Kanye West, the Chicago-based hip-hop superstar, has just released his fourth album. Titled 808s and Heartbreak, it is widely viewed as a shocking departure from his typical style and content. Here are a couple good reviews, from the Chicago Trib's music critic Greg Kot, and from Vibe editor Jozen Cummings. West's trajectory of albums has followed a loosely based theme of school, starting with College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation. His fourth album was to be titled Good Ass Job. With 10 Grammy awards and millions of albums sold, one might expect him to continue the winning formula established on his previous three albums.
However, after the much-hyped release of Graduation in September 2007, the 30-year-old faced tragedy just two months later when his mother, Donda, who left her career as an English professor to manager her son's career, died due to complications after surgery. He clearly struggled to deal with this tragic loss, even breaking down onstage as he struggled to give a tribute to her with his song, "Hey Mama," a tribute repeated throughout his Glow in the Dark tour supporting Graduation. On top of this difficult circumstance, he also suffered the end of his engagement to designer Alexis Phifer who he has been with since 2002. Such person struggles are real, a part of life for all of us in one way or another. However, the glossy world of pop stars does not lend itself to honest grappling with the complexity of these tragic dimensions of daily life. In response to her personal tragedies, Britney Spears has offered us such reflective hits as "Gimme More" and her new hit, "Womanizer."
However, a hallmark of Kanye West has been his effort to speak the truth. Examples stretch from his wrestling with rap and religion in Jesus Walks to his complaint about hip-hop's glorification of violence in Everything I Am. Furthermore, his commitment to hard work and creative work can be seen in his love-fest with design on his blog or even simply his challenge at the American Music Awards this past weekend as he won for male rap artist and album. In his acceptance speech he said, " "I would like to thank everybody who accepted me trying to break new boundaries in music. I wake up in the morning just thinking about which stereotypes I want to break. And, you know, we pushed the envelope with the last album, with 'Stronger,' with records they thought wouldn't play on urban radio, and it's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other and keep competing with each other." This perspective is central to what has made him one of the most important artists period.
So, to put a point on it, 808s and Heartbreak is worth listening to because he tries to speak the truth of his heart, and to find a music groove that allows that truth to sing. Does it break stereotypes? Yes. Is it different? Yes. And it may be his most important album yet.
Peace,
Chris
Not a Kanye fan in the least.
http://www.slate.com/id/2205756/
Posted by: Josh | December 03, 2008 at 04:11 PM