Graduation: A Review

Wake up! Super-producer Kanye West opens his much-publicized third disc, Graduation the same way director Spike Lee ended his pivotal third film School Daze. But this is far from the last time West demands us to do "something." During the golden age of backpack hip-hop-the early nineties- albums were about a full 16 to 17 track set that all formed cohesive experience for the listener. On Graduation, Kanye and his new age Sonic boom-bap effort takes us on a ride with one thesis in mind: TO MOTIVATE.

From the first two singles "Can't Tell Me Nothing" - a funked-out dirty south tinged track co-produced by frequent T.I. producer DJ Toomp- to the Daft Punk sampled "Stronger" Kanye finds a way to reach even the modest of hustlers as he spins a tale of uber-flossing, resiliency, and triumph in the face of adversity. Not easy for a man who made over 20 million dollars last year. Lyrics like "if he can moves the rumors, he can drive off of fumes cuz", makes "Can't Tell Me Nothing" easily the street anthem of 2007. I mean who doesn't want to get their money right?

Of the first half of the album, these two are sadly the only two tracks to get excited about. At times, the synths saturate this album to the point of nausea, like they sat around and listen to early 80's Prince and said "okay, let's make an album..."Especially on the lazy "Champion" which sounds like a leftover track from "College Dropout." West decides that he is going beat you over the head with an annoying Steely Dan sample for four minutes, like it or not...I don't like it. Nor am I a fan of the album's third single "Good Life" f/ T-Pain. However, let's not forget that the point is to sell records. I guarantee you this will be all over the radio. In addition, it being taboo to sample anything from Michael Jackson's Thriller, West and Toomp actually make a winner out of this record. (note: when he raps "50 told me cuz go 'head switch the style up, and if they hate then let 'em hate, but watch the money pile up" we realize that secretly he is not backing down to Curtis...first and last mention of 50). Thankfully missing from this album are the over-used "Broke Phi Broke" skits.

2nd half:

Okay, prepare yourself for musical genius! Kanye West introduces us to what should be the future of hip-hop with an amazing streak of honest, clever, irreverant, and innovative selections that settles the notion if you love music, you must have this album. He goes 7-for-7 with the East Coast influenced "Barry Bonds, the eerily relatable "drunk and hot girls", the "What More Can I say" influenced "Everything I am", the Chicago-homaging "The Glory", the resurrection of "Home" on "Homecoming", and the brutally beautiful honesty on "Big Brother." The best hip-hop record devoted to another rapper (dead or alive). You might have noticed I left one out, that is because "Flashing Lights" f/ Dwele is the best record on the album and should stand alone. I know all the lyrics of this song and still have no idea what its about...and I love it and so will you. Detractors may criticize the septuplets due to Kanye's use of 5 year old verse's on "Homecoming" but more than makes up for it for the lyrical gems on "Everything..." and "Big Brother" where he raps "man killing's some wack shit/ oh I forgot except when Nigga's is rappin'" and "I guess Beanie style was more of a slam dunk/ and mine was more of a finger roll/but I had them single's though" respectively, on the ladder he swagger jack's the flow of his idol Jay-z victoriously. You need no fast forward button during the span of epic cuts but keep your hand close to the rewinder.

The Bottom Line: Mr. West could not have chosen a better title for this album. Graduation signifies not only a time of completion, but also a time of change. He motivates you to go where you need to go as he beckons artists, nerds, street niggas, freaks, geeks, and all who will listen to lend him your ears to go passionately in the direction of your dreams.Some people, scared of what lies next in the "Real world" only further delay the process by enrolling in the next level of higher education or, ready or not, are forced into the work force that has become a sink or swim macrocosm of the trials and everyday uncertainties of the new millennium. From this groundwork that has been laid hip-hop is at a crossroad to either ride out this storm of decreasing record sales by the continuous pandering of the 106 & Park or decide to "go straight" and open the proverbial Pandora's Box of innovation, creativity, and reality that coincidentally is the founding elements of the music itself, but then again change is scary, and what is good does not always feel so..As many of us who have fulfilled all requirements,walked across the stage, received a degree, have at one time realized, Graduation is something we may not be ready be ...