f you like your hip-hop with some genuine soul then this is the record for you. Kanye West has been making headlines for his fierce criticism of the Bush administration in the wake of Hurricane Katrina but it's truly this collection of songs that will sweep you of your feet and whirl around your brain. Diamonds From Sierra Leone is a pacey, classy intro with a lyrical makeover of the single version, this one showing a social conscience and deliberate deconstruction of rapper culture. He calls into question the origins of his bling, the blood on his hands and the remorse he feels. If this all sounds very un-rap then in terms of content, it most definitely is. And this is what makes this release so refreshing. Golddigger is the next highlight, featuring Jamie Foxx doing a cracking Ray Charles impression with a balls-out vocal cameo that adds a powerful depth to the song. West's rhymes are subtle but piercing ("I ain't saying she's a golddigger/But she ain't messing with no broke niggers") and the lack of full-on hip-hop grandiosty is welcome. West doesn't need to hype and holler and bloody the noses of his contemparies. He talks, we listen. He samples and loops and creates a slick musical landscape to his words with a skill that astounds. The difference between him and his peers is never so clear as on Crack Music. West calls into question the sleaze and slime that has enveloped hip-hop, decrying the idiots that glamourise drugs and guns. He is making a stand here and showing the rest of them that it's possible to make a classic hip-hop album without referencing crack, smack, guns and bitches every second word. With integrity, talent and musical nous, I have no doubt Kanye West will change hip-hop for the better. Register here for some epic rap with large spoonfuls of soul. West is making a new Motown and it sounds amazing.Read full review
Possibly the best modern hip-hop / rap album created by any man alive right now - Kanye totally succeeded in hitting every button on this album!
A fantastic album with a mixture of rap, hip hop and even borderline pop, with collabarations with numerous artists which add a bit of spice to an already class album. Even the tracks that are not singles are good enough to be top ten hits, like track 16.
Great album. jus as good as Kanye's 1st 1. bouncy beats wit gr8 lyrics and any fan of Tupac is friend of mine. 5/5. since Pac past away, non of u other rappers deserve atrack 2day. xcept Mr West.
Definatley as far as west goes he is also very funny with little quips added between tracks. outstanding artist and i have all his music till present weird for a 36yo guy lol if you dont like this rap you wont like any end off.
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