Bob

The bonus track "Good Night" featuring Mos Def on Kanye's album is unbelievable and should definitely be on the official album...

that was awesome!!! I like Peedi on this..

Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado are the only two currently who will go to him for albums yet neither are hip hop artists. All the names you've mentioned have not done so in recent years. As I have said, within the last 5 years, nothing he's brought to the table has been innovative. Before that, definitely. He used to be so creative that no one really could even compare. Yet, in the last 5 years I've seen nothing but laziness on his behalf. Yes, Nas, Snoop and Jay have gone to Timbo for songs in the past, yet they haven't worked with him recently. Jay was reluctant to get on anything Timbaland made last year, even for Timbo's own last album. He passed over the beat now used for "Ayo Technology" when recording "Kingdom Come" and basically was pleaded with by Timbo to get on a remix for Shock Value. Nas, after the one song in 1999 I believe, hasn't gone to Timbaland for anything. The only Timbaland song I can honestly was somewhat creative in the recent past was probably Busta Rhymes "Get Down" just for the acoustic feel. And yes, I don't enjoy fallout boy as well so it was tough enough to muster the strength to listen to such a collaboration ha.

I completely disagree...that's actually one of the tracks that I'd reference in my argument. It's a live band with a new sound (relatively) and Timbaland put claps, a deeper bass, and then used a flanger on their guitar. It's really basic and to me, not innovative. He really only did audio engineering on their usual style, with his technique. Production was very limited on that track. He really just adapts their sound to his, rather than the other way. Where a pete rock or will.i.am are versatile regardless of the artist, Timbaland stays relatively stagnant.

He was interviewed 3 months ago saying how he's too creative for the game and no one is on his level. He said that it's boring for him. To me he is the 50 cent of producers: egotistical...distinct in his sound, and repetitive in his technique...while limited in skill. I haven't heard innovation for the last 5 years from Timbaland. I hear repetition. I hear deep bass sequences with a digitally enhanced snare. I hear no experimentation with sound but rather molding every new idea or old technique to this techno-based style Timbaland loves. He takes a rock band and shoves the bass on the drum way up...and then adds a couple snaps...maybe a swishing sound. Yes, everyone goes to him for A SONG...but no one goes to him for AN ALBUM...because where a Pete Rock, a Kanye West, a Just Blaze, a Jonathan Rotem, a Jazzy Jeff, a Dr. Dre, a J. Dilla, a Scott Storch can produce a wide range of sounds and themes...Timbaland sticks with the one style. I don't see any fresh style from a guy who puts the same fundamental sound on every track he does. He is very caught up in the fame and his own hype. Also, his singles disrupt the flow of albums. If you look back, none of the candidates for last year's top Hip Hop albums had a Timbaland track. Nas, Game, and Jay-Z stayed away from the Timbaland sound. In doing so, the stayed away from conforming to the standard, uncreative movement to single over album. And here's the dagger: Timbaland knows one thing. Europe has it right regarding the most catchy, most despensable genre of music. It's techno and for that, yes his music gets played over and over, since the voice on the track is different. All he does is take the hottest thing in Germany...like the beats he admitted to have plagerized. So the time for people to become fed up takes longer, yet eventually that sound saturates the market. Kanye almost did so, and then took a huge course in production by collaborating with that composer on his Late Registration album. I think Timbaland is one of the most overrated producers to have stepped foot into the game.

Ya, it's nice...but you gotta check out the other half of it..."Evening News" which is even better!!

seriously, he used to be an innovative producer...but think about it...the songs on the radio are trash half because of dumb over-synthesized beats....and who's producing all the radio songs?

what timbaland are we talking about here? I know the timbaland who punches a few keys, steals intellectual material from other producers, and just adds bass to everything he touches. his album was terrible....

