KANYE West completes his scholastic-rap triptych with the much hyped “Graduation,” but his sheepskin appears to be from Whatsamatta U. There isn’t a “Jesus Walks” or a “Gold Digger” here – you know, the kind of powerhouse, hook-laden rap ‘n’ roll that made the collegiate MC a household name.
On his first two discs, “The College Dropout” and “Late Registration,” West had an urgent, tenacious lust to be on top of the hip-hop heap. Without question he’s become rap royalty, but realizing the dream has made him less hungry for greatness.
Musically, he floats on a familiar, albeit white-bread, raft of samples by ancient rockers including Elton John, Steely Dan, Mountain and Laura Nyro – not to mention a duet with Coldplay’s soul-free Chris Martin on “Homecoming.”
The opening trio of songs set up the album’s theme of transformation and enlightenment. When Kanye isn’t channeling Buddha, he raps about graduating from the streets on “Good Morning” and how he’s become a better man on “Champion” and “Stronger.”
Kanye mostly wears a halo on this disc. With no n-, b-, or h-words, and only an occasional conjugation of mofo, the album is rugrat friendly. He also ditches the spoken-word skits that usually incite rapid pressing of the skip button.
The worst of the collection is the plodding, slow-flow beats of “Drunk and Hot Girls” where Mos Def provides vocals. It’s a hip-hop snooze where West – known for the sartorial splendor of pink Polo shirts and chinos – frets that a tipsy babe might hurl in Lexusland.
The final track, “Big Brother,” is where West demonstrates his real talent as a raconteur. Rhyming about his relationship with mentor, friend and Rocafella boss Jay-Z, West says that, despite his adoration of Jay, he’s felt slighted because Jigga hasn’t mirrored the respect.
Kanye West
“Graduation”
(Rocafella)