"The College Dropout" Turns Ten

I am a music snob. I like what I like and there is nothing wrong for that. I also judge folks (slightly) on their music tastes. I love to hear music from new acts. Such was the case the first time I heard of Kanye West. The song was "Home" and I was sold.  I knew of Kanye by way of an old Chicago friend who passed me a cd with underground Ye tracks. I also started to hear about him producing for Jay. A decade ago, one of my favorite albums was released. "The College Dropout" became the soundtrack of my life in 2004. There was nothing I listened to more than this cd that year. It was so fresh and different and real. I loved everything about it. Kanye gained a new fan in me. I loved his voice and tone and lyrics. His production was top notch. Dude was just golden. I am very picky when it comes to what rappers I listen to and support. The number is small. Kanye did not have any problem making the cut. I would play the cd constantly. "Spaceship" is still one of my favorite songs ever. I remember the day like it was yesterday.

I also remember the first time I saw Kanye in concert. He was the opening act for Usher's "Confession" tour. I was more excited to see Ye than Usher. This was the rapper who I had been blasting for months. I stood up during Ye's whole set, rapped along to ever song. My cousin was amazed cause she barely knew who he was. She was there strictly for Usher. That was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. I've seen Ye every single time he's been to New Orleans, except for the Yeezus tour. Ten years ago, Kanye gained a fan in me. Now, I may not have loved his latest efforts but I am still a fan. The man is a musical genius. I love his producer side as much as his rapper side. "The College Dropout" will always be classic in my book. It was definitive in my life. I woke up to it and went to sleep to it. I cannot recall any other project that came out that year that I rocked with harder.  There was a hunger and about TCD era Ye. He is still dope. I am still a fan. "The College Dropout" turned ten today. Where did the time go?! Happy Birthday, "The College Dropout."

Rant: Oh, Kanye!

Kanye West is a genius. He tells you so in every interview he has given in the last few years. The problem with such a proclamation is that if you're constantly telling everyone what you are, no one has a chance to believe it for themselves. Humble is a word Kanye does not seem to know. He is flashy and . I have no issue with one thinking they are the best. Why shouldn't one think this? I have an issue with that thinking being rammed down my throat. Especially when the product you are mostly known for, the music, hasn't been that great lately. I have a fan. Have been since he was an underground, unknown kid trying to get put on. But, I was very disappointed with "Yeezus." I did not find it innovative or groundbreaking. I just found it weird. After a few months, I really only listen to one of the ten songs, which is "Bound 2." I also don't think his fashion designs or choices have been that great either. Leather kilt anyone? Just no, Kanye. I don't see it for you in that way. 

Then, comes the idiotic one-sided Twitter war with late night tv host Jimmy Kimmel. It was just dumb. Kanye graced the show with his presence last night. This wasn't an interview. Kimmel was the backdrop for another epic Ye rant. Ye went off on a tangent about 100 different things. Most of which had nothing to do with his reasoning for being on the show or any of the 4 questions Kimmel asked. It was just weird. Ye was talking super fast and was extremely animated. And, I was over it after the first half of it. I stared at the tv with the illest "Boy what?" face especially once he said that Kim deserved a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. *Excuse my language* But, NIGGA WHAT?!? For what? She is famous for being famous. She has no real discernible talent. I do not care if he is head over heels in love with her. That is great. But, stop trying to make her happen for us. I do not care for anything dealing with her or her family. I kinda wish they would all go far, far away and leave us alone. Ye's Kimmel appearance did not help Ye. It did bolster Kimmel's ratings because I do not watch his show ever. Where there may have been moments of sheer greatness, Kanye's hyper speak and ridiculousness overshadows all of it. It made for go fodder on Twitter. Either or, I'm over Ye's rants for ever. Also, if the music isn't going to get better, I could be over that aspect of him as well. That makes me sad on so many levels because I am a fan. Kanye, just stop it already. 

The Throne Has Been Watched!!!

