There has been a huge void in hip-hop for over half a decade now. Creativity and originality have been sacrificed at the altar to appease the corporate gods. Yet 2003 was a step in the right direction.
With their nonconforming funkdified ways, Outkast broke the mode and the bank while redefining what hip-hop is and establishing what it can be. Jay-Z bowed out gracefully and with his departure left speculation about who would be next to fill his shoes. Well, make no mistake about it, it's still the Roc because Kanye West got next.
Chances are you've already heard West before but just didn't know it. He was stroking the keyboard and drum machine way before Jay-Z acknowledged him as "a real soulful dude." Kanye's spirit-filled soul-sampling beats made "Blueprint" a classic, gave Talib Kweli his first radio smash and assisted Alicia Keys, Lil' Kim, Ludacris and a slew of others.
Thus, West's debut "College Dropout" has to be one of the most anticipated rap albums of 2004. Kanye has proven himself behind the boards but can he work the same magic on the mic? If "If Through the Wire" is any indication, the answer is yes. West, a victim of a near fatal car crash, managed to spit fire through his wired jaw: "The doctor said I had blood clots/But I ain't Jamaican man/Story on MTV/and I ain't trying to make a band/I swear this right here/is history in the making man." The complex bongo pattern over a sped-up sample of Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire" gave Kanye his first single (and a very witty title).
West's mass appeal can be attributed to the fact that he raps about things everyone can relate to over intricate beats. He describes himself best with, "First [dude] with a benz and a backpack." On "All Falls Down," he analyzes the source of hip-hop's fascination with material goods. "It seems we living the American dream/But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem/The prettiest people do the ugliest things/For the road to riches and diamond rings." Syleena Johnson's raspy alto over the chorus and beat composed of guitar strumming gives it an acoustic feel.
"Spaceship" is West's account of his stint with The Gap. That's right -- The Gap: no fake accounts of thuggery for West. "Let's go back/Back to the Gap/Look at my check/wasn't no scratch/So if I stole/Wasn't my fault/Yeah I stole/never got caught."
"Jesus Walks" is the highlight of the album. The stirring beat is layered with a gospel choir, children's chanting, flute and various drums. Kanye's flow conveys perfect timing and emotion: "I ain't here to argue about his facial features/Or here to convert atheists into believers/I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers/The way Kathie Lee needed Regis/That's the way I need Jesus."
"College Dropout" is not without its humor. "The New Workout Plan" is a hilarious track with West offering advice to gold diggers. "Get 'Em High" features Talib Kweli and Common and offers Kanye's amusing exploits with Internet dating. However, Common's verse steals the track: "I ain't a Madd Rapper/Just an emcee with a temper/You dancin' for money like honey/I did this my way/So when the industry crash/I survive like Kanye/Spitting through wires/Got emcees retiring/Got your hands up/Get them motherf***as higher then."
Kanye's versatility explains his album's diverse cameos. "Never Let You Down" showcases Jay-Z in his best form. "Slow Jamz" has an intelligent concept and the presences of Jamie Foxx and Twista complete the song. "Two Words" is a wonderful blend of Mos Def, Kanye, Freeway and the legendary Harlem Boys Choir. All three emcees split their verses into two-word increments (hence the title of the song). Mos does this with the most ease: "Two words/BK /NY/Bed-stuy/Two hawks/Too hungry/Too many/That's why/These streets/Know game/Can't ball/Don't play/Heavy traffic/One lane/Everybody MOVE."
Kanye, with his great beat-riding ability and verse inflection, holds his own with the heavyweights of rap.
"College Dropout" wouldn't live up to its names it wasn't full of with references to college life. "School Spirit" shouts out to all the historically black sororities and fraternities. However, Kanye gets a little carried away with all the college-bashing skits (or perhaps I'm a little sensitive). Take those and the Ludacris-assisted "Breathe In Breath Out" out and he would have had a classic album. But no worries, because Mr. West is going to be around for awhile.
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