Kanye West - Late Registration Review

Cullen Holas
Dec 22, 2020
4 min read

Kanye’s sophomore album Late Registration cemented him in Hip-Hop history not only as a producer but as a rapper. Coming off of the back of an amazing debut album in College Dropout Kanye had proven that he was not only a producer, but, just in case there was anyone out there at this time who still thought Kanye could not rap those doubts were undoubtedly put to rest in Late Registration. This album holds a special place in my heart not only because of the amazing production, great lyrical content and the amazing music videos that accompanied some of the songs but because this was the first ever album I listened to from track 1 to 21 and has stayed with me ever since that first listen. Growing over time and learning more about politics I started to notice just how special this piece of work from Kanye really was.

Kanye’s decision to team up with Jon Brion produces unforgivingly honest and hard-hitting songs such as ‘Diamonds from Sierra Leone’, ‘Heard ‘Em Say’, ‘Crack Music’ and ‘Roses’. Kanye was pushed to work on his story telling by Brion, making sure not one line is wasted. Brion’s commitment to producing a story (coming from his experience in making film scores) helped Kanye produce an unforgettable album which encapsulates you at every turn. Kanye focusses on the treatment of black Americans and the rife poverty that plagues America and is unforgiving in his attacks on the government. On ‘Heard ‘Em Say’ Kanye simply asks,

Before you ask me to get a job today

Can I at least get a raise of the minimum wage?

referencing the exploitation of low-income workers in America. On ‘Crack Music’ Kanye references absent fathers and the highly controversial Chicago Juvenile imprisonment system.

From the place where the father’s gone

The mothers is hardly home

And the Madigan’s lock us up in the Audy Home

His focus on the problems of black Americans continues into the remix version of ‘Diamonds are Forever where Kanye goes into the link between the struggle of the children involved in the blood diamond trade in Sierra Leone and drug trade in America.

Sierra Leone connects to what we go through today,

Over here it’s a drug trade, we die from drugs

Over there they die from what we buy from drugs

Roses features a more introspective Kanye looking at some of the trauma that he himself has had first-hand experience with. However, whilst being able to produce a track which is able to create empathy for him in the listener, he still connects it to inequality in America this time within the healthcare system.

If Magic Johnson got a cure for AIDS

And all the broke motherfuckers passed away

You telling me if my granma’s in the NBA

Right now she’d be okay? But since she

Was just a secretary, worked for the church for 35 years

Things ‘sposed to stop right here.

‘Hey Mama’ is another example of Kanye being able to create an emotional connection with him and the listener. This heartfelt testament to his mother can connect with everyone. A perfect track from start to finish I will proudly admit to having been brought to tears multiple times by it. The video proves further the relationship Kanye and Donda West had and only makes her death even more tragic. RIP DONDA WEST.

Kanye Flexes his diversity on this album going from the social conscious rapper in the examples above to becoming his own therapist of sorts on ‘Addiction’, ‘Celebration’ and ‘Gone’. Documenting his struggles with fame and the problems it brings with him. In all three he references drugs, alcohol and sex as he stumbles through life in the limelight all whilst providing us with scandal, an early look into what Kanye would be most known for in the future. Just when you think he can’t be any wilder Kanye hits us with the second verse on Celebration (when Saint hears this one there’s definitely going to be some questions asked). ‘Gone’ is a moment of realisation for Kanye. On his 2nd verse on the song that also features Cam’ron and Consequence Kanye delivers a stand out performance as he realises his own greatness and importance to the Hip-Hop genre as well as his success and vows that he’s never let anyone use him for his talent.

Shorties at the door ‘cause they need more

Inspiration for they life, they souls, and they songs

They said, “Sorry, Mr. West is gone”

Kanye also finds time to flaunt his success in the face of his haters in ‘Bring me Down’ and the original version of ‘Diamonds From Sierra Leone’. These songs represent to massive middle fingers being shoved in the faces of anyone that has ever doubted Kanye. Brandy’s vocals laced in with the dramatic strings and heavy drums creates a soundscape of epic proportions allowing Kanye to seliver shot after shot at his haters. On the other hand, Shirley Bassey’s sample on ‘Diamonds From Sierra Leone’ and the fantastic brass fanfare that accompanies it conjures images of Kanye West in his best Tuxedo drinking a martini whilst he tells you why he’s better than you.

‘Touch the Sky’ and ‘Gold Digger’ are two of Kanye’s most popular party anthems. The former speaks of Kanye’s never ending grind and his willingness to eb the greatest, accompanied with a perfect brass lead beat and an even better music video (the man had Pamela Anderson in batty riders for god sake). ‘Gold Digger’ as a song is not that special in my opinion but it features what is probably Jamie Foxx’s musical pinnacle and will undoubtedly be played at 9/10 parties that you go to for the rest of your life.