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The College Dropout the debut album of the often controversial Kanye West. Released February 2004, its the first in a three-album run known as the college trilogy. The Grammy-winning album fueled a resurgence of the subgenre “Pop rap” simultaneously ending the chokehold that the subgenre Gangster Rap with harsh lyrics and violent bars had over the entirety of hip-hop. The 21-song album lasting 1 hour and 16 minutes won two Grammys at the 47th annual event. Those being best rap album of the year and best rap song of the year(Jesus Walks). To promote the album Mr. West released singles All Falls Down, Jesus Walks, Through the Wire, and Slow Jamz. Slow Jamz would eventually become the Number 1 song on the Billboards Hot 100. Many well known artist were featured in the album the most notable being JAY-Z, Ludacris, and a personal favorite of Mos Def on the song Two Words. Released through the label Roc‐A‐Fella Records, Surging up to album 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling 441,000 copies in the first two weeks. This album highlights his versatility even so early in his rapping career. The difference between Never Let Me Down, Family Business and Last Call is astronomical.
Kanye used the college dropout to shift hip-hop from rapping about gang activities to a deeper level. Exploring a variety of topics being the difficulty through college, dealing with prejudiced richer folks and racism. Learning to deal through most of it. Most apparent in the first few songs being We Don’t Care, All Falls Down, and Spaceship. We Don’t Care addresses this with the repeating chorus “Drug dealin’just to get by/Stackin’ money ‘til it get sky high” (West). This theme of drug dealing and the constant hustle forced upon these kids in which they often have to use school as a sacrifice. He says the lyrics as a constant way they just want to be rich trying to make it by even though it isn’t quote on quote correct. But they “Don’t care what people say”(West).
All Falls Down also mentions dealing with prejudiced behavior of richer folks. The first verse tells a story of a single black female battling her way through college. Struggling with regret that the major won’t give her money but the pressure her parents put on her she won’t change. Kanye dives into his own experiences mentioning he buys watches, shirt with a team, and diamond rings. Attacking the richer people he states “people highest up got the lowest self-esteem/ the prettiest people do the ugliest things” and later “shine because they hate us.” His last verse which is my favorite verse on the album. The beat cuts off and he states “We buy to cover up what’s inside/ ‘cause they made us hate ourself and love they wealth” he challenges against the social norm. “We all self-conscious, I’m just the first to admit it” pointing out our own self-consciousness looking as to why we allow others to impact us (West). The influence that money and those with money control the way we think and our own insecurities.
While these hard topics continue throughout the album, it isn’t perceived as a necessarily sad thing. The bumpy production and catchy rhythms lead to an uplifting vibe. Songs like Slow Jamz, All Falls Down, and Breathe In Breathe Out are almost impossible not to at the very least tap your foot. All Falls Down, the lyrics are easy to scream out loud. Each song keeps you hooked, being different from the last. His comedic lyrics make it sound like were all just having fun out here. Present in Slow Jamz “I got a light skin friend look like micheal jackson, and got a dark skin friend that look like micheal jackson”(West). Every interlude/skit breaks up the album helping maintain the theme while keeping a light hearted and joking tone. The school skits simultaneously highlighting the people pushing the protagonist to stay on the same path because its better. These people fail to see the hypocrisy of it, ironically making it all a joke. Kanye laid this album out to portray a message that nobody should care what people think. This wasn’t made for the people the completely new beats/lyrics not seen in hip-hop at the time. He does his own thing making music not caring what others think
Just to enjoy it all.
Turtle Modesitt is a junior here at Poudre, this will be his first year within the Poudre Press. Currently playing as a wingback for the varsity soccer team. Outside of school his interests could skiing, rafting and being outdoors. After graduation, he plans on traveling the world and taking a gap year before returning to school. Taking a large interest in school his column will dive into the meaning influence of albums focusing heavily on the HipHop and RnB genres.
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