Kanye West, The College Dropout, Digital Media Blog
With the release of the recent Netflix trilogy of Kanye West known has Jeen-yuhs, people have begun to revisit Kanye's first album, The College Dropout with new insight. The first documentary in the trilogy consists of live footage following Kanye West's journey as a producer wanting to become an artist which gives viewers access to view different dimensions of his persona before he was ever famous by watching him interact in his relationships, reach out to different record labels, gather support, and constructs the bits of pieces of The College Dropout from scratch. The insight of Kanye's life that this documentary captures allows the audience to listen to The College Dropout with a more intimate approach.
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Photo Credit: Capitalfm.com Photo Credit: netflix.com
Kanye's Emergence as an Artist At the time period, record labels in the music industry were not flexible about the roles of artists. They prioritized meeting the status quo to appeal to mass markets and economic incentives. Many record labels originally turned down Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” because it didn’t fit the description of what most rap songs sounded like at the time. People would never take him seriously and one video clip from Jeen-Yuhs includes Kanye West rapping “ All Falls Down" for Roc-a-fella and getting turned down like it was nothing —that song would later become double platinum. Although this video clip embodies the perseverance of Kanye West as he continued to believe in himself and embrace a culture of self-respect, a Complex article provides insight into the context of the video and claims that there were people in Roc-a-fella that supported Kanye but in order for him to introduce a song that was out of the ordinary at the time, he had to make a valuable impression with the persona and narrative of The College Dropout.
Another article from Complex from 2014 goes into greater depth on a track by track review filled with anecdotes from significant artists in the hip hop industry who were working with Kanye and discusses the specific elements of his production style combined with the lyricism that integrated mainstream values with urban culture. In addition, it also further contextualizes his background in Chicago and New York as he begins emerging as an artist.In this article, one of the Co-CEOs of the artist management company, The Blueprint Group, Gee Robinson states:
“In the midst of working with him he was like, ‘Yo, I’m not just a producer; I’m a rapper. You’ve got to sign me as a rapper.' I’m like, ‘We going to sign you up. You gon' get the production out there, and after that we’re going to get the domino effect; the beats into the raps.’ We started moving accordingly, focusing on his production and spreading it out—in-house as well as shopping to people outside the label. We built his production value which created and exposed his sound."
This statement reflects how Kanye had to first adapt to the hip hop industry's standards as a producer in order to bridge together mainstream media and the underground rap . The following graph trend of artists at the time who have been increasingly dependent on major labels to reach number ones on the charts; this also contextualizes how Kanye West had to conform to the status quo of the music industry in order to make a hit. 
Photocredit: complex.com However, many people doubted Kanye's success because of how authentic his style was until he released The College Dropout. Kanye West sold 2.3 million units after he released his debut album, The College Dropout, which defied the standards of typical “Gangsta’ Rap” by appealing to themes of education, religion, adversity, family, working, and politics. An article from Highsnobiety, another popular hip hop review website, discusses the role the production of The College Dropout has as a counterpoint to "The Bling Era" which allowed Hip Hop to evolve beyond its' original barriers; this reflects how the production sharply compliments the lyrical convergence of mainstream values.These themes were able to reach out to more general audiences who were able to personally connect to his experiences through his music rather than observe disconnected content from a distance. Furthermore, he bridged the gap between Hip-Hop and mainstream media with The College Dropout.
