American rapper Kanye West released his seventh studio album “The Life of Pablo” on Feb. 14. The album, which is only available through Tidal, contains 18 songs.
By JURNEE LOUDER – Staff Writer
On Feb. 14, Kanye West released his new album The Life of Pablo on Tidal. News Editor Jurnee Louder is quite disappointed.
Dear Kanye,
My, my, my. Wow, it’s been a long time. You haven’t released an album in three years! How does it feel to be back, buddy?
Well, I can tell you,that it doesn’t feel that great for me. These past three years, you’ve been involved in a lot of shenanigans. You said you were running for president in 2020, you got into a Twitter argument with Wiz Khalifa and you asked Mark Zuckerberg for $1billion.
But, I ignored it all. After all, I knew you were going to release a superb album, right?
Well, I wish that would be the case, but I have to say, I’m a little disappointed. Personally, I feel that “The Life of Pablo” doesn’t have the signature Kanye feel to it.
When I heard the first song on the album, “Ultralight Beam”, I did fall in love. When the chorus came in and sang, “We on an ultralight beam. This is a God dream” along with Kanye, I felt the musicality deep in my soul.
It started off strong–beautifully even. But then Kanye, you lost me somewhere along the way,and never quite got me back.
The lyrics, themselves, are very Kanye–a little erratic and very self-aware. On the seventh song of the album, “Highlights”, Kanye says, “I bet me and Ray J would be friends, if we ain’t love the same b****. Yeah, he might have hit it first, only problem is I’m rich.”
I didn’t really expect the lyrics to be much different, but I thought that I’d at least be able to vibe to your flow, Kanye.
But, I’ll give credit where credit is due. You did have quality parts to your album. You started off as a producer, and that has always been your forte.
On the song “Famous”, feat. Swizz Beatz and Rihanna, adding Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam” was brilliant. You juxtaposed sounds quite well on this album.
I really do miss the Kanye from your debut solo album “The College Dropout” all the way up until your 2010 album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” But I know you need room to grow and change.
Plus, on your song “I Love Kanye” you mock people like me in your line, “I miss the old Kanye, straight from the ‘go Kanye…I hate the new Kanye, the bad mood Kanye,” so I know you know a lot of people feel this way.
I don’t know, maybe you’ll do better as president.
Thanks,
Jurnee
