If you had to prove Kanye's genius with 5 songs, which songs would you choose?

[ThaRealness]

blow my mind

 

[Free White & 21]

New Slaves
Never Let Me Down
Gold Digger
Through The Wire
Love Lockdown

I could actually go on

 

[Aje]

this word "genius" is thrown around a lot

New Slaves
Never Let Me Down
Gold Digger
Through The Wire
Love Lockdown

I could actually go on

Could you elaborate on why you consider, say, "Gold Digger" an example of musical genius?

I'm sure every person has their own working definition of the word "genius", but "Gold Digger" or "Through The Wire" or "Love Lockdown" being considered genius seriously leaves me baffled.

I've been a hip-hop head since '89 and appreciate those songs - they're good - but "genius"? Did he even write those songs? Like, Quence or Rhymefest probably wrote most of his early stuff. Where does 'Ye's genius come in? He had help on the production after the first album. Where's the genius?

I'm sincerely inquiring. Thanks in advance.

 

[Taco]

Through the Wire
Blood on the Leaves
Lucifer (even though he ain't on it beat is mad fire)l
Last Call
Good Morning

 

[Free White & 21]

this word "genius" is thrown around a lot
Could you elaborate on why you consider, say, "Gold Digger" an example of musical genius?

I'm sure every person has their own working definition of the word "genius", but "Gold Digger" or "Through The Wire" or "Love Lockdown" being considered genius seriously leaves me baffled.

I've been a hip-hop head since '89 and appreciate those songs - they're good - but "genius"? Did he even write those songs? Like, Quence or Rhymefest probably wrote most of his early stuff. Where does 'Ye's genius come in? He had help on the production after the first album. Where's the genius?

I'm sincerely inquiring. Thanks in advance.

I'll go into detail on Gold Digger only. First off this is a totally left field, unpredictable single. Lets start with the Ray Charles sample. Perfect execution and the decision to use Jamie Foxx (Star of HIT MOVIE Ray) to sing it in perfect pitch and change the lyrics to fit the song theme. 3 different flawless verses from 3 different perspectives of the gold digging reality and stigma.

Kanye's ability to weave these things together flawlessly and make a hit record shows his ability to tap into pop culture while being 100% true to the art of hiphop is his "genius". This song was a shining example of that.

 

[Buckeye Fever]

Everything I Am
Gorgeous
Say You Will
Paranoid
Diamonds(Sierra Leone)

 

[Aje]

I'll go into detail on Gold Digger only. First off this is a totally left field, unpredictable single. Lets start with the Ray Charles sample. Perfect execution and the decision to use Jamie Foxx (Star of HIT MOVIE Ray) to sing it in perfect pitch and change the lyrics to fit the song theme. 3 different flawless verses from 3 different perspectives of the gold digging reality and stigma.

Kanye's ability to weave these things together flawlessly and make a hit record shows his ability to tap into pop culture while being 100% true to the art of hiphop is his "genius". This song was a shining example of that.

thx, homey. although I respectfully disagree, I appreciate your explanation.

 

[bl2k8]

We major
Through the wire
Say you willI
Diamonds
Guilt trip

 

[RTF]

Genius is whatever as a term. Some nursery rhymes are "genius" because of how it sticks in your mind or whatever.

But 5 songs that show Kanye's strengths and versatility?

Say You Will
Good Life
Hell of a Life
Jesus Walks
Gone

This is actually pretty hard to narrow down, it's actually pretty fun too. What's the best 808's style Ye? I say Runaway but I went with Say You Will. That Soulful Ye? I go Spaceship but Jesus Walks is more timeless and has no guest appearances. Prog rock influences? I probably say Gorgeous but Hell of a Life has more interesting and detailed production. Didn't really include a chick / heartfelt song but Blame Game is up there, that's soulful too. Damn Blame Game instead of Hell of a Life? Best Grand Orchestration Ye? Gone for definite there but Crack Music was hard. Best Yeezus track? I left this out but I love the rawness of New Slaves. Best Jamaican influence? Anything from Mercy to I'm In It. But if it I put in a Yeezus track i'd have to remove that really happy, up beat Ye that defined his early years and it's too dark to truly reflect his body of work. Part of me want to list something dumb happy like Breathe In Breathe Out or Touch The Sky (live). Damn, Best stadium status track?

This could go on and on. But i'll go with that 5, I have work to do. If you don't like those 5, I have another 5 Kanye songs that are different that you might like. There's another half dozen types of songs of those in his catalogue minimum.

Yeezus has blessed with me so much.

I'm gone go head and play every song i've mentioned. Thanks OP.

 

[Rell84shots]

Can i just post "We Major" 5 times?

 

[Mess World]

Geniuses need teams of people to deliver a sub par product ?

 

[Aje]

I wouldn't consider Kanye West a musical genius - a marketing and self-promoting one, similar to his wife, perhaps. I will, however, post five joints of his that I think are super dope just so y'all know I ain't blindly hating:

• Can't Tell Me Nothing
• Primetime
• So Appalled
• We Major
• Still Dreamin'

 

[WOAHMYGOODNESS]

Runaway and devil in a new dress, both on the same album
shyt add blame game too

 

[raoulduke187]

he's probably got a finger in the making of this song

 

[The_King_of_Everything]

Diamonds From Sierra Leonne
I wonder
Guilt Trip
Power
Say You Will