Despite all of his recent troubles, Kanye West has succeeded in not only making one of the best hip-hop records in a long while (yes, even better than The Black Album), but one of the best records in a long while--period. Despite what your friends may think.
I know Kanye won't dazzle you with intricate wordplay and mind-warping cadence, but he more than makes up for it in ways that are more vital in today's landscape.
The idea of a producer leaving the studio desk to enter the recording booth suggests ambition outstripping ability and falling heavily on its arse, but Kanye West has managed the transition quite brilliantly.
In a complex, comical and comprehensive solo debut, The College Dropout is Kanye’s generous serving of uncommon insight and too many skits. He’s curiously a master of everything here; perhaps he is "saving all the good beats for himself."
Sensing that I'm wavering, Dr. Kanye hits me with the sugar so strong he destroys my cerebral parasite, and I jump on an atom bomb. I ride it, and I'll ride the beat, and for the rest of my life I'll be a bobbing-head cracker with a sweet tooth for hip-hop and a cavity where my soul hides.
Most producers who approach the mic do so at their peril, but on Dropout, West turns out to be a full-service hip-hop artiste.
His ace in the hole is his signature cozy sound — dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time.
Like every hip-hop album (even the great ones), Kanye West's The College Dropout is marred by too many guest artists, too many interludes, and just too many songs period.
Ye, I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down #2
This is the debut album from one of hip hop’s biggest icons, Kanye West. Prior to this, he was never really known as a rapper, but then he rapped through something that fused his mouth shut, and things have changed since.
Kanye’s album is the definition of iconic. All the hits hit harder than the tree that fell between my house and a neighbor’s house, and the deep cuts are solid. Nearly every feature, given how many there ... read more
“The College Dropout”: Kanye West’s introduction as a rapper to the world & a loose concept album around the idea of leaving the “system” and pursuing your dreams on your own terms: this album is also incredibly inspiring. What can you expect from an album that often gets compared to the likes of “Illmatic”, “Reasonable Doubt” & “Ready To Die” as the best Hip-Hop debut of all time? Well, to put it simply: this is in fact ... read more
I could not have asked for a better introduction to the world of hip hop than listening to this album for the first time at 12 years old. I could talk about how groundbreaking the sampling, how witty and funny the lyricism is, the unbelievably stacked lineup of features that only Kanye can pull of on one album, but you already know all that :)
Such a fun and well produced debut. Kanye's hunger and energy is on full display, resulting in this timeless classic.
1 | Intro 0:19 | 82 |
2 | We Don't Care 3:59 | 92 |
3 | Graduation Day 1:21 | 84 |
4 | All Falls Down 3:43 feat. Syleena Johnson | 96 |
5 | I'll Fly Away 1:09 | 85 |
6 | Spaceship 5:24 feat. GLC, Consequence | 93 |
7 | Jesus Walks 3:13 | 96 |
8 | Never Let Me Down 5:24 | 91 |
9 | Get Em High 4:49 feat. Talib Kweli, Common | 85 |
10 | Workout Plan 0:46 | 75 |
11 | The New Workout Plan 5:22 | 87 |
12 | Slow Jamz 5:16 with Twista, Jamie Foxx | 92 |
13 | Breathe In Breathe Out 4:06 feat. Ludacris | 82 |
14 | School Spirit Skit 1 1:18 | 82 |
15 | School Spirit 3:02 | 85 |
16 | School Spirit Skit 2 0:43 | 81 |
17 | Lil Jimmy Skit 0:53 | 81 |
18 | Two Words 4:26 | 93 |
19 | Through the Wire 3:41 | 96 |
20 | Family Business 4:38 | 94 |
21 | Last Call 12:40 | 92 |