The Eccentrically Dark "Yeezus" Adds to Kanye's Legacy [Review]

Throughout Kanye West's career, criticism has followed him.  Criticism found him when he came out of the producing shadows and released his first album, criticism when he decided to release "Jesus Walks," criticism when he decided to release an auto-tune focused album, and criticized for his off the mic incidents.  This criticism will definitely follow him on this new album titled "Yeezus."  At first glance, the album throws out some red flags with track titles like "I Am God," "Black Skinhead," and "Blood on the Leaves" showing that Kanye was not really focused on any track being able to fit the heavily censored and repetitive radio schedule.  He was focused on his art, which resulted in one of his top albums to date.

The album is one of his best albums because of what the rap industry has become in the past few years.  For a while the rad industry was filled with artists who didn't focus on the lyrics, but the beat and a repetitive hook.  Artists like Waka Flocka, Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Kreayshawn, and others have flourished in the atmosphere, and Eminem stated this style best in a song that came out several years ago titled "Syllables" where he says:

 

If we gotta dumb down our style and ABC it, Then so be it, 'Cause nowadays these kids, jeez, Don't give a s*** about lyrics, All they wanna hear is a beat and that's it, Long as they can go to the club and get blitzed, Pick up some chicks and get some digits, And the DJ's playing them hits, Oh this my jam, this my s***, We don't know a word to a verse, All we know is the chorus, 'Cause the chorus repeats the same four words for us.

But these rappers' careers didn't last long because of the emergence of a new class of rappers who are lyrically dominant and focused like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and others.  These MC's created an intelligent atmosphere in the rap industry and allowed for the genius that Kanye West is to spread his wings.  Kanye began to spread his wings and delve deep into an artistic lyrical approach to rap with his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  The album was ridden with eccentric beats and songs, which were still catchy enough to remain on the radio.  He also released the short film, Runaway, which elegantly powered through the tracklist.

Yeezus is not My Beatiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  As much as some might compare the two, Yeezus was an album made by Kanye where the listener just needs to see a musical genius at work.  In my opinion, Graudation is still his best album - nothing will ever surpass it, it's a classic on first, second, and any listen - yet Yeezus is a clear second above all the others.  It's a clear second because of the emotion attached to each track that brings the listener into Kanye's life and mind.  All of this emotional connection starts with the beautifully stylized tracklist which begins with Track 1 - On Sight.  This very electronic sounding track was produced by Daft Punk, and their signature is completely surrounding it.  The track only lasts for a 2:37, but the track sets the tone early with Kanye stating that "Yeezus season is approaching," and "How much do I not give a f***, Let me show you before you give it up."  The track is amazing beginning of the album to show you that this is not going to be the overall cheery sound from Late Registration or Graduation.  Track 2 - Black Skinhead conveys the same message with the intro of the track being focused on heavy breathing and distorted screaming which was also produced by Daft Punk.  Although, the lyrics are very deep with going against his opponents and criticists, the overall beat and sound becomes catchy and instantly recognizable with the heavy 808 drums, and distorted bass in between verses.  By far one of the best tracks on the album as Kanye yells out "I've been a menace for the longest, but I ain't finished, I'm devoted, And you know it!"  After the upbeat pounding of "Black Skinhead," Track 3 - I Am A God Featuring Justin Vernon comes in with a unnerving reggae sound in the background while a heavy distorted bass beats on, and is the third track produced by Daft Punk.  Kanye picks up from bashing his criticizers, and focuses on why he is the musical genius that people have come to know - often thinking that he comes off as a jerk.  The best part of the track lies on the line "I just talked to Jesus, he said what up Yeezus."

After the pounding of "Black Skinhead" and "I Am A God," Kanye comes in with Track 4 - New Slaves Featuring Frank Ocean.  This track has a heavy underlying meaning and Kanye shows beautifully the difficulty in deciding the position of the black community in America.  On one side, Kanye wants to say screw everyone and live his life, while he recognizes that the black community continuing to search for possessions and elitist status is transforming them back into slaves.  A great track with a difficult political message.  After the politically driven "New Slaves," Kanye does what he does best - completely switches the feel of the album with Track 5 - Hold My Liquor Ft Chief Keef & Justin Vernon.  The track is exactly what it says in the title - Kanye contemplates life while maintaining to "hold his liquor."  Also one of the most daring moves of the album was placing the heavily gangster rapper Chief Keef on the hook, yet it works beautifully.  Just as the listener thinks that Kanye is coming back to normal Kanye songs, Track 6 - I'm In It Ft Justin Vernon comes in.  The song has a similar sound and is a very explicit song detailing Kanye's sexual endeavors.  It's a good song all the way around, but may turn off some people with the lyrics.  At this point comes the best song on the album - Track 7 - Blood On The Leaves Ft Tony Williams.  "Blood On The Leaves" is why Kanye is a genius, he mixes the use of lyrics, samples, a feature, and auto-tune all in one song to make an instant classic.  Kanye opens up emotionally and conveys that a girl took their relationship public and it hurt him and their relationship in the long run.  Eventually Kanye ends the track with a homage to "Gold Diggers" where the girl is trying to impress Kanye with random facts about herself like talking to Jay-Z, but ultimately Kanye finishes the track with one of the best lines, 

 All that cocaine on the table you can't snort that
That going to that owing money that the court got
On and on that alimony, uh, yeah-yeah, she got you homie
'Til death but do your part, unholy matrimony.

 

 Now the album switches gears with Track 8 - Guilt Trip Ft Kid Cudi.  I was personally excited for this track because in the intro I thought it was going to be similar to "Welcome to Heartbreak" from 808's & Heartbreak which also featured Kid Cudi, and I was not let down.  I love when Kid Cudi and Kanye get together because they have similar views to music, expressing ideas, and are not afraid to take a chance.  This is the best track between the two to date!  Just as the transition from "Hold My Liquor" to "I'm In It," Kanye startles us again with the transition from "Guilt Trip" to Track 9 - Send It Up Ft Iamsu! & King L.  The track is pounding with an alarm sounding instrumental, and talks about the successes that Kanye has had and that he can only keep going up and never down.  One comical moment came from this track where he hypothetically states that a girl asks if Kanye can get her girls in the club, and he says can my Benz get in the club?  The answer is no, so tell your girls to park their asses by the Benz.  Finally the conclusion of Yeezus comes with Track 10 - Bound 2 Ft Charlie Wilson.  The track is completely perfect for a conclusion because the basic, calming, sample instrumental gives the feeling of resolution.  In the track, Kanye opens up emotionally to a woman, and in my opinion it is a homage to Kim and their relationship, especially with the sample that states that "I know you're tired of loving, of loving, with nobody to love, nobody, nobody."  This makes me think of the difficult divorce that she has had to go through, the other relationships, and the pregnancy.

As stated before, I say that this album is Kanye's second best album and I give it an ultimate grade of an A-.  I give it the A- because this is truly Kanye at his artistic best, but the lack of a radio track/video track brings it down from a perfect A+.  Either way this album will become as much as a classic as Graduation, and as Kanye says: "I ain't finished, I'm devoted, and you know it!"

iTunes Download