The best rappers are usually the ones you've never heard of. Nelly and Usher are just a few of the artists that are whored out to us by radio, MTV, advertising agencies, etc. Kayne has true talent, isn't whored out(yet) and his music doesn't suck. If you like rap, check him out.
Rap/hip-hop/break beats have been around since the mid-to-late-70's. They became popular with the mainstream America in the early-to-mid-80's. It's not really "new" as it grew up right alongside metal music. That being said, everything can fall by the wayside, but I get the feeling hip-hop or some variant of it will be around for a while simply because it is supported by a culture more than is just a fad. Only time will tell...
id say if you like "music" than check him out. im not hip-hop guy, but college dropout is definately in my top 3 or 4 albums this year.
I am a big fan of Hip-Hop/Rap but is has declined drastically in recent years. Puffy Daddy began the trend with bullsh$t raps and gimicky shiny suits. Now it's just ridiculous with these rappers who rap about nothing, have no meaning behind their lyrics, often just yelling and spouting off ridiculous lines. This is why Kanye is such a refreshment!!! The guy spits lines that are very clever, entertaining and have a message behind the music. Also, dude is a genious in production and sampling of old music. I hope he wins all of what he is nominated for. Usher is talented but doesn't deserve the praise he is receiving. He isn't even the best R&B artist out there. R Kelly blows him away lyrically, vocally, and produces ALL of his records yet garners no aclaim for his music perhaps because of the controversy he finds himself in.
You guys that are fans of hip-hop and rap need to check out the Blues, especially Chicago Blues like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson (II), Buddy Guy, etc. That music was not only the genesis of rock and roll but for funk, smooth r&b, and so much more. Seriously.
I am so sick of everyone saying how profound and wise and whatever they think Kanye is. He is full of crap is what he is. I bought his album after hearing how this guy is bring new enlightenment to hip hop. But he isn't what he says he is. Case in point, he is supposed to be the anti-materialistic rapper. But the whole freakin point of his album is that he didn't need college to get rich. So apparently to him the measure of his success is how rich and famous he is now. He's confused, and I agree with Oski on his opinion of College. His entire album is very anti college making fun of people who stick to school, a goal, and can't find a job when they are finished. Hey dumbass, it worked for you and that's great, but that's not the message you need to to be sending to young blacks who have enough problems with education. You might not like rappers that are materialistic always rapping about their money cars and hoes, but I at least respect some of those guys for not being flaky. They tell what they're about upfront.
Six of us... How is his first name pronounced? And aren't the stupid fake names getting kind of old? Let's face it - the guy's real name is probably something like Roddrick Washington or something. There needs to be a "find your stupid cheesy hip-hop name" web site. -- droxford
I think Kanye is more of a relief for mainstream rap as a whole. There are plenty of underground rappers out there who are better than idiots like Ja Rule and Cam'ron but they won't ever see time on TRL. Kanye even said on his albuim... "Always said if I rapped I'd say somethin' significant, But now I'm rappin' 'bout money, hoes, and rims again." I don't agree with his college philosophy either, but isn't he just spitting it for what he sees it? He dropped out and now he's a millionaire, good for him.
i like kanye but all this love he gets i think is a bit undeserved. i picked up talib's new cd the other day (16.99 + tax!!!! it was insane. but i wanted to support the guy) and its terrific. i definitely think there are many other rappers out there that are considerably better. and nelly and company do suck.
LOL! I don't believe it. I think it's fake. I will continue chug my hatorade. .... hatorade... I like that -- droxford
Hey, its not good its great that it worked out for him. But I think his anti college tirades go deeper than a lot of people see them for. This goes into the heart of what Bill Cosby was talking about in that speech he made to the NAACP about black people and education. Quite frankly, even though I enjoyed the majority of his album, I couldn't believe his skits on college, and its to the point I don't even listen to the CD anymore. I like Kanye, and I like the fact that he tries to be fresh and original, but the last thing young black kids in the inner city need to hear is some guy who is the self proclaimed savior of hip-hop tellin them people don't need college. Its irresponsible.
Isn't his mother a college professor? Maybe it's his father. Regardless, I don't think it's necessarily an anti-college album, but maybe more of a "don't despair if you can't go to college, you can still do something positive with your life" type message.
It's entertainment man.....those skits are said in such a sarcastic manner...they aren't meant as public announcements on condemming college. Sad, sad!!! You don't respect Kanye who raps about religion, insecurities which most people have, family events, and other topics we can relate to in an entertaining fashion but you respect those rappers who demean women, yell all kinds of words that don't even form sentences to mean anything, and have little to say other than the same old rehashed materials??? I feel bad for you man.
all those commercial rappers aren't that special or great, I prefer underground rap or hardcore rap..... french rap is the best
Yeah, Fresh Prince, EPMD, NWA, and 2 Live Crew were real deep thinkers. There was stupid rap back then, too. That was the age of "no-meaning raps". Yet for all of those there was a KRS ONE or a Public Enemy. I don't think hip hop/rap is that different today from back in the 80's and 90's in the sense that there were some sucky acts back then and there are some sucky ones now. I just think that there are more sucky ones now and it makes it seem worse...
