"The College Dropout" was the 2004 debut album from the producer-turned-rapper Kanye West. As Kanye started off as a producer for all the big names in Hip Hop such as T.I., Nas and Jay-Z, providing his unique chipmunk sound (where he uses a soul sample and increases the pitch, to give it an ... Read review
Pharrell, delivers the unthinkable: West magically sledgehammers home his opinions on taboo topics over beats that are equally daring. The envelope-ripping beats shouldn'...
A review by XICripZ on College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West June 7th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Lots of hits
Disadvantages:
Too many skits
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
"The College Dropout" was the 2004 debut album from the producer-turned-rapper Kanye West. As Kanye started off as a producer for all the big names in Hip Hop such as T.I., Nas and Jay-Z, providing his unique chipmunk sound (where he uses a soul sample and increases the pitch, to give it an Alvin & The Chipmunks sound) to their tunes, which is why he had so many connections, and so many chose to collaborate with him on the album.
(Kan)ye chose to produce the whole of the album, unlike later ones, just to show what he had to offer for other Hip Hop acts, because he was going to contiune to make beats as well as rap no matter how successful this album was (and it was as it sold for 3x Platinum).
1. Intro
2. We Don't Care
This is Kanye's first consicous Hip Hop tune which he made, as he talks on the issues which black people face as the are "...forced to to sell crack, rap, and get a job...", due to the stereotype which we are given, especially in the US.
Kanye has children singing in the chorus, and this enforces the message of the innocent people in the world being dragged down by the actions of a few individuals, who then make it come across as though we will never make it past 25 years old because we will be either killed or waste the rest of our days in prison.
**Five Stars**
3. Graduation Day (Skit)
4. All Falls Down (Feat. Syleena Johnson)
The R&B Grammy-winner Syleena Johnson comes with a nice little meoldy for the chorus which seems to set up the situation for the song. This one is entirely lyrical, and little attnetion should be paid to the beat. Ye when for minimalstic production, to make this clear to the listener that you should focus on what he says.
The track is about the lack of thought some people put into things as they seem to just go with the flow of life and they get caught up in certian situation because of it. The main focus, which he could relate to, was a girl at college who didn't really have any aspirations, but she was there regardless and wouldn't know what to do with the qualifications, and if you are in this type of situation, it is the perfect song to make you make a plan of action for the future.
**Five Stars**
5. I'll Fly Away (Skit)
6. Spaceship (Feat. GLC and Consequence)
This is a refreshing track as ity is just an escape from everything, in terms of it's spacey production and the theme of the track which is just about having fantasies of escaping all the bad things in their lives and just have a moment to go to another wolrd without any troubles. I felt that the execution was there, and it works out as a great chillout tune when your stressed.
**Five Stars**
7. Jesus Walks
This is a very spiritual track and not the type of tune I would listen to because of it's emotionally-charged nature and I felt that Kanye forced it upon us by releaseing it as a single just to prove a point that tracks which are full of sex, drugs, and violence will sell, but religious ones won't, I felt that he only got support because of his popularity up to that point. if he debut with this, we probably would never heard him rap again, espcially with his "Happy Gilmore" lines which have no relation to the track.
Eventhough I didn't like the thoughts behind the track, I though that the track itself was good, as it addresses many issues which most would shy away from, but he thought he could get awa twith it, and even if it failed, he would have production to fall back onto.
**Four Stars**
8. Never Let Me Down (Feat. Jay-Z)
When you seprate this from the album itself, it does sound like something that you would end an LP off with it's low tones and deep bass, but it's only halfway into the album and I felt that it was wrongly positioned (it would do better in the place of "Family Business" more than here).
A sample of "Maybe It's The Power Of Love", is chipmunked and placed as a hook for this track, and it seems to create a reassuring sound in the background as Ye and Young Hov (Jay-Z) get their flow on. Jay-Z talks about how he has got to a stage where he doesn't need to rely on others and how he will help Ye on his way up.
