Kanye West

adexkola · 29th July 2010, 21:18

Take away all the celebrity nonsense, the weird dressing, his tantrums after losing major music awards, his last album... And what you have is a fantastic artist, one of the best producers ever, and a very good emcee

College Dropout was a watershed in the then synthesizer drenched rap genre popularized by Timberland and Bad Boy, delivering real subject matter over soulful beats. It was a refreshing change from the "bling, ice and bitches" that was so prevalent at the time.

Of course, biting producers bit his style, and you had a glut of soul sampling records in the market, so this mofo switches it up by incorporating live strings and instruments into his sophomore record, weaving his thoughts about his new fame into them.

Finally Graduation dumbed down a bit lyrically, but production was as strong as ever, with Kanye introspecting a lot more. He delves a bit into rock sounds, collaborating with artists like Chris Martin and John Mayer.

Through it all, he has shown a desire in his work to constantly improve and be ahead of the competition. After College Dropout was leaked, he went back and remastered it, and it still sold. He says he's looking at classic albums like "Innervisions" and "What's Going On" as standards to aim for, which show his desire for legendary status, which I say he has already

Yeah, he may be an ass, self centered, egotistical, jerk, etc, but the things that matter most, he excels at them, and I can't wait for his next album. Wish he didn't include Nikki Minaj and Rick Ross on it though. I guess having Primo, Pete Rock, RZA co producing makes up for that

Solius · 29th July 2010, 21:19

I think everything he's done music-wise has been fantastic. Big fan.

Boss · 29th July 2010, 21:27

I love the man

He's hungrier than ever, his next album is going to be his best, mark my fucking words

Boss · 29th July 2010, 21:31

I wonder why this didn't make Graduation though, he could have replaced it with good life, which was just garbage

adexkola · 29th July 2010, 21:55

I can't see it, what song was that?

GDH · 29th July 2010, 22:00

808's aside, which was a bit hit and miss for me, I think he's made some genuinely great albums and am really lookin forward to the next one.

Boss · 29th July 2010, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by adexkola

I can't see it, what song was that?

Bittersweet

Boss · 29th July 2010, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDH

808's aside, which was a bit hit and miss for me, I think he's made some genuinely great albums and am really lookin forward to the next one.

My fave song from that album (808)

MJLD · 29th July 2010, 22:21

808s was terrible, yet somehow weirdly experimental at the same time.

Solius · 29th July 2010, 22:22

I quite liked 808s, although I still thought it was his worst. The songs eventually got a bit annoying too. Still some good songs on there.

Boss · 29th July 2010, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJLD

808s was terrible, yet somehow weirdly experimental at the same time.

It was half and half mate, I didn't like it at first but I learned to like som tracks

I love this one too

there's just something so dark and cool about it

Solius · 29th July 2010, 22:38

Paranoid & Coldest Winter are good too.

R.Nilsson7 · 29th July 2010, 22:44

Welcome to Heartbreak is my favorite from 808's.

MJLD · 29th July 2010, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss

It was half and half mate, I didn't like it at first but I learned to like som tracks

I love this one too

there's just something so dark and cool about it

Agree, one of my favourites off there.

Its an album I can listen to half of, or a few random tracks in a playlist on shuffle, but like Solius said, its a bit hard going listening to it as an album because it gets boring.

Heardy · 20th December 2011, 19:14

Kanye be killed by a business card, West? | The Sun |Showbiz|Bizarre

What an absolute douche

cinc · 20th December 2011, 19:39

When he was 57, a fan threw a lollilop at Bowie in Norway, and it got stuck in his eye. Someone took it out onstage, hesaid something like "Fuck you, but it was my bad eye anyway" and carried on with the show.

ArmchairCritic · 20th December 2011, 19:52

Wish Kanye would produce more. That I found it interesting that the OP says producers bit his style when the Dr.Dre and Pete Rock influences are blatant within his work. At the end of the day you can only make what you know. I don't think hip hop became more soulful since Kanye came on the scene as Rocafella Records had that general style in the early 2000's. I do think however 808's was a progression in production for hip hop, well for Kanye at least anyway, although he has developed a slight tendency to over produce.

