West's album graduates cum laude
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: Arts & Culture
- Page 1 of 1
Kanye West
Graduation-4/5
Hip-hop super producer turned hip-hop superstar Kanye West attempts to top two stellar albums with his third release, Graduation.
From beginning to end, this album gives the listener an opportunity to hear a lyricist stretching his vocabulary to accommodate the otherworldly production on this LP and lofty goals set by the last.
The album breaks the common mold set up by today's hip-hop album by focusing equal attention on mental stimulation and fun tracks.
On the official opening single, Stronger, West delivers a testament to perseverance and survival with use of a sample from the seminal trance band, Daft Punk.
The sample acts as a remarkable piece of music to cover an equally interesting set of lyrics.
While the lyrics on Stronger and a few other tracks are well…stronger than before, the lyrics throughout prove to be nothing less than what we have come to expect from West, and not a whole lot more.
This could prove problematic for the fan seeking the utter obliteration of hip-hop rival 50 Cent.
The tip to remember is that West didn't make this album to show up his enemies, this is simply his next phase of creativity.
And he does take this opportunity to shine.
On the ol' school hip-hop flavored and Lil' Wayne featured Barry Bonds and mixtape-frontrunner Can't Tell Me Nothing, West proves his point of being one of the greats while never becoming an artist imitating an emcee. He does both jobs with swagger and credibility.
He has shown growth on several levels and one of the biggest comes in the form of his willingness to take risk. There is a little experimentation with music and even with guest spots.
Featuring guest appearances from the ubiquitous snap & B icon T-Pain, heir apparent to the king of hip-hop throne Lil Wayne and even conscious rap go to guru Mos Def, this album reaches for the moon and achieves its goals on more than one occasion.
On the Dwele-featured Flashing Lights, West turns his attention to the industry that feeds him and in turn bites the hand that feeds him well.
Though he is clearly greatful for what is allotted him, he expresses the rough feeling he gets for doing what he does.
While production is solid throughout, the album fails to produce the almost mythical power created on Late
Registration. The former gave memorable verses along with memorable production and sweeping music. This album fails to make that happen.
Gregory Brand, Jr.•
Contact Arts & Culture editor Gregory brand at gbrand@tsumeter.com
Graduation-4/5
Hip-hop super producer turned hip-hop superstar Kanye West attempts to top two stellar albums with his third release, Graduation.
From beginning to end, this album gives the listener an opportunity to hear a lyricist stretching his vocabulary to accommodate the otherworldly production on this LP and lofty goals set by the last.
The album breaks the common mold set up by today's hip-hop album by focusing equal attention on mental stimulation and fun tracks.
On the official opening single, Stronger, West delivers a testament to perseverance and survival with use of a sample from the seminal trance band, Daft Punk.
The sample acts as a remarkable piece of music to cover an equally interesting set of lyrics.
While the lyrics on Stronger and a few other tracks are well…stronger than before, the lyrics throughout prove to be nothing less than what we have come to expect from West, and not a whole lot more.
This could prove problematic for the fan seeking the utter obliteration of hip-hop rival 50 Cent.
The tip to remember is that West didn't make this album to show up his enemies, this is simply his next phase of creativity.
And he does take this opportunity to shine.
On the ol' school hip-hop flavored and Lil' Wayne featured Barry Bonds and mixtape-frontrunner Can't Tell Me Nothing, West proves his point of being one of the greats while never becoming an artist imitating an emcee. He does both jobs with swagger and credibility.
He has shown growth on several levels and one of the biggest comes in the form of his willingness to take risk. There is a little experimentation with music and even with guest spots.
Featuring guest appearances from the ubiquitous snap & B icon T-Pain, heir apparent to the king of hip-hop throne Lil Wayne and even conscious rap go to guru Mos Def, this album reaches for the moon and achieves its goals on more than one occasion.
On the Dwele-featured Flashing Lights, West turns his attention to the industry that feeds him and in turn bites the hand that feeds him well.
Though he is clearly greatful for what is allotted him, he expresses the rough feeling he gets for doing what he does.
While production is solid throughout, the album fails to produce the almost mythical power created on Late
Registration. The former gave memorable verses along with memorable production and sweeping music. This album fails to make that happen.
Gregory Brand, Jr.•
Contact Arts & Culture editor Gregory brand at gbrand@tsumeter.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Eddie R. Cole
posted 9/17/07 @ 2:25 PM CST
Great headline. It sums up the review perfectly. Close, Kanye, but no cigar.
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