**Five Stars**
9. Get 'Em High (Feat. Talib Kweli and Common)
I was slightly surprised by waht I heard in this track as it features two of the best conscious MCs in the game and Kweli's contribution was really a waste, because he just referes to everyhting that Kanye talks about in the early stages as it's all about him trying to pick up girls based on the contacts which he has.
On the flipside, about half-way through Common comes on and simply kills it. His lines are completly disconnected to anything that was said by the other two, and he just does his own thing by talking about the sorry state of Hip Hop (much earlier than most noticed a decline), and the effects this has had on society in general.
**Five Stars**
10. Workout Plan (Skit)
11. New Workout Plan
If it wasn't Kanye behind this, then I doubt that I would listen to this more than once, but this is Kanye's only pop rap track on the album and it is a dance number, I expect that he did this to attract the widest range possible, but this may have damaged him in terms of respect from the conscious "backpack" MCs. I found it to be quite a good workout song, so it serves it's purpose with the pumping beats which seem to thump out the bass for the duration of the track.
**Four Stars**
12. Slow Jamz (Feat. Twista and Jamie Foxx)
Although "Through The Wire" was the first single to hit the streets, this was the first official single from Kanye and he was backed up by one of the most underrated MCs in the game and a fellow Chi-towner in Twista as well as the comedian-turned-actor-turned R&B singer Jamie Foxx.
The track is really what Kanye is about as nearly all of his samples come from '70s and '80s soul grooves, and he talks about his love for chilling to this type of music, but then the quick-rapping Twista changes everything up like only he can.
**Five Stars**
13. School Spirit (Skit)
14. Breathe In Breathe Out (Feat. Ludacris)
First of all Kanye comes by dissing "ice rap", the type of rap which focused on the money, cars and bling;. causing Ye to apologize to the pure consicous MCs, Kweli and Mos Def for having to hear it. He just disses the rapper would we buy anything that is seen as popular just to be popular when you can shine by being alternative as these MCs have.
I was happy to hear Luda on here to show his opinion on this type of rapping as he is a boarderline rapper who you are never too sure about, in terms of whether he is a "ice" or pop rapper, then sometimes he comes with concsous lyrics.
**Five Stars**
15. Lil' Jimmy (Skit)
16. Two Words (Feat. Freeway and Mos Def)
This track has a great concept to it in that all of the lines are two words long. It sounds strange, but somehow it is pulled off. I felt that it was only because of the MCs which chose to take on this challenge, I had a lot of confidence in Mos Def, but Freeway and Kanye, I didn't think would be able to carry it out, but they did.
This one works on having them make thought-provoking two-word sentences which force the listener to take a second to think about what has been said, and espcially when Mos Def comes, you are throw back by his politcal views which shine through with these simple lines; showing how much much can be given in so little.
**Five Stars**
17. Through The Wire
This is the best display of Kanye's all-round talent from production to rapping, but also his creativity as he took advantage of what most would consider to be the worst situation a recording artist could be in (stuck in hospital with his mouth wired shut as he was caught up in a car accident in 2002.
I thought that he used the most apporpriate samle for this as Chaka Khan's "Through The Fire" was chipmunked and slightly altered vocals to make it sound like "Wire is being siad. The emotion of her voice is only improved on by the chipmunked style of it, and it makes you
This was recorded only two weeks after the accident and his jaw was being held together at the time, so it's amazing that he could rap the rhymes so well, it only sounds off when you hear him now, but it's not that different. Ye was having difficulty convincing Roc-A-Fella that he could ake it as a rapper, and this one was the which got him the deal, because he showed that he could really bring fire, even with the the disablity wich he faced at the time. He chose to rap all bout his times at the hospital and he was really about to paint the pictures in your mind with the annoynace of only being able to have liquids other things he was unable to do.
**Five Stars**
18. Family Business
I though that this was the only weak track from the album, and I would prefer to just overlok it rather than see it as a weak link because there is so much quality on the album, that I would prefer to ignore this was even here.
