Kanye West - Late Registration
Released Aug. 30, 2004
on Roc-A-fella/Def Jam
It’s hard to avoid seeing Kanye West’s name in the headlines lately. First his sophomore release debuts as Billboard’s top-selling album, and then comes his controversial, off-script statement that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during a Hurricane Katrina telethon.
As his ballsy declaration proves, West is not afraid to take risks, or he at least proceeds in spite of his fear. And it’s not the first time. With 2004’s College Dropout, West stepped up to the microphone, after already being hailed as a top-shelf producer, even though many said he couldn’t do it.
On Late Registration, he continues to side-step expectations, teaming up with producer Jon Brion, whose credits include Fiona Apple’s When the Pawn… and the score to “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” West’s trademark soul samples and drum loops are paired with Brion’s cinematic instrumentation, and the beats shine bright.
Another bold move that Mr. West pulls off is a collaboration with Jay-Z’s long-time nemesis Nas on the track “We Major.”
While I don’t think the album is as near-perfect as the surprising 9.5 rating from the often-pretentious Pitchfork Media proclaims, the attention he has been receiving is definitely a step in the right direction for commercial hip-hop.
Good links, all three of them. Nice post too. Very timely.
Comment by Mindy McAdams — September 13, 2005 @ 10:52 am