July 28, 2005 @ 9:00 am

Is Kanye West The Future of Hip Hop?

Kevin R. Scott

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I've always loved when a producer and an artist collaborated on the creation of a sound that was unique and cohesive; when a seamless partnership was the definition of the album ultimately released. Those types of dream teams have existed for years and will continue to be formed. Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, Missy Elliot and Timbaland, Eminem and Dr. Dre, and even Brandy and Rodney Jerkins are all perfect examples. And there are many more. The albums that have been produced out of these musical think tanks have become the benchmarks for measuring critical acclaim. Each generation has its music revolutionaries; anomalies that elevate the genre. With his soon to be released and highly anticipated Late Registration we are being seriously asked to consider Kanye West, single-handedly, as one of them. The most significant characteristics of such an artist is the way that they seamlessly combine their mastery and love for the spectacle of performance with their skilled, organic compositions and arrangements; in other words being both an artist and producer. The release of Late Registration will be the litmus test that determines if he is truly ready for the curriculum of geniuses. Long before the release of The College Dropout in 2004, Kanye had produced enormously successful anthems such as Jay-Z's "Izzo (H.O.V.A .)", Alicia Key's "You Don't Know My Name" and "Stand Up" for Ludacris. His work as a producer was stamped with approval when Roc-A-Fella records picked him up for his more than buzzworthy ability to blend old school R&B samples and live instrumentation on a hip hop production. This skill set alone is only half of Kanye's musical aptitude but it may prove to be the footprint of his impact on music. Testimony of Kanye "The Great" as a producer can be found not only in the discographies of new artists like John Legend and Keyshia Cole, but his baller status is even further heightened, as he is in demand by a myriad of music executives to save or resurrect the careers of heavyweight veterans like Janet and Mariah Carey. Kanye's often imitated style and approach to production is what has kept him at the top of the game. His official biography states that he left the production booth to focus on his "tremendous talents as a lyricist and songwriter." A statement of that magnitude signifies that this man not only has something to say but that he is uniquely qualified to deliver it. His new video and single, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" is the first offering from Late Registration and it reassures Roc-A-Fella that a Plan B to combat the sophomore jinks isn't even necessary. The production on "Diamonds" is signature Kanye. The lyrical style is conversational. The message is inspired. It proves that Kanye, though a college drop out, actually learned something, even if it's from the school of hard knocks. However the skeptic in me makes me wonder if it's enough. Is Kanye really here to change hip hop as we know it? Thankfully, he believes that he is. He believes that his music is medicine, like a cure for cancer. Compared to the other hip hop enlightened prophets, Kanye is still in grade school. But that may not be a criticism; it may be a testament of the growth and movement we can expect to experience. Commercial success aside, has Kanye been a breakthrough? Is his creative duality organic enough to cause the well needed paradigm shift in hip hop? He has been called the most important figure in hip hop today. He has proven himself as a producer however I am still standing with baited breath to see if he is indeed the revolutionary of modern music that he has been proclaimed to be. Late Registration is not only his latest solo project but his latest attempt to prove to naysayers, me included, his worth. Maybe Kanye is the greatest artist slash producer of our generation; maybe he does combine that rare creative schizophrenic genius that we are currently punishing Lauryn for. Or… maybe not. Late Registration hits stores August 30.

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