**Two Stars**
19. Last Call
This is one of very few outros which I would be happy to listen to as a track on it's own, seperately from the LP, because you remain engaged throughout. This is just a fun track with a hard beat, but there is a soft rhythm which smooths it out to make it seem as if we are being drawn to a close.
This gentle melody allows Kanye to just talks us through his journey, and it's interesting to hear his struggle to be noticed by people at the Ro for so long, being rejected so many times aqs other producers such as Just Blaze were being just, so he didn't really have a place, but as his style was so different, he was able to be given a break, and have his production used on some of the best artists work.
**Five Stars**
Most of the poeple that I've spoke about the album to enjoyed listening to the skits, and said that they were some of the best parts of the album, but I just don't do skits, so it doesn't matter how funny people say they are I just came to listen to music. I think that I got this response from others because the majority of them were really Hip Hop fans, they were casuals who enjoyed his different type of rapping, which was refreshing in the time when gangsta rap ruled.
I feel that this was a very important album for Hip Hop, and in a few years it will be regarded as a classic, because it was a stage in the development for a new sub-genre of Hip Hop; Hipster Rap, with key acts such as The Cool Kids (my favourite group at the moment), Mickey Factz and Kidz In The Hall. This was because he used an underground rap style, but had support from so many mainstream rappers, allowing him pave the way for the alternative skater rappers, who may just make it big in the future (as Lupe Fiasco).
This is an essential album for all, no matter what type of music you are into, because there is something for eveyone, it has so much to offer, so don't be ignorant by reading Hip Hop and switching off, Kanye is different.
More Reviews
College Dropout Review ofCollege Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye Westby
brianroper316
Advantages: Great album, some legendary songs Disadvantages: too many skits
Kanye West’s debut album; College Dropout is excellent. Although West showed off his quality by producing hit songs for the likes of Jay-Z this album demonstrated his ability not only to produce great tune after tune but also to rap with the best of them. West’s approach tends to have a bit more of a commercial sound than say Eminem but don’t let this fool you, he has what it takes to be the best (and he believes it more than anybody). One of my ... ...and although they can be funny or set you up for the next song they do lose their appeal after a couple of hearings.
Intro
We Don’t Care
Graduation Day – Although basically in introduction to the next song or a skit it is quite a nice melody to listen to anyway.
All Falls Down – Awesome song, 5/5 definatly, has everything; nice beat good rapping. West just continually flows over the song and it all seems so effortless. There is also a nice female ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Masterful Production, Great Eye-Opening Songs and Lyrics, Positive, Introspective, Thought-Provoking Disadvantages: Lack of Complex Lyrics, Too Many Skippable Skits, Some Weaker Tracks, Ego-Trip
...drop his debut album, 2004's College Dropout. Though his mic presence isn't neccessarily the most intimidating, Kanye West has proven that he is indeed capable of putting his heart and soul into his music, making it quite powerful, resulting in one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Question is, can Kanye West do the impossible and outshine even his own boss??? Track List & Rating 1. Intro (NOT RATED) 2. We Don't Care (3 1/2 Stars) 3. Graduation ... ...1/2 Stars) College Dropout, the most anticipated album of the year, kicks off with "We Don't Care". Kanye West, doubling as producer and emcee for most of the album, comes on here with a relatively nice opening joint. His beat is good, yet, far from perfect. Sadly, the production on this song suffers from having too many things going on in the background. Everything from over-synthesized effects, to soul samples, to jazz, to bass is found here, and ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: original lyrics, great beats Disadvantages: may be too many skits
I think this is the first hip hop album I’ve heard, without it mentioning how rich the rapper has become. So Kanye west, who is he? Well ever since his first solo song was released “Though the Wire”, Kanye has become a famous name in most teenagers lives. He has become increasingly popular in 2004 and still is. Here’s a little information for those who have never heard of him. In October 2002 Kanye’s life nearly ended, when he was involved in a devastating ... ...left his jaw fractured in three places. Ever since then, Kanye has understood the preciousness of life and is grateful that he survived. He wrote this album based on his life. Each song is original and involves some aspect of life. Below I have written my thoughts on all the tracks on the album except for the skits.
