incredible cut.
Then it got left off (as did “My Way”).
This time, it’s got Chris Martin singing the hook instead of John Legend–a different hook, in fact–and it’s got a whole new beat. I was so surprised and glad to hear it that I started smiling in the airport. It was that welcome.
Then, I realized Kanye was fuckin with us last record.
So, when reports about the track listing for Late Registration came out, some magazines–notably XXL–said it would have “My Way” and “Home,” which made me very happy. Then the record came out and it was one track called “My Way Home.” It was a banger, but it wasn’t what I wanted. Kanye knew we wanted that, and he decided to mess with us. Chump.
So this time, he gives us “Homecoming” and fakes us out, finally giving us a mastered version of “Home.” That was mean, lil’ man. Real, real mean.
But I gotta give it to Kanye. His arrogance can be grating, but damned if he doesn’t do his best to live up to his press. He is the illest right now, the one guy you have to check out to see what he’s gonna do next. He’s an incredible producer, but he’ll still reach out to get help (see all the credits for Toomp on this record). He’s a whiny little brat, but so is Elton John, and I’ve never held that against him. Plus, it ain’t like I’m married to him.
So check the record. I’ll give it a few more listens and give a better look at it before too long.
19 thoughts on “Kanye…You Did It Again”
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I gotta check this alum out….
album…..
I…I can’t bring myself to sign on like everyone else that’s given the album a cursory listen or three. More than anything this may be a better album of instrumentals for my tastes since I can’t stand his voice or flow.
Great to have behind the scenes when I was writing and didn’t hear the words. Nothing wrong with an ambient set of tracks, but it ain’t Illmatic either.
Not saying West can spit, but who is out right now that spits better?
Shid…
I also got an advanced version of Graduation. And bo’s right, it’s the heat.
Can’t Tell Me Nothing, IMO, is the perfect lead single to an album. It’s also midway through the set, which is a good spot for it. But it’s also the WMD’s personal fav…gotta hear that at least twice before going to work and as soon as i step into the ride after leaving work.
The album goes hard, period.
I like Kanye’s production a lot. On a strictly technical level, he can’t rap worth a damn, though. And he’s getting credit for his lyrics mostly because the bar is so low that anything that isn’t about a dance, crack, cars, or hoes is considered special (see: 00’s Common).
I do, however, appreciate that he has committed to making cohesive themed albums in a time when technology, laziness, market forces, and low standards has led most popular artists to abandon the form.
The man made a Jeezy ad lib tolerable- for that alone he should be congratulated.
I personally love the album- not as much as College Dropout though…I still have to listen to figure out if I like it more than Late Registration.
I understand there are politics in your field…but Dre (NWA) and Dre (Outkast) come to mind when discussing the greatest of all time. Anyway, I’ll be in Durham soon and we can sit down and discuss the future of black music. 🙂
Keep it real – we don’t make our music for white people to enjoy
“I done been to funerals with muthafuckin’ caskets closed. Young niggas fourteen doin death row.”
-Master P
White people dont understand how we live nor should they.
I miss the soul samples. I miss the bangers…
I miss what he gave Common and Kweli.
But its still a classic.
50 may outsell him THIS week…
but there is NO question Ye will outsell him long term.
You’re right. Kanye did it again… He whined like a b!tch at the VMA awards for not winning…
Since when was it “all about the awards?”
Last year his reasoning behind why he should win is because he spent a “million” on his video, while the winners just filmed themselves on treadmills.
Creative is creative… Money don’t buy that.
i just came in here to say
idlewild sucks.
thanks
picked this up yesterday so i’ll be listening to it today.
as for the awards show, kanye must have been playing, cuz he couldn’t possibly care about the mtv awards.
I like Graduation. But I do not like it better than The College Dropout or Late Registration. I am VERY glad that he did away with the skits and I see nothing wrong with Kanye’s flow.
bought Graduation. Not feeling it as much as I thought I would. Maybe i’m just tired of hiphop overall…..
I think Kanye has fallen off a bit, but really, who else could sell a mil first week flipping Daft Punk, Can, and Steely Dan? I have to respect that.
He’s really carved out a niche as rap’s Cassius Clay.
You hate him so early on in his career, but you can’t deny the talent and the fact that he compels you to listen.
With that being said, Graduation makes me want to throw 10 less punches at him than normally.
I bought Kanye’s cd after reading your comments the first time. Not just for that reason but because Stronger and Can’t Tell Me Nothing were songs I really liked. I have to say that I am really enjoying the entire cd. I love Homecoming and Big Brother. I was planning to purchase the cd anyway just to see if 50 would really retire ( I really want him to). Some people grow but he has consistently given us the same b.s. every record. Now my people will really believe me when I say if he does not have a beef going he does not have anything to rap about. Now if he would just disappear and take some of these other idiots with him I could get back into hip hop. Dreams are beautiful, aren’t they.
Damn, I’m so behind…did we discuss your brother getting married last time we spoke? I’mma have to call you this week.