Ok, it's obvious I'm biased and do not like 50 Cent but to be fair I spent alot of time listening to "Curtis" to try and be objective. Kanye's "Graduation" is much easier to listen to, as it would be for anyone of us. Anyway, first "Curtis": 01. Intro-Actually brought me to expect a "Reasonable Doubt" theme from the album just because of the mafia tones... 02. My Gun Go Off- Typical G-Unit with hard guitar and tight strings. Very forgettable. 03. Man Down- Again with the strong G-Unit heavy block-bass with chimes. A little synthesizer and piano. Mentions pergatory but goes nowhere with the story. 04. I'll Still Kill featuring Akon- Extremely hot production. The choppy beat is one of Akon's best. 50 Cent actually flows decently on this. Really powerful stuff. Decent. 05. I Get Money- We've all heard this. Hot production, good choice to follow Akon's best work. 06. Come & Go Feat. Dr. Dre- No real vocals from Dre except "Kick Em Out." This was what 50 referred to as "In Da Club pt. 2"...I can see why. A different feel. Choppy strong, high pitch cord with classic Dre bass-backed piano. Trumpets placed well. Very powerful from 50. Again, a surprise. 07. Ayo Technology Feat. Justin Timberlake- We've all heard this one too. As much as I dislike Timbaland...it's catchy as hell. Timberlake is growing on me just for his work on Kweli's album. Enjoyable flow. 08. Follow My Lead Feat. Robin Thicke- Another song that's a single with music video. Funny to think Will Smith was collaborating with the same artist. Simple production with good flow. Would be classy if not for his male-ego rhymes. 09. Movin On Up- Another G-Unit block-based bass track with metal clang. Forgettable. Really terrible themes regarding people's daughters. 10. Straight to the Bank Feat. Tony Yayo- Old in retrospect. I guess people like it. I never felt the song. We've heard it though. 11. Amusement Park- Failure of a song. Really lazy and thus the reaction this song has recieved. 12. Fully Loaded Clip- Dre saves this track a little with the production. The creativity of this song is along the lines of "Ghetto Quaran" so....it's tolerable. 13. Peep Show Feat. Eminem- 2 chords, one swish sound tied to an 808 drum and one shallow electric guitar set. 50 seems threatened on every track he's on with Eminem. Faster pace than usual...It feels like an Eminem written hook though. Eminem ABSOLUTELY MAILS-IN THE LYRICS. Pointless, idiotic stuff. 14. Fire Feat. Nicole Scherzinger and Young Buck- Feels like a beat that would better suit and young-up-n-coming two-step kid. One line he says is " You can hate it but face it, Tupac and Biggie aint around." Ouch. Nicole is more of an ear-sore than 50 on this song. Young Bucks placement is good. 15. All of Me Feat. Mary J. Blige- Another G-unit block-bass beat. YOU'D THINK 50 would say something creative with Mary J. on the track. Very recycled flow and rhyme. 16. Curtis 187- Feels like a combination of an Eminem-backed beat and a late 80's beat. That's the only real thing to mention. Forgettable except for the minor treat to old school feel. 17. Touch The Sky Feat. Tony Yayo- Initially feels like it could be something special. Nice shout out to Biggie and Pac....but then it's a dance song. Ugh. Yayo makes me have a headache. Talking about myspace pages. WOW. Album Rating: *1/2 A star for good production on half the album, and a half for an attempt on good flow for a quarter of the album... Now for the fun: Kanye West- "Graduation": 01. Gord Morning- Piano plus soothing beat and harmonic strings. Great way to enter the cd. A little too strong on the vocals for such a track. But all in all a great start. 02. Champion- I love the sample from Steeley Dan. A Shoutout to "WILL SMITH AND HIS SON".. :wickedwisdom: Very fun track. 03. Stronger- The DRUMS ARE REDONE BY TIMBALAND...AND SUCK. ALL HE DID WAS COMPLETELY BLOW THE BASS OVERBOARD. IT'S GOING TO KILL MY SPEAKERS. meh 04. I Wonder- MY FAVORITE TRACK This sample is amazing. He didn't mess with it either so it's really great. The violins are a proof that Kanye learned from his co-producer (and composer) of his last album. So soulful.... 05. Good Life Feat. T-Pain- I don't like T-Pain. I don't like T-Pain. I don't like T-Pain. I...LOVE...this song. It's true. Perfect use of T-Pain. Shoutout to Philly in this. Just a thankful song mentioning how good life is. A Michael Jackson distorted sample. 06. Can't Tell Me Nothing- It's an anthem that's awesome. I just wish he woulda opted out of the whole Jeezy ad-lib. 07. Barry Bonds Feat. Lil' Wayne- Weakest song on the album. It feels like a really bad throwaway mixtape track. Interesting production...again really thrown together. Lil Wayne is lazy. 08. Drunk and Hot Girls Feat. Mos Def- This song's beat coulda worked for a more gangsta rap artist. But it's creative and dark. I like Kanye on this. Unfortunately, Mos Def doesn't rap...only sings. Creepy track that is growing on me. Theme is weird but I like it. 09. Flashing Lights Feat. Dwele- Wow, what a way to produce a song. Again amazing combination of Hip Hop and composing. Synthesizers are pretty well placed. I like the theme of star-struck, overwhelmed rich women. 10. Everything I Am Feat. DJ Premier- Tight, but simple scratches on point...with distinct piano instrumental and light bass. Very simple yet leaves the door open for Kanye to deliver quality lyrics. And he does. Really introspective. 11. The Glory- Very soulful with a sample that isn't but fooled me as a Jackson 5 sample...again, it isn't. I believe this was supposed to be on Common's Cd but was left off. Fun. Lyrically not too special. 12. Homecoming Feat. Chris Martin- It FEELS soo much like Elton John is on the piano. I SWEAR. Maybe it's me whacked out late in my dorm but my dad's extensive Elton John collection hits me over the head on this song. Martin is subdued. Better, much better than Jay's collab with Martin. Fun track that is just something to play in your house for the next 30 years. Has such a 1970's piano, english-pop feel. I love it. "Do you think about me now and then? Cause I'm coming home again. Baby, do you remember when fireworks at Lake Michigan?" :wiggle: Kanye pays hommage to his home. My second favorite track easily. 13. Big Brother- Kanye makes an emotional song with the sound of another "Encore" feel....and is a song who's theme is dedicated to Jay-Z. Very honest, soul-exposing song. Production-wise, I enjoy Encore and this equally as Kanye's most enjoyable production. Not too much...Not too little. Album Rating: **** 4 Stars for great production, flow, and themes. Not a five because of the terrible change to a fun "Stronger" and the horrendous "Barry Bonds." Everything else was near-perfect. I say this year so far, the top albums are: 1. Ear Drum-Talib Kweli 2. Finding Forever- Common 3. Graduation- Kanye West I hoped you enjoyed the review...

