Kanye West - New Album

[Estranged Reality]

No matter what you may think of the guy, you've gotta give him props for really delivering for his fans. He answers questions on Twitter and uploaded his first Ustream yesterday: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8757510

He basically just answers endless questions about his recording process for the new album (interesting stuff like: he plays movies like There Will Be Blood and Children of Men and writes songs as he's watching them like they're soundtracks).

The new video for "Power" (upcoming album's first single) went online last night as well and it's very...unique. He says that they didn't plan to use it as the first single but it leaked online early, so they made a video for it. I found it an interesting comparison to the case we're all very familiar with on this forum where songs leaked early for GN'R and they kinda backed away from them instead of taking advantage of the attention.

Edited August 7, 2010 by Estranged Reality

[Jumpin' Jack Flash]

Isn't it due for release October 12?

[SacDogg]

Can you ask him if he likes Fish Sticks? Does he enjoy putting them in his mouth?

Edited August 7, 2010 by SacDogg

[Zint]

[Nobodys_Fault]

The only gripe I have about the Power video is that it's too short. If you're going to make a music video Kanye at least let us hear the full damn song.

Think he did something similar with the Flashing lights video too... I like that he's being creative with the thing but at the same time the primary focus of a music video should be the music.

[Guest Nasty Nate]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

[SpUd_Jr]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

[Cdlove]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

[SunnyDRE]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

This.

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base?

No.

For some of the things he talks about (homophobia in the black community and Uncle Tomism), and his effort to invent "hip-rock."

Edited August 7, 2010 by SunnyDRE

[SpUd_Jr]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

Ke$ha sings party tunes, which is exactly what 808's wasn't. Few rap fans are interested in an album of electropop songs about a failed relationship.

[Cdlove]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

Ke$ha sings party tunes, which is exactly what 808's wasn't. Few rap fans are interested in an album of electropop songs about a failed relationship.

I think there are more electro-pop fans than Rap fans. Sales of 808's kinda proves it.

[SpUd_Jr]

It worked out alright, but it was still a risk. Anytime you make a major musical change, you risk losing fans.

[Cdlove]

We're talking about rap fans, they arent suck up snobs like metal/rock fans.

[SunnyDRE]

We're talking about rap fans, they arent suck up snobs like metal/rock fans.

They are more stuck up.

Fans of Hip Hop hate change of direction, more the rock fans, imo.

It worked out alright, but it was still a risk. Anytime you make a major musical change, you risk losing fans.

Excatly.

Especially, in Hip Hop/R&B

[SpUd_Jr]

I'd say rap fans are pretty wary of the artists they like changing their styles. Rebirth sold way less than Tha Carter III, and TC IV will likely outsell it.

[SunnyDRE]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

Ke$ha sings party tunes, which is exactly what 808's wasn't. Few rap fans are interested in an album of electropop songs about a failed relationship.

I think there are more electro-pop fans than Rap fans.

I wouldn't say that.

These days people want music they can dance to. They don't care if it's label as electro-pop or rap.

[SunnyDRE]

I'd say rap fans are pretty wary of the artists they like changing their styles. Rebirth sold way less than Tha Carter III, and TC IV will likely outsell it.

No doubt.

And to take it back even further; There are tons of "rap fans" that hate everything Outkast did after Atliens, or think that on All Eyez On Me, Tupac sold out.

"Street Creed/Hood Pass", is still something that is taken into account with dealing rap artists. It probaly shouldn't be..but it is.

Edited August 7, 2010 by SunnyDRE

[Cdlove]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

Ke$ha sings party tunes, which is exactly what 808's wasn't. Few rap fans are interested in an album of electropop songs about a failed relationship.

I think there are more electro-pop fans than Rap fans.

I wouldn't say that.

These days people want music they can dance to. They don't care if it's label as electro-pop or rap.

I think if they had a choice between Lady Gaga and Fat Joe/Kanye, they would go with Gaga.

[SunnyDRE]

I think he sold out too much on his last album. Now he's just a pretentious asshole.

If anything, his last album was a huge risk.

For a more diverse fan base? Autotuning while singing isnt exactly a risk nowadays....looks at Ke$ha.

