The College Dropout by Kanye West is considered by many to be the greatest debut album of all time. Aspects like new production style, meaningful lyrics, and smooth flows highlight what makes this album great.
Track by track there is a lot to breakdown:
- “We Don’t Care” – opening track brings some very melodic and catchy hook. The song critiques the problems with inner city like lack of school, crime, and poverty. It delivers a new its message with an upbeat and hopeful beat
- “All Falls Down” – the most streamed song on the album and for good reason. To start the beat is something we have never heard up to that point in time, the mellow guitar and background vocals from Lauryn Hill round this beat out. Kanye delivers slick bars in a smooth flow about self consciousness and insecurity.
- “Spaceship” – Kanye samples Marvin Gaye to construct a calm and melodic beat. Features from Consequence and GLC are very underrated and they elevate the song. The song is a softer critique of minimum wage jobs and how they do not provide enough for the average person to survive. it also is a personal story for Kanye as he wants to make it in the music industry.
- “Jesus Walks” – One of the most unique beats ever produced and has many layers. Kanye critiques the American culture and music labels for their focus on crime and violence. Kanye talks about how a label canceled a deal because he made a rap about God and Jesus.
- “Never let me down” – One of the most underrated songs on the album because of the complex beat that sampled blackjack. One of Kanye’s best lyrical performances as he talks about the environment mom grew up in and how it shaped her and eventually shaped him. Great features from Jay-Z and J. Ivy add more to what is already great.
- “Slow Jamz” – The R&B song of the album as Jamie Foxx showcases his great vocals and Kanye delivers a melodic verse. Twista delivers one of his signature verses to round out this song.
- “Two Words” – Another underrated gem. Mos Def and Kanye deliver some of their best verses in a unique flow. Kanye and Mos rap about the environments they were raised in and the choir in the background makes this song an easy 10/10
- “Through the Wire” – one of Kanye’s most famous song as he rapped through a wired jaw after a car accident. This song kick started his career and for good reason. The beat is very unique and Kanye raps about the events after the accident and how it wont stop his will to make it.
- “Family business” – a nostalgic beat and lyrics make it a very unique song. Kanye raps about old family gathering before life got crazy for him and his cousins.
- “Last call” – This song has Kanye rapping and talking about his perseverance to achieve his dream. He goes through his whole journey and is a very inspiring track.
This album is an easy 10/10 and is widely considered one of raps best albums of all time.
