Kanye forgets his roots
Formerly conscious West turns to radio play; now common
DJ Bowen III
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Detour
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Anyone can concede the first two attributes to West; his boastful lyrical approach is the norm in the hip-hop industry and his repeated public antics at the Hurricane Katrina Fundraiser, MTV Europe Music Awards, and 2007 MTV Video Awards only confirm this assessment. Nearly just as unquestioned is West's versatile talents and dedication to perfection. West won a Grammy for Best Rap Album for each of his three albums.
However, an issue that arose from West's recent releases leads me to question his authenticity to his original style.
He once stressed lyrics centered on uplifting spirits, criticizing African-American's misplaced ideals, and daily struggles. Soulful songs like "The Corner," "Spaceship," "Heart of the City," and "All Falls Down" were staples of West's uniqueness and made him the best user of samples since DJ Premier and RZA.
But West has recently strayed from his formula, beginning with portions of his latest platinum album Graduation.
Songs that featured historically-conscious rappers like Common, Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco have been replaced by Southern inhabitants that bring their dirty, explicit lyricism with them, like Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, and Young Jeezy.
By no means am I saying these influences are bad for West, or hip-hop, nor am I saying West is incapable of performing these creatively metaphorical and mindless lyrics. West seems to be caving into peer pressure instead of carving out his own path to a hip-hop legacy.
Some might argue that West on songs like Wayne's "Lollipop" and Jeezy's "Put On" exemplify West's flexibility with trends of hip-hop.
I will concede this, but also point out that novelty and constant advancement is what improves a genre's music and West has sunken into following trends instead of setting them as he is famous for doing.
By not working on Common's latest project Invincible Summer, West has betrayed his roots and become so enamored with getting involved in every hot act in the industry.
Common and West worked on each other's projects for the past five years, and were somewhat responsible for the other's successes, garnering 11 collaborating Grammy nominations.
This lack of dedication finding Common a home on Graduation and neglecting to produce Common's album after two highly successful albums in consecutive years definitely proves West has misplaced his principles and forgotten the people who got him where he is today.