Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy CD

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy CD music With Recovery, it becomes obvious that Eminem's richest albums aren't necessarily his most structurally sound, which isn't much of a surprise when considering the rapper's full-on embrace of flaws and contradictions. This lean, mean, bipolar machine began life as Relapse 2, but when Shady decided he wasn't really Shady at the moment, and that he was no longer keen on Relapse -- or the last two albums, as he states on "Talkin' 2 Myself" -- it became Marshall Mathers time again, so damn any 11th hour issues. This results in an album where a shameless but killer Michael J. Fox punch line ("The world will stop spinnin' and Michael J. Fox`ll come to a standstill" from "Cold Wind") is followed by a song with another, less effective MJF joke ("Make like Michael J. Fox in your drawers, playin' with an Etch-A-Sketch"), although that song is the lurching heavy metal monster "Won't Back Down" with P!nk, and it could be used as the lead-in to "Lose Yourself" on any ego-boosting mixtape. Ignoring these contradictions, fans can feed on the energy, the renewed sense of purpose, and Marshall doing whatever the hell he wants, up to and including shoehorning a grand, D12-like comedy number ("W.T.P.," which stands for "White Trash Party") into this emotionally heavy album. It's fascinating when Em admits "Hatred was flowin' through my veins, on the verge of goin' insane/I almost made a song dissin' Lil Wayne" and then "Thank God I didn't do it/I'da had my ass handed to me, and I knew it," before sparring with said Weezy on the Haddaway-sampling "No Love." When the recovery-minded "Going Through Changes" gets back on the wagon by sampling Black Sabbath's very druggy "Changes," it's a brilliant and layered idea that's executed with poignant lyrics on top. Add the man at his most profound (the gigantic hit "Not Afraid") and his most profane ("You wanna get graphic? We can go the scenic route/You couldn't make a bulimic puke on a piece of corn and peanut poop" from "On Fire") plus one of thickest lyric booklets out of any of his albums and the fans who really listen are instantly on board. It may be flawed and the rapper's attitude is sometimes one step ahead of his output, but he hasn't sounded this unfiltered and proud since The Marshall Mathers LP, so to hell with refinement -- bring on the hunger and spirit of 8 Mile. ~ David Jeffries Recording information: Ajax, Ontario; Area 51 Studio; Avex Honolulu Studios, Honolulu, HI; Black Chiney Studios, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Effigy Studios; Encore Studios, Burbank, CA; Parkland Playhouse, Parkland, FL; Shake 'Em Down Studios, Queens, NY; Sun Studios, Temple Bar. Photographer: Nigel Parry.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album for sale Given the remarkable critical and commercial success of 2005's LATE REGISTRATION, Kanye West's rich, rewarding sophomore release, expectations were high for 2007's GRADUATION. Ever savvy, West flouts those expectations by delivering a record that delivers curveballs while staying true to his sharply sculpted, commercially minded m.o. West's rapping, never his greatest strength, is still entertaining. He delivers witty, smart, sometimes absurd rhymes (he seems to take more lyrical chances on GRADUATION) that fit nicely with the overall feel of his tracks. As usual, it's West's productions that stand out. While there are examples of his style-defining use of classic R&B samples and background choirs (as on the feel-good highlight "I Wonder"), West streamlines his sound to center on synth-driven lines, giving many of the tracks a retro-electro new wave feel. "Stronger," for example, another standout, is powered by a vocoder-drenched vocal sample courtesy of French dance superstars Daft Punk, which finds West again more comfortable in hip-hop's uncharted waters. The overall results make for a fun, inventive album that offers proof that West still has tricks up his sleeve. Personnel: Connie Mitchell, Tanya Herron (vocals); Young Jeezy (rap vocals); Mike Dean (guitars); Luigi Mazzocchi, Gloria Justen, Eric Gorfain, Charles Parker , Igor Szwec, Daphne Chen, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky (violin); Alexandra Leem, Peter Nocella, Leah Katz, Alma Fernandez (viola); Richard Dodd, John Krovoza (cello); The Wired Strings (strings); Omar Edwards (Fender Rhodes piano); La Mar 'Mars' Edwards, Andy Chatterly, Darryl Beaton, Jon Brion, Chris Rob (keyboards); Tim Resler, Vincent 'Biggs' James (bass guitar); Timbaland (programming); Jehireh Williams, Jalil Williams, John Legend, Ne-Yo (background vocals); Eric Hudson, Tony 'Penafire' Williams, Jay-Z, Jennie Lorenzo, Section Quartet. Additional personnel: Chris Martin (vocals); DJ Premier (scratches); Dwele, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, T-Pain.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy buy CD music Following a 2008 of misfortune (the death of his mother, the dissolution of his engagement), hip-hop's enigmatic impresario Kanye West returns, a bit more somber, slightly more urgent, but still pushing boundaries, on his fourth record, 808S & HEARTBREAK. From the first track, the sprawling, drum-n-bass-propelled "Say You Will," and from the ubiquitous lead single, the propulsive "Love's Lockdown," it is clear that West is venturing further into the electronic sound he explored on GRADUATION. West has decreed that all beats on 808S be derived from the Roland TR-808 for a more "tribal feel," and he distorts his voice at will, producing a surreal sound, one bordering on a robot having a mental breakdown. On this adventurous album, West is King Lear's Edgar, a sharp-minded philosopher lost in the forest of despair, unsure how to react, how to perceive reality. That's not to say that he's simply wallowing, even on the most despondent "Welcome to Heartbreak," a tribute to his mother. While 808S is an album that may be challenging at times, it's also often hypnotic and unquestionably catchy--basically, everything one might want from a Kanye West album.