Kanye's 33 today. I'm sure he's somewhere soaking in maturation waters some believes he needs an overdose of, but honestly, if Ye didn't talk the crazy shit he does, would those outside of hip hop know who he was? He could let his music do the talking for him, but I have seen many an underrated artist die by the wayside.
Kanye doesn't owe anybody an apology. (He gave Princess Taylor hers, so let's move on). He doesn't owe me or hip hop SHIT. And he doesn't owe less informed individuals his humility. Here's why:
20 Reasons Why Kanye doesn’t owe me or hip hop shit:
1. This Can’t Be Life – Jay-Z, Scarface & Beanie Sigel from Dynasty Roc La Familia – His first major placement. Trademarking his sound with that sped up old soul classic, we’d soon recognize his production.
2. Takeover/Izzo (H.O.V.A.) – Jay-Z from The Blueprint- The album that cemented Jay’s lyrical prowess forever. The battle classic “Takeover” and beloved hip hop anthem “Izzo” made Blueprint a more important album than the commercial juggernaut Hard Knock Life was.
3. Brown Sugar (all versions)- Mos Def from Brown Sugar sndtk-From the Faith assisted single version to the Norman Connor’s “Invitation” flipped remix, this was one of Ye’s most significant offerings before we knew his name at all.
4. Dead or Alive-Cam’ron from Come Home With Me- a man largely responsible for West making it to the Roc, Cam’s rhyming is pushed to higher efficiency here than on Just Blaze’s classic “Oh Boy” beat.
5. Get By-Talib Kweli from Quality-Kanye’s greatest production to date for me. The genius of the chorus (written by West) and the chopping of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” to a different time signature (handclaps and all) is yet to be topped for me and he’s got a million beats I love. (video cameo 1)
6. Stand Up-Ludacris from Chicken ‘n Beer-Crazy ass Luda on a killer track. Still didn’t know who Ye’ was yet. (video cameo 2)
7. “These Walls” – Nappy Roots, “This Way” – Dilated Peoples, “Selfish” – Slum Village- Okay I’m lumping these together as they’re all one offs. One record to keep that group alive a few more moments. The first two incidentally show off Kanye’s talent as a songwriter. Unlike many hip hop producers, he rarely give s you a beat and sends you on your way. The tune comes as a ready-made song all you have to do is insert your verses too. The gospel chorus thing is also working for him now, as will soon be seen on “Jesus Walks.”
8. “Encore” and “Lucifier”-Jay-Z from The Black Album-Hard to give Ye’ but so much credit on how classic The Black Album is, but these two are definitely crucial contributions to the masterpiece. “Lucifier’s” track is a ugly as hip hop gets beat-wise, but Ye’ STILL hands Jay a chorus and singing vamp just to make sure it’s undeniable.
9. “You Don’t Know My Name”-Alicia Keys from The Diary of…-I’m pretty certain Harold Lilly penned the lyrics on this one, but Ye’s responsible for the packaging with the Main Ingredient tune it’s built on.
10. The College Dropout- Regarded by many as a classic, “Through the Wire,” “Jesus Walks,” “Spaceship” and “All Falls Down” were not just great productions, but lyrically gifted where Ye’ was not expected to deliver. “Jesus Walks” amazes to this day. However does a record like this make it to the radio and chart? It’s just that good. “All Falls Down” is one of those perfect examples of Ye’ being conscious of being self-conscious. Like being an ass about being an ass.
11. Knock Knock-Monica from After the Storm-Especially the remix because he says some hilarious shit. But either way, the track’s by Ye’ the lyrics by Missy, only thing that kept me from forgetting Monica had an album out that year.
12. Overnight Celebrity-Twista from Kamikaze-2nd favorite Kanye track ever. Twista is as incredible as ever, but the use of Lenny Williams and Miri’s violin, just priceless. Favorite song of 2003 for me.
13. Be-Common-After growing up trying to battle the likes of Chi-town’s NaS, Kanye wasn’t gonna see Com get dropped after the Electric Circus mayhem. Producing his album for free up front and subsequently acquiring him as an artist under his G.O.O.D. label imprint, “The Corner” single-handedly saved Common among hip hop heads missing the NoI.D. days. The album as a whole is a bonafide classic though and save for amplified samples or an extra long hook here and there, Kanye is to be commended with saving Common’s music career allowing him to be relevant enough for a film career.
14. Late Registration-To hand in a classic is a feat in and of itself. But to conceptualize and direct three in two years is unheard of. Between Dropout, Be, and this one is an achievement of the gods-all while producing other hits? I won’t even break this one down. Okay, just a lil’ bit. “Gold Digger” was simply serendipitous, between Ray!, Jamie’s Oscar win and imminent music career, “I Got a Woman” never saw such glory. For the record, the beat is insane if you have any ear for beat programming. “Addiction” is genius in we could actually argue where the “1” is because the time signature need not be defined for this to be awesome. “Drive Slow” (biased as the remix with T.I.’s verse is necessary) morality never really seems to fail on a Ye’ album. Crazy enough, he may be the C student arguing for that B- all day, but you can’t deny his heart.
15. Let’s Get Lifted-John Legend-Now he’s not my dude per se. And I actually like the 3rd album best, but millions around the world say he’s IMPORTANT and he was hand delivered to you by Mr. West. Will.i.am gets the “Ordinary People” credit, Kanye gets the Quincy Jones credit.
16. I Changed My Mind- Keyshia Cole/Talk About Our Love-Brandy. A couple more ‘one-offs.’ Ye’s star power was so high they went with his single instead of Timbo’s “Who is She 2 U” on Brandy’s Afrodisiac.
Not to say “Talk” wasn’t hot, just saying. This is still a banger from Keyshia, though it’s the lowest charter for her first round of hits.
17. Don’t Quit Your Day Job-Consequence- Very slept on hip hop album. Ye' scooped up Q-Tip's cousin after years of languishing in Tribe's absence. Quence showed what he was working with on Dropout ("Spaceship") and Late Reg ("Gone") pretty much killing the close on those. Ye' gave him the good tracks that didn't make his own albums to make this a truly entertaining full package. Also a G.O.O.D. production.
18. Graduation-Sonically, it’s so next level, most still don’t get it. Skills-wize, he was doing more on the guest spots all over the place (like “Drink n’ My 2 Step” and “Because of You”), but the production of Graduation showed that Kanye was nearly OCD in the studio to our benefit. Calling in DJ Toomp from down south and Timbo for keys and programming help, he’s ego-less when it comes to making the best MUSIC and that’s what I love about the dude most. If doesn’t have it, he’s humble enough to call somebody who does.
19. Blueprint 3-Jay-Z Out of respect for what he contributed to the first two, Ye’ gets the executive chair for round 3. Remember that Jay was being called Brett Favre of hip hop (pre Minnesota playoffs) when single after single came and went leading up to this release. “Run This Town” was the first to actually STICK. Add “Empire” and the rest is a wrap. If you need one more track to credit Ye’ with though, “Already Home” takes care of that. Deuces!
20. Power from Good Ass Job-Yes, the new track is so hot, you can’t deny it. Just went through Drake’s album for the fourth time and nothing on it compares. That does it for me. See you when you get back, Ye.
