Graduation

So instead of doing anything productive last night I was flipping channels and caught Kanye on 106 & Park. I hadn't seen 106 & Park in forever and I don't think I will watch again cuz I'm not a 13 year old who is trying to swagger jack black culture, I'm 21 nigga I read blogs and hip hop sites. I remember a few years ago (maybe it was last year I dunno) when they got rid of the hosts and then the former female host tried to become a rapper. Not that I've ever really cared for Free (I think that's her name) or heard anything by her but watching this made me miss her for two reasons: The new host is about as dark as Jason Kidd and has no ass. How hard is it for BET to find a black girl to fill that roll? So Kanye comes on talks about his album, puts over the cover work by some artist I don't know, and preforms 'Big Brother'. I think I've flip flopped on 'Big Brother' about 29 times since I first heard it. Part of me thinks its gayer than that record Game recorded where he pretended he was drunk off Belvedere and drunk dialed Busta Rhymes crying over the Dre. breakup and then part of me loves it based upon the kinda guy Kanye is. A very egotistical sensitive dude who despite all the success he's had probably needs to be given constant praise. With that line of thinking I consider it to be among the best songs he's ever done. The song comes off as a diss not just to Jay but to Kanye himself and that's one of the reasons Kanye is unique. Most rappers are stuck in this tough frame of mind, Kanye understands that's not him and shows the realness that is insecurity. I actually felt kinda sad for Kanye during his performance. There he is preforming this song that obviously means the world to him and the kids are not into it at all. You could tell they would have much rather seen Solja Boy do the superman. Then his 'Big Brother' came out and the place went nuts for the twenty seconds that Jay did 'Encore'. Afterwards they hugged and I shed like five tears.

I remember when the last Kanye album came out I read something that Raven wrote on DVDVR about him assuming it sucked since Dan Patrick was praising it and I remember that comment made me mad at first and then I thought about it more and yeah it did suck for that reason and many more. Too many guests, overproduction, and that damn 'Gold Digger' song made me dislike most of it (well except for 'Gone' that song is amazing). Working in a bar that is geared towards middle aged white males will make you hate a lot of the things they enjoy (well except for beer and sports). Most of the time they wont tolerate rap and if they do it usually sucks. They tolerated 'Gold Digger'. It sucked.

I have a feeling they wont tolerate this album. He's not on the air anymore but I have a feeling Dan Patrick wouldn't' dig it either. Not that those are the only two things to take into consideration but they're a good start. Unlike his other two albums he keeps it short and sweet and it really works. For a lead single with a Daft Punk sample I dig 'Stronger' way more than 'Touch It'. 'Good Life' is my third favorite thing T-Pain has been on in the past month but it's still awesome. And man T-Pain is well on his way to winning this years Grammy for most-overexposed-r & b-hook-guy of 2007 but he is still cranking out good stuff. 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' has been my jam for the past few weeks and I may have been the last person on earth to watch the amazing remix video that everyone needs to see right now if you haven't already. The song itself is nothing special but for some reason I am in love with the beat and the Jeezy sample.

The two songs I don't care for are 'Barry Bonds' and 'Homecoming'. For a feature on one of the years biggest albums Wayne really phones it in. Shit he had a way better verse for a feature on Max B's album. Had a much better feature for Ja Rule. Was Wayne trying to sabotage the album or was he just all fucked up on k-pins and blow? 'Homecoming' is a recycled Kanye song mixed with the faggot from Coldplay. Kanye's verses are pretty good but I don't understand why he didn't just use the original version thats been around for like two years.

Other than that I am a huge fan of 'Graduation' it smokes 'Curtis' in every single way imaginable and its a fun listen even if Kanye is an egotistical closeted crybaby. With that being said it is kinda cool that Kanye is the only person on earth who cares about winning a VMA.