COT DAMN!!!! How long has it been folk!? DAMN a year really? Word...OK OK OK, but ya boy is back though and what better way to come back than to do a review on easily the best Hip-Hop album of the year. What album you say? Well KanYe West's Graduation!!! So let's jump into the biz and stop play like Wii and get into it...hitting the keys parts of the album.
The album starts off with you traditional KanYe West wake up, good morning joint. Well the song that kicks off the album is called "Good Morning." Ye goes through the regular motions of how he barely passed, cheated on every test, look at every ass instead of doing work, and gets to the classic line of the teacher tell him "You got D's mu***** D's, Rosie Perez!!" Classic!! And he says it with such emotion that it is one of the funnier lines in the album. The song raps up with a glorious sample of J-Hova (Jay-Z for the uneducated). This will be the only "appearance" by J on the album folks....sorry...
Next up is the song "Champion." The song uses a sample that is odd to Hip-Hop fans but right for the song and what Ye is doing. "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan is the sample and makes the song. This song is a favorite personal favorite of mine. Subject matter is how the fans see him in their eyes, what his pops and mom did to make sure he was straight, and normal Ye ish. The track is very high energy and leaves you wanting more seeing that it is the shortest song on the album.
"Let's get lost tonight/ you can be my black Kate Moss tonight..." You know what’s coming right!? "Stronger!!!" Yeah the thing fans of the song will realize is that the song sounds completely different that what they are use to with the radio version. Did the sample change? No same Daft Punk sample...but what did change is the drums. Did anyone notice how much harder the drums hit? I did!! And that was all do to every ones favorite VA chubby boy turned Incredible Hulk, Timbaland. Yes I know...OMG Timbo and Ye on a track!! Well its sounds good on CD and on paper and this is only the first time it was done on the album. Stand alone banger for years to come...
"I Wonder" the next song is another personal favorite of mine because of the catchy sample and the way it's chopped. Using "My Song" by Labi Siffre, the song is a glorious experience that only Ye can provide, with Jon Brion (From Late Registration) on the keyboard and Omar Edwards on piano and synth for help. Jon Brion and Omar Edwards are what make this song for me personally...what can I say I am a sucker for the keys...maybe that’s why I like Alicia Keys so much..Hmmmmm...
WELCOME TO THE GOOD LIFE!!! "Good Life" is the first DJ Toomp (of T.I. fame) on the album. You can tell because of the thicka than a snicka synth sounds in the song. This song is also getting some help from the Incredible Hulk aka Timbaland for more drum programming. Also on the song is every ones favorite rapper turned singer T-Pain. I have to say that I have never heard T-Pain sound so good before and you know what it is probably because he is under the direction of Ye. But the beat itself is a triple threat because of the mixture of Ye, Timbo, and Toomp...kinda like the new Celtics, Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Just something to think about.
"La La La La wait till I get my money right..." Well Ye is past that point but that is the chorus for "Can't Tell Me Nothing." One thing you will notice is the Jeezy ad-libs and yes that is him. The song originally was meant for Jeezy but he past on it and Ye decided to use it for himself. This song also brings back Toomp for a return appearance. The thick haunting synth cords make the song what it is...an ode to how you can't say ish to Ye because he has heard it all before.
The next song is one that no one thought was going to be on the album. "Barry Bonds" is another ego boosting song for Ye where his gets to brag a lil...well a lot. This is the first song on the album that Ye didn't do the beat for. The thickness of it makes you think Toomp since that has been the theme thus far. But it is actually Nottz who does a wonderful job at bringing the best out of Ye and Lil Wayne. This guest spot, beside all his numerous others, is the best I have heard Weezy in a long time, maybe because he was not hyped up on that syrup. Being the only rapper guest appearance on the album I was saddened to see that Jay-Z was not on this one. I'm not saying take out Weezy, but add J to it. Just saying....
"Drunk And Hot Girls" is the Mos Def assisted song on the album. I was shocked to see that Mos was singing and not spitting hot fire like he is known for. But Ye and Black Dante make it work all so nicely. The song details of how Ye turns to mess wit a drunk and hot girl but it ends up not going his way. And then the chorus kicks in "We go through to much bulls*** to mess with these drunk and hot girls." Mos Def's singing really does set off the song, making this a funny yet true song.
"Flashing Lights" is another song that hits you right from the jump making it an easy favorite. The song details how much Ye hates being caught by the media's flashing light, but is also an ode to his girl and how much he wants to spend time with her but the flashing light of the biz keep him busy. Hook wise we hear from an underground R&B favorite. Dwele anyone??? Yeah the dude is dope and you know it so quit hating. An added bonus the song is sample free!! And sounds damn good!!! So to all those who say Ye can't do a song without a sample kill ya self, cause he can!!!
"Everything I Am" is another song that was meant for someone else but ended up being Ye's. The song was meant for Common, but ended up in Ye's pocket cause Com already had a DJ Premiere assisted song on his album. And yes I said it Premo is on the chorus doing his scratch magic. I love that old skool cats like Premo are coming back around because the game needs it. Next song...
"The Glory" which contains a sample from Laura Nyro's "Save the Country" and Mountain's "Long Red" is chopped nicely and almost J.Dilla (R.I.P) like. The chorus is awesome because Ye calls in the whole family and then some to help out, most noticeable Mos Def and John Legend. The song is another feel good high energy KanYe joint that you should be use to by now but if not get use to it because he will have more to come.
Every artist worth their salt pays homage to where they came from and proud of being from there. Ye does his thing and does a whole sound about his favorite girl Windy. It details from talking about meeting her, leaving her, and about the kids he left behind that are just like him. The chorus is done by Chris Martin who happens to be Hip-Hops favorite white guy seeing as he has also done songs with Jay-Z and Swizz Beats. Again a non sample KanYe song that comes off beautifully. And with percussion done by Jon Brion it is all sweet.
The last song is not produced by KanYe, but his new friend DJ Toomp. "Big Brother" is an ode to Jay-Z which might come off as a diss at first but is actually a show of respect to Hova. Ye recounts the times that he had with Hova and about how he feels like the little brother that was always told to go in the house because he was not old enough to play with the big boys. Ye goes on to say that in order to be on par with big brother he will have to beat him at his own game. The song is my most personal favorite because I have two bros that have my utmost respect and have thought me and are still teaching me to play with the big boys.
The cover art work for the album is awesomely amazing!! It is done by Takashi Murakami and I checked his artwork out and this dude is so the business!! Check him out PLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEE!!!
So that does it folks!!! My grand reintroduction back into Hip-Hop blogging. Don't be surprised if I start adding some comic book and game stuff to the mix cause those too are tied in with Hip-Hop.
Alright I'm crashing like a plane, and enjoy this video from KanYe...Welcome to the G.O.O.D Life!!!
