The College Dropout [Parental Advisory]

Rating

Album: The College Dropout
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Intro Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:21
2)	We Don't Care Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:00
3)	Graduation Day Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:22
4)	All Falls Down Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	3:44
5)	I'll Fly Away Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:10
6)	Spaceship Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:24
7)	Jesus Walks Album Version	More Info...	3:14
8)	Never Let Me Down Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:24
9)	Get Em High Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:49
10)	Workout Plan Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:46
11)	The New Workout Plan Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:23
12)	Slow Jamz Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:16
13)	Breathe In Breathe Out Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:07
14)	School Spirit Skit 1 Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:19
15)	School Spirit Album Version	More Info...	3:02
16)	School Spirit Skit 2 Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:44
17)	Lil Jimmy Skit Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:54
18)	Two Words Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:26
19)	Through The Wire Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	3:41
20)	Family Business Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:39
21)	Last Call Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	12:41

Album: The College Dropout
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Intro Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:21
2)	We Don't Care Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:00
3)	Graduation Day Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:22
4)	All Falls Down Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	3:44
5)	I'll Fly Away Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:10
6)	Spaceship Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:24
7)	Jesus Walks Album Version	More Info...	3:14
8)	Never Let Me Down Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:24
9)	Get Em High Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:49
10)	Workout Plan Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:46
11)	The New Workout Plan Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:23
12)	Slow Jamz Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	5:16
13)	Breathe In Breathe Out Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:07
14)	School Spirit Skit 1 Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	1:19
15)	School Spirit Album Version	More Info...	3:02
16)	School Spirit Skit 2 Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:44
17)	Lil Jimmy Skit Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	0:54
18)	Two Words Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:26
19)	Through The Wire Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	3:41
20)	Family Business Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	4:39
21)	Last Call Album Version (Explicit)	More Info...	12:41

Performer Notes

Personnel: Kanye West, CLC, Consequence, Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Talib Kweli, Twista, Ludacris, Mos Def, Freeway (rap vocals); Jamie Foxx (spoken vocals); The Harlem Boys Choir, Syleena Johnson (background vocals).
Producers: Kanye West, Brian Miller, Miri Ben-Ari.
Personnel: Ken Lewis (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, percussion, sampler); John Legend (vocals, piano, background vocals); Tarey Torae, Tiera Singleton, Lavel Mena, Aisha Tyler, Tony Williams , Thomassina Atkins, Kevin Shannon, Candis Brown, Brandi Kuykenvall, Beverly A. McCargo, Consequence, The Boys Choir of Harlem (vocals); Eric Johnson (guitar); Miri Ben-Ari (violin); Josh Zandman (piano); Keith Slattery (keyboards); Bosko (talk box); Tracie Spencer (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Manny Marroquin.
Recording information: Baseline Recording, New York, NY; Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Digital Insight, Las Vegas, NV; Edie Road Recording Studio, Argyle, NY; Full Time Dreamer Studios; Larrabee Sound North, Los Angeles, CA; Light @ The End Of The Tunnel, New York, NY; Quad Recordings, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Enterprise, Burbank, CA; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA.
Arranger: Miri Ben-Ari.
For most artists who are discovered behind the mixing boards, making the transfer from producer to MC proves a daunting task. Fortunately for Kanye West, his verbal skills more than rise to the challenge of his consistently superior beats. A sprawling concept record that tackles issues of everyday life with wisecracking humor and unexpected honesty, THE COLLEGE DROPOUT confirms West's status as one of hip-hop's most refreshing voices.
The leadoff single, "Through the Wire," perfectly exemplifies West's distinct vision. Recorded while his jaws were still wired shut after a near-fatal car accident, West hilariously reflects upon his predicament over a sped-up Chaka Khan sample. Other songs address potentially somber topics--ghetto life ("We Don't Care"), religion ("Jesus Walks"), and family turmoil ("Family Business")--yet somehow retain a truly hopeful spirit. Although THE COLLEGE DROPOUT features top-notch cameos from Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Freeway, Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Twista, it's clearly West's show.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "West has something to prove on DROPOUT....His ace in the hole is his cozy sound - dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time."

Rolling Stone (p.153) - Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - "[T]he red-hot producer delivered a solo debut that partied all over its contradictions..."

Spin (p.68) - Ranked #1 in Spin's "40 Best Albums of the Year" - "He is witty, provocative, and intensely devoted..."

Entertainment Weekly (2/13/04, p.71) - "[H]is surprising debut disc is the most impressive hip-hop CD of the young year....[T]he Chicago native shuns hip-hop's tired SCARFACE iconography for a broad topicality..." - Rating: A-

Uncut (5/04, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "West's rhymes are wry, witty, warm and unswervingly self-aware."

Uncut (p.75) - Ranked #12 in Uncut's "Best New Albums of 2004" - "[H]e leavens the swagger and bling of hip hop with lyrics that are wry, witty and aware."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The numerous guests never out-shine their host's vocals, meaning this is one drop-out graduating near the top of his class."