Details
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. We Don't Care
3. Graduation Day
4. All Falls Down - (featuring Syleena Johnson)
5. I'll Fly Away
6. Spaceship - (featuring GLC/Consequence)
7. Jesus Walks
8. Never Let Me Down - (featuring Jay-Z/J-Ivy)
9. Get em High - (featuring Talib Kweli/Common)
10. Workout Plan
11. New Workout Plan, The
12. Slow Jamz - (featuring Twista/Jamie Foxx)
13. Breathe in Breathe Out - (featuring Ludacris)
14. School Spirit Skit 1
15. School Spirit
16. School Spirit 2
17. Lil Jimmy Skit
18. Two Words - (featuring Mos Def/Freeway/Harlem Boys Choir)
19. Through the Wire
20. Family Business
21. Last Call
| Details | | Contributing artists: | Common, Consequence, Freeway, GLC, Harlem Boys Choir, J-Ivy, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Luacris, Ludacris, Mos Def, Syleena Johnson, Talib Kweli, Twista | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Personnel: Kanye West, CLC, Consequence, Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Talib Kweli, Twista, Ludacris, Mos Def, Freeway (rap vocals); Jamie Foxx (spoken vocals); The Harlem Boys Choir, Syleena Johnson (background vocals).
Producers: Kanye West, Brian Miller, Miri Ben-Ari.
For most artists who are discovered behind the mixing boards, making the transfer from producer to MC proves a daunting task. Fortunately for Kanye West, his verbal skills more than rise to the challenge of his consistently superior beats. A sprawling concept record that tackles issues of everyday life with wisecracking humor and unexpected honesty, THE COLLEGE DROPOUT confirms West's status as one of hip-hop's most refreshing voices.
The leadoff single, "Through the Wire," perfectly exemplifies West's distinct vision. Recorded while his jaws were still wired shut after a near-fatal car accident, West hilariously reflects upon his predicament over a sped-up Chaka Khan sample. Other songs address potentially somber topics--ghetto life ("We Don't Care"), religion ("Jesus Walks"), and family turmoil ("Family Business")--yet somehow retain a truly hopeful spirit. Although THE COLLEGE DROPOUT features top-notch cameos from Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Freeway, Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Twista, it's clearly West's show.
Industry Reviews
Ranked #12 in Uncut's Best New Albums of 2004 - [H]e leavens the swagger and bling of hip hop with lyrics that are wry, witty and aware.
4 stars out of 5 - West's rhymes are wry, witty, warm and unswervingly self-aware.
Uncut (05/01/2004)
4 stars out of 5 - The numerous guests never out-shine their host's vocals, meaning this is one drop-out graduating near the top of his class.
[H]is surprising debut disc is the most impressive hip-hop CD of the young year....[T]he Chicago native shuns hip-hop's tired SCARFACE iconography for a broad topicality... - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (02/13/2004)
Ranked #1 in Spin's 40 Best Albums of the Year - He is witty, provocative, and intensely devoted...
Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - [T]he red-hot producer delivered a solo debut that partied all over its contradictions...
3.5 stars out of 5 - West has something to prove on DROPOUT....His ace in the hole is his cozy sound - dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time.
Rolling Stone (03/04/2004)
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