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

neph27

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devil in a new dress (one of the best of the 2010s)
all falls down (one of the best of the 2000s, helped change the landscape of rap)
jesus walks
blood on the leaves
so many options for a 5th
 
vaudevillevillain

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Crack Music
Champion
Heartless
Last Call
Hey Mama

just off top. Just To Get By/So Appalled honorable mention
 
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Flashing Lights - Great sampling and storytelling/atmosphere
Power - Great sample combinations and triumphant feel
Runaway - Just amazing all around song
Still Dreaming w/ Nas - Classic sample with great storytelling
I Wonder - Just a really feel good song
 
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Raymond Burrr said:
New Slaves
Never Let Me Down
Gold Digger
Through The Wire
Love Lockdown

I could actually go on :patrice:
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I like this list but I would probably replace gold digger with either Dark Fantasy or Power but the problem I have is how much did he have to do with either track other than be the voice :mjcry:
Aje said:
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.
Click to expand...
Aje I think part of your problem is that you are a trained producer and you probably could do a track like most of those listed with your eyes closed :manny: but for the average listener I believe those tracks were innovative for their times.
Through the Wire was basically the epitome of his chipmunk sound and the added twist of it being his first single and his jaw being wired made it very unique.
Love Lockdown was TOTALLY left field of anything ANYONE in HIP HOP was doing and the drum programming was totally innovative even to this day...I have even bit the African drum styling of that track. Hell that whole album probably changed the landscape of Hip Hop to the incarnation it is now(don't know if that's a good thing)
New Slaves once again was something no one was doing and it's unique in an era where everything sounds the same...even though I felt that project was all over the place :francis:
Gold digger was just ehh to me
Like I said above I think Dark Fantasy and Power had aspects to them that no one else was really trying but my problem with those is that by the time he got to those projects it's REALLY sketchy on what exactly are his elements/ideas or somebody else. I respect Kanye for his willingness to take chances but he has now ran that into the ground :martin: I don't know if it's the drugs, his ego or his life decisions ie Kim Kardasian but I think his ship has sailed. :yeshrug:
 
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