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Album

Kanye West

The College Dropout

The College Dropout is the debut album by Kanye West, released by Roc-A-Fella in February 2004.

The story

Labels saw Kanye as a producer, not a rapper. He proved them wrong starting with “Through the Wire,” recorded with his jaw wired shut after a 2002 car crash. “Slow Jamz” reached No. 1, “Jesus Walks” won a Grammy for Best Rap Song, and the album won Best Rap Album.

Sound and production

Kanye produced most of it himself with sped-up soul samples, live strings and gospel choirs, the sound he had perfected on The Blueprint.

Legacy

It opened rap to middle-class, self-doubting and religious perspectives, and launched one of the most influential careers in music.

Tracklist & credits

Produced by Kanye West

  1. A1
    We Don't Care
  2. A2
    Graduation Day
  3. A3
    All Falls Down
  4. A4
    Spaceship
  5. A5
    Jesus Walks
  6. B1
    Never Let Me Down
  7. B2
    Get Em High
  8. B3
    The New Workout Plan
  9. B4
    Through The Wire
  10. C1
    Slow Jamz
  11. C2
    Breathe In Breathe OutProd. Brian "All Day" Miller
  12. C3
    School Spirit
  13. C4
    Two Words
  14. D1
    Family Business
  15. D2
    Last CallProd. Evidence

Tracklist and producer credits: Discogs. Gear credits: Breakbeat Archive, sourced on each credit.

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