West's debut album The College Dropout was released in February 2004, and was he album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200,[3] and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in June 2004. The label wanted to hear what people would sound like working with her without actually working with her. He was thirsty; he wanted to learn., J. Ivy: Early 02, I had a show in Philly. Kimmel admitted that considering a celebrity's feelings was "not something that comes to mind when I'm cooking up a comedy sketch." What is Fivio, a HDTV Brand or something this 2013. It was right after we recorded Bulls-Eye. I went in and re-sang The Mystery of Iniquity. I sang over it. We were going through samples and came across Distant Lover. He made the beat then and there. I was doing these mixtapes with Pat (Behind the Beats). You couldnt recognize the guy for a couple of weeks.. We bumped into Rohan [Marley], and ended up getting an email address but (Sigh)., Shalik Berry: We went as far as sending her a check to entice her to do it, but she didnt do it. He then wrote much of the rest of his debut album while recuperating in L.A. Him and Bird went to the same high school together. I can see the inception of the ideas and him going back in re-tweaking it to the final product. 15 years of 'The College Dropout' - The Kanye West classic that almost never was It was 15 years ago that a young and hungry talent from Chicago by the name of Kanye West changed the course. I had just quit my job. ', GLC: When I first heard it I wasnt really fucking with it, but let me tell you when we started doing that song in shows and saw what it did? Noisey's Craig Jenkins looks at the cultural significance of the rapper's sophomore album. He had the second bedroom turned into a studio. West subsequently announced that he planned on acquiring Parler, a conservative social media platform. I accepted a job at Atlantic as the head of the A&R. On The College Dropout, Freeway lends his talents to "Two Words," a similarly gritty track that distills the institutional issues that affect Black people in the inner city. West's album sold 957,000 copies in its first six days, going straight to No. I would go out to Newark every other day, and whether it was finding a sample, recording things or cleaning up the apartment, Id help him., Coodie: We used to go to this barber shop called Mellowswing. I remember I took him to London cause he was doing it like that. In 2004 West released his massively successful debut solo album, "The College Dropout," which definitively established West as a critically acclaimed solo artist. On December 2, 2003, Kanye released the album's second single . We later tried to package them up with this beverage company in Korea. Everyone was a great singer, except Kanye, so hed just go sit in a corner. I went to visit him at the hospital and the first thing this man tells me is, Man, were out of here. In February 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce from West. IceMan_674 College Dropout . Through the Wire was starting to get a lot of love. After touring with U2 in 2005-2006, West was inspired to make hip hop more anthemic, to be performed in stadiums and arenas. When he came in and had beats that had him rapping on it, I was like, okay then. I didnt push records, that wasnt what it did it for me. He goes in the other room and I hear a bunch of people talking. He collaborated with the group Giles, Giles, and Fripp an early project featuring fellow Crimson co-founders Robert Fripp and Michael Giles that planted the seeds for King Crimson. After returning to Chicago, West was drawn to the South Side's hip-hop scene, and he befriended the DJ and producer No I.D., who became his mentor. After the Swift debacle, West took a break from music to focus on fashion. He also raised eyebrows by describing the history of African American enslavement in the U.S. as a "choice," his words again inflaming social media outrage and prompting another attempt at a clarifying explanation later. We would go back and forth and play each others music. I dont want bodyguards at my house. As Im working on it, Kanye and I had been best friends going on two-years. Wests fashion work continued leading up to the release of his eighth studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016); in fact, he debuted tracks from the album at his showcase of YEEZY Season 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York. [18] Donda 2 was released in February 2022 via the Stem Player. Since then West's music. We went to get the songs and record the soundbites [for Behind The Beats With Kanye West] at his spot in Hoboken. September 2, 2015, 4:45pm. It was one thing to turn him down, but then [theyd] ask for the beat he just rapped on. I sent him what I recorded on the road. When I met Ye, as a kid, we clicked and linked up. Like ye, it focused on mental health but to much better effect; intense and spooky, the album was widely viewed as more interesting and rewarding than Wests solo effort. West gave a wounded-sounding speech at the show's after-party. Thats your name! J. Ivy), Talib Kweli: He made that beat for the session of my album The Beautiful Struggle. He made the beat for my album, [but] I just wasnt trying to have it on the album. We were scrambling. He put me on speaker phone, and I spit the piece as if I had done it a million