Now and days, it seems that Kanye West is more likely to appear in your news feed for reasons other than music. Personally, I find that disappointing because it negates us from his impressive body of work. Think about it, if it weren’t for the music we wouldn’t know who Kanye West is in the first place. With that being said, let’s speak on what introduced us to the Chicago native: the albums.
The consensus were splendid after the release of his 2004-debut, College Dropout. Kanye amazed us with his relentless approach on topics ranging from self-consciousness to religion, while remaining in Hip Hop’s purest form.
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Using inspiration as a tool, “Through the Wire,” a single from the album and Chaka Khan sample, documented a near-fatal car accident that required his jaw to be surgically wired shut.
Ye would give thanks to the Soul legend in the music video.
Ye kept the creative juices flowing with tracks like “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” and “Touch the Sky” on the follow up, Late Registration.
Ye addressed the women that were out for guys’ riches in “Gold Digger.” Contrary to popular belief, Ye wasn’t the first to address the subject matter. EPMD did it 15 years prior. However, Ye put a different creative approach on it and pushed the envelope by sampling Ray Charles’ “I’ve Got a Woman.”
Yeezy would keep his stride on his third release, Graduation. However, 808s & Heartbreaks, his fourth album, infused with Hip Hop, Pop, and R&B, altered his sound from the previous three. Though most complimented the creativeness, this was one of his most overlooked projects.
In My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Mr. West’s fifth album, he finds himself going back to the tools in which he used to create his first three.
Kanye would continue to test new creative waters with Yeezus and The Life of Pablo, his sixth and seventh albums.
The Southside Chicago native tapped into his spiritual side to create Jesus is King and Donda, his 9th and 10th albums.
Looking at the Southside-Chicago native’s repertoire, he’s definitely put his stamp on the game. Whether you like some of the traditional Hip Hop albums like Graduation, the Pop infused album such as 808s & Heartbreak, or the recent spiritual infused, Donda, Kanye West is going to give you Kanye West.
And no one else!
In your opinion, which is Kanye West’s best album?
Polls Are Closed!!
Graduation – 38%
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – 38%
The College Dropout – 13%
Late Registration – 13%
Jesus is King – 0%
Ye – 0%
The Life of Pablo – 0%
Yeezus – 0%
808s & Heartbreak – 0%
Donda – 0%