The time and place had been set in stone for months now. The anticipation was growing. I simply could not wait. Finally, it was Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 @ approximately 9:19pm. The house lights go dark and I see Jay taking his spot on the stage in front of us. The show starts with the drop of the beat of "H.A.M." and the opening line of "It was all good just a week ago." The crowd went crazy as the lights shined on Jay and Ye on two different stages. Their stages started to rise as they performed the first song. Everyone was on their feet. I already knew that I would be up all night. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a fan of Jay Z's I am. I am also a Kanye fan. This was a long time coming to see the two of them on the same stage in person. The arena was rocking from the opening moment.

There was no opening act, no intermissions, just Jay and Ye for almost 3 hours. That alone made the price of admission worth it. This is my third time seeing both men in concert. Each time just gets better. I could clearly be biased but I can't help it. I love the way they performed songs from "Watch The Throne" cd as well as solo songs. I loved seeing Jay being Ye's hype man and vice versa. They were engaging as well as personable on stage. They smiled and had a great time entertaining us. The crowd was loud all night. I know for a fact that I rapped every word to every song. I only sat down during one song (Kanye's "Stronger" which I've never liked). Jay performed some of my favorite tracks by him. He did "Where I'm From," "Hard Knock Life," "Big Pimpin" (also rapping the late great Pimp C's verse), and "99 Problems" (my personal theme song for many years). Ye did all of his hits "Gold Digger," "Al of The Lights," "Runaway," and "Power." The track set for this concert was awesome. They gave you old songs for those day one fans like myself as well as newer hits. Both men gave a great show.



The best part of the show for me was the ending. They ended with "Ni**as In Paris." The arena went wild as soon as the beat dropped. The whole arena was bouncing. I knew that it was gonna end as well as it started. I love Kanye rapping "I got my ni**as in NEW ORLEANS and they going guerilla, haaaaa!" After finishing it, they performed it for a second time. I was loving it. They told us good night and walked off stage. I knew it wasn't over though. The house lights were still off. The crowd started clapping and yelling and screaming "Encore!" Jay Z started talking from backstage. He said "Oh what that mean? Sounds like y'all don't wanna go home. Good cause I don't wanna go home either." Ye and Jay came back out to talk to us to thunderous applause. They were laughing and talking to the crowd. Ye told the dj to drop it again. "Ni**as In Paris" was performed 7 times before it was all over. The crowd bounced and rapped to it every single time. It was a great feeling in the arena that night. After the final performance of NIP, Ye threw his mic.

The show was over. The Throne had been watched. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I was disappointed that they did not do my songs "Why I Love You" and "Gotta Have It." Other than that, I have nothing but great things to say about it. I left the concert with a smile on my face and a strained voice but I was happy. I got to see Jay and Ye again. I got to experience it with my favorite aunt who's never seen Jay Z perform live. She enjoyed it as much as I did. If you are a fan of either or both, I suggest you make your way to this concert. It was just that great. I could not have asked for a better night. I have been to more concerts than I can count. This is up there on my list of greats. Greatest night ever. I think this is the second time I've written about my night at a Jay Z concert. What can I say, I'm a true fan. I can sum it up in about eight words: great artists, great music, great performances, wonderful night

Ladies Love Lyrics: Jay-Z/KanyeWest/Frank Ocean "Made In America"

It took me a few days to decide which song to chose for LLL. Jay-Z and Kanye's "Watch The Throne" has been on repeat since Sunday night. "Made In America" is the song that I am feeling the most today. So here's some lyrics for you guys.



(Frank Ocean) Sweet King Martin / Sweet Queen Coretta / Sweet Brother Malcolm / Sweet Queen Betty / Sweet Mother Mary / Sweet Father Joseph / Sweet Jesus / We made it in America / Sweet Baby Jesus / Oh sweet baby Jesus / We made it in America / Sweet baby Jesus / Oh sweet baby Jesus / We made it in America

(Kanye West) I told my mama I was on the come up / She said you going to school I’ll give you a summer / Then she met NO ID and gave me his number / Ten years later she driving a Hummer / Ni**as hustle every day for a beat from Ye / What I do? Turn around gave them beats to Jay / And I’m rappin’ on the beat they was supposed to buy / I guess I’m getting high off my own supply / Downtown mixing fabrics tryina find the magic / Started a little blog just to get some traffic / Old folks’ll tell you not to play in traffic / A million hits and the web crashes ...Damn / South Park had ‘em all laughing / Now all my ni**as designing and we all swaggin’ / Ignore the critics just to say we did it / This ain’t no fashion show, motherf***er we live it

