College Dropout
by
College Dropout Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 1399 Ratings

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  • Summary: The in-demand Chicago-based producer makes his debut with the help of guests Ludacris, Jay-Z, Mos Def, Dirt McGirt, and more.

Top Track

All Falls Down
Yeah, this the real one baby, Uh, Chi town stand up, South side, south side, We gon' set this party off right, West side, west side, We gon' set... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    100
    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.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    90
    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.
  4. Launch.com
    80
    West is at his best the higher the lyrical stakes get, and the more they contradict hip-hop orthodoxy.
  5. Vibe
    80
    Delivers both ass-shakers and contemplative cuts.
  6. Blender
    80
    He has his own personality: not a gangsta or a player but a diligent pragmatist. [Apr 2004, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. ShakingThrough.net
    68
    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.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 211 out of 234
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 234
  3. Negative: 17 out of 234
  1. rollingstone82
    Aug 14, 2010
    10
    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    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
  2. brycet
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    Kayne is the greatest!!!!
  4. IslamM
    Feb 18, 2004
    10
    cd is straight fire
  5. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    This is the greatest thing Kanye West ever did. The production on this is just amazing. Every track sounds so different yet similar. Kanye'sThis is the greatest thing Kanye West ever did. The production on this is just amazing. Every track sounds so different yet similar. Kanye's lyrics are funny, yet serious. He is ambitious, yet humble. I just truly love this album. He put a religious track on his debut album, an album people already was sceptic about. Not only did he put it on the album, he made it one of its singles. Kanye really paved a new wave for hip hop with this album, which I forever will be grateful for, as if not, crunk music would probably still have a big influence on new hip hop. I don't like crunk at all. Favorite tracks: We don't care, Jesus Walks, Never Let Me Down.… Expand
  6. MarcusW
    Feb 15, 2004
    9
    This CD is fantastic, it just has one glitch. He left out some of his better songs from the mixtape off this CD. Like the Good, Bad the Ugly This CD is fantastic, it just has one glitch. He left out some of his better songs from the mixtape off this CD. Like the Good, Bad the Ugly and Drop Dead Gorgeous… Expand
  7. magic_jam13
    Nov 25, 2020
    9
    Old Kanye is lit asf. The college dropout is the ultimate party album it's just so fun and catchy. That's really all i have to say but theOld Kanye is lit asf. The college dropout is the ultimate party album it's just so fun and catchy. That's really all i have to say but the standout tracks gotta be jesus walks, through the wire, get'em high. But get'em high is actually my favorite please don't kill me.… Expand
  8. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    0
    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

See all 234 User Reviews

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