College Dropout
by Kanye West
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 1443 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,285 out of 1443
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 1443
  3. Negative: 135 out of 1443

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  1. FadedInMN
    Dec 16, 2020
    9
    Not many rappers come out with a College Dropout level of project with their debut but thats why Kanye has always set the trends since. A true masterpiece. Amazing beats & bars from Ye. Have never got sick of any of these tracks all these years later.
  2. Wrong_Opinions
    Dec 19, 2020
    9
    The Album can be summed up in one sentence:
    This is one of the best debut albums of all time, and maybe even Kanye’s best project to date as well as being his first. More than 15 years later, this is still a timeless classic.
  3. ChunkDump
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    the "old Kanye" at his highest. classic hip hop samples galore. Ye raps produces and damn near composes this masterpiece of art. Grammy winning lyrics and beats. my favorite track from this "Through The Wire" by the way this album was made during his time experiencing a life threatening car accident that could've cut his life and career short. a musical genius. a musical trademark of Hip Hop.
  4. The-X-Territory
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    An awesome album, a great way of entering the rap scene. With great songs like We Don't Care, Spaceship, Slow Jamz, this album is more than enough evidence for Kanye's great musical talent.
  5. Wowisawow
    Apr 16, 2021
    9
    Amazing for a debut album, and even amazing for an album alone. Not a single skip, just one song I don't like as much as every other one (School Spirit because it gets really old really quick)
  6. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    8
    this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8
  7. Junkiest
    May 17, 2021
    9
    Probably my favorite debut album ever, it never gets old. Even after 17 years of The College Dropout it still sounds amazing. If you want to explain to someone that Kanye West is a musical genius, this is where you want to start.
  8. ilikemovies2324
    Aug 24, 2021
    9
    9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10
  9. ahocks
    Dec 8, 2022
    8
    Primeiro trabalho do YE q escuto, e pqp, q negocio bom, apesar de alfgmas bem meia boca, nao dexa de ser uma experiecnia incrivel
  10. monkeeh
    Jul 27, 2021
    10
    This album is absolutely timeless. The start of a trilogy of album widely regarded as classics today and the first and perfect impression into Kanye's music. This album explores themes of racism, politics and most notably religion in a time where these concepts were usually taboo in hip-hop. From start to finish your taken on a comedic, enthralling trip through Kanye's musical ability,This album is absolutely timeless. The start of a trilogy of album widely regarded as classics today and the first and perfect impression into Kanye's music. This album explores themes of racism, politics and most notably religion in a time where these concepts were usually taboo in hip-hop. From start to finish your taken on a comedic, enthralling trip through Kanye's musical ability, displaying his production skill and rapping (even whilst having his mouth surgically shut). The feature are well utilised and add tremendously to the vibe of the album. All throughout he keeps you intrigued with little reason to skip any part of the project, maintaining consistency even in the songs that are not as good. Some of his best are on this including: All Falls Down, Through The Wire and Jesus Walks to name a few. Overall, arguably his best project and a instant classic.… Expand
  11. hiphopplatinum
    Oct 2, 2022
    10
    a great album that grows on you with every listen some tracks are boring but grow on you over time and the albums sampling is S tier Ye brought something new with this album and continued to change hip hop over the years
  12. Thonyo
    Feb 16, 2022
    10
    Esse é o meu álbum favorito do Ye , faixas memoráveis , qualidade impecável , basicamente o primeiro álbum que ele lançou conseguiu surgir essa obra-prima , minhas faixas favoritas são All Falls Down , Jesus Walks e Through The Wire.
  13. Michael14
    Aug 31, 2021
    9
    This album is very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. Thiago_klg
    Aug 31, 2021
    8
    Esse álbum revela a genialidade do Kanye como produtor. De todo esse tempo em que eu escuto hip-hop, poucas vezes eu senti uma produção tão boa que praticamente engolia a obra. E sem contar com os as participações muito bem colocadas e o trabalho melódico muito bem feito.
  15. Pickle_The_Boi
    Oct 12, 2021
    9
    This is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The soul samples kanye excellently Incorporates into the tracks here sound incredible, this album has no bad tracks at all. 9/10
  16. Skeledon
    May 22, 2023
    10
    Relatable, Classic album. My favorite song is Family Business. This redefined Hip Hop, Ye is a Genius
  17. shubhamkarande
    Jan 15, 2022
    8
    One of the best debut albums ever made.

    Before this album, Kanye West didn't become the ruler he is today. He was the acclaimed producer of Blueprint who served up hit tracks one after another. But his real dream was to become a rapper and that was a difficult task. In an industry dominated by gangsta rap and hardcore rap, it was hard for a backpacker like Kanye West to shine. But those    One of the best debut albums ever made.

    Before this album, Kanye West didn't become the ruler he is today. He was the acclaimed producer of Blueprint who served up hit tracks one after another. But his real dream was to become a rapper and that was a difficult task. In an industry dominated by gangsta rap and hardcore rap, it was hard for a backpacker like Kanye West to shine. But those troubles are furthermore reason why College Dropout is one of the best debut albums ever. Why? Because he overcame them with one HUGE leap.

