If you need to love yourself before you can inspire others to love themselves, then producer-turned-rapper Kanye West really was 2004's musical savior. His debut album boasts more well-intentioned ego and ambition than Southern Baptists got offering plates. While saving hip-hop has always been an odd preoccupation--from what, exactly? capitalism?--this bling-swinging son of a college professor and Black Panther (and grandson of civil rights marchers) claims to do that and more on The College Dropout. As bumptious beats push up on tenderly melodic samples, West eagerly sells the sort of message--oriented raps that often get tagged as "conscious" (or "self-conscious," as he puts it), preaching fidgety sermons that address life's soulless grind with soulful sass. He is witty (sending up fitness freaks), provocative (getting little kids to sing the chorus, "Drug dealing just to get by / Stack your money til it gets sky-high"), and intensely devoted (the volatile revival march "Jesus Walks"). Never posing as a ghetto sufferhead or G-rated fresh prince, he speaks a universal gospel. So if you're lost and about to put your hopes and dreams on layaway at Wal-Mart, cue up The College Dropout. Kanye's got a plan for you. - Spin. Revisit this LP below...
Photographs by Danny Clinch + Spin review: January, 2005...
