By: Christian Hines
808s & Heartbreak. This album is completely different than the first three. The album starts with “Say You Will”, a dark, synthetic, electronic, and somber ballad. Kanye sings about an ex-girlfriend in auto tune, giving lines like: “I wish this song would really come true, I admit I still fantasize about you.” The lyrical content of this album is emotionally heavy and not extremely complex, but the expressiveness used makes the lines hit harder, and you feel what Kanye is singing. Production-wise, it is much more
stripped down; synths and 808 drums are the main components. Dark minor chords and almost foreboding sounds build the background to Kanye’s pained auto tune. At the time of recording this album Kanye was in a dark place; his mother had recently died and he had just ended a six year relationship with his fiancée. You can hear his emotions in this album, in lyrics and sound. Though this album is very despairing, it was still very groundbreaking for Kanye; heavy use of auto tune and completely different production changed everything. Kanye was still crafting his sound and this album really effected how he made the rest of his discography. Mentally, Kanye was different after this album as well, after losing his mother his personality and life completely changed, and with that, his sound.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Many people consider this to be Kanye’s best album. Kanye takes everything he did with previous albums and puts it together on this one, and it is hauntingly beautiful. The production has sounds from all of his albums: bits of soul samples similar to College Dropout and Late Registration, the glossy and flashy sound of Graduation, and the electronic and emotional sound of 808s & Heartbreak. This all combines together to make an incredibly unique sound that fits Kanye perfectly. Lyrically, this album is haunting; Kanye gives a look into his life in a dark
and fantasy-like matter, with introspective lines like, “The plan was to drink till’ the pain over, but what’s worse, the pain or the hangover?” Kanye raps about the dark sides of fame and wealth, and is still egotistical at the same time. While much of the public had negative views on Kanye, he ignored what was said and threw the insults right back. Kanye moved his sound on and created an he wanted, it was the perfect sound for him.
Yeezus. This album is best described by the word “experimental”. Kanye experiments with sounds and ideas throughout the album. The production is grimy, simple, and electronic; loud drums and vocal samples dominate tracks. The track “Black Skinhead” is a good example of heavy drums and grimy sound; tribal drums and distorted guitar are the core of the track while Kanye raps about racism in America. The lyrical content of this album is filled with anti-racist themes and personal experiences that Kanye has been through. Kanye made what he wanted, not what fans wanted. In my opinion that shows that he is truly an artist. Kanye expresses himself through music how he wants. Yeezus is a perfect example of that.
The Life of Pablo. Kanye’s most recent album, being released in 2016, is unique and impressive. At this point in Kanye’s career, he is not only a master of creating music, he is a master of orchestrating it; he puts together this album by choosing the best producers and artists to create the sound he wants. The production of this album is large and powerful; gospel samples, triumphant synths, uptempo boom-bap drums, and house-inspired bass lines create a uniquely strong sound. Kanye picks amazing features that fit the tracks perfectly, for example Chance The Rapper on “
Ultralight Beam” or Kendrick Lamar on “No More Parties in L.A.” Kanye himself raps in different ways that fit each track, creating songs like “I Love Kanye” a completely acapella track that has Kanye rapping in third person using common criticisms of himself in asatirical manner. Kanye addresses his fame and success, friendships, his insecurities, critiques of himself, relationships, and his previous shoe deal with Nike and new one with Adidas all in one album. Kanye has mastered the music industry and mastered hip-hop in these albums, and he is still not done.
Kanye West is a legend and will be known as one of the most important artists of all time not only hip-hop, but music. There is still more to come from Kanye, and at this point, it can only be good. Kanye will continue to create amazing music and inspire amazing artists. Kanye’s evolution is complete, and he is still not finished.
Image Captions:
Image 1: Cover Art for the Album "808's and Heartbreaks"
Image 2: Cover Art for the Album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"
Image 3: Alternate Cover Art for the Album "The Life of Pablo"
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