Arts & Entertainment
 

West teaches hip-hop a lesson

By Chris Griffin
The Daily Cougar

Many think dropping out of college would not be a wise decision. Disappointing your family, wasting a "secure" future and most of all giving up are all things students are skeptical about doing. But Chicago record producer Kanye West had a different opinion. That difference of opinion has made him more important to hip-hop music right now than any degree could ever prove.

As the mastermind behind songs such as Jay-Z's "I.Z.Z.O.," Ludacris' "Stand Up" and Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name," West has become one of the most sought-after producers in rap and soul music. After an inspirational lead single "Through the Wire," commercial listeners and die-hard hip-hoppers alike all anticipated The College Dropout, West's solo debut. Downloading and sample clearance issues delayed the record from its original release date, and many skeptics questioned West's ability to rap well enough to last an entire album.

Finally, The College Dropout was released with the expected significant changes from the original version. His signature production method, taking samples on a speed of 45 rotations per minute as opposed to 33 and one-third, is present throughout the album, and although most of the production is not up to par with that of other similar artists, it is exceptional.

"We Don't Care" gets the album off to an excellent start. West's trademark production style and a brilliant sample equal one of his best efforts. One song that falls victim to sample clearance issues, "All Falls Down," was supposed to include a Lauryn Hill sample and instead features Syleena Johnson. The song serves as one of the better tracks on the album, but the listener wonders how much better the song was originally. "School Spirit" is vintage Kanye West. An Aretha Franklin sample and a catchy chorus lead to "School Spirit," the CD's strongest song. The untitled bonus track is both incredible and long for a hip-hop song. A slick bass line and another one of West's superb samples, shows why longevity in his career is inevitable.

People like West are sorely needed in hip-hop, and music and in general. West just does West, and does not just mimic the next producer or rapper. Originality and talent are what make him special. Uniting the mainstream and underground is something he also does. With West joining the likes of rappers Freeway, Mos Def, Jay-Z and Talib Kweli it's obvious that the rapper is working to bring unity and quality back to the forefront.

Kanye West

The College Dropout 

Universal Records

The verdict: The king of "chipmunk soul sampling" will be around for a long time.
 
 

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