.jpeg) Photo Credit: Capitalfm.com Photo Credit: netflix.com |
Kanye's Emergence as an Artist At the time period, record labels in the music industry were not flexible about the roles of artists. They prioritized meeting the status quo to appeal to mass markets and economic incentives. Many record labels originally turned down Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” because it didn’t fit the description of what most rap songs sounded like at the time. People would never take him seriously and one video clip from Jeen-Yuhs includes Kanye West rapping “ All Falls Down" for Roc-a-fella and getting turned down like it was nothing —that song would later become double platinum. Although this video clip embodies the perseverance of Kanye West as he continued to believe in himself and embrace a culture of self-respect, a Complex article provides insight into the context of the video and claims that there were people in Roc-a-fella that supported Kanye but in order for him to introduce a song that was out of the ordinary at the time, he had to make a valuable impression with the persona and narrative of The College Dropout. Another article from Complex from 2014 goes into greater depth on a track by track review filled with anecdotes from significant artists in the hip hop industry who were working with Kanye and discusses the specific elements of his production style combined with the lyricism that integrated mainstream values with urban culture. In addition, it also further contextualizes his background in Chicago and New York as he begins emerging as an artist.In this article, one of the Co-CEOs of the artist management company, The Blueprint Group, Gee Robinson states:
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This statement reflects how Kanye had to first adapt to the hip hop industry's standards as a producer in order to bridge together mainstream media and the underground rap . The following graph trend of artists at the time who have been increasingly dependent on major labels to reach number ones on the charts; this also contextualizes how Kanye West had to conform to the status quo of the music industry in order to make a hit.
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| Photocredit: complex.com However, many people doubted Kanye's success because of how authentic his style was until he released The College Dropout. Kanye West sold 2.3 million units after he released his debut album, The College Dropout, which defied the standards of typical “Gangsta’ Rap” by appealing to themes of education, religion, adversity, family, working, and politics. An article from Highsnobiety, another popular hip hop review website, discusses the role the production of The College Dropout has as a counterpoint to "The Bling Era" which allowed Hip Hop to evolve beyond its' original barriers; this reflects how the production sharply compliments the lyrical convergence of mainstream values.These themes were able to reach out to more general audiences who were able to personally connect to his experiences through his music rather than observe disconnected content from a distance. Furthermore, he bridged the gap between Hip-Hop and mainstream media with The College Dropout. |
All Falls Down
All Falls Down incorporates values of materialism that are prevalent in urban culture, education is prevalent in mainstream culture, and social status and feelings of self-consciousness are universally relatable to the human experience.
“We shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us.
We are trying to buy back our 40 acres "
- All Falls Down, Kanye West
Furthermore, this line is his way of explaining why African Americans wear jewelry and designer clothing to make up for the social disadvantages they take on as minorities-to more general audiences who may not understand why or are unable to relate to
For reference, "40 acres" refers to a wartime order passed by William Sherman that promised every freed slave '40 acres and a mule' to compensate for their disadvantages from slavery but was eventually repealed. Thus, "40 acres'' refers to the consumption of accessories as the equivalent of making up for one's socioeconomic disadvantages.
Jesus Walks
Jesus Walks addresses the status quo of the music industry while simultaneously breaking the status quo in the Hip-Hop Industry after it received a Grammy for best rap song of the year. This is one of the first mainstream rap songs that incorporate religion as the main theme.
“They said that you can rap about anything except for Jesus. That means drugs, guns, sex, lies, videotape but if I talk about God my record won’t get played. Huh?” -Jesus Walks, Kanye West
In this line, he is addressing how the status quo of the hip hop industry has reinforced particular ideologies that are contradictory to ethical values. He thus opens the door to utilizing Hip-Hop as a tool to embrace a religious agenda.
Through the Wire
In Through the wire, Kanye recorded a song about his near-death experience that resulted in him breaking his jaw in a car crash and recorded the song while his jaw was still wired. Audiences felt more connected to his personal experience as if he was “telling his story” from a very vulnerable position and makes people feel as if they were there with him. He connected to the human experience in a way that was never done before as he brings the narrative to life through his perseverance.
Photo Credit: HipHopDX.com
Through the Wire was Kanye's debut single that was used to promote his album and was nominated for Rap Song of the Year and the music video that was sponsored by Adidas won Video of the Year in 2004. Kanye's music video reveals how he uses multimedia elements to express himself as an artist and promote himself into the mainstream.
Spaceship
Spaceship speaks from the perspective of blue-collar workers and is relatable to middle-class Americans. Kanye's “Spaceship” is symbolic of the American Dream, which reflects his desire to make it out of his current state of “imprisonment” working a nine to five. Furthermore, his “Spaceship” is reflective of The College Dropout persona as he hopes for a more prosperous future. Looking at where Kanye was in hindsight is astounding considering the places his “Spaceship” has brought him as the richest black man in the United States.
