After a full week of heavy rotation I feel I’m ready to give MBDTF a review with just my thoughts, that’s it. Ill try not play favoritism because Kanye is from my hometown and give 10’s across the board. I’ve heard all of Kanye’s albums since he first hit the mainstream scene and I can honestly say that I’ve seen his growth as an artist.
Put aside albums sales, his personal life, all the music award drama and you have no choice to admit that when Kanye puts out an album the music world listens. Starting with Dark Fantasy, you have to give him respect for putting a new artist like Nicki Minaj to open the album followed by smashing drums and with rhymes like this: “I fantasized about this back in Chicago mercy, mercy me, that Murcielago, that’s me, the first year that I blow”. This is clearly what every Chicago artist dreams of and Kanye puts things in perspective throughout the entire track with amazing vocals from Bon Iver.
On Gorgeous he tags G.O.O.D. Music artist Kid Cudi to drop another incredible hook and gets a verse from Raekwon The Chef to get some things off his chest about the influence Hip Hop has on the new generation. What’s a Kanye album without sarcasm, on the second verse he raps; “Malcolm West had the whole nation standing at attention, as long as I’m in Polo’s they think they got me but they would try to crack me if they ever see a black me”. Gorgeous sets the tone for the radio friendly Power that’s received heavy spins and countless of remixes followed by an amazing interlude for All of The Lights to introduce us to what’s in my opinion the best track in the album All of the Lights that features incredible artists but doesn’t take away from the idea and the intention of the track also does not take the spotlight from the album.
This is where the album gets a bit dull, partly because most of these tracks were leaked during Kanye’s humble G.O.O.D. Friday edition but doesn’t affect the quality. Jay-Z makes the album with a sick verse on Monster and a great intro by Rick Ross, followed by So Appalled which feature new talent Prynce CyHi and familiar faces like Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T and The RZA. Devil In A Dress adds a new verse from Rick Ross and Runaway featuring Pusha T takes us to the middle of the album to get us ready for the finale. These G.O.O.D. Friday tracks don’t take anything away from the quality of MBDTF, it only takes away from those who heard these tracks previously and are looking to hear new material, nonetheless these are quality tracks.
We move on to Hell of A life that probably makes a lot of people shake their heads when they hear it. I gave it a few plays to finally understand what Kanye is really trying to get us to understand from this track, with a hook like this “have you lost your mind, tell me what you think, we’ve crossed the line, no more drugs for me, pussy and religion is all i need, grab my hand, baby we’ll live a hell of a life” I know that Kanye wants to live a hell of a life.
Blame Game reminds me of the Kanye West in 808’s and Heartbreak, classic tune about his past relationships except no autotune and great vocals from John Legend. I’ve heard rumors that he might be talking about his ex-fiancé, but it can also be about his recent break up with Amber Rose, nonetheless one the best tracks in the album. Lost In The Work is the last track before the Outro, which is different from what we’ve heard in previous albums, more of musical track with a friendly chorus and banging drums. It features one actual rap verse from Kanye where he raps; “Mama say mama say mama cu-san, Lost in this plastic life, Let’s break out of this fake ass party, And turn this into a classic night”. Who Will Survive in America is different from what Kanye has done with previously to close albums, it sounds like Kanye is sending a message to the music industry on how hard it is to survive after so much adversity. At the end of the day you have no choice to admit that Kanye’s ability to remain on top of such a competitive Hip-Hop game is unique, with today’s new wave of artists and an industry that’s constantly changing, it’s safe to say MBDTF is at the top of nominees for Hip-Hop album of the year.
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