newcritics

Beating 50 Cent is not the only feat Kanye West achieved with the release of his third album, Graduation. He also charted as the highest first week sales of the year to date.

West’s and 50’s battle began when 50 claimed that if Graduation outsold his album Curtis, (both released September 11), he would quit rapping. According to the Nielsen Soundscan, in its first week, Graduation came in at number one selling 1,957,000 copies, to Curtis’ distant number two with 691,000 units sold.

(On September 3, 50 ate his words. During an interview with the New York based radio station Hot 97, 50 clarified that he would not quit, but rather compete single for single with West.)

The battle has proven to be a very successful publicity stunt. Both 50’s and West’s record labels, G-Unit and Def-Jam respectively, are owned by the same parent company, Universal. No matter which artist comes out on top, Universal wins it all by filling the number one and two spots on the charts with their artists.

West, a 30-year-old rapper, seemed to emerged from the nowhere with his infectious 2005 single “Golddigger” (featuring Jamie Foxx impersonating Ray Charles), but West has much experience under his belt.

West dropped out of Chicago State University and began producing hits for hip-hop artists like Cam’Ron, Common and Jay-Z, who acted as a mentor to West.

Jay-Z’s highly successful 2001 album, The Blueprint, includes much of West’s work, especially the hit single, Izzo (H.O.V.A).

Despite his successes, it was not until 2002, after a near-fatal car crash that West began recording his own album featuring the accident-inspired Through the Wire and Jesus Walks.

Since the explosion of Golddigger, West has courted controversy–declaring that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” on a coast to coast Katrina benefit broadcast, and bum rushing an MTV award show stage. On his new record he clearly feels aware of the image he has cultivated:

I feel the pressure under more scrutiny
And what I do; act more stupidly
Bought more jewelry, more Louis V
My momma couldn’t get through to me

But the normally stubborn, notoriously arrogant West produces some pensive songs in this the third installment of the trilogy of albums.

I never be picture-perfect Beyonce
Be light as Albi or black as Chauncey
Remember him from Blackstreet
He was as black as the street was
I’ll never be as laid-back as this beat was…
Everything I’m not made me everything I am

In Everything I Am, West gives fans a rare glimpse of a more playful self. He shows the ability to make fun of himself and his shortcomings, which is very un-West like.

The song feels almost groovy, which is another break from a typical West track. That is most likely thanks to the input of the “King of Funk,” George Clinton. This slow-moving track combines a relaxed West with undertones of Clinton’s rich voice and scratching by DJ Premiere. The three unique sounds come together with West’s lyrics successfully.

For those fans concerned that their high and mighty West might be disappearing, fear not. There are still plenty songs dedicated to the greatness that is West. Like this humble line in The Glory:

When you meet me in person what do ya feel like
I know I know I look better in real life

Or, this line from Good Life which manages to be arrogant, degrading and corny all in one:

Have you ever popped champagne on a plane while gettin some brain
Whipped it out, she said I never seen snakes on a plane

West is not known for being the most talented lyricist, but makes up for it by utilizing a wide array of instruments from cellos to synthesizers.

His last two albums were also heavy on sampling and Graduation kicks off the same way, featuring samples from Elton John’s Someone Saved My Life Tonight on the first track, Good Morning.

His collaborations also push him to expand his sound. Homecoming pairs him with mellow rocker Chris Martin of Coldplay.

The unlikely pair met in London, England during the Brit Awards. After they each recorded their separate songs at Abbey Road Studios, an unplanned jam session bore Graduation’s 12th track, Homecoming.

Martin’s soothing, melodious voice works well with West’s slangy rapping. Homecoming, is a song that can be enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike.

The first single, Stronger, is a good indicator of what fans can expect from Graduation. It is a fun, synth-heavy song that peaked at number one on the Billboard charts in Graduation’s first week.

If his past successes are any indication of his staying power, then West is not going away anytime soon. Graduation is proof that he can respond to the public and stray from the norm to grow as an artist.

He says it best himself.

“People always say that you can’t please everybody. I think that’s a cop-out. Why not attempt it? ‘Cause think of all the people you will please if you try.”