    Kanye isn't the gangsta/hustler type. He is the average guy who has something to say. He discusses various topics like college education, his drop out, materialism, consumerism, religion and its role in music among others. Not expected of a normal rap album because it sounds too normal. But that is the beauty of the album. West fearlessly dares to rap about things that don't include money, crack, girls, or clothes. And he does it with his own style that is powerful and engaging. He can be funny and serious at the same time. Lyrically, he isn't half-bad. He is able to interest his audience throughout the course of the album.

    And the production? Oh man. The beats are surprisingly so catchy yet inventive. Jesus Walks features a pounding club peat and chants that accompany his messages of Jesus and lack of God on radio simply because there is no profitability. And The New Workout Plan features a booty shaker that is laced with Middle Eastern violins.

    West's wordplay is still to be developed and some songs feel like filler tracks. Nonetheless, College Dropout is an outstanding achievement by one so normal to most of us yet so unique to his fellow rap peers.    … Expand
  18. sodovich
    Dec 25, 2021
    8
    A great one, features an most classical hip hop style, which makes me happy with the final product. Definitely worth listening.
  19. Dunkaccino
    Dec 8, 2022
    9
    Ye's debut album was a fresh paint of the rap music industry. It opened a gateway for more to come. The College dropout in itself is a fantastic debut album with killer guest rappers.
  20. narolo
    Mar 30, 2022
    9
    goodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgood
  21. CordRafael
    Feb 17, 2022
    9
    kanye genio estetica muito foda falha nunca so qro deixar no perfil so qro deixar no perfil
  22. maplegotchi
    Mar 19, 2022
    8
    Kanye's story is a truly inspiring one. The story of a producer that wanted to make his own music, who was doubted across the board. After he got in that terrible accident it drove him to do what he wanted to do, make something he could call his own. So he did just that, and what a strong way to enter the ring. The College Dropout is an amazing collection of tracks from the producer thatKanye's story is a truly inspiring one. The story of a producer that wanted to make his own music, who was doubted across the board. After he got in that terrible accident it drove him to do what he wanted to do, make something he could call his own. So he did just that, and what a strong way to enter the ring. The College Dropout is an amazing collection of tracks from the producer that will always linger around my head.… Expand
  23. stankyleg
    Mar 19, 2022
    10
    Still the most kanye album of his career. And tied for my favorite rap album of all time.
  24. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    8
    great debut album and solid start to kanye's discography

    best song: spaceship

    worst song: last call
  25. Dunker530
    Apr 7, 2022
    10
    The one thing that i love the most about kanye, is about how hard it is to rank his discography, every album holds up with quality production, and tracks, for me this one is hard to place, because it shows how bad ye wanted success and how much he was willing to give, and he showed it, with providing a new sub genre of hip pop, that eventually influenced generations, with the power ofThe one thing that i love the most about kanye, is about how hard it is to rank his discography, every album holds up with quality production, and tracks, for me this one is hard to place, because it shows how bad ye wanted success and how much he was willing to give, and he showed it, with providing a new sub genre of hip pop, that eventually influenced generations, with the power of sampling. Overall kanye is a GOAT.… Expand
  26. Joffnatic
    Jun 26, 2022
    10
    One of the best debut albums of all time. PERIOD. Kanye gave this project his all as he struggled with proving himself as a legitimate rap artist, and blew the expectations of both his label and the community out of the water. Kanye communicates perfectly with both his beats and features, and the last couple of tracks are hard to get out of your head. Graduation Day, All Falls Down, JesusOne of the best debut albums of all time. PERIOD. Kanye gave this project his all as he struggled with proving himself as a legitimate rap artist, and blew the expectations of both his label and the community out of the water. Kanye communicates perfectly with both his beats and features, and the last couple of tracks are hard to get out of your head. Graduation Day, All Falls Down, Jesus Walks, Never Let Me Down, Two Words, Through The Wire, Family Business and Last call are some of my favorite songs off the project.… Expand
  27. JamesJennings
    May 2, 2022
    8
    Absolutely fantastic, laid the groundwork for what was to come in Kanye West's career. A lot of classic tracks and great soulful beats by the man himself. An essential album to be sure.
  28. SaulBadman
    May 5, 2022
    10
    One of the best hip-hop albums ever made. An incredible debut that countered the typical 'gansta-rap' found in the genre at the time. Kanye's witty lyrics and fantastic production brought variety to the scene and launched a rap icon.
  29. daytonatabooywr
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    i always has a phd a pretty huge dick bar of the century 10/10 amazing would reccomend
  30. omgrachel
    Oct 2, 2022
    10
    This album with Kanye coming from a producer to a rapper is great. This debut album is absolutely fantastic. The rapping, producing, samples and everything on this are just absolutely great. the songs on this are just so incredibly fantastic I can't talk about this album well but this has got to be Kanye's best, if you haven't listened I would highly suggest doing so
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2004
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2004
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Slant Magazine
    Feb 17, 2011
    70
    Like every hip-hop album (even the great ones), Kanye West's The College Dropout is marred by too many guest artists, too many interludes, and just too many songs period. (I challenge every hip-hop artist working today to record just one album with 12 tracks or less-no skits, no guests, no filler.)
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    Feb 17, 2011
    70
    Most producers who approach the mic do so at their peril, but on Dropout, West turns out to be a full-service hip-hop artiste.
    Read full review
  3. Vibe
    80
    Delivers both ass-shakers and contemplative cuts.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »