Production Is Only One of His Hats
If Eminem thinks his new album is going to be number one this year, he may have some stiff competition. Kanye West, the famous producer-cum-rapper, has graced us with College Dropout, his first album featuring him on the mic. His resume speaks for itself, with production credits for Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Talib Kweli and many more, and he’s finally stepped out from behind the production board for his own album.Kanye’s skills are notable on the mic and the production. Tracks such as “Family Business” and “Spaceship” are well thought out, from the beats to the lyrical content.
Kanye endured a lot to get this album out to the public, proving his passion for making music. Through the creation of it, Kanye was in a car accident, resulting in his mouth being wired shut. While most artists would delay the album, he pressed on, recording the track “Through the Wire.”
Kanye’s lyrics run the gamut, from political, to humor, to living in general. They are thoughtful and insightful, making the listener take notice of his skill. His voice switches from smooth and very R&B into a gruffer traditional hip-hop style at the drop of a hat. His dynamics really stand out, pushing the envelope.
One would expect great things from the beats and pacing of the music, and Kanye doesn’t disappoint. Maybe it’s because it’s his own album, but the beats and style are a wonderful hodgepodge stemming from many musical genres.
When a producer decides to go to the other end of music, it can be great or awful. Fortunately, Kanye West knows the mic as well as the studio. He gives his all, and it definitely shows.
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