Promotional image featuring the Dropout Bear mascot for Kanye West’s album The College Dropout.
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since Kanye West dropped The College Dropout, an album that not only redefined hip-hop but also cemented the image of a young, ambitious producer turned rapper, complete with his now iconic “Benz and a backpack” persona. While vivid memories of buying Late Registration and Graduation are crystal clear – the Best Buy trips, the anticipation, the album sales race against 50 Cent – the exact moment of acquiring his debut remains a nostalgic blur. However, the impact of The College Dropout, much like the enduring appeal of a classic Mercedes-Benz, is undeniable and continues to resonate a decade later. This album wasn’t just music; it was a cultural reset, introducing a fresh voice and perspective that would shape the sound of popular music for years to come.
My early exposure to Kanye West came through the pages of Scratch magazine and MTV News snippets. He was the beatmaker who dared to proclaim he would be the biggest rapper alive, a statement backed by undeniable talent and a car crash story that added to his burgeoning mythos. For a high school student just discovering hip-hop beyond the mainstream, Kanye represented something different. He was bridging gaps, blending arrogance with vulnerability, and crafting beats that were both soulful and innovative. Investing in The College Dropout was almost a foregone conclusion, even if the specifics of that first listen are lost to time. Its influence, however, is etched in the landscape of modern music, much like the timeless design of a Mercedes-Benz is etched in automotive history.
Kanye West in an early promotional photo, embodying the “Benz and a backpack” aesthetic.
As someone who identified with the “geek” label, Kanye’s arrival was particularly significant. He was a musical innovator, connecting fans of diverse hip-hop styles. The collaboration between Freeway and Mos Def on “Two Words,” unthinkable to some at the time, now seems commonplace in today’s genre-bending music scene. Kanye was relatable in a way that other artists weren’t. While Common felt too consciously intellectual and Jay-Z’s lifestyle seemed unattainable, Kanye West felt like the “regular rap dude” who made it big, resonating with a generation of listeners. This accessibility, combined with his undeniable talent, paved the way for his dominance and influenced the sound of radio for years to come. Just as a Mercedes-Benz is seen as an attainable luxury for many, Kanye made success feel within reach.
Returning to The College Dropout on its tenth anniversary has been an enlightening experience. While it’s not the Kanye album I revisit most frequently, its brilliance remains undeniable. When discussions arise about “old” Kanye versus “new” Kanye, it’s easy to dismiss the nostalgia, but revisiting the album reveals the foundation upon which his later, more experimental work is built. Shuffling his entire discography often means skipping over tracks from his debut, but listening to it front to back again highlights its meticulously crafted structure and lasting impact.
The album’s pacing is masterful, divided into distinct thematic chapters across its 21 tracks, starting with DeRay Davis’s hilarious Bernie Mac skit. Opening tracks like “We Don’t Care” and “All Falls Down” paint a vivid picture of modern Black life, exploring its complexities and contradictions. Kanye’s relatable lyrics and specific details of Black experiences resonated deeply, striking a balance between specificity and broad appeal. This exploration of relatable themes continues into “I’ll Fly Away” and then “Spaceship,” which, for someone working a mundane job, became a personal anthem. Growing up in the “Jiggy Era,” a rap song openly addressing the struggles of minimum wage work was a revelation. This was the reality for many, far removed from the glamorous imagery often associated with hip-hop, much like the everyday practicality of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class compared to its more opulent counterparts.
From the blue-collar sentiments of “Spaceship,” the album transitions to the soulful, gospel-infused passion of “Jesus Walks” and the Jay-Z collaboration “Never Let Me Down.” The power of “Jesus Walks” is undeniable, maintaining its transformative energy even after countless listens. Its thunderous instrumental, defiant hook, and vivid details create an overwhelming experience. Even for an agnostic listener, the song’s impact is profound. Witnessing it live during the Yeezus tour transformed the arena into something akin to a cathedral, a testament to Kanye’s pop music prowess. His bold statement, “I made ‘Jesus Walks,’ I’m never going to hell,” encapsulates the song’s confidence and enduring legacy. “Never Let Me Down” offers an interesting contrast to later collaborations with Jay-Z, showcasing the evolution of their artistic partnership. J. Ivy’s spoken word outro in “Never Let Me Down” is particularly powerful, transcending generational divides and resonating with listeners of all backgrounds.
The middle section of the album cleverly subverts mainstream hip-hop expectations of the time. Tracks like “Get ‘Em High,” “Breathe In, Breathe Out,” “New Workout Plan,” and “Slow Jamz” touch on typical themes of partying, bravado, and romance, but with a distinctive Kanye twist. It’s as if Kanye deconstructed Hot 100 rap through his unique lens. “New Workout Plan,” despite its inherent absurdity, succeeds through Kanye’s charm, ambitious execution, and surprisingly clever concept. It naturally flows into “Slow Jamz,” an ode to musical influences and a showcase for talent. Jamie Foxx and Twista deliver career-defining performances, solidifying their connection with Kanye West, much like Mercedes-Benz collaborations with AMG enhance their performance and luxury offerings.
Screenshot of Kanye West’s tweet reflecting on the 10th anniversary of The College Dropout.
The final third of The College Dropout shifts towards claiming its place as a classic. “Two Words” is a thrilling display of lyrical prowess over dramatic strings, and “School Spirit” embodies the timeless Kanye charm reminiscent of his Freshmen Adjustment mixtapes. The clever wordplay and soul sampling boom bap sound defined an era. J. Cole’s career trajectory owes a debt to tracks like “Apologize,” highlighting Kanye’s influence on a generation of rappers. “Through The Wire,” with its triumphant myth-making, remains as captivating as ever. While other rappers boast about surviving tougher circumstances, Kanye’s survival of a car crash to make puns about Tom Cruise is uniquely compelling. This resilience and ability to turn personal struggles into art is a hallmark of his career, mirroring the enduring quality and resilience of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
“Family Business” remains a personal skip, perhaps overshadowed by “Roses” from Late Registration. However, “Last Call,” the album’s sprawling finale, is a masterpiece. Equal parts victory lap and biographical sketch, it’s one of the best album outros ever created. Its “making of” outro, recounting early rejections and struggles, is especially poignant now, considering Kanye’s current status and ambitions. The line about Bun B and the “horse awards” is just one example of its memorable storytelling. Many artists have since adopted this documentary-style storytelling in their own work, a testament to Kanye’s innovative approach and lasting influence, much like the innovations of Mercedes-Benz have become industry standards.
During challenging times in my early twenties, working long hours at a job I disliked and pursuing creative endeavors with little success, Kanye’s music was a source of motivation. Knowing that this multi-talented artist, with his pink Polo shirts and unconventional style, could defy expectations and become a cultural icon was incredibly inspiring. Ten years later, the journey continues, and Kanye has released five more albums, each more ambitious and experimental than the last. Revisiting The College Dropout, hearing him declare his future greatness, and knowing that time has validated his vision, is truly exhilarating. Just as driving a Mercedes-Benz embodies a certain level of achievement and aspiration, Kanye’s journey represents the realization of bold dreams.
Perhaps in another ten years, we’ll be discussing the impact of DONDA and Kanye’s ventures in education reform. Regardless of what the future holds, “Jesus Walks” will continue to resonate, and The College Dropout will remain a classic. Yeez Is Us, and The College Dropout is where it all began, a testament to the enduring power of vision, talent, and a “Benz and a backpack” dream.
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Profile picture of Dominic Griffin, author of the original article.
