Not only does he create a unique role model, that role model is dangerous--his arguments against education are as market-targeted as other rappers' arguments for thug life.
West delivers the goods with a disarming mix of confessional honesty and sarcastic humor, earnest idealism and big-pimping materialism. [13 Feb 2004, p.71]
That level of "realness", the way that the songs ring true whether he's bragging or self-criticizing, joking or praying, is what makes The College Dropout more than worthy of all of the attention that it's getting.
College Dropout is a competent if overlong debut, which serves up solid but by no means groundbreaking production work a little too dependent on familiar hooks from '70s R&B staples.
Before this album, Kanye West didn't become the ruler he is today. He was the acclaimed producer ofOne 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
This is the best album in the freaking world .. and the best artist also !!!! kanye west .. a true singer not like all the other bitches who This is the best album in the freaking world .. and the best artist also !!!! kanye west .. a true singer not like all the other bitches who dnt even write there songs..…Expand
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 rapOne 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
lauren hill should of been on that all falls down. that version is hot! but all in all k. west is a genius, but of course he would be, look lauren hill should of been on that all falls down. that version is hot! but all in all k. west is a genius, but of course he would be, look who he's rolling with. it's the ROC in the building…Expand
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 toProbably 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.…Expand
The first time it played sounded worse expected. The vocals fall flat. The CD doesn't have to skip to have skips. As a debut its sounds wereThe first time it played sounded worse expected. The vocals fall flat. The CD doesn't have to skip to have skips. As a debut its sounds were poor. The skits are annoying and dull. The album sounds very poor on vinyl. As a change in music, it's a very poor change.…Expand