“You might think you've peeped the scene, you haven't. The real one is far too mean. The watered down, the one you know was made up centuries ago. They it sound all wack and corny. Yes, it's awful blasted boring. Twisted fiction, sick addiction, well gather round children, zip it listen!”
“Dark Fantasy” -Kanye West
For all the Kanye West fans out there, Nov. 22 is an extremely important date for one reason and one reason alone. Nov. 22, 2010, marked the release of West’s fifth studio album entitled, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." Now, it has been five years since the release of that album and since the anniversary date has passed, I thought it would be just to revisit that album and everything that made it and West one of the future greats.
I understand that Kanye West has not been viewed in such a great light in the media. However, I would beg to differ but that is another article for another time. This article will solely focus on the greatness that West is known for musically. I will be providing a small background information regarding the making of the album and talking about what tracks are my favorite on the album.
Around the time the album was in the process of being made, West was only viewed in a negative light and the Taylor Swift incident at the 2009 VMAs did not help his image at all. West was on the verge of quitting music altogether, indeed West needed a break for a while. Flying out to Hawaii ending up being the creation of the album. According to Complex Magazine’s "Project Runaway," a cover story about the making of the album, West had numerous artists fly out and stay in Hawaii throughout the duration of the album. Artists ranged from Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, RZA and more: all providing their own unique style and voice to the album. Routine was to have breakfast around 10 a.m. where only music could be discussed at the table, then head over to Honolulu's YMCA and play a few games of 21 with the locals, have free time until 3pm, and finally head over to the studio. It was rumored that West never slept in his home in Hawaii while creating the album. West would take 90 minute naps in the studio and work through the long hours of the night.
Although, the album consists of only 13 tracks and a bonus track if purchased on iTunes, I will choose the four songs that I believe were the best on the album and why they are my favorite. In no particular order.
1. "A Devil In A New Dress" The introduction only should get you to listen to the whole track. It has a jazz and symphonic feel to it, all while having that hip hop undertone. Do not even get me started on the flow of the lyrics and how they fit perfectly into the song, “Put your hands to the constellations. The way you look should be a sin, you my sensation.” Not to mention Rick Ross has a very nice verse that also fits perfectly with the song. This is the type of joint you play in a dim lighted restaurant with your significant other to show that you are romantic but still can keep it hood at the same time.
2. "Blame Game" Again the introduction with the piano accompanied by the voice of John Legend should be enough to tell you that this is worth a listen to. Although, this is one of the darker tracks on the album, due to the lyrics within the song, I still consider it to be one of the best. The song is essentially about a relationship gone bad but the way it was produced makes it have a elegant sound to it. So much, that one could easily sing along to the hook without realizing that this probably is not one of those songs. Not to mention the ending, with the narration with Chris Rock, is to die for. Why? Because Yeezy taught me.
3. "Dark Fantasy" Kanye West has never had a bad introduction to any of his albums and this song just proves that again. Starting off with Nicki Minaj providing us with a thugged out version of Roald Dahl’s Cinderella in his book, “Revolting Rhymes.” Then by Teyana Taylor giving us the hook that gives us the feel that this song might be going in a different approach musically. As soon as the beat drops and West starts rapping, it reminds us of how well West can flow this words. Again, a well produced song that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
4. "Runaway" Starting off with that single piano note playing repeatedly until the song gets underway, and remains there throughout the duration of the song, is just one of the many pieces of this song that sends chills down your spine. Played at the 2010 VMAs, a year after the Taylor Swift incident, although West expressed that it was not an apology at the time; it was viewed as a way to apologize and possibly one of the greatest performance and one hell of a comeback. The chorus is almost charming in a way, as West expressing that he strives to find perfection and is never satisfied. With the combination of Pusha T’s voice adding a nice balance between the elegant singing and grittiness.
Even though I listed only four songs, the whole album is worth listening to. The album ranges from many different styles and voices, making it one of the most unique listening experiences. So much that one almost has to put aside what they personally think about West and respect his musical talent as an artist.
“I didn't write my raps down for my first four albums, I just did it from the head straight to the booth but on this last album, ' My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', I wrote it. I really put myself in the zone that I felt that my life was dependent on the success of this album. With that being the case I said, 'you know what, no matter what anybody says about me, I can write something that can makes someone that hates me the most have to really respect and love the song',” as told by West in an outtake of Ice T’s documentary, "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap."
