Tag Archives: Kanye West

EW names “The College Dropout” album of the decade; Kanye blushes

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Entertainment Weekly has named Kanye West’s “The College Dropout” album of the decade.  “The 2004 debut from West — a revolutionarily relatable rapper who also happened to be a beatmaking genius — was accepted into the hip-hop canon instantly, no diploma needed.”

West was quick to comment (in all caps, mind you) on this special occasion on his blog.  It’s pasted in its entirety after the break.

The following albums round out the top ten:

1. The College Dropout, Kanye West (2004)
2. The Blueprint, Jay-Z (2001)
3. Kid A, Radiohead (2000)
4. Stankonia, OutKast (2000)
5. Love And Theft, Bob Dylan (2001)
6. Home, The Dixie Chicks (2002)
7. Funeral, The Arcade Fire (2004)
8. I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé (2008)
9. FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake, (2006)
10. You Are Free, Cat Power (2003)

[Via EW; KanyeBlog; RapRadar]

Continue reading EW names “The College Dropout” album of the decade; Kanye blushes →

Kanye West’s Pasttell clothing line makes an appearence, yet still nowhere in sight

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So here’s a long story made short.

Rapper Kanye West first introduced his concept clothing line called Pastelle in Spring 2006.  Over three years later, we still do not have any definitive information about it.  Although it appears Kanye has worn nunmerous peices from what is now called the Past-Tell line, not a single article of clothing or accessories have been released yet.  According to its Wikipedia page, Kanye has made it known that “The first Pastelle Clothing store will open up late 2009 in Chicago — followed by the New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco launch.”  The website Past.Tell.Museum has been idle ever since its creation.

Today the blog The Black Nouveau has “sourced” three photos of what may be future Pasttell jackets and shirts.  As the official announcement of the clothing line keeps getting pushed year after year, I’m skeptical if Pasttell will ever become a reality.  Now, though, with Kanye taking a break from touring, maybe he will find some time to fulfill the promise he made three years ago.

[Via The Black Nouveau; Wiki]

[Thanks, Corey Z.]

Glow in the Dark tour photo book

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This collection of images documents Kanye West’s 2008 Glow in the Dark tour.  According to Examiner: “The 288-page book provides a look at on stage performances, behind-the-scenes shots, conceptual sketches by West, costume designs, and stage models. It also includes an audio CD featuring the previously unreleased live instrumentals for “Hey Mama,” “Touch the Sky,” “Jesus Walks,” and “I Wonder,” as well as an interview with video and film director Spike Jonze.”

The book is designed by Base, published by Rizzoli, and includes pictures by Nabil Elderkin, who directed West’s “Paranoid” and “Welcome to Heartbreak” music videos.  You can preorder it here or here to book for $30.

[Via KanyeBlog]

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Fame Kills Tour is dead

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Well, that didn’t last long.  According to a LiveNation press release, Kanye West and Lady Gaga’s much-hyped Fame Kills Tour has officially been cancelled.  Although no comments have come from the West and Gaga camps, people have been speculating that the cancellation may stem from West’s negative publicity (re: his latest stint at the MTV Video Music Awards), poor early ticket sales, and “creative differences” between the two headlining artists.  A Lady Gaga choreographer LaurieAnn Gibson Twittered that the cancellation was due to such “creative differences.”  Also, Kanye had mentioned on The Jay Leno show that he wanted to take a much needed break from the tours and the albums; maybe this is his way of actually proving his point.

Refunds are available at the point of purchase, and if you purchased tickets online or on the telephone they will be refunded automatically.  Also, according to the tour website, the Club membership fee will be refunded, too.  Details on this will be made available “shortly.”

Update: Lady Gaga has commented on the cancellation today, though she did not go into much detail.  “Well, actually, it was a mutual decision to cancel the tour.  But I’m not taking any time off, so I’ll be leaving just a week later than I was supposed to on my own solo tour. It will be the same places. So I will see you guys there. I’m putting out my re-release as well — The Fame Monster on November 24.  In respects to the creative work that [Kanye and I] did together, I won’t be doing any of the things that we designed for the tour.  It will be entirely new, and it will be just as amazing and memorable and epic.”

[Via MTV, here & here; Canada.com]

Music video: Drake – “Forever” (Featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Eminem)

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There’s a reason this song made its way to the number one spot on the iTunes chart and still resides in the top ten.  It’s good.  I will point out, though, that some of the featured artists do bring it down some.  Yeezy and Weezy’s verses are weak in comparison to Eminem’s crazy good verse that follows.  It’s worth the listen for the catchy chorus, and even more so for Em’s ingenious rhyme-fest at the end.  Download “Forever” on iTunes here.

[Via KanyeBlog]

Special edition Nike Air Yeezys auctioned for a combined total of $23,900

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Nike auctioned two special edition Air Yeezy sneakers.  Each of them are one-of-a-kind and were only made available for the sole purpose of the auction.

“One pair features a black leather upper and Jordan VI bottom, the first and only time the shoe will be made available with a Jumpman logo, and the other pair is THE Air Yeezy that Kanye worn on The 50th Annual Grammy Awards.”  As cool as these kicks are I cannot see anyone getting tooexcited about wanting to get a sneaker Kanye West wore at an awards show.  (Tee-hee…)

However, it’s for a good cause, and they are certainly nice pairs of sneakers that come in equally nice boxes.  The auctions ended last night.  The Jordan VI-inspired pair sold for $7,400 and the West-worn pair sold for $16,500.  DAMN!  All proceeds went to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital that’s located in Portland, Oregon. 

See the gallery below for more images of the sneaker, a peek at the box, and the winning eBay pages.

[Via KanyeBlog; The Shoe Game]

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Conan, Obama jab Kanye, Kanye deserves it and more

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[Click here to hear President Obama call Kanye a “jackass.”  This audio snippet was recored and picked up by TMZ from a pre-interview with CNBC.]

Oh Kanye.  Will you ever, ever learn from your mistakes?  I am a big fan of your music and I have supported all that you do musically.  You have changed the game of hip-hop and rap, and for that you deserve an applause.  However, it is very hard for me to continue accepting your apologies for your reckless acts outside the recording studio and off the tour stage.  Yes, you are a celebrity and that comes with a price of always being watched and analyzed.  But that does not give you reason to act like a total fool every chance you get.  Taylor Swift won her award fair and square, and you had no legitimate reason to destroy her moment.  Thankfully Beyonce is a person with class; she allotted her special time to Taylor, to give her a second chance at thanking her fans, friends, and family.  You could learn a thing or two from the person you rudely interrupted.  In the end, Kanye, it all comes down to this: if you do not change your attitude, help yourself to turn the corner and become a better person I will not support you any longer.  Believe me, this is something I do not want to do.  You are a very talented musician and I respect what you have done with your music and helping kids stay in school with the Kanye West Foundation.  But “sorry” does not cut it anymore.  My final words to you are these:  Change or leave.

Music Video: Jay-Z – Run This Town (Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West)

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Jay-Z’s latest album The Blueprint 3 drops September 11.  The album will feature Rihanna, Kanye West (on two tracks), Kid Cudi, Luke Steele, Young Jeezy, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beats, Drake, Pharrell, and Mr Hudson.  DAMN!  Look after the break of the album cover and backside for the track listing.

[Via KanyeBlog; DatNewCudi]

Continue reading Music Video: Jay-Z — Run This Town (Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) →