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy songs By the time of the release of Drake's first full-length album, the Canadian rapper was already a star thanks to his huge single "Best I Ever Had," his celebrated mixtape and then EP So Far Gone, and his spots on hits by Young Money and Eminem. Thank Me Later had the tough assignment of living up to the anticipation and further Drake as an artist, and it totally lives up to the hype. Thanks to the rich and nuanced production and Drake's thoughtful, playful, and intense lyrics, Thank Me Later is a radio-friendly, chart-topping collection of singles but also a serious examination of Drake's life that holds up as an album. Most of the record finds the young rapper (23 at the time of release) conflicted about his growing stardom and fame. Whether it's a relationship splitting up as on the melancholy "Karaoke," worries about the fame changing him ("The Resistance"), fears that so-called real hip-hop fans will find him manufactured ("Show Me a Good Time"), or the difficult nature of romance when you're a star ("Miss Me"), Drake isn't afraid to examine what the past year has done to his life. He's also not afraid to talk about how great life has become as well, dropping plenty of lines about the money, the women, and his own prowess as a rapper. His belief in his own skills is well-founded, as the list of collaborators lined up to work with him attests. T.I., Swizz Beatz, Young Jeezy, the-Dream, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Drake's mentor Lil Wayne all drop by to add verses, sing hooks, and produce tracks, and their presence sometimes serves to liven things up and keep Drake away from his melancholy nature. The T.I./Swizz Beatz track "Fancy" is a fun and sassy summer jam with a huge hook, his track with Jay-Z ("Light Up") is a fierce takedown of the Industry and the damage it can wreak, and the Nicki Minaj collabo "Up All Night" is a tough-as-nails boast that features Drake at his most insistent. Elsewhere, Lil Wayne's verse on "Miss Me" is his usual breathtaking verbal roller coaster, the-Dream's vocals on the verses of "Shut It Down" are heartbreakingly sincere, and Jeezy adds some welcome ferociousness to "Unforgettable." It's like all the guests had to bring their best game to keep up with Drake, and they didn't want the youngster to show them up. He never shows anyone up exactly (though Jay-Z's verse sounds kind of out of breath compared to Drake's), but he definitely proves that he belongs at the very top of the game. His nimble flow is impressive; his words are heartfelt, brainy, and surprising; and while his singing may not be the best, it shows a vulnerability that is rare in rap circles. Indeed, it is this willingness to be introspective and honest that makes Drake unique and helps make Thank Me Later special. It is the rare album, rap or otherwise, that follows through on the artist's potential and the fan's anticipation. ~ Tim Sendra Recording information: Avex Recording Studio, Honolulu, HI; Blast Off Studios; Blast Off Studios, New York, NY; BLD&DSTRY, Toronto, ON; Cherry Beach Studios, Toronto, ON; Gee Jam Studios, Portland, Jamaica; Glenwood Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Lexington, KY; Metalworks Studios, Toronto, ON; New Orleans, LA; Nightbird Studios, W Hollywood, CA; Roc The Mic, New York, NY; Takeover Studios, Houston, TX; The Hit Factory, Miami, FL; The Setai Hotel Recording Studio, Miami, FL; Triangle Sounds Studio, Atlanta, GA. Photographers: Anthony Mandler; Jonathan Mannion; Philip Golebiewski.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album for sale By the time 2010 rolled around, debuts like Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday could still fall into the "highly anticipated" category, but the reasoning was different. Two years of strong mixtapes and guest appearances meant the hip-hop faithful already knew this sometimes dirty debutante could take that gutsy Lil' Kim style to another level, and that both the single and the full-length format were at her command. The only question left is how this versatile artist would present herself to the general public, and the answer is a Gwen Stefani-meets-Baz Luhrman-meets-Young Money-type affair that both dazzles and disappoints. Feed off the production, the great musical ideas, and Minaj's keen sense of her surroundings, and Pink Friday is an outstanding success. It's chock-full of new wave textures and diva attitude, creating the kind of atmosphere where will.i.am stops over while you tell the haters to kill themselves over a "Video Killed the Radio Star" sample ("Check It Out"). More grand moments come when Kanye West and Minaj mack together on the great, Simple Minds-sampling "Blazin," or when "Your Love" waltzes out of the speakers with a unique brand of hood majesty, but when "Dear Old Nicki" comes round with "In hindsight, I loved your rawness and I loved your edge," Minaj suggests that her growth as an artist requires the sacrificing of all Trina-like qualities. Confusingly, the key track, "Romans Revenge," finds her winning while acting as savage as ever, standing up to Eminem -- who is in gross-mode -- and literally roaring like a tiger to get the job done. This is the Nicki the mixtape crowd fell in love with, and you only need check out 2009's mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty for examples of how the Barbie (read: pop and R&B) and the bitch (read: hip-hop) sides of Minaj can be sensibly presented together. In the end, Pink Friday is an ambitious, glossy stunner if fashion week is your favorite time of year, but Minaj didn't earn her diva status this way. Longtime fans familiar with her underground work won't even consider this her debut, just an extravagant coming out party, the kind where the invite mentions "no sneakers or athletic apparel." ~ David Jeffries Photographer: G.L. Wood.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy CD music Initially intended to be an EP, Watch the Throne -- from rap superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West, aka the Throne -- took on a number of forms prior to its release as a full-length album. Nailed down during January 2011 sessions at Mercer Hotel in New York City, the aggressive and boast-heavy set features vocal appearances from Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and La Roux's Elly Jackson, as well as writing and production assistance from the likes of Swizz Beatz, the Neptunes, the RZA, Om'Mas Keith, and Terius "the-Dream" Nash.