Classic Album Nomination #96: College Dropout

elpooz · 2009-07-21 08:40:20

Kanye West - The College DropoutProducer Kanye West's highlight reels were stacking up exponentially when his solo debut for Roc-a-Fella was released, after numerous delays and a handful of suspense-building underground mixes. The week The College Dropout came out, three singles featuring his handiwork were in the Top 20, including his own 'Through the Wire.' A daring way to introduce himself to the masses as an MC, the enterprising West recorded the song during his recovery from a car wreck that nearly took his life — while his jaw was wired shut. Heartbreaking and hysterical ('There's been an accident like Geico/They thought I was burnt up like Pepsi did Michael'), and wrapped around the helium chirp of the pitched-up chorus from Chaka Khan's 'Through the Fire,' the song and accompanying video couldn't have forged his dual status as underdog and champion any better. All of this momentum keeps rolling through The College Dropout, an album that's nearly as phenomenal as the boastful West has led everyone to believe. The bad points? A few too many skits, 'The New Workout Plan,' and the fact that the triumph that is 'Through the Wire' is de-emphasized and placed so deep into the album that it's almost anticlimactic. Apart from this? Abundant hotness in every aspect. From a production standpoint, nothing here tops recent conquests like Alicia Keys' 'You Don't Know My Name' or Talib Kweli's 'Get By,' but he's consistently potent and tempers his familiar characteristics — high-pitched soul samples, gospel elements — by tweaking them and not using them as a crutch. Even though those with their ears to the street knew West could excel as an MC, he has used this album as an opportunity to prove his less-known skills to a wider audience. One of the most poignant moments is on 'All Falls Down,' where the self-effacing West examines self-consciousness in the context of his community: 'Rollies and Pashas done drive me crazy/I can't even pronounce nothing, yo pass the Versacey/Then I spent 400 bucks on this just to be like '***** you ain't up on this'.' If the notion that the album runs much deeper than the singles isn't enough, there's something of a surprising bonus: rather puzzlingly, a slightly adjusted mix of 'Slow Jamz' — a side-splitting ode to legends of baby-making soul that originally appeared on Twista's Kamikaze, just before that MC received his own Roc-a-Fella chain — also appears. Prior to this album, we were more than aware that West's stature as a producer was undeniable; now we know that he's also a remarkably versatile lyricist and a valuable MC. - Allmusic.I personally don't know which side of the fence I'm on, but I think this album deserves a nomination, simply because of how critically acclaimed, popular, and memorable it is. In a few years we will look back to the year Blu and Exile dropped and probably nominate Below The Heavens, just because of how memorable it is and how well received it was. This is the same. When you look back to 2004, you think of CD as one of that year's most defining albums (among other things of course). I'll add my vote later... gonna give it spins at works and come to a decision.

mischa_barton

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#201 mischa_barton

Member since 2005 • 5996 Posts

[QUOTE="HaSheeSh_basic"][QUOTE="elpooz"][QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="Agnidev"]
[QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="WorstGameEver"]I told you guys to stop bumping the thread lolelpooz

I come with votes from every inactive member of OTB

They all vote yes

stop crying, its just a ******* album

I only do it since Hash seems to get a kick out of it

:lol: beautiful

and who's crying...? i just thought it was a bit unfair that this album got more time than any other even though it was clearly ahead AFTER most of our frequent posters had voted... i could really care less lol. if it doesn't go into some thread on some forum of like 600 people, so what? the album is still a cla$$ic and i'll still enjoy it

god damn, u just got banned again?

lol no?

There is always room for dreams.

14 years ago

elpooz

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#202 elpooz

Member since 2005 • 5883 Posts

Don't worry, I've been hoping on the same for you for a whiiile

14 years ago

iHeartCali

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#203 iHeartCali

Member since 2008 • 6198 Posts

Good one!!! ^^

14 years ago

WizengamotX

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#204 WizengamotX

Member since 2003 • 4548 Posts

I vote yes, dassic, for this album.

14 years ago

fat_rob

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#205 fat_rob

Member since 2003 • 22624 Posts

lol now it's tied...AGAIN

14 years ago

189245455704665724390135605497

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#206 189245455704665724390135605497

Member since 2002 • 7742 Posts

I dunno he called it dassic, his vote shouldn't count...

[spoiler] just kidding [/spoiler]

14 years ago

Toriko42

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#207 Toriko42

Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts

I vote yes, dassic, for this album.WizengamotX

You're my favorite poster now

14 years ago

Giangio

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#208 Giangio

Member since 2003 • 11759 Posts

I vote no, I don't think the lyrics or production is good enough to qualify this as a classic.

14 years ago

DeadQwon

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#209 DeadQwon

Member since 2008 • 594 Posts

*DING*

14 years ago

Toriko42

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#210 Toriko42

Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts

*Waits for Hash to come in and say 'Toriko and Pooz just got served'*

I know it'll happen :lol:

14 years ago

NanakiNebula

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#211 NanakiNebula

Member since 2008 • 604 Posts

lol at the Thread That Will Not Die.

14 years ago

SuperSaiyanLink

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#212 SuperSaiyanLink

Member since 2003 • 19542 Posts

No for me.

14 years ago

HaSheeSh_basic

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#213 HaSheeSh_basic

Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts

*Waits for Hash to come in and say 'Toriko and Pooz just got served'*

I know it'll happen :lol:
Toriko42

so you and elpooz can accuse me of bumping it?

oh wait..

14 years ago

planetshhh

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#214 planetshhh

Member since 2007 • 891 Posts

I vote no, I don't think the lyrics or production is good enough to qualify this as a classic.Giangio

man, i can understand the lyrics pov, but the production is ILL. stop trippin'.

14 years ago

mems_1224

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#215 mems_1224

Member since 2004 • 56919 Posts

no

14 years ago

WizengamotX

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#216 WizengamotX

Member since 2003 • 4548 Posts

Do you not have to be a member of the union to vote? Can I get my friends in here and then convert them and get them to vote my way? :|

14 years ago

BlueRJ

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#217 BlueRJ

Member since 2006 • 673 Posts

^ it's over move on to the 100th vote

14 years ago

elpooz

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#219 elpooz

Member since 2005 • 5883 Posts

^ it's over move on to the 100th voteBlueRJ

Nope. The thread is still "naturally" alive, so the votes go on.

14 years ago

Agnidev

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#222 Agnidev

Member since 2007 • 1432 Posts

can i still vote?

cause if i can, i vote no

14 years ago

Orlando_Magic

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#223 Orlando_Magic

Member since 2002 • 37448 Posts

can i still vote?
cause if i can, i vote no
Agnidev

You already voted No at the beginning...

14 years ago

Agnidev

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#224 Agnidev

Member since 2007 • 1432 Posts

[QUOTE="Agnidev"]
can i still vote?
cause if i can, i vote no
Orlando_Magic

You already voted No at the beginning...

oh well, i tried :P

14 years ago

gamr92

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#225 gamr92

Member since 2006 • 1173 Posts

[QUOTE="Agnidev"]
can i still vote?
cause if i can, i vote no
Orlando_Magic

You already voted No at the beginning...

:lol: get outta here...

Anyways, since the thread is still "naturally alive" and it was bumped back up...

I vote............ YUSSS. one of my favorite albums. The beats are ridiculously good and it showcases when Kanye still had some skill. It has classic tracks, like people said. Yeah, it has alot of skits but, i think, it adds more to the album. It doesnt take away from it at all. CLASSIC.

14 years ago

DrCoCoPiMp

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#226 DrCoCoPiMp