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For most artists who are discovered behind the mixing boards, making the transfer from producer to MC proves a daunting task. Fortunately for Kanye West, his verbal skills more than rise to the challenge of his consistently superior beats. A sprawling concept record that tackles issues of everyday life with wisecracking humor and unexpected honesty, THE COLLEGE DROPOUT confirms West's status as one of hip-hop's most refreshing voices.
The leadoff single, "Through the Wire," perfectly exemplifies West's distinct vision. Recorded while his jaws were still wired shut after a near-fatal car accident, West hilariously reflects upon his predicament over a sped-up Chaka Khan sample. Other songs address potentially somber topics--ghetto life ("We Don't Care"), religion ("Jesus Walks"), and family turmoil ("Family Business")--yet somehow retain a truly hopeful spirit. Although THE COLLEGE DROPOUT features top-notch cameos from Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Freeway, Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Twista, it's clearly West's show.
Composer: Miri Ben-Ari.
Personnel: Ken Lewis (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, percussion, sampler); John Legend (vocals, piano, background vocals); Tarey Torae, Tiera Singleton, Lavel Mena, Aisha Tyler, Tony Williams , Thomassina Atkins, Kevin Shannon, Candis Brown, Brandi Kuykenvall, Beverly A. McCargo, Dray, The Boys Choir of Harlem (vocals); Jeffrey Glenn, Eric Johnson (guitar); Miri Ben-Ari (violin); Josh Zandman (piano); Keith Slattery (keyboards); Bosko (talk box); Tracie Spencer (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Manny Marroquin; Mike Dean .
Recording information: Baseline Recording, New York, NY; Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Digital Insight, Las Vegas, NV; Edie Road Recording Studio, Argyle, NY; Full Time Dreamer Studios; Larrabee Sound North, Los Angeles, CA; Light @ The End Of The Tunnel, New York, NY; Quad Recordings, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Enterprise, Burbank, CA; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA.
Personnel: Kanye West, CLC, Consequence, Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Talib Kweli, Twista, Ludacris, Mos Def, Freeway (rap vocals); Jamie Foxx (spoken vocals); The Harlem Boys Choir, Syleena Johnson (background vocals).
Producers: Kanye West, Brian Miller, Miri Ben-Ari.
Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "West has something to prove on DROPOUT....His ace in the hole is his cozy sound - dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time." Rolling Stone (p.153) - Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - "[T]he red-hot producer delivered a solo debut that partied all over its contradictions..." Spin (p.68) - Ranked #1 in Spin's "40 Best Albums of the Year" - "He is witty, provocative, and intensely devoted..." Entertainment Weekly (2/13/04, p.71) - "[H]is surprising debut disc is the most impressive hip-hop CD of the young year....[T]he Chicago native shuns hip-hop's tired SCARFACE iconography for a broad topicality..." - Rating: A- Uncut (5/04, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "West's rhymes are wry, witty, warm and unswervingly self-aware." Uncut (p.75) - Ranked #12 in Uncut's "Best New Albums of 2004" - "[H]e leavens the swagger and bling of hip hop with lyrics that are wry, witty and aware." Mojo (Publisher) (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The numerous guests never out-shine their host's vocals, meaning this is one drop-out graduating near the top of his class."
Keith Slattery; Anthony Kilhoffer; Carlisle Young; Andrew Dawson; Eugene Toale; Rich Balmer; Jacob Andrew; Brent Kolatalo; Jason Rauhoff; Marcus Fuller; Francis Graham; Rabeka Tuinei; Gimel Keaton; Tatsuya Sato; Michael Eleopoulos; Dave Dar
Genieus!!!!!! increadible lyrics........maybe waited his whole life and put his whole life into this,so if you're tired of that dumb rap ,listen to somethin better ,listen to this,you could put the album on the first track and dont stop listening untilthe cd is over....its really that good Submitted by pinstripe_305 (miami,305,florida) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
The Best Hip Hop Album of All Time Kanye West manufactured an absolute classic album. As soon as I slid the disc into the stereo I knew it was something Epic, because this album is very creative and genuine, like nothing I've heard before..Lyrics,Production,Concepts, and transition makes this an extraordinary piece of art. Submitted by Brandon (Los Angeles, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Kanye Should know Kanye. Kanye has more talent then what he is putting out.Kayne is a great person what he sometime raps about i think is just not him. The talent he has and the talent he will recieve i think he should be able to grasp that and upgrade to a new man.Kanye should know Kanye honestly he can do his own thing but he should do it by educated young ones and being a leader instead of following everybody else. Which im not saying he follows everybody in individuality im saying in his rap style cussing and big a$$ here and
T!ts there. Like i said Kanye knows Kanye. Submitted by DariusAmbrosa (South Haven,MI, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This is what i'm talking about Yo,this album is off the hook, it's the best album yet.I was amazed when i heard this album, its just to damn good. He debuted very ,but very strong.Keep up the good work kanye! Submitted by mister_arias (Bonaire, N.A) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
YO!! Get this now!! This album is awsome! Can't beat it! except for pretzels and spoons see them in concert! Kanye is an awsome singer and he should keep up his work cause its awsome. Go EAGLES!!!! Submitted by Ugla (Juckstka, Kentucky, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Genieus!!!!!!
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