(Chorus)

(Jay-Z) I pledge allegiance to my Grandma / For that banana pudding, our piece of Americana / Our apple pie was supplied through Arm & Hammer / Straight out the kitchen, shh don’t wake Nana / Built a republic, that still stands / I’m tryna lead a nation, leave to my little mans / Or my daughter, so I’m boilin’ this water / The scales was lopsided, I’m just restorin’ order / Hold up, here comes grandma, what’s up YaYa? / What’s that smell? Oh I’m just boiling some aqua / No papa, bad Santa / The streets raised me, pardon my bad manners / I got my liberty choppin’ grams up / Street justice, I pray God understand us / I pledge allegiance to all the scramblers / This is the Star Spangled Banner (Chorus)

Get Into It: Watch The Throne

The Throne has been watched. I have lived with this Jay-Z/Kanye West project for more than 24 hours. I haven't listened to anything else. I can't. It's just the way I am when I'm getting into new music. Simply stated, WTT is amazing. It exceeded all of my expectations. I love the way Jay and Ye shined on this cd. I am clearly in love with "N***as In Paris," "Who Gon Stop Me," "New Day," and "Why I Love You." I also think that collabo cds bring out the best in those involved. Ye is coming off a huge album. His MBDTF is epic. It's like a movie. Did the two of them need to do this? No. Neither career was hurting. They did this for the love of music, for the fans, for the fun. And, I thank them. I have not been this excited about a Hip-Hop cd in a minute.

The rollout for WTT is just about the illest thing I've ever seen. there has been little to no promotion to this project. Even more amazing is the fact that it did not leak. I cannot think of a cd that hasn't leaked within the last four or five years. Kanye first mentioned this project as a 5 song EP that him and Jay were gonna do back in late November. I was uber excited because I am such a fan of both men. There was a buzz single released in January. It was "H.A.M." The single was met with mixed reviews. Then there were the multitude of fake release dates. Finally, on the 4th of July the artwork was released as well as a link to pre-order. Which, I of course, did asap. And, then the world finally received a true single. "Otis" is a soul sample of Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" and Jay and Ye spend three minutes being their most flashy, braggadocious selves. The song is a loop of the Otis sample with no hook, no bridge, no chorus. It's just three minutes of Jay and Ye trading 8 bars. Just a really fun song with a great sample.



The excitement was building. IT was a topic of discussion on Twitter leading up to its release. My pre-order via Jay's Life and Times blog was full of surprises. The day that "Otis" was released, I received an email with a download link for the song. It also informed me that I would receive another email with the download for the digital album on 8/8 and my physical copy on 8/12. So, Sunday night while on Twitter LowKeyUHTN tweeted that he had received his digital copy of WTT via iTunes. I couldn't check my email fast enough. At exactly, 11:01pm, my email arrived. I downloaded and started to listen to WTT with the biggest smile! I also watched the Twitterverse explode with reviews of the cd. It was quite amazing to watch so many people react to the same product.

I may be very biased on this but I LOVE it. WTT musically and sonically does not sound like anything else. Lyrically, no one can touch Jay or Ye in my book. I never once doubted that. I was just anticipating what they would sound like on a full project. These men are two of the only rappers that I have all of their cd's. I have never bootlegged either of them. I became even more of a fan of Kanye's after seeing him in concert at Essence Music Fest this year. There is also a WTT tour starting this fall. I cannot wait to attend. I've been a fan of both since the beginning of their respective careers. These two men showed up and showed out of this wonderful 16 song (deluxe edition) cd. "Watch The Throne" just makes me happy. I've read a lot of reviews of this cd. Some I agree with because they hear what I hear. Others I don't, because I have no idea what they heard.

I do not think I can give a song by song review. I like them all too much. Today I have been playing "Why I Love You" a lot. It's my favorite today. Yesterday, it was "N***as In Paris." All in all, this cd was well worth the wait and all the excitement to me. Kanye and Jay gave me more than I wanted in this project. I'm looking forward to hearing this new material performed live in concert this December. If you are a fan, or even if you're not, I suggest you check it out. Get Into "Watch The Throne"