After co-producing tracks for Harlem World and the Mad Rapper at the tender age of 20, West caught his break when the heads of A&R at Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records – Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua and G. Roberson - were blown away by his soulful approach to hip-hop production. Even back then, West’s unique talent made him stand out above the crowd. His use of vintage R&B samples and live instrumentation gave his work a warmth and emotional honesty that wasn’t to be found anywhere else at the time.
While his early work suggested greatness, it was on Jay-Z’s now-classic The Blueprint that West first achieved it in a major way. Drawing from the Jackson 5 (“Izzzo (H.O.V.A)), the Doors (“Takeover”) and the Temptations’ David Ruffin (“Never Change”), West created the soulful yet gritty sound behind Jay’s best tracks that his imitators (whose numbers would grow with each release) are still trying to copy today. But like any true original, West was in a league of his own—creating the future of hip-hop as he dug back in time with his unique samples to connect the past with the present in a brand new way. Before long, West was being hailed as the future of hip-hop.
Since the release of College Dropout in 2004, Kanye West has re-defined music and set the standards for others to follow. His Grammy Award winning album Late Registration made Kanye a household name and now, on the back of a string of hits from the Graduation album, Kanye’s is again redefining the sound of popular music with his latest album 808s and Heartbreak. This album features the hit Love Lockdown and is a departure from the traditional sound of Kanye West. 808s & Heartbreak will again set the standard for others to follow.
MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY is the long-awaited follow-up to 808’s & Heartbreak. In addition to Pusha T, contributing artists on the record include Nikki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver on the smash street single “Monster.” Other guests include Kid Cudi and Raekwon and contributing producers include RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. The new album was recorded in Honolulu and at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
No matter who you are or where you lived since 2004 - if you owned a radio, television, computer or CD player, you felt Kanye West’s presence. The Chicago-born rapper/producer/hip-hop icon has been at the top of the charts and at the top of his game. From the red carpet of the Grammys, to the millions of albums sold, stadium tours and his ubiquitous presence on MTV, BET, CNN, and radio stations nationwide, West grew from being an artist to watch to an artist you experience. West has proven himself to be the most vital artist in hip-hop today.
West is many things - a producer, a tastemaker, a rapper, a video director, the CEO of his label Getting Out Our Dreams (G.O.O.D.) - but first and foremost, he is an artist with an uncompromising vision.
While his early work suggested greatness, it was on Jay-Z’s now-classic The Blueprint that West first achieved it in a major way. Drawing from the Jackson 5 (“Izzzo (H.O.V.A)), the Doors (“Takeover”) and the Temptations’ David Ruffin (“Never Change”), West created the soulful yet gritty sound behind Jay’s best tracks that his imitators (whose numbers would grow with each release) are still trying to copy today. But like any true original, West was in a league of his own—creating the future of hip-hop as he dug back in time with his unique samples to connect the past with the present in a brand new way. Before long, West was being hailed as the future of hip-hop.
Since the release of College Dropout in 2004, Kanye West has re-defined music and set the standards for others to follow. His Grammy Award winning album Late Registration made Kanye a household name and now, on the back of a string of hits from the Graduation album, Kanye’s is again redefining the sound of popular music with his latest album 808s and Heartbreak. This album features the hit Love Lockdown and is a departure from the traditional sound of Kanye West. 808s & Heartbreak will again set the standard for others to follow.
MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY is the long-awaited follow-up to 808’s & Heartbreak. In addition to Pusha T, contributing artists on the record include Nikki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver on the smash street single “Monster.” Other guests include Kid Cudi and Raekwon and contributing producers include RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. The new album was recorded in Honolulu and at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
No matter who you are or where you lived since 2004 - if you owned a radio, television, computer or CD player, you felt Kanye West’s presence. The Chicago-born rapper/producer/hip-hop icon has been at the top of the charts and at the top of his game. From the red carpet of the Grammys, to the millions of albums sold, stadium tours and his ubiquitous presence on MTV, BET, CNN, and radio stations nationwide, West grew from being an artist to watch to an artist you experience. West has proven himself to be the most vital artist in hip-hop today.
West is many things - a producer, a tastemaker, a rapper, a video director, the CEO of his label Getting Out Our Dreams (G.O.O.D.) - but first and foremost, he is an artist with an uncompromising vision.
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