By Anjali Nayak
The College Dropout is the first time we ever meet Kanye West. Listeners are introduced to the pink polo Kanye, far removed from the polarizing figure known today. Kanye was very different in 2004. Songs such as “We Don’t Care” and “Spaceship” showcase Mr. West’s playful rhyme scheme and flow. But others including, “All Falls Down” and “Through the Wire,” include introspective and meaningful lyrics. One of the most influential aspects of West’s music is the widespread popularity of “chipmunk vocal samples.” The process of speeding up vocal chops and transposing them to a higher octave. Therefore making them have a “chipmunk” effect.
Kanye’s first album is my personal favorite, but that is not to say that it is his worst. Kanye is a constantly evolving artist. In the wake of a new Kanye era, I urge you to visit Kanye at his most innocent. Before controversies, before he supposedly goes “insane,” and before Kanye was Kanye.