Kanye West breaks through some high expectations on the latest record from his label bearing the name “Kanye West presents GOOD Music: Cruel Summer,” released Sept. 8.
It entered the charts at No. 2 its first week on music charts, according to MTV’s official blog.
West continues to bring his expected provocative, hotline-spitting, in-your-face style on more than half the tracks on the album.
His last album in 2010, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and his previous collaboration with Jay-Z on “Watch The Throne” last year left much to look forward to for fans this year.
G.O.O.D music stands for Getting Out Our Dreams. That is what new rappers Pusha T and Big Sean have done by being part of an album with hip-hop juggernauts such as Wu Tang Clan, Ghost Face Killah and Raekwon.
Drake, R. Kelley, Ma$e and Jay-Z are not on the G.O.O.D. Music label yet give the compilation its diversity of high-profile artists that attracts many fans.
“Mercy” was one of the leaked singles to build up hype for the album. Twenty-four weeks since its release, it stands at No. 2 on the Billboard.com charts.
Hard-hitting 808 bass sound that is often played in dance clubs or heard in cars with serious sound systems makes you feel the attitude for the album.
John Legend, Cyhi the Prynce, Malik Yusef and Teyana Taylor represent the music label well on “Sin City.”
“Creepers” is a solo track produced by Dan Black featuring the pitch-switching flow of Kid Kudi that seems unorthodox for the style of the album.
Up-and-coming rapper 2 Chainz delivers the Southwest trap-style raps on the album to keep the variety plentiful.
Ending the compilation with the remix of Chief Keef’s “Don’t Like” leaves listeners wanting more of the bass-heavy crude rap style that the album has to offer.
The artists makes clever references to popular iconic fashion within the hip-hop culture, such as Air Jordan shoes, giving great mental imagery to keep the listener entertained.
Rapping about $350,000 Mercedes Maybachs, “buying 80 gold chains and going ignant” as West says on “Clique” is repetitive in the current rap world.
Lyrics addressing current issues such as Mitt Romney’s tax return and the spike in the murder rate in West’s hometown of Chicago in the summer of this year, bring a good element to the album.
Raising the concern of what is happening in today’s world is a key element of hip-hop that is needed in the music industry of today.
In an interview with BET’s popular TV show “106 and Park,” West explained how everything, from the album art cover to the music videos, are meant to speak for the album itself.
“Now we’re making music to create to, to be creative to; music you can listen to on your way to work so you can deal with your boss; music you listen to because you’re the boss so you could deal with your employees,” West said.
Do not expect to hear the newest solo Kanye West album, as the label is branching out to a bigger variety of sound genres.
With a $9.99 price tag on iTunes, it is an album with a variety of style, artist and enough controversial rap to keep any hip-hop listener entertained.
