The College Dropout

For most artists who are discovered behind the mixing boards, making the transfer from producer to MC proves a daunting task. Fortunately for Kanye West, his verbal skills more than rise to the challenge of his consistently superior beats. A sprawling concept record that tackles issues of everyday life with wisecracking humor and unexpected honesty, THE COLLEGE DROPOUT confirms West's status as one of hip-hop's most refreshing voices.
The leadoff single, "Through the Wire", perfectly exemplifies West's distinct vision. Recorded while his jaws were still wired shut after a near-fatal car accident, West hilariously reflects upon his predicament over a sped-up Chaka Khan sample. Other songs address potentially somber topics--ghetto life ("We Don't Care"), religion ("Jesus Walks"), and family turmoil ("Family Business")--yet somehow retain a truly hopeful spirit. Although THE COLLEGE DROPOUT features top-notch cameos from Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Freeway, Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Twista, it's clearly West's show.|

ジェイ・Zの“Izzo（H.O.V.A.）”や“'03 Bonnie & Clyde”をはじめ、リュダクリスの“Stand Up”、アリシア・キーズの“You Don't Know My Name”といった数々のヒット曲を手掛けてきた、現ヒップホップ・シーンにおいてもっとも旬なプロデューサー、カニエ・ウェストがついにラッパーとして初のアルバムをリリース。爆発的な人気を呼んでいるトゥイスタとの“Slow Jamz”や、チャカ・カーンの“Through The Fire”を早回しするネタ使いが絶妙な先行曲“Through The Wire”など、そのサウンドはオールド・ソウルの持つメロウ感や哀愁感といった妙味を抽出／ブレンドしたかのよう。単にネタをモロ使いすることなく、そこに新たなメロディーやリフを歌や生楽器で吹き込むという徹底した〈トラックメイカー〉ぶりを披露。まあ、やたらネタに詳しい純粋なソウル・ファンのような気もするが……とにかく今年の最重要作間違いナシの一枚だ。
bounce (C)卯之田 吉晴