The business card incident made me chuckle, I do think his mothers death hit him hard and money does change people too. Still an incredible artist on his day.

gza the genius · 20th December 2011, 20:54

I used to love Kanye, his first 3 albums are still some of my favorites, especially College Dropout. 808s was terrible, apart from maybe one or two songs. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy seemed like a less extreme version of 808s to me and I enjoyed quite a bit of it. I liked a lot of the production on WTT but the content was pretty terrible and I just can't stand Jay-Z at all anymore, WTT would've been much better without him.

Vidic_In_Moscow · 20th December 2011, 20:58

College Dropout remains my favourite album to date, absolutely love it!

That'sHernandez · 20th December 2011, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmchairCritic

Wish Kanye would produce more. That I found it interesting that the OP says producers bit his style when the Dr.Dre and Pete Rock influences are blatant within his work. At the end of the day you can only make what you know. I don't think hip hop became more soulful since Kanye came on the scene as Rocafella Records had that general style in the early 2000's. I do think however 808's was a progression in production for hip hop, well for Kanye at least anyway, although he has developed a slight tendency to over produce.

The business card incident made me chuckle, I do think his mothers death hit him hard and money does change people too. Still an incredible artist on his day.

He cried on stage when he did Hey Mama at the O2 when my friends saw him. I really like 808s, it's one of my favourite albums of his and I think My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was a definite return to form with regards to producing if you criticised the way 808s was produced but personally I liked it. I find it impressive that he doesn't use the same sound every song and album like a lot of hiphop artists do, he manages to keep it different and more often than not very original. I personally think the people who criticise Kanye as an artist either haven't taken the time to listen to his music or are simply just anti-fanboys, so to speak.

Inspectah deck · 20th December 2011, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmchairCritic

Wish Kanye would produce more. That I found it interesting that the OP says producers bit his style when the Dr.Dre and Pete Rock influences are blatant within his work. At the end of the day you can only make what you know. I don't think hip hop became more soulful since Kanye came on the scene as Rocafella Records had that general style in the early 2000's. I do think however 808's was a progression in production for hip hop, well for Kanye at least anyway, although he has developed a slight tendency to over produce.

The business card incident made me chuckle, I do think his mothers death hit him hard and money does change people too. Still an incredible artist on his day.

I agree with Pete rock, but not sure about Dr Dre. The G-funk sound that Dre pioneered is very different from Kanye's work on the Blueprint or any of his earlier works on rocafella. I would say he bit a lot from RZA's production style more than anyone.

Still, amazing to think of how he has been able to carve out a huge career for himself over the years. Apparently Jay-z and Dame didn't even want him to rap at first, they wanted him to stay as an in house producer. They never believed he would make it as a rapper, to the point that he had to fund his first video himself. He's become an egotistical twat these days though, as you say, money and success does change people.

Boss · 20th December 2011, 22:31

Living Legend.

Throwing business cards on stage?

You should bow till your knees touch your fucking forehead infront of Ye.

The nerve of these people.

Kaush949 · 20th December 2011, 23:57

Didn't know that he produced Ludacris' Stand Up

His best beat IMO

ArmchairCritic · 23rd December 2011, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspectah deck

I agree with Pete rock, but not sure about Dr Dre. The G-funk sound that Dre pioneered is very different from Kanye's work on the Blueprint or any of his earlier works on rocafella. I would say he bit a lot from RZA's production style more than anyone.

Still, amazing to think of how he has been able to carve out a huge career for himself over the years. Apparently Jay-z and Dame didn't even want him to rap at first, they wanted him to stay as an in house producer. They never believed he would make it as a rapper, to the point that he had to fund his first video himself. He's become an egotistical twat these days though, as you say, money and success does change people.

Kanye said that Dre was a huge influence on his sound, songs like The Watcher and Xxplosive were particular influences.

Boss · 23rd December 2011, 16:40

Kanye's work sounds nothing like Dre, for xplosive he just straight up jacked the drums.

I'd say dre's influence is minimal at best.

Wittmann45 · 23rd December 2011, 16:43

ArmchairCritic · 23rd December 2011, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss

Kanye's work sounds nothing like Dre, for xplosive he just straight up jacked the drums.