.:::Intro:::.
Not sure why there is an intro, but it has a positive gospel feel to it. I don’t think Kanye could have started the ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
very helpful
05.01.2005
Graduation Day Review ofCollege Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye Westby
PepeDeluxe
Advantages: beats, rhymes and life, what a hip hop album should be Disadvantages: maybe too many skits..oh, and maybe Slow Jamz :P
Finally a hip hop album that has sold in big numbers without relying on "blingy" lyrics, takes me back to the days of ATCQ and PE :)
Anyone with an interest in hip hop would have recognised Kanye's name as a producer for Ludacris, Jay-Z et al, tbh with those credentials i wasn't expecting much for his debut release. I guess the artists he chooses to produce don't really reflect his own lyrical style or content:)
I'll go through the album track ... ...much to say about this, seems like every hip hop album released is legally required to contain an intro and at least 5 skits :) I'm gonna ignore the rest of the skits on this album and concentrate on the tunes
2. We Don't Care - Nice summery, soulful sample running throught this track, basically a tune asking how the US government expects and kids from poor neighborhoods to better themselves, when they constantly cut education budgets and after-school ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Smooth beats, catchy lyrics a classic Disadvantages: nuffin wrong with this album make sure you buy it
Kayne west has been in the hip –hop game for ages before the release of this album. He has done production for ludacris and famously for Jay Z on the popular song Girls. Girls, Girls and been nominated for a Grammy. Not bad for a guy who had never released an album. The first song he released was through the wire. This track was surprising catchy and most defiantly original. This was an instant hit both side of the Atlantic and launched him in to ... ...The second single released was All Falls Down; this was an instant hit with, with cleaver lyrics and another wicked beat and the beautifully Stacy dash in the video made it a complete song. Jesus walks is his latest track. This song has so many messages and it shows what kind of rapper kayne really is. He aint all about the money and the sex but also about important issues that affect us all. His album contains great tracks such as two words which ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: You will absolutely love the album and it will be like music to your ears (no pun intended) = ]. Disadvantages: A bit too many skits on the album but they are good nonetheless.
...Intro:
In February 2004 KanyeWest shocked the world with this astounding album which is named "The CollegeDropout" which consisted of 21 tracks, including a few skits which is what gave this album such a great personality to it.
Genre:
Hip-Hop / Rap.
List of Tracks:
1.Intro.
2.We Don't Care.
3.Graduation Day (Skit).
4.All Falls Down (feat. Syleena Johnson).
5.I'll Fly Away.
6.Spaceship (feat. GLC and Consequence).
7.Jesus Walks.
8.Never Let Me Down (feat. Jay-Z and J. Ivy).
9.Get Em' High (feat. Talib Kweli and Common).
10.Workout Plan.
11.The New Workout Plan.
12.Slow Jams (feat. Twista and Jamie Foxx).
13.Breathe In Breathe Out (feat. Ludacris).
14.School Spirit Skit 1 (Skit).
15.School Spirit.
16.School Spirit Skit 2 (Skit).
17.Lil' Jimmy Skit (Skit).
18.Two Words (feat. Mos Def, Freeway and The Harlem Boys Choir...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: This is the way to release a record explode! Disadvantages: none that I can find!
...Kanye really makes an entrance and blasts his way into the music scene...
...this is definately an album you can listen to all the way through, each track is brilliant & creative, Kayne's laid back style combined with the likes of say JayZ is mind blowing and a real treat for the ears!
....there is nothing bad that I can say about this album, it is so refreshing to hear some really good hip hop, this is definately an album for the collection...I can really file this one along with the likes of the Fugees & The Score, Warren G & Regulate etc etc....
...I can honestly say that in 10 years time when you put this album on it will still sound as fresh and new as it does today!
