jessi83 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 'Registration' earns master's in hip-hop Album reviews By Kelley Carter Detroit Free Press Kanye West doesn't really care what so-and-so the music critic thinks about his sophomore effort, "Late Registration." He knows it'll be regarded as one of the greatest things to happen to hip-hop since the advent of the boom box. But just to be clear: It's incredible. And after blowing his production budget and persuading his label to shell out $2 million - that's a lot of cheddar - it better be. The album arrives fresh from West's MTV Video Music Award win Sunday night for best male video for "Jesus Walks" off of his debut disc, "The College Dropout." West teamed up with producer Jon Brion, a composer who has worked with artists such as Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple, and brought more musicianship to his rap music. West, a sought-after producer, is known for taking old soul tracks, speeding them up, and giving the tunes new life. With "Late Registration," he doesn't abandon the sound that had him dominating radio - urban, pop and otherwise - all of last year; he just dramatically enhances it. Together, West and Brion deliver a collection of songs that sound like a film score - a soundtrack of urban blight and desire for a better life. There's sadness, there's pain, there's humor, history, hope and celebration. West spits verses over melodic 40-piece string sets, 30-piece horn sets and DJ scratches. Hip-hop has never had a sound like this. In the single "Gold Digger," there's a trace of the old West. It's one of the fun, lightly satirical pieces on the project that feels very much like modern-day hip-hop, but with a dead-on direct message. In the almost haunting song "Crack Music," West takes on drugs in the black community, and paints a very visual picture of life in some neighborhoods. The album is filled with guest spots, including Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx, Brandy, Paul Wall, Cam'ron, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and John Legend. But the most impressive pairing comes with rapper Nas, who joins West on "We Major," with West challenging him to go back to his "Illmatic" days, a reference to Nas' 1994 debut on which he demonstrated an impeccable lyrical talent. Nas answers the call. If for some strange reason this album doesn't outdo "The College Dropout," (which sold nearly 3 million copies), it's merely showing that his hip-hop maturity far exceeds the marketplace. West knows that he stretched himself with this album; so much so that he says he will be touring with U2 and is talking with Chris Martin of Coldplay about going on the road with that band. But his music doesn't push itself too far beyond what we know and love about hip-hop. The stories and sketches are visual and just as conversational as they've always been. And when West is rapping about Africa's blood diamonds, stateside drug problems and the glory of everyday living, that's not too bad of a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostbitepanda Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 First, Coldplay don't really "tour" with anyone. They have supporting acts sure, but they're rather small bands that stay with them for only a short stretch. Second, neither do U2? Thrid, he's Kanye West, not a rock group nor Jesus. This journalist obviously thinks he's both. And Kanye couldn't possibly share the stage with anyone. His ego is much too large to make any room for little old Coldplay or U2. Don't look too much into it... at all. Trust me. Remember the supposed collaboration with Beyonce Knowels? I rest my case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sienna Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 what????????????? :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachhh24 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 what an odd match...Kanye West and Coldplay Kanye is good, I'll actually listen to his rap/hiphop songs...but his music mixed with Coldplay's just doesn't really work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Please god no...i really dont think it would work. But it also looks like media talk again :rolleyes: anything to sell newspapers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
an_cat Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Oh no. He's touring with U2? Since the fuck when? I know that he's not opening for them during their American October leg. And Dashboard Confessional ( :rolleyes: ) is opening in December for them... This is a very bizarre article..... :huh: I'm pretty sure it's a load of bull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevemah Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 wouldn't want to go to the gig to watch rap, not my thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berrywoman Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 this makes me verrrrrrrrry happy!! :) I love Kanye... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victaniac Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I like Kanye's music, but he's just SO cocky and bigheaded - I can't stand it. I don't even want to listen to his new album, but I do love College Dropout. Cockyness is just such an ugly trait. I would hate it if he toured with Coldplay for that sole reason. He would just go around talking how musically diverse he is for touring with Coldplay and U2 or whomever. Eugh. :sick2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willfoster6033 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 kanye west + jon brion = :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymcnabb Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I think it would be sweet personally. I love weird mixes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matter-Eater Lad Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 this would be awesome....coldplay and kanye too good musics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakedemon Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 these are by far my 2 favorite music acts....id die happy if i saw both of them in one concert. haha but god please dont do a linkin park/jay z type thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l0wxo2 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 as awesome as this would be [ i love kanye,he is the only rapper i can actually listen to without wanting to scream like cough50CENTcough] i don't think it will happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kekita Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 He he they metioned cheddar the cheese strikes again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.B.g Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Kanye is my favorite rapper. Musically Late Registration is probably the best Hip Hop album that I've ever heard, and I listen to a lot of hip hop. I urge all of you who haven't heard it yet to give it a shot ... anyways, needless to say, I would love to see these two acts together, it would be a dream. Unfortunately though, I think Kanye, despite his notorious cockiness, respects Coldplay more than Coldplay respects him ... This type of a pairing wouldn't make sense to me. If Coldplay could choose any group I think they'd likely pick The Arcade Fire to open for them (which I'd also kill to see!!!) But alas, U2 has gotten to them first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berrywoman Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 as if Chris isn't cocky???? puh-lease! he thinks all his songs are the best thing ever, you know <-- that was my Chris impersonation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
an_cat Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Yes! Please, Coldplay, have the Arcade Fire open for you! I'm already devestated by them not opening for U2's American legs.... Oh I'd just die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 on the site it says richard ashcroft is supporting em on the uk christmas tour. :) dunno bout any other US tours or the like, i only checked the uk one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanya00 Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 hmmm, its a strange combination...but hey who knows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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