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Kanye West's cohesive debut, The College Dropout, proves that some of the best hip-hop is rooted in the reality of everyday struggle and not gangsta gunplay fantasy. West centers his disc on a familiar rags-to-riches motif, but like Will Smith before him, he adds his own black middle-class sensibility to it. His flow may not be as polished as Jay-Z's, but West has just as much zeal, honesty, and wit. Yet what makes that single and the entire disc so dazzling isn't just West's clever storytelling but his soulful, full-bodied production. Amid the strident bass shuffle of the inspirational "Jesus Walks" he adds a gospel tinge by employing the Harlem Boys Choir, and throughout the disc, he underscores the dramatic sweep and emotional edge to his raps by incorporating the work of violinist Miri Ben-Ari, who fiddles hip-hop beats. The College Dropout is a must-hear lesson in turning personal triumph into banging hip-hop with universal appeal. West may not have that degree, but The College Dropout makes him the leader of hip-hop's new school.
Condition:New. Sealed.
TRACK LISTING
1 Intro 0:19
2 We Don't Care 3:59
3 Graduation Day 1:22
4 All Falls Down 3:43
5 I'll Fly Away 1:09
6 Spaceship 5:24
7 Jesus Walks 3:13
8 Never Let Me Down 5:24
9 Get Em High 4:49
10 Workout Plan 0:46
11 The New Workout Plan 5:22
12 Slow Jamz 5:16
13 Breathe in Breathe Out 4:06
14 School Spirit Skit 1 1:18
15 School Spirit 3:02
16 School Spirit Skit 2 0:43
17 Lil Jimmy Skit 0:53
18 Two Words 4:26
19 Through the Wire 3:41
20 Family Business 4:38
21 Last Call 12:40
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