Just here to make friends and be part of the community!
Just here to make friends and be part of the community!
Member since:23.07.2004
Reviews:6
Members who trust:1
P.S. see my personal homepage!
He's worked with these big artists Alicia Keys, Jay Z, and Talib Kweli, and now Kanye West has amassed enough tracks of his own to put out College Dropout, a 21 track collection of deep personality and old school soul.
As a lyricist, West is pretty much average. (Think about a flow similar to P. Diddy’s protégé-flop, Loon) But the impressive list of guests on the album (Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Twista) perfectly peppered into the many tracks and the sometimes intricate lyrics more than make up for it. This seems to be an album that’s half mainstream and “gangster” and half eclectic and political. It balances care-free raps and intense, philosophical tracks perfectly. And “Never Let Me Down”, featuring Jay Z, is better than anything Mr. Carter did on the Black Album.
Titled College Dropout, and many of the skits on the album talk about his dropping out of college, and laugh at the concept of paying for education and getting degrees. I don’t really know why he has such feelings for a slightly unusual rap topic, but of course the money, cars, and girls make their usual appearances here as well. “The New Workout Plan” is stupid, shallow, and may just as well have been left out, but “Slow Jamz”, the megahit with Twista and Jamie Foxx follows as a welcome surprise. “Through the Wire”, featuring an old Chaka Khan sample is one of the more interesting tracks to break through on the charts so far this year. Plus it's always exciting to hear Common and Mos Def on any track, and they shine on their guest spots here.
Because this album was from a producer, one might expect him to use the best beats he’s created for his own album. But none of the beats on this album even come close to his masterpieces such as Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name” or Talib Kweli’s “Get By”. The album does shine much more than it falters, and for that reason it will be a landmark album for rap music in 2004.
In the liner notes, Kanye portrays himself as a reject or outcast from society. Considering how solid of an album he has on his hands, he will certainly be getting the last laugh.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
College Drop Out, the debut from the most sought-after hip-hop producer not named ... more
Pharrell, delivers the unthinkable: West magically sledgehammers home his opinions on taboo topics over beats that are equally daring. The envelope-ripping beats shouldn'...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Great Debut and tracks with beats Disadvantages: some what lacking and to many skits, Also if you listen to through the wire then all falls down his voice sounds diffrent because of his jaw.
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
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.
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
Advantages: Exellent selection of songs, good beats, individual style. Disadvantages: Some explicit lyrics making it unsuitable for a younger audience, the skits can be annoying.
![College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/286/prod_small-5646286.jpg)
![Overall user rating: College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars45.gif)
Jul 27th, 2004
(Jul 29th, 2004)
helpful by (100%):
![Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/956/prod_small-6260956.jpg)
![College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West - review by Revan](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
![College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West - review by bigdiship-hop](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars30.gif)
![College Dropout, The [PA] - Kanye West - review by ben-lloyd](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars20.gif)