times. By 2015 they had become friends and were even spotted at dinner together. However, West ultimately garnered only 0.04 percent of the national vote, not enough to have any effect on the outcome. Thats how he got his deal. Kanye would always play Spaceship to people, and at that time it would only have my verse on it. One time, one of my good buddies, JB [Marshall], brought Chaka Khans son to the BBQ. I called Coodie and I spit it to him over the phone. He had rushed the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards, preempting Taylor Swifts acceptance speech for best female video, to declare that Beyonc had one of the best videos of all time. Video footage of the incident quickly went viral on the Internet, and West found himself vilified in the media. This led to his third album, Graduation, on September 11, 2007. All that stuff that she did at the show, shed say they were real records. It still is, 10 years after its release (February 10, 2004). I was just coming off Electric Circus and people thought I was just on this eclectic type of stuff. He wasnt a priority for another year and a half, two years., Plain Pat: For a while, Def Jam or Roc-A-Fella didnt give two shits about him. [9] Compilation album Cruel Summer released with his label GOOD Music in September 2012 debuted atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. That was his dream. Grammy Award (2021): Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, Grammy Award (2013): Best Rap Performance; for "N****s in Paris", Grammy Award (2013): Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; for "No Church in the Wild", Grammy Award (2013): Best Rap Song; for "N****s in Paris", Grammy Award (2012): Best Rap Performance; for "Otis", Grammy Award (2012): Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; for "All of the Lights", Grammy Award (2012): Best Rap Song; for "All of the Lights", Grammy Award (2012): Best Rap Album; for "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", Grammy Award (2010): Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; for "Run This Town", Grammy Award (2010): Best Rap Song; for "Run This Town", Grammy Award (2009): Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group; for "Swagga Like Us", Grammy Award (2009): Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; for "American Boy", Grammy Award (2008): Best Rap Solo Performance; for "Stronger", Grammy Award (2008): Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group; for "Southside", Grammy Award (2008): Best Rap Song; for "Good Life", Grammy Award (2008): Best Rap Album; for "Graduation", Grammy Award (2006): Best Rap Solo Performance; for "Gold Digger", Grammy Award (2006): Best Rap Song; for "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", Grammy Award (2006): Best Rap Album; for "Late Registration", Grammy Award (2005): Best R&B Song; for "You Don't Know My Name", Grammy Award (2005): Best Rap Song; for "Jesus Walks", Grammy Award (2005): Best Rap Album; for "The College Dropout", https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kanye-West, The Recording Academy - The Grammys - Kanye West. My manager, who is also one of my best friends, Daniel Glogower, caught wind of it, and was trying to make things happen. Most of those early years he was really rapping gangsta raps. In 2021 it was announced that they were divorcing.). [15][16] His tenth solo studio album, Donda (2021) recorded the second-biggest first week performance in Spotify's history,[17] in addition to equalling the record for most No. : Hip Hop hit me and said, I want to work with him. On June 12, it was revealed that Ye had debuted at No. The Go-Getters used to open up for Abstract Mindstate. He said it was the time before the madness, because Jay or State Property wouldnt come in til night. It was more of a hip-hop record., Miri Ben-Ari: The New Workout Plan went through a real workout. A lot of College Dropout was really him sitting down in his apartment with crates of record all around him, him just picking out a record, listening to it, finding a part, chopping it up and adding drums on it., Miri Ben-Ari: I remember trying to capture the spirit of the song. 10 Years Later, 10 Life Lessons We Learned From Kanye West's 'The When I finished the room exploded. I was throwing around the Luther Vandross sample. From listening to him, I ended up coming to New York, ended up touring with Talib Kweli and ended up on Spaceship., When I wrote that verse, in December 2003, that was the month in which my mom died. I first met Kanye in 1995, when we were both graduating high school. Kanye West's Late Registration released ten years ago this week. Even though I dont get it, even though it doesnt seem interesting to me at all. I said, Thank you. The couple have three children: daughter North (born June 15, 2013) son Saint (born December 5, 2015) and another daughter (born via surrogate January 15, 2018). I was like, John Legend! Kanye then said, Youre John Legend from now on. All Rights Reserved. But with me, knowing the history of where these lines started and to see it turn into College Dropout, I can see how bad he wanted it and you can hear it. I told him he had to put J. Ivy on it. I was like, Stop bullshitting. He was a comedian, so he was always joking. George W. Bush doesnt care about black peoplea comment that Bush later characterized as one of the worst