House, R&B, Soul & Rap > West, Kanye House, R&B, Soul & Rap > 2000 to 2005

Advantages: As refreshing as the first album
Disadvantages: Unmemorable in comparison to "College Dropout"

The 2005 release "Late Registration" is the second album from the producer and rapper from Chicago, Kanye West. It follows on from the massively successful "College Dropout" which was an unexpected success from a newcomer, only famous on the Hip Hop circuit as a producer at the time. Here Kanye had to come with something huge in order to top to popularity of his debut album, which was able to cross genre boundaries as a refreshing sound in Hip Hop, ...
...style. 1. "Wake Up Mr. West" (Intro) 2. "Heard 'Em Say" Maroon 5's Adam Levine provides his soft vocals to this track in the way which only he can here, offering something quite unexpected of Ye at the time. Many don't acknowledge the depth of his lyrics here, and I haven't a clue why because they are powerful in how he addresses discrimination as a result of racism in modern society. **Four Stars** 3. "Touch the Sky" Everyone always says that ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant Music, Many Top Charts in One Album
Disadvantages: May Not Be Like By Older People

...Listened To Kanye West - College Dropout, I Was Totally Impressed with what kanye can really produce and make. with the favorite track "All Falls Down" massive hit that everyone likes. i have voted 5 out of 5 because... 1. lyrics are powerful and true 2. quality is amazingly good 3. the value for money will keep you occupied for many hours 4. originality, kanye has songs to his own. a voice to his own which know-one else has Kanye west is a ...
...over the country, using old classic music to bring back to modern day music. this album is aimed for many people in diffrent age groups. mainly towards young teenagers and young adults in low 20's. some use of bad language but is moderate corresponding with the music in this day and age. ... Read review

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 ...
...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 enough for you to have to keep getting up to forward it on to the next song and interfere with your listening! ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of variety
Disadvantages: A few weaker tracks

"Certified" is the fourth album from the Mississippi rapper David Banner. I thought that I had to go back seeing that I enjoyed his latest 2008 release, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" so much, so I thought that I would see similar quality from this 2005 piece, which has him do both the rapping and a fair proportion of the production. 1. "Lost Souls" To get things going we drive straight into some straight Dirty South rap. I found that he was effective ...
...wislt managing ito integrate his influences of Rock into things with some guitar work too. **Three Stars** 2. "Treat Me Like A" (feat. Jadakiss) I still don't get how Jadakiss keeps thinking he can on some Crunk beats, but he does it once again as Lil' Jon does the production, and aside the parts which Jada takes up, it is a strong Hip Hop cut for the clubs. **Four Stars** 3. "Gangsta Walk" (feat. Three 6 Mafia, Marcus, 8Ball & MJG) On this one ... Read review

Advantages: Consistent quality
Disadvantages: One slip in quality

"Me Against The World" is the third album by the West Coast Rap legend 2Pac who was killed in 1996 as a result of a fatal shooting. The album came a year before this and has him rapping in what has been called a "nothing to lose" persona as he raps during a difficult time in his life as he was shot five times late in 1994, and was in prison for the release of the record. Despite all this, he was able to top the charts with his music, even with him ...
..."Intro" 2. "If I Die 2Nite" Heavy in bitter alliteration, this one has 'Pac's attitude for the whole release summed up as he really just doesn't care what happens to himslef, as he lives each day for what it is, and knows there's no point in pre-planning anything. **Four Stars** 3. "Me Against The World" Giving him a littel sample of G-Funk with a synth-based prodcution to hand, this one has the artist come with adesperate track, where he describes ... Read review