I'd say dre's influence is minimal at best.

O RLY?

100 Greatest Artists: Dr. Dre | Rolling Stone

That's Kanye talking about Dre's influence on him, where did Dre jack the drums from for Xxplosive out of interest?

Inspectah deck · 23rd December 2011, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmchairCritic

O RLY?

100 Greatest Artists: Dr. Dre | Rolling Stone

That's Kanye talking about Dre's influence on him, where did Dre jack the drums from for Xxplosive out of interest?

Interesting, this is the first time I've seen that. Strange though because their sounds are as different as it gets. Save for the "this can't be life" and "guess who's back" beats.
Kanye's earlier records sounded a lot like a Pete rock/RZA hybrid. You can see the similarities between the production in Supreme clientele and the Blueprint for example

Boss · 23rd December 2011, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmchairCritic

O RLY?

100 Greatest Artists: Dr. Dre | Rolling Stone

That's Kanye talking about Dre's influence on him, where did Dre jack the drums from for Xxplosive out of interest?

No, Kanye jacked the drums for one of his rocafella joints.

Artists talk all kinds of stuff about their influences but you can't hear Dre's influence in Kanye joints 99% of the time. That's just how it is, there's a lot more artists in front of Dre Kanye's style is like.

Boss · 23rd December 2011, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspectah deck

Interesting, this is the first time I've seen that. Strange though because their sounds are as different as it gets. Save for the "this can't be life beat" and "guess who's back" beat.
Kanye's earlier records sounded a lot like a Pete rock/RZA hybrid. You can see the similarities between the production in Supreme clientele and the Blueprint for example

Exactly, why say dr Dre is this huge influence when you can't hear it with your own ears. It's minimal at best.

ArmchairCritic · 23rd December 2011, 18:16

He's referring more to the layering of his songs, Dre is a master at that, those violins in Still Dre for example. The likes of Preemo however tend to make brilliant beats out of simple loops interpolating samples and shit. I can hear the Dre influences. Kanye said himself Boss in that piece.

29th July 2010, 21:18	#1 (permalink)
adexkola First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn. "Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea..." Posts: 8,112	Kanye West Take away all the celebrity nonsense, the weird dressing, his tantrums after losing major music awards, his last album... And what you have is a fantastic artist, one of the best producers ever, and a very good emcee College Dropout was a watershed in the then synthesizer drenched rap genre popularized by Timberland and Bad Boy, delivering real subject matter over soulful beats. It was a refreshing change from the "bling, ice and bitches" that was so prevalent at the time. Of course, biting producers bit his style, and you had a glut of soul sampling records in the market, so this mofo switches it up by incorporating live strings and instruments into his sophomore record, weaving his thoughts about his new fame into them. Finally Graduation dumbed down a bit lyrically, but production was as strong as ever, with Kanye introspecting a lot more. He delves a bit into rock sounds, collaborating with artists like Chris Martin and John Mayer. Through it all, he has shown a desire in his work to constantly improve and be ahead of the competition. After College Dropout was leaked, he went back and remastered it, and it still sold. He says he's looking at classic albums like "Innervisions" and "What's Going On" as standards to aim for, which show his desire for legendary status, which I say he has already Yeah, he may be an ass, self centered, egotistical, jerk, etc, but the things that matter most, he excels at them, and I can't wait for his next album. Wish he didn't include Nikki Minaj and Rick Ross on it though. I guess having Primo, Pete Rock, RZA co producing makes up for that

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29th July 2010, 21:19	#2 (permalink)
Solius Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: JAMIE redknapp! u come from the mars? Posts: 38,368	I think everything he's done music-wise has been fantastic. Big fan.

29th July 2010, 21:27	#3 (permalink)
Boss Melodramatic, attention seeking space-attacker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with Posts: 24,276	I love the man He's hungrier than ever, his next album is going to be his best, mark my fucking words

29th July 2010, 21:31	#4 (permalink)
Boss Melodramatic, attention seeking space-attacker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with Posts: 24,276	I wonder why this didn't make Graduation though, he could have replaced it with good life, which was just garbage

29th July 2010, 21:55	#5 (permalink)
adexkola First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn. "Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea..." Posts: 8,112	I can't see it, what song was that?

