Alas, Kanye West has graduated from being a young talent to a mature lyricist, all the while maintaining the brash confidence that landed him atop the game in a pair of gaudy shades and an obnoxious polo.
With Graduation, the hip-hop artist shows once again that he's able to shoot out hit after hit without ever actually being shot at.
After all the success he has had, it's no surprise that the producer/songwriter/MC is more egotistical than ever. And yet, based on the quality of West's product, it seems only appropriate for the Chi-Town rapper to be boastful.
In its first day of release, Graduation sold 437,000 copies in the United States alone. This larger than life attitude is showcased on the track "Champion," in which he explains just how great he is and how much audiences love him.
"You don't see just how wild the crowd is?/You don't see just how fly my style is?/I don't see why I need a stylist," raps West.
The man who ripped on Bush continues to thrive off the thought of what it's taken to get him to the top. He explains his efforts in the song "Big Brother," in which the lyrics give enormous credit to Jay-Z, his Roc-a-Fella idol. Thankfully, West appears modest enough to realize that in order to become the next Jay-Z, it's going to take some time.
This multitalented artist's forte is producing songs that are friendly to everyone's ear. Headphones around the country will continue to blast the 13 tracks on repeat, as there's less filler within a Communion wafer.
His first single, "Stronger," is an upbeat electronic track that adolescents were reciting the lyrics to well before West's Graduation date. It touches on all the characteristics of classic Kanye; a fun, energetic piece of music with both class and timeless style.
The album also brings out a side of the MC that fans have yet to be privy to. Many of the songs on the CD are smooth in texture, featuring a newer, soulful sound. "Everything I Am" captures this new super-smooth flavor.
"I'll never be as laid back as this beat is," raps the silky smooth West.
Though laid back and relaxing to the ears, West preaches his points of enormity throughout the album. West can't stop, won't stop, until everyone knows his name and gets his money right.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