moments of his presidency. I did it one more time. However, before the release of College Dropout, Ye was known in the industry as a potent beatmaker. He wanted to be the headline act but initially struggled to be taken seriously as a rapper. People loved it though. I had just got off the phone, after having a heated conversation with my ex-girlfriend. When he was 12 or 13 years old, Kanye got into hip-hop and decided he wanted to be a rapper. Things would be made in his apartment, and itd sound amazing. [But] a new person came in to head the Urban department and this person just cut the deal. Kanye West fought for recognition when he was 12 years old, and still thirsts for respect today. Youre a gangster, a baller, a backpacker or youre a seller. We had a real deep conversation on the drums that he heard on there, that he imagined using, and I told him I had that record [Curtis Mayfields (Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Below, Were All Going to Go]. Rewind. He collaborated with the French label APC on a capsule collection in 2013 and signed a $10 million deal with Adidas, launching his first apparel collection Yeezy Season 1, with the brand in October 2015. But West was far from amused. The reverberations from that moment are still being felt. As he intended, Kanye brashly walked the line between mainstream and the "real hip-hop . 31. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. ', Gee Roberson: Kanye caused the tipping point of rap when he put that album out. YEEZY Season 1 featured mens and womens streetwear, including oversized sweaters, military- and surplus-inspired jackets, sneakers, boots, and more. Its most successful single was Bound 2, in part because of its racy music video featuring West and his then girlfriend, the reality-television star Kim Kardashian. But, I wasnt really looking for a producer that was rapping so heavy. Its a marquee thesis in his catalogue, just not for himself but everyone involved. I used to date his girlfriends brother. I was a producer and promoter, and we liked each others beats, became friends and created a production group called the Numbskulls in 1992.. Kanye (Swahili [African] for "only one") West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977. [6] West's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak was released in November 2008, and became his third consecutive number one release on the Billboard 200. He caused a national media storm his first, but by no means his last when he opined live on air that "George Bush doesn't care about Black people," articulating widespread criticism of the president for not visiting the devastated city of New Orleans right away. Altogether, 'The College Dropout' contains 14 samples. Ray and Donda divorced amicably when West was three. This president is still a president but a different label today. It was the perfect medium of street and conscious. But when it comes to the core of who I am, Im in MC. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart", "Kanye West Earns Eighth No. He began to draw influence from both rock 'n' roll (the Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Killers) and house music (which originated in his hometown of Chicago). The College Dropout is the story of and for the underdog, the underachiever. "Please be easy," he said. We re-produced music that I had created. I got it now. I was like, Yo, What the fuck? (Laughs), Consequence: I had a little situation with this girl out in Queens, and I wanted to do a skit about her baby father. That holiday, I took him over to a friend of mines studio, that was producing for Color Me Badd. Little was known about these invite-only sessions, with the public getting glimpses via social media clips. Justin Kautz was an Editorial Intern at Encyclopaedia Britannica. That came from a place of no fear. I was in it all the way. West even abandoned rapping altogether, preferring to sing through an Auto-Tune vocal processor, which lent his voice a robotic tone a technique now ubiquitous in hip hop. Thats why it was added late. Tony Williams: Kanye and I are first cousins Im 14 years older than him. He was trying to perfect his mic voice. Everyone at the label were all on one floor [of the W Hotel], and they all had studios in the room. We were formally introduced via telephone for him to work on Chapter Three, my third album., 88-Keys: In 1999, we met at Baseline Studios where Roc-A-Fella recorded all the time. I was that rapper out from Chicago. While not a stranger to controversy, West faced particular backlash for objectionable behaviour in 2022. Now, I thought I was warmed up and was ready to do it the third time. The album was a huge success, both critically and commercially, and helped to establish West as one of the leading voices in hip-hop. He was the first non-athlete with a signature sneaker deal, and personally connected Kanye with the 'Bok. My guy Dave and Brendan had a group called Mellowswing, so No I.D. I was like, Okay, this is weird. Hes playing his music. Here we have a song about Jesus that we wanted on regular rotation. From that day forth, it was game on., Devo Springsteen: There was not really interest in Kanye. Jesus Walks couldnt go out with him being established. After a few meetings, I realized that I couldnt control his personality, and [I] didnt have the time and patience to be that role., Common: I met