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 humour 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.
