Team Kanye!

Let's not call it a review. I just have to talk my shit. (as 'Ye would say, 'Can I talk my shit agaiiiiin!'). The truth is Kanye's music is like a diuretic for the soul. At a time when it's difficult to just write, words suddenly string together into thoughts effortlessly when I hear good music (pun intended).

I still can't decide if Graduation is the best out of his discography. We all know there's nothing like a debut album from an artist but music enthusiasts always want that debut master piece to be re-created. Call it the Reasonable Doubt-effect or the Illmatic-effect. (You heard it hear first!). But I've come to the realization that Mr. West acquires something that makes you want to like him. And better yet, makes you WANT to see him succeed. (Sorry Curt).

We all know Graduation is part of this pre-planned saga in Kanye's mind. He drops out, then the Late Registration and then the milestone Graduation. And he stays in character all throughout, except in Graduation...to a certain extent. As I listened to the album, it hit me, 'Where's the graduation marching music? Where are the skits with the annoying Bernie Mac that shows up in his albums?" It felt incomplete. Yeah, yeah, he mentions the valedictorian in "Good Morning" but damn 'Ye, some celebratory school spirit skits please! You just completed a trilogy!

On another note, I realized why I (and so many of my girlfriends) like Kanye so much. Kanye touches on a lot of struggles that women face when it comes to success, men, education and family. On Late Registration he dedicated nearly an entire song to a single black female, addicted to retail. Actually, it was that very same song that helped a mother and daughter understand each other a bit more. I kid you not. And on Graduation he slyly mentions the earth shattering moment many women will someday reach when he says on the track 'I Wonder', "...On that independent shit. Trade it all for a husband and some kids." The truth hurts.Can't deny a woman of her maternal instincts. In fact, so much so that it sparked a conversation between my sister and I. She admitted that it was that line that made her listen to the song closely and appreciate it a bit more. For me, it was the entire chorus that tugs at my heart strings. "Yo! I could CRY to this song!" I said to my sister. She didn't understand. "And I wonder if you know what it means to find your dreams." The word 'dream' is a big deal to me...enough so that it's inked somewhere on my body. Now do you understand?

'Flash Lights' and 'I Wonder' are easily some of my favorite tracks from 'Ye. If Flash Lights doesn't make you want to turn up the volume till the speakers blow, then somethings wrong with you. In actuality, we did blow the speakers when we heard it in the studio. (Shouts to Devo and Soul lol). All I remember was clapping at the end of the song...like the dude in Not Another Teen Movie, clapping at very awkward moments. Yeah, that was me in the legendary Chung King studios. Its one of those songs that you want to bump in a roofless, ruthless coup, make you do '55 in a 54' (peep the Jay reference Tass). And Dwele's voice on that shit?! I wanna grab his mug and just kiss it!

Sorry, Back to business....

Graduation is good. In a few months it'll be great. I love everything he brings with the exception of Big Brother. It needs to grow on me. I also think the track would've been more appropriate on his prior albums. 'The Glory' is a great Kanye classic track, but I also question its relevance on this album. Reason being is because this entire album is so edgy and The Glory has the soulful 'Ye sound we're so accustomed to. It's sort of a step backwards.

Drunk and Hot Girls? A highlight for me. It's hypnotizing, it's clever, it's animated, it's humorous and it features Mos Def! 'Homecoming' is brilliant to me. 'Ye took Common's concept behind "I Used to Love H.E.R." and switched it up without ruining it.

Overall, there's something so glorious about this album. I admit, glorious sounds melodramatic, but it's the only word that really explains how I feel about this album. Its grandiose, it's emotional, it's humorous, and it's raw. It's real life...sans the Ferrari's and the Louis Vuitton lifestyle. That ain't a reality for everyone...