Kanye is forever in service to the song, willing to call on whatever stable of talent and deliver whatever level of public self-flagellation that is required to get the point across.įor that reason, watching Kanye’s meteoric rise has always carried a hint of voyeurism. Kid Cudi’s dejected but tuneful songwriting carried much of 808s & Heartbreak. DJ Toomp and Mike Dean’s bleating synths brought Graduation greater depth of musical character. Only Jon Brion could’ve given Late Registration the orchestral, Ivy League pomp it deserved. He knows his limitations, and if nothing else, his decision to write and produce his last few albums by committee communicates that. His persona has always thrived on his weaknesses as much as his strengths - and his awareness of them. When his mother passed and his girlfriend dumped him a few years back, he took to the airwaves with 808s & Heartbreak, which was one long Auto-Tuned emotional meltdown. His debut album, The College Dropout, dissected the highs and lows of the twentysomething worker bee with relatable everyman charm. For a pop star, Kanye West has always been shockingly transparent.

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