Family Business
Family Business focuses on family values within urban culture; from his particular lens; he reflects upon how his experiences are different from the stereotypical suburban family, however, they are still detailed and sentimental enough in a way that can touch a range of audiences.
One Twitter user reflects how The College Dropout connected to his personal experiences which further reflects how the intimacy of The College Dropout became relatable to audiences on a fundamental level:"18 yr old me, who's grandma passed 2/1/04, was pretty much gonna drop out after that. 2/10/04 I heard "Family Business" by Ye. He talked about having fun with his family and enjoying them for his grandma who wasn't there. THAT kept me going. Thank u @Kanye West #The College Dropout".
Significance
He promoted a culture of self-respect and became an idol to many people because of his confidence in his abilities. The Netflix Documentary, Jeen-yuhs, provided a more intimate approach to the context Kanye was working in while making The College Dropout which gave audiences greater insight into how inspirational his journey was. In a podcast with me and my classmates, Daniel and Tyler, we discussed the role that Kanye, Logic, and KSI had in the hip hop industry and how they used their resources to express themselves as individuals.The College Dropout's significance is further reflected by Kanye expanding his role as a producer to an artist which allowed for artists along the way to take their own paths whether it's as a Youtuber or Soundcloud rapper . Thus, Kanye's success and the success of other artists exemplifies The College Dropout's theme of taking your own path instead of the one that social standards wanted you to take.Overall, Kanye bridged the gap between mainstream culture and hip hop by explaining urban culture through his lens. The bridging between hip hop and the mainstream thus reveals the rhetorical appeal of hip-hop music to this day but also reveals why fans of Kanye West find him and his music to be so authentic.
All Falls Down
“We shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us.
We are trying to buy back our 40 acres "
- All Falls Down, Kanye West
Jesus Walks
In this line, he is addressing how the status quo of the hip hop industry has reinforced particular ideologies that are contradictory to ethical values. He thus opens the door to utilizing Hip-Hop as a tool to embrace a religious agenda.“They said that you can rap about anything except for Jesus. That means drugs, guns, sex, lies, videotape but if I talk about God my record won’t get played. Huh?” -Jesus Walks, Kanye West
Through the Wire
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Photo Credit: HipHopDX.com |
Through the Wire was Kanye's debut single that was used to promote his album and was nominated for Rap Song of the Year and the music video that was sponsored by Adidas won Video of the Year in 2004. Kanye's music video reveals how he uses multimedia elements to express himself as an artist and promote himself into the mainstream.
Spaceship
Family Business
Family Business focuses on family values within urban culture; from his particular lens; he reflects upon how his experiences are different from the stereotypical suburban family, however, they are still detailed and sentimental enough in a way that can touch a range of audiences.
One Twitter user reflects how The College Dropout connected to his personal experiences which further reflects how the intimacy of The College Dropout became relatable to audiences on a fundamental level:
"18 yr old me, who's grandma passed 2/1/04, was pretty much gonna drop out after that. 2/10/04 I heard "Family Business" by Ye. He talked about having fun with his family and enjoying them for his grandma who wasn't there. THAT kept me going. Thank u @Kanye West #The College Dropout".
Significance
He promoted a culture of self-respect and became an idol to many people because of his confidence in his abilities. The Netflix Documentary, Jeen-yuhs, provided a more intimate approach to the context Kanye was working in while making The College Dropout which gave audiences greater insight into how inspirational his journey was. In a podcast with me and my classmates, Daniel and Tyler, we discussed the role that Kanye, Logic, and KSI had in the hip hop industry and how they used their resources to express themselves as individuals.The College Dropout's significance is further reflected by Kanye expanding his role as a producer to an artist which allowed for artists along the way to take their own paths whether it's as a Youtuber or Soundcloud rapper . Thus, Kanye's success and the success of other artists exemplifies The College Dropout's theme of taking your own path instead of the one that social standards wanted you to take.Overall, Kanye bridged the gap between mainstream culture and hip hop by explaining urban culture through his lens. The bridging between hip hop and the mainstream thus reveals the rhetorical appeal of hip-hop music to this day but also reveals why fans of Kanye West find him and his music to be so authentic.
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