29th July 2010, 22:00	#6 (permalink)
GDH Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,277	808's aside, which was a bit hit and miss for me, I think he's made some genuinely great albums and am really lookin forward to the next one.

29th July 2010, 22:21	#9 (permalink)
MJLD First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on the rough seas, on a small raft made of tampons with only my thoughts and a used tea bag for company Posts: 11,470	808s was terrible, yet somehow weirdly experimental at the same time.

29th July 2010, 22:22	#10 (permalink)
Solius Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: JAMIE redknapp! u come from the mars? Posts: 38,368	I quite liked 808s, although I still thought it was his worst. The songs eventually got a bit annoying too. Still some good songs on there.

29th July 2010, 22:38	#12 (permalink)
Solius Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: JAMIE redknapp! u come from the mars? Posts: 38,368	Paranoid & Coldest Winter are good too.

29th July 2010, 22:44	#13 (permalink)
R.Nilsson7 First Team Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deutschland Posts: 16,844	Welcome to Heartbreak is my favorite from 808's.

20th December 2011, 19:14	#15 (permalink)
Heardy Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Looking for the answers... Posts: 2,610	Kanye be killed by a business card, West? \| The Sun \|Showbiz\|Bizarre What an absolute douche

23rd December 2011, 16:43	#26 (permalink)
Wittmann45 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 'Keep the flag flying Jimmy' Posts: 3,889

20th December 2011, 19:39	#16 (permalink)
cinc The Hungriest kind of man Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I’m looking for a sacrificial lamb Posts: 6,564	When he was 57, a fan threw a lollilop at Bowie in Norway, and it got stuck in his eye. Someone took it out onstage, hesaid something like "Fuck you, but it was my bad eye anyway" and carried on with the show.

20th December 2011, 19:52	#17 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 4,374	Wish Kanye would produce more. That I found it interesting that the OP says producers bit his style when the Dr.Dre and Pete Rock influences are blatant within his work. At the end of the day you can only make what you know. I don't think hip hop became more soulful since Kanye came on the scene as Rocafella Records had that general style in the early 2000's. I do think however 808's was a progression in production for hip hop, well for Kanye at least anyway, although he has developed a slight tendency to over produce. The business card incident made me chuckle, I do think his mothers death hit him hard and money does change people too. Still an incredible artist on his day.

20th December 2011, 20:54	#18 (permalink)
gza the genius Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2009 Location: supply and command Posts: 953	I used to love Kanye, his first 3 albums are still some of my favorites, especially College Dropout. 808s was terrible, apart from maybe one or two songs. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy seemed like a less extreme version of 808s to me and I enjoyed quite a bit of it. I liked a lot of the production on WTT but the content was pretty terrible and I just can't stand Jay-Z at all anymore, WTT would've been much better without him.

20th December 2011, 20:58	#19 (permalink)
Vidic_In_Moscow First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leave me in peace, I'm all alone with my angel Posts: 5,593	College Dropout remains my favourite album to date, absolutely love it!

20th December 2011, 22:31	#22 (permalink)
Boss Melodramatic, attention seeking space-attacker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with Posts: 24,276	Living Legend. Throwing business cards on stage? You should bow till your knees touch your fucking forehead infront of Ye. The nerve of these people.

20th December 2011, 23:57	#23 (permalink)
Kaush949 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 862	Didn't know that he produced Ludacris' Stand Up His best beat IMO

23rd December 2011, 16:40	#25 (permalink)
Boss Melodramatic, attention seeking space-attacker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I left you with enough memories to resurrect me with Posts: 24,276	Kanye's work sounds nothing like Dre, for xplosive he just straight up jacked the drums. I'd say dre's influence is minimal at best.

23rd December 2011, 18:16	#31 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 4,374	He's referring more to the layering of his songs, Dre is a master at that, those violins in Still Dre for example. The likes of Preemo however tend to make brilliant beats out of simple loops interpolating samples and shit. I can hear the Dre influences. Kanye said himself Boss in that piece.