Kanye West/ Late Registration

This is ultimately the CD that proved Kanye's worthiness to the hip-hop community, his sophomore album avoided the jinx and sold an amazing 850,000 and change albums in the first week. By today's standards that's a feat only Wayne can perform, but back in the day (2005) people had some pretty insane expectations for Kanye... and he more than proved his worthwhileness. Dude was everywhere from MTV to Rap City to 106 & Park, and everyone was loving it. He even semi-created the new Kanye (Lupe) and became the new Jay-Z... all this for a guy who spent years selling beats as a career. Foreshadowing "Graduation" this album features a few of the party anthems which would make up most of Kanye's next album, yet there were still the soulful heartfelt tracks from Kanye's debut. So, where does this album rank compared to the other two...

The Good:

2. Heard Em Say- This song always reminded me of "Through The Wire" even though they are completely different. The same soulful Kanye instrumental for which he became legendary.

3. Touch The Sky- Most of the world's introduction to Lupe Fiasco, and it could not have come over a better beat.

6. Drive Slow- Where did this song come from? This is the song to drive slow to, especially with rap's reigning mechanic Paul Wall spitting some hot shit all over this instrumental.

7. My Way Home- Amazing. Period.

9. Roses- For a song that was supposed to be really heartfelt, it's somewhat weird how Kanye jumps off subject all the time... but it's a pretty good song.

13. Diamonds From Sierra Leone Remix- The remix is before the original... but this version actually stays on topic of blood diamonds. And Jay's verse is just sick.

14. We Major- Try not to enjoy this song... amazing production job. This shit just sounds really good.

16. Hey Mama- This is what "Roses" tries to be. This is probably the best storytelling that Kanye could ever achieve.

19. Gone- A little long, but it's a good song.

21. Late- It takes a little while to become used to the tempo and flow of this song... but it's one of the better tracks off the album.

This is the best of Kanye's 3 albums, and this is what ultimately sold "Graduation", this album was so successful because Kanye transcended markets. People in the South were looking forward to new album after "Drive Slow" and hip hop heads were looking forward to the new album after the NaS collab.

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

This album earns a 86... ultimately I'd advise buying it, but since you won't:
Once again, comments welcome

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Kanye West/ The College Dropout

Sorry it's been a few days and I've been pretty busy...
I've decided to do a Kanye West trifecta, simply because I'm lazy and have heard both of the remaining albums quite a few times. It was early 2004 when most of the world was introduced to Kanye West. To know him before you'd have to be a hip hop head who actually reads the liner notes... for production values... on CD's. Kanye has long been a great producer, the hip-hop world has endured countless stories about how Mr. West locks himself up in the studio and creats beats. Which somehow qualifies to be the most outspoken pro-black black man on the universe. No other rapper has ever been so Afro-centric, Afrika Bambaataa has almost nothing on Kanye (bit of an overstatement). All audiences appreciated the first effort by the newly found Roc-A-Fella gem. I think Jay was behind the song selection for this album, as there were songs for everyone, but you'll soon see.

The Good:

2. We Don't Care- This is Kanye West in a lot more than a nutshell. Conscious and smart lyrics draped in soulful jazzy instrumentals.

6. Spaceship- This instrumental gives me goosebumps everytime, and this is just an introduction to GLC and Consequence who are regular visitors on Kanye's albums.

7. Jesus Walks- How controversial was this song a few years ago? It sounds the same, and is still the same average song that catapulted Kanye to superstardom.

8. Never Let Me Down- This is a great song... kind of weird that the hook overlaps Jay's verse, but not very many bad things to say about this track.

9. Get Em High- Is this the same Kanye, the moral crusader who won a Grammy for terrorizing the FCC of radio stations, who wouldn't allow him to make a song about Jesus? Yet he makes a Lil Wyte esque song... And irony of ironies this song is actually really good.

12. Slow Jamz- This is the new age Barry West, a contemporary song that sets the mood.

13. Breathe In, Breathe Out- I know a different southern rapper who could have bragged circles around Ludacris, and maybe thrown in his YEeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa (not Lil Jon).

15. School Spirit- "We Don't Care" part 2... except it stays on subject.

18. Two Words- I've got two words: Great song.

19. Through The Wire- The infamous song that Kanye recorded through a mouth brace, and this song still sounds just as good as it did the first time Kurt Loder introduced it.

20. Family Business- Who else makes songs like this? Only Kanye.

It's almost an unspoken rule that every good rapper's first album will always be his best, and Kanye is no exception, this album is very impressive. It was back in the day, and it still is. This album marks Kanye's transition from cocky producer to cocky rapper that produces his own shit.

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

I give this album a 82, it's a solid listen all the way through. And as always I got you.
Comments always welcome.

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Kanye West/ Graduation

It only seems fitting to review Mr. West's album after 50's, and after the tragic passing of Mr. Bernie Mac. (R.I.P.) Who else can claim the title of being the best producer and the most outspoken person in the world? First, the "Bush doesn't care about black people", that one was justified. But when Kanye stood up for Soulja Boy in the Ice-T beef, I could be sure that Kanye was no longer the same artist that he was 2 years ago. "Late Registration" and "College Dropout",(both to be reviewed) were innovative albums full of the soulful anthems that Kanye would become known for. Each was different yet good in their own way. Kanye wasn't making music for the mainstream, he was making music to make it. But in "Graduation" he OBVIOUSLY targets the two biggest markets in hip-hop: "women who just want to dance" and "people who watch MTV for good music". But don't let me bully you into an opinion:

The Good:

Track #3- Stronger- I laugh every time Kanye says "does anyone even make real shit anymore", because this song is the farthest from real shit... but it's pretty good for a single. A track for the ladies, that the men can somewhat appreciate.

Track #4- I Wonder- THIS is what made Kanye who he is...these are the beats we miss on his albums, it's too bad he only spits like 20 bars.

Track #5- Good Life- Although I fucking hate T-Pain, I will admit he puts in work on this track... another decent single, but the verses have nothing of value.

Track #6- Can't Tell Me Nothing- I remember when this song came out, everyone was going crazy over the hook: "I had a dream I could buy my way to heaven, when I awoke I spent that on a necklace". Is this the same dude that produced Common's classics? But, this track is still ironically good. Even the lines are on. Probably the best so far.

Track #7- Barry Bonds- Kanye tries to outboast Lil Wayne, and needless to say he doesn't succeed, because it's impossible. Combined with the beat, this song is a guilty pleasure, a track any hip hop head knows they shouldn't like... but is actually pretty good.

Track #9- Flashing Lights- The metaphors on this track are just fire, and the beat makes this a song that will take a while to get out of your head.

Track #10- Everything I Am- DJ Preemo? on a Kanye album? Guru's better half actually provides a soulful Kanye beat, and Kanye actually makes a song with a message.

Track #11- The Glory- Bang this shit!! As loud as you can. Amazing.

Track #12- Homecoming- I was pissed once I realized this was a recycled pair of verses, but they sound a lot better over this instrumental.

Track #14- Good Night- Why was this a bonus? The only blemish on this track is the Tony Yayo (is that him) line. Mos Def hook is beautiful.

Track #15- Bittersweet Poetry- I love everything about this song, the beat is innovative yet fitting. Once again, one of the better tracks was a bonus.

This isn't really a Kanye album, but there is still plenty of songs that any hip hop fan could enjoy. I wonder if Kanye edited this album because of 50's offer (which he strangely hasn't stuck to).

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

I give this album a 64. Don't expect a great album, but you will definitely find some good songs. Here's the link mayne:

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