Hitting the charts at #2, Kanye West’s debut album The College Dropout provides its audience with much appreciate. The unprecedented skits and interludes especially add a new dynamic to the album. While building the stories and themes throughout the album -- such as critique of the education system, importance of family, and materialism -- the skits and interludes serve as a thread tying each song to the next. From start to finish, it is clear that West succeeded in taking this album beyond the beat.
Again taking the album past the lyrics, the album booklet takes The College Dropout to a totally different level. Carefully designed, crafted, and published to resemble a yearbook, the album booklet features chalkboards, handwriting, and pages mimicking yearbook “spreads”. Additionally, West uses yearbook-style photos, ironically often called “mug-shots,” to identify his album staff. West’s photo is labeled “most unlikely to succeed.” The superlative beneath West’s photo further develops the album’s critique of the education system, poking fun at the practice of unwarranted labeling. West shows how foolish these labels, and the education system, can be because in absence of a college degree West himself has been highly successful.
Like any half-way decent album, The College Dropout has a theme. Themes are what set albums apart from singles, unifying the compilation of songs through a common factor. Unlike most albums, however, West somehow manages to successfully integrate the themes of family, self-consciousness, materialism, religion, and personal struggle into a single album. Each song comes off with a different feel while still coming together seamlessly as an entire album. The composition of the track list is a work of art in itself. The album kicks off with “We Don’t Care,” focusing mainly on self-consciousness, materialism, and personal struggle. The album progresses to “Jesus Walks,” which samples “Walk With Me” while centering on religion, then to “The New Workout Plan” and “Breathe In, Breathe Out” which further illuminates self-consciousness and materialism. The later half of the album develops West’s critique of the educational institution through a number of skits and songs including “School Spirit.” West adds an intimate personal level to the album in “Through the Wire” and “Family Business” which detail his own personal struggles and the importance of family. Many songs were hit singles on their own; it is their cohesiveness as an album that makes The College Dropout a landmark in HipHop history.
One of West’s unique abilities as an artist is his ability to let his listeners into his life through his music. The song “Through the Wire” which samples the 1984 song “Through the Fire” by Chaka Kahn, is based on a personal experience in which he was in a nearly fatal car accident that ended in his mouth being wired shut. Despite the personal struggle that West details, he persevered and continued to make music, thus literally delivering to his fans “Through the Wire.” This song, and the album in its entirety, serve as a musical autobiography. In my eyes West has created one of the most compelling musical collections that is both quality music and truthful about life experiences.
West’s honesty is part of what makes him such a relatable artist. Being straight up through his lyrics, and admitting his own short-fallings, is what has gained West the respect of fans and critics. Not only is his music credible and honest, but within this album there is something for everyone to relate to. Black or white, fat or thin, rich or poor, male or female, young or old, anybody who listens to this album will be able to personally identify with Kanye through his lyrics. The ability to appeal to such a wide audience is a true skill, one that West has no-doubt mastered. The album’s wide reach is part of what makes it so worth of all its acclaim.
As a debut album, The College Dropout served great importance in bringing Kanye to the stage as a reputable artist. While his artistic qualities are not necessarily unique to this album, as they are evident in West’s later works, this album set the stage for West’s further successes. Had West’s potential not been captured in his debut album, he may never have made it to where he is today. As a listener of this album, I can see every facet of what makes a good artist, jam-packed into what is rightfully considered the greatest debut album of all time.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Reflections: The College Dropout
In his debut album, The College Dropout, rapper Kanye West demonstrates a wide range of ability and emotion. He draws inspiration from his own life to produce a collection of songs that compliment each other and add to a collective message. West accomplishes his goal of exposing society’s falseness in many arenas, from academia to the dating game. However, it’s his honesty and openness when conveying this theme that take The College Dropout to a new level.
As hinted in the album’s name, West questions the purpose of the institution of college. In “All Falls Down,” he tells the story of a young single mother who knows her degree is of little help, yet she pays tuition to attain it until finally deciding to drop out. She leaves school because she can make more money cutting hair. The Snippet, “Lil Jimmy Skit” further exposes the truth behind the allure of higher education. Lil Jimmy’s father died, and all he’s left with is a series of degrees his father earned while failing to make money. West points out that degrees are worth little if nothing (concrete) is gained from them.
Besides questioning the value of college, West confronts the walls we build between society and ourselves. Frequently, we buy fancy things not because we need them, but to flaunt our wealth. Admitting that he too practices this behavior, West goes on to attribute it to the impact of society’s harshness, especially on African Americans. West makes his listeners think about the effect so many failed promises has on a group of people. In “All Falls Down,” West states, “We trying to buy back our 40 acres/And for that paper, look how low we a’stoop/Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigger in a coupe.” This line, a reference to the pre-Civil War forty acres promise made to slaves, provides a source for the African American community’s fascination with bling and exposes the mindset ingrained in black Americans.
These tracks precede “Spaceship,” a song that focuses on escape. In its chorus, West repeats the lines, “I’ve been working this graveshift.../Wish that I could buy me a spaceship and fly.” This outcry for escape relates to many listeners, and introduces a source for the anger displayed in the track that follows it. In “Jesus Walks,” West focuses on God and the strength he receives from his religion. West has often felt the need to run away, and religion helps him get through his struggles. While the focus on God will relate to many, needing a source of hope resonates with all.
West follows these serious songs with a relaxed track. “The New Workout Plan,” is introduced by a snippet of two girls discussing a workout tape. The content of their conversation highlights their silly behavior when attracting a male. West uses sarcasm when he instructs his listeners to, “...give head and check your weave” along with, “...put in work/eat your salad no dessert.” The song is upbeat and fun to listen to once you realize West is making a mockery of the way in which women degrade themselves to attract a male.
The album ends in a reflective manner, with West focusing on family and his journey to becoming an artist. “Family Business” is one of the most powerful songs on the album, due to its universal relevance. In the chorus, the words, “all that glitters is not gold” are spoken in a voice that sends chills down the listener’s spine as the truth of the sentiment sinks in. Listening to West speak of his loyalty to his imprisoned cousin causes us examine the importance of family in our own lives. He concludes his work with “Last Call,” a song in which he celebrates his success, reflects on his past, and boosts his credibility with a cameo from Jay-Z. It’s the perfect way to end a complete album, and leaves listeners reflecting on the themes presented throughout the work.
Overall, The College Dropout is a masterful debut album that demonstrates West’s range as an artist. In only twenty one tracks (including snippets), he covers every emotion from sadness to silliness, and does so in an intelligent and thoughtful way. The brilliance of The College Dropout lies in West’s honesty, as he admits to practicing many of the behaviors he mocks in its songs. His confession makes it impossible for him to be labeled a hypocrite, as he instead made himself into one of the most relatable rappers in the public eye. While the piece doesn’t leave its listeners yearning for more, it leaves them curious as to what West will create in the future.
As hinted in the album’s name, West questions the purpose of the institution of college. In “All Falls Down,” he tells the story of a young single mother who knows her degree is of little help, yet she pays tuition to attain it until finally deciding to drop out. She leaves school because she can make more money cutting hair. The Snippet, “Lil Jimmy Skit” further exposes the truth behind the allure of higher education. Lil Jimmy’s father died, and all he’s left with is a series of degrees his father earned while failing to make money. West points out that degrees are worth little if nothing (concrete) is gained from them.
Besides questioning the value of college, West confronts the walls we build between society and ourselves. Frequently, we buy fancy things not because we need them, but to flaunt our wealth. Admitting that he too practices this behavior, West goes on to attribute it to the impact of society’s harshness, especially on African Americans. West makes his listeners think about the effect so many failed promises has on a group of people. In “All Falls Down,” West states, “We trying to buy back our 40 acres/And for that paper, look how low we a’stoop/Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigger in a coupe.” This line, a reference to the pre-Civil War forty acres promise made to slaves, provides a source for the African American community’s fascination with bling and exposes the mindset ingrained in black Americans.
These tracks precede “Spaceship,” a song that focuses on escape. In its chorus, West repeats the lines, “I’ve been working this graveshift.../Wish that I could buy me a spaceship and fly.” This outcry for escape relates to many listeners, and introduces a source for the anger displayed in the track that follows it. In “Jesus Walks,” West focuses on God and the strength he receives from his religion. West has often felt the need to run away, and religion helps him get through his struggles. While the focus on God will relate to many, needing a source of hope resonates with all.
West follows these serious songs with a relaxed track. “The New Workout Plan,” is introduced by a snippet of two girls discussing a workout tape. The content of their conversation highlights their silly behavior when attracting a male. West uses sarcasm when he instructs his listeners to, “...give head and check your weave” along with, “...put in work/eat your salad no dessert.” The song is upbeat and fun to listen to once you realize West is making a mockery of the way in which women degrade themselves to attract a male.
