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Be
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Be Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

  • Summary: The rapper's follow-up to 2002's love-it-or-hate-it 'Electric Circus' was produced largely by Kanye West. For some reason, John Mayer guests.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Be's leanness signals awesome growth even without pushing sonic boundaries. [27 May 2005, p.136]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Vibe
    90
    Overflowing with passion, honesty, and optimism, Be gets to the root of human experience--all the while staying beautifully soulful and funky. [Jun 2005, p.156]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Filter
    86
    Although Kanye's production work has certainly been more spectacular in the past, his subtle tweaks and inversions on Be provide Com with a revamped template. [#16, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Guardian
    80
    Though not quite 2005's best hip-hop album - [Kanye] West retains that honour for himself - Be is a lean and vibrant masterclass in hip-hop fundamentals.
  5. PopMatters
    80
    Be is Common getting his "grown man" on.
  6. Village Voice
    80
    West presents Common with a real challenge: rich rhythmic compositions that demand equally vivid verses. The elder MC responds with sharp Polaroid poetry, and the result of their collaboration is an uncluttered journalistic counterpoint to the rambling memoir that is The College Dropout.
  7. Slant Magazine
    50
    Each neo-soul nod to the R&B sound of Detroit, immediately post-Holland-Dozier-Holland, sounds more claustrophobic and limited than the last.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 66
  3. Negative: 2 out of 66
  1. BIGMAN22
    Apr 6, 2016
    10
    one word for this masterpiece. incredible. the rhymes, hooks and production is mind blowing. each track flows with one and another making forone word for this masterpiece. incredible. the rhymes, hooks and production is mind blowing. each track flows with one and another making for an enjoyable listen .one of my favorite albums.… Expand
  2. AlanW
    Jul 4, 2005
    10
    Perfect album, nothing more to say honestly. Beats = 10 Rapping = 10 The only place where it suffers is the live version of the food, but Perfect album, nothing more to say honestly. Beats = 10 Rapping = 10 The only place where it suffers is the live version of the food, but even that is awesome.… Expand
  4. kashifs
    May 25, 2005
    10
    inspirational
  5. BenW
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    Best Album of the Year?
  6. LawrenceP
    May 25, 2005
    9
    Common is back! Kanye West does a good job. He knows when little is more on Common's songs.
  7. TerrenceO
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    The first great hip-hop album of the year, and it came from an artist i had all but given up on. I allways thought Common had a great album The first great hip-hop album of the year, and it came from an artist i had all but given up on. I allways thought Common had a great album in him somewhere, im glad he finally pulled it off. short sweet and to the point with no skits to derail the flow. "Go" is a little lax, and the self satisfying over the top "Be" could lose the last 4 minutes, but still endlessly listenable and enjoyable… Expand
  8. KyleT
    May 27, 2006
    0
    dis cd is wack jus cuz he is an old head who used to do drugs CRACKHEAD BIT**

See all 66 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2005
51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2005
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2005

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