Kanye through No I.D. Thats how that little switch of the run came in. Theyre stuff was corny to us. It's been nearly a decade since Kanye West-elite artist and at times social pariah-released his debut album "The College Dropout," a soulful multi-platinum album. In 2008 West released 808s and Heartbreak, an album that dwelled on feelings of personal loss and regret. I went to where I felt the familiarity. I finally got a meeting with the head of the company. With "2020" shaved into his head, he spoke about Planned Parenthood, marijuana and slavery, among other subjects, in his speech that lasted over an hour. We had all these replays and Syleena Johnson was at the Record Plant at the studio across. Im hearing this amazing music, the choir, the strings, the chords, and then Im hearing Kanyes verse and Im moved. I remember the Harlem Boys Choir was on it, and I was like, They dont sound in the pocket. And hes like, Thats the magic. He wrote and recorded a song about the experience, "Through the Wire," with his jaw still wired shut following reconstructive surgery. His name is John Legend. I didnt know John Legend. During this time West remained involved in fashion, and YEEZY Season 6 and Season 7 were released in 2018 and 2019, respectively, though neither was shown at New York Fashion Week. (This was maybe six months after I met Kanye for the first time.) West dropped the five-track Emmanuel on Christmas Day 2020, consisting of ancient and Latin inspired new music, according to the press release. He was like, I figured it out. I was like, What did you figure out? He said, Im going to rap about this accident. When I listen to Midnight Marauders, I dont skip any songs. Echoing his track's lyrics about how it is his "superpower," he insisted that the condition fueled his creativity, but also admitted that it led to unfortunate consequences. Everyone involved Kanye West, those he grew up with him in Chicago (GLC, Coodie, Chike, Really Doe, Olskool Ice-Gre, JB Marshall), those who he met at the latter end of the albums development to those who in the thick of it all were so hungry to achieve something that they became one unit. It marked a time period., Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. I remember he basically was trying to come up with reasons: Nah, Its too slow [or] it has no real hook. I had gotten locked up, but nothing super heavy. And then, in November 2007, tragedy struck. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The results were spectacular, yielding another three Grammy wins Best Rap Album again, plus Best Rap Song for "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gold Digger." Lets profile a producer and tell the story behind all these records. I thought about doing it with 88-Keys and a bunch of other producers. It wasnt until the Through the Wire video premiere at the 40/40 Club and then we did the SOBs show that was his breakout show., Olskool Ice-Gre: I used to take meetings with Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, Lyor [Cohen] and Kevin Liles. We bumped into Lyor and played him Breathe In, Breathe Out. Next thing I know his budget was open, literally the next morning. An oral history by Billboard, titled Kanye West s The College Dropout : An Oral History, is an expertly told story about the albums success. I remember him saying, Stop. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Kanye West Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements Kanye West's 'Graduation': 10 Things You Didn't Know The only reason I was listening, regardless of whatever, was because I was going to put out a record out were he was the producer. However, the proposed sale never materialized. Before that he would wrestle ideas, try to make it all line up but it wouldnt make sense. Come be on my team. I was like, Man, I just met this mother fucker and he already had 18 months of my life planned out. When [Kanyes third solo album Graduation] came out and battled 50 Cent, it was like, Okay this is the new wave. 50 Cent represented this wave of gangsta and guerilla. His exact words, in a sarcastic way were: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Most notably . These are the 30 highest-scoring hip hop albums released since 2000. He'd silenced all detractors, filled the void in rap and become a major force in pop. My aunt said he wasn't feeling art and asked me for some recommendations on some equipment. Why arent they signing you? she said. No I.D. But, 10 years. But that year the headlines were more concerned over his relationship with the reality-TV star Kim Kardashian, which began in April. We were blessed to come upon this young man named Kanye West. Hed give little demos where he was really rapping street rap. During his first concert following the funeral, he dedicated a performance of "Hey Mama" to her. He wasnt signed cause of his raps. On October 12, he dropped his first campaign video urging voters to write his in on their ballots. I hate him for this comment to this day. The reaction from it [made him] say: Shit, this is going on my album., Off that verse I got so many record offers, but I trusted Kanye and went with him. So many people were inspired to write poetry, so many rappers were inspired to rap, so many producers were inspired to produce and those who were doing it already were inspired to do it better. When I rapped on that beat, I rapped