Kanye West- College Dropout 17 years later

Kanye West, a musical conductor the world loved.

Kanye West, an Atlanta born but Chicago Native didn’t always the props and shine he deserved. Due to getting his break meeting No ID and making songs for Mase and Missy Elliot in the 90s, Kanye was introduced to Jay after Kanye produced Beanie Siegel’s single, “The Truth” in 1999. The haunting piano sounds made Bean’s seem more grittier than what his music already sound’s. Being apart of Rocafella Records production team, Mr. West also had a side to him that wouldn’t show. He wanted to rap and the people around him would not give him a chance. He did show off his vocal skills for the hook in his curated album produced for Jay-Z, The Blueprint which gain commercial success in 2001. Around that time, Jay-Z gave Mr. West a chance to rap when he was on the track for Blueprint 2, “The Bounce” produced by Timbaland. Kanye does do his hilarious bars dismissing questions with those who question his loyalty to Rocafella Records. Dame Dash signed Kanye to Rocafella because he seen his vision. Mentorship from Dame and his mentor, No I.D has made Kanye become the man he is today. Being schooled by a top producer and business man, Kanye managed to stick out well for himself.

On October 23, 2002, Kanye West was doing a late night session and he was seriously tired. He fell asleep behind the wheel causing him to have a fractured jaw from the accident. That who time period. he had a wired jaw so he recorded his 2004 hit, “Through The Wire” which he rapped with wires in his mouth to make the world feel his pain. Fast Forward to 2004, Kanye became the man of the year producing songs for Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, & Alicia Keys. He was versatile with his production and managed to bring the soul into the music leaving them samples chopped like dope when you are trying to sell it. Other words, Kanye has pieced together a masterpiece to make something special for the Hip-Hop Community. As we dig deep on College Dropout, we will go track by track on how special this album was.

1. Intro (Skit)- Whoev

Kanye West drops The College Dropout on February 10, 2004.

1. Intro- Whoever this guy is, he is just as important as the graduation bear. I honestly miss this Kanye because it show’s how creative he is when it comes to making music.
2. We Don’t Care- Drug dealing past 25 is the hook and Kanye has managed to reach to the children trying to promote positivity. This is important to Hip-Hop because Kanye was not no bad boy but he wasn’t perfect either. Kanye dropped out of college to pursue his dream and Kanye has managed to make it.
3. Graduation Day- This is another hilarious skit where it mocks Kanye’s decision to skip college
4. All Falls Down Feat. Syleena Johnson- Kanye’s tale about a woman who feels like she is not worthy of no one’s time or expectations shows how much Kanye appreciates those who want to come up. This may also explain how this woman felt when he says she can’t afford a car but she named her daughter Alexus. That is a funny metaphor and Kanye is clever.
5. I’ll Fly Away- A church skit for Jesus Walks
6. Space Ship Feat Consequence and GLC- A funny song I relate to. I admit, I hate my day job and I would love to buy a Space Ship so I can fly Away.
7. Jesus Walk’s- The track boast about how Jesus is not appreciated in Hip Hop and Kanye grew up in a church so of course he is going to pay homage to the son of God.
8. Never Let Me Down Feat. Jay-Z- This marks Jay-Z and Kanye 3rd collaboration together and usually, there is a friction to who hit the hardest verse. This song is special because when Jay retired in 2004 after the release of Black Album, Kanye vowed to take the Roc over while Hov retires. Kanye did a great job at holding it down for the Roc.
9. Get Em High Feat. Common Sense & Talib Kweli- These samples that Kanye produced is jumping. To be honest, I am surprised that Talib Kweli is not on G.O.O.D Music because he did stand out. I mean if Common get’s signed, why not Kweli?
10. Workout Plan- A hilarious skit dedicated to the woman who want to work out and look good.
11. The New Workout Plan- This song is funny as Kanye parodies about woman who feel insecure about their looks and who want to look good for the summer time.
12. Slow Jamz Feat. Twista & Jamie Foxx- This is the first song where Kanye sings and he is not a bad singer at all. This song is amazing because it brings Twista back into the spotlight and this was Jamie Foxx before he drops his debut album and shows those that he can sing.
13. Breath in, Breath out Feat. Ludacris- Ludacris comes in with his funny catchy hook. This song is grittier and grimier than the other songs because of it’s haunting horns and Kanye brags about the woman and riches.
14. School Spirit (Skit 1)- Another funny song about graduation
15. School Spirit- A fun dance song with a soul sample where Kanye proves he got his school spirit. He admitted he didn’t drop out, he was finished with it.
16. School Spirit (Skit 2)- A continuous funny skit about those with a degree and the stereotypes the hood gives smart kids.
17. Lil Jimmy(Skit)- a funny skit about Lil Jimmy and his father’s degrees
18. Two Words Feat. Mos Def & Freeway- Kanye West put together a hard grimey song with Mos Def & Freeway. These three people killed this hard hitting sample making this track hot poetry over beats.
19. Through The Wire- The song where he raps with his mouth wired to let the world feel and speak his pain. This song was recorded in 2002 after he was released from the hospital.
20. Family Business- This song is a dedication towards Kanye’s family and those who are not around them. This is a sad testimonial song because of Kanye counting his blessings and remembering his good times with his family.
21. Last Call- This is the longest track on the CD but he did show off his strength as a rapper. At the end of the song, he literally tells us a history on Mr. West himself creating a story and a legacy for those Hip-Hop heads to look at. Trust me, Kanye talks through out the whole song after he finishes his verse and tells his story about how his production team met with Rocafella. This song is a tale that you can make it. Note, he is a Gemini so he loves to tell stories and he loves it when people listen’s to him.

Kanye won 3 Grammy’s from College Dropout

Overall- Kanye West showed out with his witty rhymestyle about coming into the rap game without a jersey but a pink polo. Kanye stood out because of the content he has created and the image he made himself. Kanye has proved he is the Louis Vuitton Don with his expensive taste. Ye was the master of crafting the most soulful beats to date and he has managed to bring his label, G.O.O.D Music to mainstream with the signing’s of John Legend and Common. The beats brought from Ye brings back the good old days and this is apart of Hip Hop because not every good guy finishes College but will find another career. Kanye found his and his mark in the rap game.

Live From The Stove Top,

Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru