Kanye West-The College Dropout: A Birth Within "The Dynasty"
Explicit content warning
02/05/24 • 55 min
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In our premiere of Season 6, we welcome Van Everette from The Scenario Radio Show review Kanye West's debut classic album The College Dropout as it turns 20. After serving in the background as a producer for many of Roc-A-Fella Records best albums through the early 2000s, the Chicago-based producer took his turn as a feature act. The album was recorded over a four year period from 1999 to 2003 and is constructed during the period of many memorable moments of his life, including his near-catastrophe car accident.
For his debut effort, West produced the entire album himself and also enlisted the likes of many talented artists and musicians: Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Luda, Freeway, Consequence, GLC, Syleena Johnson, John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, J. Ivy and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Mixing his unique production style that was dubbed "chipmunk soul", he impressed with his depth, wittiness and more than capable rhymes and flow as he talked the rap game, life, expectations, insecurities, injustices and more.
The album was backed by many notable singles including the debut "Through The Wire", the R&B collabo "All Falls Down" featuring Syleena Johnson, the moving "Jesus Walks" and his first #1 Billboard single "Slow Jamz" featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista. The album was certified 4x platinum and is noted as both the launching West's legendary recording career and also a iconic album of a new movement in the new millenium.
Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Show
https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/
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Show Notes
Stereogum: The College Dropout Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/1661202/the-college-dropout-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/
Vibe: Kanye West's Engineer Breaks Down Kanye West's Classic -- From An Engineer's Perspective
https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-oral-history-486239/
Medium: A Love Letter to The College Dropout
https://medium.com/@derekxu/album-review-the-college-dropout-b17714567f1e
Albumism: Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In our premiere of Season 6, we welcome Van Everette from The Scenario Radio Show review Kanye West's debut classic album The College Dropout as it turns 20. After serving in the background as a producer for many of Roc-A-Fella Records best albums through the early 2000s, the Chicago-based producer took his turn as a feature act. The album was recorded over a four year period from 1999 to 2003 and is constructed during the period of many memorable moments of his life, including his near-catastrophe car accident.
For his debut effort, West produced the entire album himself and also enlisted the likes of many talented artists and musicians: Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Luda, Freeway, Consequence, GLC, Syleena Johnson, John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, J. Ivy and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Mixing his unique production style that was dubbed "chipmunk soul", he impressed with his depth, wittiness and more than capable rhymes and flow as he talked the rap game, life, expectations, insecurities, injustices and more.
The album was backed by many notable singles including the debut "Through The Wire", the R&B collabo "All Falls Down" featuring Syleena Johnson, the moving "Jesus Walks" and his first #1 Billboard single "Slow Jamz" featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista. The album was certified 4x platinum and is noted as both the launching West's legendary recording career and also a iconic album of a new movement in the new millenium.
Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Show
https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Buy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!
Support The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Build Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!
https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8
Show Notes
Stereogum: The College Dropout Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/1661202/the-college-dropout-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/
Vibe: Kanye West's Engineer Breaks Down Kanye West's Classic -- From An Engineer's Perspective
https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-oral-history-486239/
Medium: A Love Letter to The College Dropout
https://medium.com/@derekxu/album-review-the-college-dropout-b17714567f1e
Albumism: Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode
2023 Year End Review: '93, 98 & '03 Rankings
In the last episode of the year, B. Cox and J.Owe give their personal rankings and honorable mentions for hip-hop and R&B albums for the 1993, 1998 and 2003.
A reminder that next year, we will be moving to a seasonal format. The new season launches February 2024!
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Buy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!
Support The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Build Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!
https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Next Episode
Zhané: Pronounced Jah-Nay (1994). "Gonna Make You Move & Groove"
B. Cox is joined once again by Van Everette of The Scenario Radio Show to review 90s R&B duo Zhané's debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay as it turns 30. The two vocalists, Renee Neuville and Jean Norris, met each other while students at Temple University and while they had two different backgrounds when it came to singing, they would find a medium that would make them a cohesive act. After linking up with power players in Philly DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and doing a showcase that caught some eyes and ears, they were taken under the tutelage of Naughty By Nature producer KayGee and were signed to Motown Records.
Combining their many musical inspirations and influences, the group put out a very fun, yet mature sounding album. It was backed by their intriguing and smooth harmonies and deft songwriting over a variety of beats crossing many genres. The album was boosted three singles: the classic party jam "Hey Mr. DJ", "Groove Thing" and "Sending My Love".
The album was certified platinum and things appeared to be on the up and up for the duo. However, they released only one other album, 1997's Saturday Night, to less acclaim and fanfare before splitting up. Nonetheless, they made their mark on 90s R&B with their debut which continues to be brought this day as a highlight in 1994.
Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Show
https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Buy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!
Support The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Build Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!
https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8
Show Notes
UDiscoverMusic: Pronounced Jah-Nay: How Zhané Made A Name For Themselves
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/pronounced-jah-nay-zhane-album/
Grammys: 'Pronounced Jah-Nay at 25': Zhané's Renee Neuville and Jean Norris look back at their classic R&B debut
Albumism: Zhané's Debut Album "Prounounced Jah-Nay" Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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