on a different part of the beat that you hear. He was the best producer that can rap, while Jay Z was, still is, the best rapper of all time. It covered a much broader sonic sweep than Yeezus, incorporating a vast array of sounds, styles and influences, from trap to gospel to Auto-Tune crooning, to avant-pop, classic soul and dancehall. But when you think of records such as Family Business Never Let me Down, and Spaceship, I dont think youd say Breathe In, Breathe Out would be on the track list. I was also trying to evolve away from the gangsta rap. Eventually I built a studio in my home, and hed come over. West, the child of a photographer and former Black Panther father and a college professor mother, grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago State University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in music. Everyone, at my grandparents, would sing or play instruments. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In September 2007, Kanye Wests third studio album Graduation debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 957,000 units in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling album in the US since Late Registration, and breaking the record for most digital albums sold in a week. I perfected it and added one more line. Kanye West - The College Dropout - User Reviews - Album of The Year But that was when the seed was planted to even get that cleared., Coodie: After we did the video, the label was having trouble getting [the sample] cleared. Holidays were always spent in Oklahoma City at my grandparents house. Kanye West x Reebok S. Carter Low - The College Dropout An odd detour in Kanye's sneaker career, the S. Carter 'College Dropout' is a relic of JAY-Z's forgettable Reebok collaboration series from 2003. I dont even think Ye agreed, or maybe that was Gee doing his magic. I wasnt expecting a Get Em High type of song, but when I heard his lyrics I thought it was dope. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. It's been nearly a decade since Kanye West-elite artist and at times social pariah-released his debut album "The College Dropout," a soulful multi-platinum album. I had all these bills I had to pay, like 30 to 40 grand of bills that I had let slide cause I was letting him work and do whatever he wanted to do. Kanye would come up there to get those guys to teach him how to do beats. Kanye West | Biography, Albums, Songs, & Facts | Britannica (Laughs), Gee Roberson: It took some time to pick up. Literally three weeks later, Dame brought him over to Roc-A-Fella., GLC: We all knew hes been recording the album. "Please give me a chance to grow." The Story Behind the Bear on Kanye West's 'College Dropout' Album Cover I really loved his production and respected him. In the years leading up to release, West had received praise for his production work for rappers such as Jay-Z and Talib Kweli, but faced difficulty being accepted as an artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. In New York he was everything., 88-Keys: For Jesus Walks, I had given him the drum sample for that song. As his career as a performer took off, West continued to work as a producer, with credits including songs by such high-profile artists as Nas, Mariah Carey, and Beyonc. . People said that they were considering taking their lives but they heard my verse and they reconsidered committing suicide. His next release, Jesus Is King, was a gospel album that reflected his recommitment to Christianity; it later won the Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album. Looking back, thats one of the worst on the album. The College Dropout - Wikipedia I hated that record. But with Graduation's groundbreaking (for hip-hop) palette of layered electronic synthesizers, and sloganeering wordplay "I'm like the fly Malcolm X/Buy any jeans necessary," he smirked on "Good Morning" there could only be one winner. Ye didnt care he knew of all the songs we had in the stash., Kyambo Hip Hop Joshua: Kanye was doing a couple of songs on Twistas album. was on the panel. I started out as being his assistant. Ive never rapped on that type of beat. That beat was originally a beat he gave to GLC., Coodie: When we went to Jamie Foxxs house actually, looking back at the footage he had a picture over the board of Ray Charles. His next album, 808s & Heartbreak, released 12 months after his mom died, was shot through with grief, pain and alienation. The song he recorded that night that happened was Two Words. He was working with the Hezekiah Walker choir that night, but he ended up using the Boys Choir of Harlem. I am the No. I looked into items: drum machine, sampler. Dame Dash wasnt trying to hear Kanye. Kanye West is an outspoken Grammy Award-winning rapper, record producer and fashion designer. The Kane Chronicles movies release date, cast, synopsis, trailer and more Kanye is a very musical person. We needed a hot record for Roc-A-Fella to put money behind it [College Dropout]. You think your mom would clear it? He said, You think Kanye would give me a feature? I was like, We can work that out. The College Dropout, Kanye's 2004 debut, confirmed both Toomp's and Kanye's prescience. Hed come in with his beats, like Izzo, and I thought, This dude is out of here, and Im about to start filming him and do a Hoop Dreams on Kanye. "A little bit more focus than sometimes we've seen from him.".