Kanye West is back, bigger and better than ever.

He's come a long way from his humble beginnings in Chicago. He started out producing at Rocafella (Jay Z's and Damon Dash's label). They doubted his rapping ability, but once he dropped them a demo, they released...this man is something special. He's been producing since the tender age of 20 and now at 28 he's nothing short of a superstar.

"Heard 'Em Say" is a rather surprising collaboration between Kanye and Adam Levine of Maroon5. As much I'm not a huge fan of Maroon5, there is no denying that Levine's voice is rather soulful and distinctive. "Heard 'Em Say" has the heavy, nodding hiphop beat but there is a real soul edge delivered by the piano. It's really rather beautiful. Adam Levine and Kanye blend perfectly on this track, Kanye's lyrics are quite reflective and deals with the youth of today immitating their role models, the government but there is a prevailing sense of hope. "They say people in your life are seasons, Anything that happen is for a reason". What makes this track a hit with me is it's laid back feel and Adam Levine on the chorus captures the whole feel of the song wonderfully.

The soulful mixed with the hiphop seems to run throughout the album. It's evident on "Gold Digger" (the latest single). Jamie Foxx delivers the goods with his powerful, funky vocals like something from the Motown or Atlantic Soul days. While Kanye gives his view on the gold diggers that are ever present in the hiphop celebrity scene. Humorous but very true his lyrics are entertaining and his style is bouncy and fun. "Cutie the bomb, Met her at a beauty salon, With a baby Louis Vuitton, Under her arm.....now aint saying she's a gold digger, but she aint messing with no broke niggaz." The duet with Brandy "Bring Me Down" gives a very empowering, serious message but keeps the soul edge with Brandy's silky, smooth chorus. The title doesn't need explaining but he's getting a dig in at the rappers who are slagging him off. "Most you rappers don't even deserve a track from me, You see if you ever wanted to be anything, There'd always be somebody that shoot down any dream."

The great thing about "Late Registration" is that it provides the perfect blend of the fun and the serious. Like the serious, almost 30s-esque gangster feel of "Drive Slow". It's deep and mysterious. "Crack Music" is a fairly political collaboration with the Game. "Crack Music" deals with the drugs culture in the hoods and projects while also giving George Bush his fair share of criticism. "Who gave Sadaam the anthrax? George Bush has the answers, Back in the hood it's a different type of chemical."

Pictures

Album Cover

• 
• 
• 
• 

As with a lot of hiphop albums there is a good amount of Skits but on "Late Registration" they all feature Bernie Mac who is really funny and witty. The skits on here aren't pointless, they all provide an apt interlude or build up to the next tune. Some might hate the skits but I think this is one of the few occassions where they actually work and enrich an album.

Compared to "College Dropout" I would say it's even better. This album has a bit more depth. But they are both two classic albums. The cover is recognisable. The college dropout bear is stood on front of two massive doors making a kind of judgement day feel. Inside the bear is photographed sitting at tables reading books and standing lecture halls.