Graduation vs. Curtis
Now many of you on Newgrounds do not listen to hip hop music, and aren't really interested in it at all. But for those like me, who love it, would know about this controversy. Today, September 11th, the two biggest albums of the year came out. "Graduation" by Kanye West and "Curtis" by 50 Cent. I've purchased both, and already listened to both from beginning to end.
Curtis
(3/5 stars)
Curtis is generally a good album. I'm sure it's nowhere near as amazing as the hype would have lead one to believe, but it's definitely damn good. 50 has elevated his lyrics ten fold since "Get Rich or Die Trying", but it hasn't stopped him from being the same old 50 we've known and loved.
You can hear old and new in the album. The beats are pretty sick as usual, but they sound generically 50 (which is strong, loud, and gangster). His flow is really good compared to most of his stuff, and he doesn't really have a bad song on the whole album, which is definitely a good point.
I would listen to the album more than once, and have. He tries to be deep, but it's really over layed with the same old ghetto type stuff he's always done. Hard to break that barrier when your known for the same stuff 50 is known for.
In conclusion, it's some of his best work to date. And although he's trying to be something he wasn't always, he didn't really succeed. So if you love old 50, then your probably entering a win/win situation buying this album.
Graduation
(5/5 stars)
Kanye West is well known for, and expected to, deliver the best he possibly can, and the top of the charts when he's coming with something new. College Drop-Out broke the barrier when it was released. Late Registration did the same. And the repetition of the mind-blowing musical talent that Kanye West provides is continued with Graduation.
To be completely honest, Kanye is more talented than 50 in the first place. And if you had any doubt in your mind about my opinion, this album just proves my point further than need be. The lyrics are top-notch, deep and strong just like Kanye always is. The beats are hard, emotional, and as always, most are sampled.
The thing that makes Kanye's album even more personal and hard-hitting is the fact that Kanye isn't just providing the great lyrics, but even his killer beats. Both of them together just create music that I could listen to for hours, they harmonize amazingly. From "Good Morning" to "Good Night", Graduation slaughters Curtis (with no offense).
Overall, Graduation is the Best Album of the Year, hands down. Kanye is known for providing albums that kill everything else at the time; This album is definitely no exception.
So, wether you were planning on listening to these albums, or wether you give two shits about hip-hop, or wether you even knew about this controversy in the first place; That's my two cents. If you plan to buy the albums, I suggest you read my reviews.
