The College Dropout

Kanye West - The College Dropout
Critic Score
Based on 16 reviews
2004 Ratings: #40 / 458
User Score
2004 Rank: #2All Time: #67
Liked by 2,808 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
AllMusic
Prior to this album, we were more than aware that West's stature as a producer was undeniable; now we know that he's also a remarkably versatile lyricist and a valuable MC.
100
The Independent

... breath of fresh air, stirring a goodtime revolution of wit and fun in a similar way to what De la Soul did so many years ago.

91
Entertainment Weekly
In a scene still dominated by authenticity battles and gangsta posturing, he’s a middle-class, politically conscious, post-thug, bourgeois rapper – and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
90
Tiny Mix Tapes

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.

90
HipHopDX

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.

82
Pitchfork
With the fat playlist trimmed, the album lays down a sky-high standard for hip-hop challengers in '04, featuring enough singles in reserve to fill out the calendar year.
80
XXL

The revolution will not be televised. But hopefully College Dropout will have a rerun because once in syndication, the revolution will be alive.

80
Uncut

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.

80
Mojo
This is manna for hip hop fans starved of basic but ballistic beats-and-breaks fare in an increasingly litigious age.
80
Prefix

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."

80
Q Magazine
His production is masterful enough to demonstrate just why he is hip hop's hottest new property.
79
Coke Machine Glow

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.

70
SPIN

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.

70
Rolling Stone

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.

70
Slant Magazine

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. 

40
NOW Magazine
His clichéd social studies are just as weak as his playa party jams, and, clearly, he wasn't saving his best joints for himself.
BradTasteMusic
82

This just sounds so iconic

ImpalaLT
90

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

Chode
100

Đł₴₵Ø₲Ɽ₳₱ⱧɎ ĐłVɆ- ₭₳₦ɎɆ ₩Ɇ₴₮
𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 #𝟎𝟏- 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐔𝐓

🗣DRUUUG DEALING JUST TO GET BYYYYY

Well, seeing that he is supposedly dropping his tenth solo album this upcoming Friday (It’s definitely not dropping (UPDATE: it's been nearly a month since I first wrote this and it still hasn't dropped)), I thought I’d take a dive through the discography of one of the ... read more

100

if i could rate this higher than 100 i would

100

The perfect opener for sure. The fact that this can be someone’s debut album considering the insane quality of it is crazy.

Best tracks: All Falls Down, Through The Wire, We Don’t Care, Jesus Walks, Family Business, Breathe In Breathe Out, Slow Jamz, Spaceship, Two Words, Last Call

Worst track: Never Let Me Down (unpopular I know)

souleaterwill
90

Remember the days when Kanye was a furry? Good times.

His debut album is still one of his best

Fav Track: Through The Wire
Least Fav Track: Workout Plan... if that counts

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Year End Lists

#1/SPIN
#7/NME
#18/Pitchfork
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