Kanye West orchestrated his universe with the album College Dropout. Released in 2004, the album marked his debut as a rapper, transitioning from a producer working under Jay Z and the Roc-A-Fella record label. Even though his rapping abilities had been doubted and disrespected for his relatively wealthy background, West successfully answered the questions through this album.
The College Dropout succeeded in both commercial and artistic perspectives: Over 4 million copies of the album were sold by 2014, and out of 10 nominations in the Grammy Awards, it won the Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song trophies. This success embarks a transition in the hip-hop industry from previously dominant gangster rap represented by Jay Z and 50 Cent.
The album’s artistic status can be broken down into two elements. West’s producing skills, demonstrated in his early career, are represented throughout the album. The College Dropout features a mix of different styles, some incorporating pop, which differs from hip-hop albums released in the early 2000s. Classic soul samples were pitched and sped up to pioneer the chipmunk soul style that inspired countless works. Highlights of this style include tracks “Through the Wire” and “Slow Jamz.” West utilizes the different samples as a rhythmical device that complements the beat.
Beyond his production, his lyricism demonstrates conscious choices that steer the songs toward the theme of working-class struggle, rooted in flaws in societal views and the education system. The tracks incorporate West’s personal experiences, including his desire for success through self-belief. The track “Through the Wire” focuses on West’s car accident, which he interprets as a risk for his success. With honesty, he describes his insecurities and anger over the denials of his skills, comparing himself to being on “life support.”
However, West still demands success despite these obstacles, which parallels the narrative of a sample from the song “Through the Fire” by Katcha Kahn that describes risking one’s life to be with a loved one. On the other hand, the track “All Falls Down” criticizes the superficial education system and materialism. The irony of being self-conscious while meaninglessly spending time in college and wearing overpriced watches suggests how this superficiality will “all fall down.” This directly opposed the lyrics of hip-hop albums that centered on the material success of the artist.
After the release of The College Dropout, West finishes a trilogy of introspective albums that, to this day, empathize with listeners. As a pivot point that transitioned hip-hop and an influence for future artists, The College Dropout is considered one of the greatest of all time.