Better Late Than Never

Kanye West's second album, "Late Registration", sent some ripples into the ocean of music. This album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and ultimately sold three million copies in the U.S alone. In case you've lost count, it's forty on our little countdown.

"Late Registration" is the second of Kanye's education themed albums, the first being "The College Dropout" and the last being "Graduation." The album is truly Kanye, with double-meaning lyrics, tight beats and an array of artists featured. It's no joke when I say there's an array- everyone from T.I, Brandy and Cam'ron to Jamie Foxx, Lupe Fiasco and Adam Levine of the acclaimed band "Maroon 5" is on this album.

My favorite song on this album had to be "Drive Slow", a song that features Paul Wall and GLC. The song is slower and the lyrics focus on the idea that our generation shouldn't be so quick to grow up. Of course, Kanye doesn't just up and say this. But listening to him say, "Ya need to pump your brakes and drive slow homie", you get the point.

Two other favorites were "Roses", a touching anthem to Kanye's grandmother, who went through surgery before he was famous and almost didn't make it, and "Hey Ma" a song, aptly named for Kanye's mother, Donda West, who sadly passed away in November 2007.

Of course, they are the singles "Gold Digger" and "Touch the Sky", which many know and love. Seeing as Raivynn isn't here I can't be sure of what her favorites were, but I am about 85% sure she really likes "Heard Em' Say", the second song on the album that features Adam Levine. I also think she'd like "Celebration", another Kanye specialty on this album.

There was one notable thing I didn't like about this album- the fact that there were twenty-one songs in this album! I understand having to make your music and get it out there, but twenty-one!

Rai already gone on about what makes Kanye so good, but I'm going to go ahead and tell you guys why I love Kanye's music.

Kanye West has something the world is lacking these days- originality. Now, that's not to say he doesn't have influences, he does. But Kanye is his own man. He makes and produces his own music and he raps about everything- not just sex, drugs and money. Listening to his music, you'd probably think most of it's about him and his ego, but if you take the time to really listen to the words, Kanye's actually got a little bit of soul. He talks about everything from family to society to race in America today. What don't I like about Kanye? Well, he's a jackass. He really is. He says and does stupid stuff he knows he shouldn't, much like another gifted musician we know (cough cough, John Mayer, cough cough). But, as much of a jackass as he is, the man makes good music.

I know I'm not the only one to think this too, because Kanye has won forty-seven awards, fourteen of them being Grammys. So, the brotha can't be too bad. Try it yourself, look up one of these songs or others from our older post on Kanye West on Youtube, or whatever you use for music. Keep listening kiddies.

-Whitni