The album ends in a reflective manner, with West focusing on family and his journey to becoming an artist. “Family Business” is one of the most powerful songs on the album, due to its universal relevance. In the chorus, the words, “all that glitters is not gold” are spoken in a voice that sends chills down the listener’s spine as the truth of the sentiment sinks in. Listening to West speak of his loyalty to his imprisoned cousin causes us examine the importance of family in our own lives. He concludes his work with “Last Call,” a song in which he celebrates his success, reflects on his past, and boosts his credibility with a cameo from Jay-Z. It’s the perfect way to end a complete album, and leaves listeners reflecting on the themes presented throughout the work.
Overall, The College Dropout is a masterful debut album that demonstrates West’s range as an artist. In only twenty one tracks (including snippets), he covers every emotion from sadness to silliness, and does so in an intelligent and thoughtful way. The brilliance of The College Dropout lies in West’s honesty, as he admits to practicing many of the behaviors he mocks in its songs. His confession makes it impossible for him to be labeled a hypocrite, as he instead made himself into one of the most relatable rappers in the public eye. While the piece doesn’t leave its listeners yearning for more, it leaves them curious as to what West will create in the future.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The College Drop-in
Jenna Rousseau
English 125.093
November 29, 2010
Brown
The College Drop-in
College will be the best four years of your life. Hearing this statement in high school only increased my urge to escape from the weird smelling hallways and classrooms that had defined my educational experience up to that point. Now, being a college student, I realize that this is a sad truth. My parents met here and all their best friends now are the people who they met and in Ann Arbor 30 some years ago. They all tailgate together, and they mostly talk about their funny college experiences. My brother is a senior here, and he and all his friends are mourning the last few months they have left as undergrads—many have said to me, “I wish I was a freshman again.” Both those long graduated who look back fondly and those soon to be graduates lamenting their college years have offered me the same advice: enjoy every second of your experience because it goes by too fast. The best four years of my life also happen to be the fastest. Isn’t it ironic? It’s also a little cruel, but I like to think I have heeded this advice thus far. I have found my niche, done well in school, and still find time to have fun. And so, in my short three months as a college student, I can agree with and attest to the fact that college is the best time of my life, but also flies by with every blink of the eye.
And Thus, a HipHopocracy Was Formed
Jenna Rousseau
English 125.093
November 29, 2010
Brown
And Thus, a HipHopocracy Was Formed
When I first read the CTools description of this course, I was, let’s just say, skeptical. HipHop music has always been something that I listened to on the radio, at parties, or high school dances; it was never really my go-to genre—which my ITunes library can prove. If I was ever listening to rap on the radio with my mom, she would say, “turn that trash off! The words are terrible!” My response was always, “I don’t listen to the lyrics, just the melody and beat.” This was strangely true even though I had memorized all the words. Is it possible to know the lyrics to a song, sing them repeatedly, and never think about any deeper meaning? My answer is yes, because I did it for years. This class has opened my eyes to an entirely new world in which lyrics to songs are relevant. They are purposeful and have meaning. Words are not just strung together to make a sick rhyme that follows a beat; they are artfully linked to express intense emotion, and social protest. For me, “fuck the police” was just an expression my friends and I playfully used to joke about our suburban teen angst toward the overbearing police force in Troy, MI. Now this seems even sillier because I see the circumstances this expression emerged from and the true meaning it has. This class has been a challenging, and mentally stimulating experience that has opened my eyes to the greater world of HipHop.
The College Dropout: a Review
Jenna Rousseau
English 125.093
November 28, 2010
Brown
The College Dropout: a Review
Kanye West’s debut album, The College Dropout, is a telling reflection of his many personal philosophies. One of these is a strong anti-education sentiment, following the title. This is present in many of his songs along with the hilarious skits. The skit “Lil Jimmy” says “all the regular homeless people have newspaper, but look what I have”—referring to degrees his dead father left him instead of money. In addition to voicing his view of education, West has multiple songs about his family and personal life that are extremely moving. “Family Business” and “Through the Wire” are the two most personal songs on the album. “Family Business” is an emotionally rich song in which Kanye works through struggles from his high school years and expresses his appreciation and love for his family. “Through the Wire,” is about his car accident and the aftermath; he literally raps “Through the Wire” because his jaw is wired shut as he explains the accident and thankfulness for being alive. The final song on the album, “Last Call,” is mostly Kanye talking about his experiences. This song adds meaning to the album by outlining the hard work he did to get to this point, and is an essential part to the whole. The most astonishing part of this album is that West manages to convey many of his attitudes while still managing to produce sick beats and melodies that people want to sing along to.
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