Ke$ha sings party tunes, which is exactly what 808's wasn't. Few rap fans are interested in an album of electropop songs about a failed relationship.

I think there are more electro-pop fans than Rap fans.

I wouldn't say that.

These days people want music they can dance to. They don't care if it's label as electro-pop or rap.

I think if they had a choice between Lady Gaga and Fat Joe/Kanye, they would go with Gaga.

I disagree.

A good hip hop booty shaker, kills pop most anyday.

Usher is what is tearing it up in the clubs right now. Not Gaga.

[SacDogg]

50-Cent better anyways, he the voice of the generation over Kayne. One thing for sure, it ain't gonna be no white person.

[Lithium]

50-Cent better anyways, he the voice of the generation over Kayne. One thing for sure, it ain't gonna be no white person.

You're being a bit incoherent, my friend. Are you saying that the voice of their generation isn't a white person? Eminem is a far better candidate for "the voice of the generation" than both 50 and Kanye.

[SacDogg]

50-Cent better anyways, he the voice of the generation over Kayne. One thing for sure, it ain't gonna be no white person.

You're being a bit incoherent, my friend. Are you saying that the voice of their generation isn't a white person? Eminem is a far better candidate for "the voice of the generation" than both 50 and Kanye.

Their generation? You mean my generation. Eminem may be a better rapper if you are strictly speaking of skills, but 50 Cent has the voice...and he can actually sing. No matter how hard Em tries, he won't be having a real black voice.

The last white person who resided as the voice of a generation was Janis Joplin.

[Lithium]

Their generation? You mean my generation. Eminem may be a better rapper if you are strictly speaking of skills, but 50 Cent has the voice...and he can actually sing. No matter how hard Em tries, he won't be having a real black voice.

The last white person who resided as the voice of a generation was Janis Joplin.

Just because you prefer an artist over another doesn't make the artist you prefer "the voice of a generation"; nor does being a better singer or having a "blacker" (wtf) voice. People that are labelled the voice of a generation should be a someone who represents the generation in question through their music.

And the last white person I can think of who has frequently been labelled the voice of a generation is Kurt Cobain, not Janis Joplin.

Edited August 8, 2010 by Lithium

[SacDogg]

Their generation? You mean my generation. Eminem may be a better rapper if you are strictly speaking of skills, but 50 Cent has the voice...and he can actually sing. No matter how hard Em tries, he won't be having a real black voice.

The last white person who resided as the voice of a generation was Janis Joplin.

Just because you prefer an artist over another doesn't make the artist you prefer "the voice of a generation"; nor does being a better singer or having a "blacker" (wtf) voice. People that are labeled the voice of a generation should be a someone who represents the generation in question through their music.

And the last white person I can think of who has frequently been labeled the voice of a generation is Kurt Cobain, not Janis Joplin.

TuPac was the voice of that specific generation since he spoke to both blacks and whites. Kurt did not come to represent blacks in the early-mid 90s. Simple math.

I never said I preferred 50 Cent over Eminem, they are both equally talented. What I am saying is that the sound quality of the voice of 50 Cent is of higher quality.

Could you please point out where I supposedly said "blacker" voice? I don't know what that means either. You have confused us both with that one.

Edited August 8, 2010 by SacDogg

[Lithium]

TuPac was the voice of that specific generation since he spoke to both blacks and whites. Kurt did not come to represent blacks in the early-mid 90s. Simple math.

I never said I preferred 50 Cent over Eminem, they are both equally talented. What I am saying is that the sound quality of the voice of 50 Cent is of higher quality.

Could you please point out where I supposedly said "blacker" voice? I don't know what that means either. You have confused us both with that one.

What about Asians? Native Americans? Eskimos? I don't think finding out how many ethnic groups a particular artist appeals to will help you conclude anything.

The "sound quality"? What the hell does that mean? Can he hit higher notes than Em? If so, how does that even matter? They're rappers, not opera singers. It's not even relevant to the subject - the definition of a so-called "voice of a generation" is someone who is the best representative of the generation in question; a spokesman, an iconic figure.

For some reason you implied that Eminem tried to have a "black" voice, and thus implying that having a black voice was somehow a factor in being the voice of a generation.