...there are a couple of little "interludes" on this album, comme The Fugees Score, but nothing too much, just enough to give you a little chuckle, but not...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Fresh voice on the hip hop scene just what it needed Disadvantages: Too many skits and too many tracks put in simply to make up the numbers
.... The New Workout Plan- 7/10*
12. Slow Jamz - Featuring Twista, KanyeWest & Jamie Foxx- 9/10*
13. Breathe In Breathe Out - Featuring Ludacris - 5/10
15. School Spirit - 8/10*
18. Two Words - featuring Mos Def, Freeway and The Harlem Boys Choir - 6/10
19. Through The Wire - 9/10*
20. Family Business - 9/10*
21. Last Call - 20 minute long song tells his hip hop story not worth downloading but good track if you buy the album
KanyeWest does himself justice with this fabulous debut album I am really pleased with it and I hope that all goes well for him in the future. It is really good that he is succeding so well!! A must buy.
Asterix (*) shows songs for legal downloaders to download individually....
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Label / Distributor: Roc-A-Fella / Universal Music
Engineer: Rabeka Tunei; Rich Balmer; Eugene T
Producer: Kanye West
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 602498617397
Catalogue Number: 9861739
Additional notes
Album Notes: Personnel: Kanye West, CLC, Consequence, Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Talib Kweli, Twista, Ludacris, Mos Def, Freeway (rap vocals); Jamie Foxx (spoken vocals); The Harlem Boys Choir, Syleena Johnson (background vocals). Producers: Kanye West, Brian Miller, Miri Ben-Ari. For most artists who are discovered behind the mixing boards, making the transfer from producer to MC proves a daunting task. Fortunately for Kanye West, his verbal skills more than rise to the challenge of his consistently superior beats. A sprawling concept record that tackles issues of everyday life with wisecracking humor and unexpected honesty, THE COLLEGE DROPOUT confirms West's status as one of hip-hop's most refreshing voices. The leadoff single, "Through the Wire," perfectly exemplifies West's distinct vision. Recorded while his jaws were still wired shut after a near-fatal car accident, West hilariously reflects upon his predicament over a sped-up Chaka Khan sample. Other songs address potentially somber topics--ghetto life ("We Don't Care"), religion ("Jesus Walks"), and family turmoil ("Family Business")--yet somehow retain a truly hopeful spirit. Although THE COLLEGE DROPOUT features top-notch cameos from Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Freeway, Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Twista, it's clearly West's show.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "West has something to prove on DROPOUT....His ace in the hole is his cozy sound - dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time." Rolling Stone (p.153) - Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - "[T]he red-hot producer delivered a solo debut that partied all over its contradictions..."
Spin (p.68) - Ranked #1 in Spin's "40 Best Albums of the Year" - "He is witty, provocative, and intensely devoted..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/13/04, p.71) - "[H]is surprising debut disc is the most impressive hip-hop CD of the young year....[T]he Chicago native shuns hip-hop's tired SCARFACE iconography for a broad topicality..." - Rating: A- Mojo (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The numerous guests never out-shine their host's vocals, meaning this is one drop-out graduating near the top of his class."
Uncut (5/04, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "West's rhymes are wry, witty, warm and unswervingly self-aware." Uncut (p.75) - Ranked #12 in Uncut's "Best New Albums of 2004" - "[H]e leavens the swagger and bling of hip hop with lyrics that are wry, witty and aware."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Intro
2.: We Don't Care
3.: Graduation Day
4.: All Falls Down
5.: I'll Fly Away
6.: Spaceship - West, Kanye & GLC/Consequence
7.: Jesus Walks
8.: Never Let Me Down - West, Kanye & Jay-Z
9.: Get 'Em High - West, Kanye & Talib Kweli
10.: Workout Plan
11.: New Workout Plan
12.: Slow Jamz - West, Kanye & Twista/Jamie Foxx
13.: School Spirit - West, Kanye & Ludacris
14.: Breathe in Breathe Out
15.: Lil' Jimmy - West, Kanye & Mos Def/Freeway
16.: Two Words
17.: Through The Wire
18.: Family Business
19.: Last Call
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Listed on Ciao since : 30/06/2004
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