Haven't bought 'Ye's new album. I don't really like what I've heard from it so far. All the hype about it got me to stick Late Registration back in my player though, and I finally figured out why it is I love "Gone" (track 19).
"Gone" kicks off with a vocal and piano samples from Otis Redding's rendition of "It's Too Late." These volley back and forth with Jon Brion composed classical-styled string samples. And of course, all of this is mixed with head-nod-inducing syncopated beats. So right there, you've got something interesting.
Add to that three separate narratives by 'Ye, Cam'Ron, and Consequence. The verses share similar themes of hustling as a need (on some level, be it drugs or music) and the desire to escape the hustling life. The flow of each MC is distinct. Cam'ron has a staccato rhythm to his rhymes, while Consequence is smoother. Kanye mixes his verses up stylewise, but keeps his signature drawl throughout. Lyrically they're all playful: Cam'Ron manages to rhyme gorilla with chinchilla; Consequence somehow fits "gone" into his 20-line verse 19 separate times; and Kanye's got his zingers "Aaron love the raw dog, when will he learn / Caught somethin on the Usher tour he had to 'Let it Burn'" and the oft cited "But if they ever flip sides like Anakin / You'll sell everything includin the mannequin / They got a new bitch now you Jennifer Aniston."
And keeping the tone light keeps the subject in perspective. In a song that's ultimately about striving to be successful, despite the shit that life throws at you (Cons' "I been pourin out some liquor for the fact that my pal's gone / And tryin to help his momma with the fact that her child gone"; Cam: "Yes I know you wanna see my demise / Yeah you church boy actin like a thief in disguise"; 'Ye: "What the summer of the Chi got to offer an 18-year-old / Sell drugs or get a job, you gotta play gyro"), they keep the song substantive, yet breezy. No easy feat.
And to top it all off, it's catchy.
My Trusted MOGs
When this song came out I had yet to see the amusement in Cam'ron. Pretty sure that once I learned he had worn those fur coats of every color of the rainbow, I decided he's okay, if only for the sake of humor which he provides me, unintentionally. His verse here is a good example. With the 'poof's' and all that. Killa Cam!
I was also very anti-Kanye but my roommate got the cd, and slowly but surely it's grown on me as an album. So whenever you're ready...I do suggest picking it up!
My Trusted MOGs
didn't know cam'ron had a predilection for fur coats. the line makes more sense now. i imagine that mr. 'ron knows he's being a bit silly. i mean, how hard can you be rhyming gorilla and chinchilla? and his intonation for blue, poof, and proof sounds like he's a kid making up sound effects for popping soap bubbles.
and don't get me wrong, i love me some kanye. "stonger" is quality. "good life" and "barry bonds" are painfully weak though. "if she got that ass i got to look"... "I go for mine, i got shine" really? we've come all this way to end up here? his first album is still his best. its his strongest lyrically and most cohesive. and the first 9 tracks on that album are just killer. between "we don't care," "spaceship," "all falls down," and "jesus walks" he was humorous, pointed, and poignant. it takes more than assertions that you are good to be good.
that said, i haven't heard the entirety of Graduation yet. so, really i shouldn't talk.
My Trusted MOGs
Yeah, maybe his rhymes were better on the first album because he had more to talk about. Now he's in with the in crowd and rhyming about how much he's flossin' and all that. I guess that's how it goes? At any rate, it's worth an image search to see Cam in his purple or light pink furs.