The Audacity of Dope

Alright, I lied…one more post before bed.

Between performing at the VMA’s and being arrested, Kanye’s found time to officially release the first offering from his upcoming 808’s and Heartbreak album.  This song has had more buzz on the net this week than anything else, so I’m sure you’ve all formed your opinions on it.  If not, here’s the final, mastered version of the track to enjoy:

Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”

My thoughts:

• Kanye’s my favorite overall artist in music right now, so I’m clearly a bit biased.  So are the people who automatically trash this song since they love to hate ‘Ye though.
• The beat is dope.  The bass (or is that a bassline + 808’s?) bangs, the melody is cool, and the drums are ill.
• The singing doesn’t do much for me, but I think it will grow on me.  Unlike a lot of people, I generally enjoy when dope rappers do some singing, even if it doesn’t sound perfect sonically.  Andre does it.  Nas does it.  Monch does it.  ‘Ye does it.  This isn’t as good on the first few listens, but I think I’ll end up liking it.
• The lyrics are GREAT.  I love when artists, especially those as big as Kanye, actually use sincere, heartfelt lyrics in their songs.  Dude was cleary affected by breaking off his engagement with Alexis Phifer and I’m glad he decided to talk about openly.  ‘Ye always does this and it’s part of what makes him so ill.
• In the end, since I already like dude, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt, subconciously or not.  Kinda like how Jordan got all the calls, ‘Ye gets my approval on a toss up.  Especially since his songs always grow on me, so I’m gonna go ahead and say I’m feeling this joint.  Sue me.

Kanye?  Check.  Animation?  Check.  Dropout Bear?  Check.

Ok, it’s official, this is my new favorite video.  You may remember part of this being used in a commercial for Graduation when it first dropped, and apparently it was also bootlegged from a Takashi Murakami exhibit a while back as well.  Luckily, we finally get it in good quality, and, as expected, it’s dope as hell.  The only thing wrong with this song is that ‘Ye set up the opening of the 3rd verse so perfectly to rhyme my real name and then never did.  Boo.

Yes, you can.

The #1 Human Being, Kanye West, performed at Madison Square Garden in NYC last night, and tore it down as usual.  Instead of his traditional “I’m, I’m…sky high!” rendition of “Touch The Sky,” he ended the song with a heartfelt speech to the crowd.  This is why dude is my one of my favorite people in the industry (well, that and this).  Although he’s still completely wrong about Souljah Boy being dope, he’s spot on concerning everything else.  And even when I disagree with what he says, “you gotta love it though, somebody still speak from his soul.”

Spotted at Info’s, who, according to interviews I’ve been reading to prepare for my own later on today, is public enemy #1 for an upcoming Sound Session guest.  It’s wack when two people actually doing good work in this industry filled with morons (note to email blasters) have a misunderstanding.  I’m sure it ain’t that serious though, *shrug*.