if TROM + the "Hip Hop is Dead" movement didn't get him to actually record like he said he was...I think we might just have to accept he's done. it's a sad reality but he seems content

my bad, its hard to tell what people mean w/o hearing their tone of voice or somethin. thanks bart5... no really, in the time that i've been here...some of the guys in this forum really do know jeff or will and have posted videos with em or pictures with em...So, I figured if there was any place to see if this "little John" exists/a glorified philly-rapper...I'd figure it be here... plus who knows...my knowledge of rappers/dj's from the late 80's early 90's is still growing...so it coulda been like when I learned of Marley Marl...I had no clue who that guy was until a few years ago... geez :paperbag:

you'd want to believe so... but then 50's ego is too big for something like that.. idk I just think alot of this is 50 trying to appeal to those who like united hip hop/kanye but then he wants to flip flop back as this hard, uber-macho gangsta rapper. wait...I GOT IT... 50 Cent=John Kerry. :yeahthat:

:stickpoke: ahha yo AJ, or anyone for that matter...when Will Smith says "Yo, you know where little John lives on the corner The extension cord'll run perfectly to his crib" ~ Block Party off of Born to Reign... who's he talking about?..anyone know?

lol i saw that, it was on the friday night project, it was so funny. Kanye also said he didnt wanna mess with 50 coz hes a big intimidating guy. ahah yes... BUT THEY PERFORMED TOGETHER LAST NIGHT?????? http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5615...erform-together there's a video and all...aha WOW. 50 is also shaking diddy and jay-z's hands not even a week after saying he didn't like diddy or jay irony.

Well now Kanye is quoted as saying "Well, I'll say this...please, please 50, when I outsell you, don't stop making music. I really like it" AHAHHA. awesome kanye. the video is on onsmash.net and its his UK interview recently... And as much as Lil Wayne isn't my favorite rapper in the world lol, he should be releasing his diss song "Gossip" at 50 right before the release date.... oh, and mfuqua23....I may upload some stuff...I'm really a quiet guy about my tracks and usually do it for me and my close friends just for some fun instrumentals or whatever else.. but i've been doing alot more recently so, like I said, I may try that whole upload thing over the next few months

I checked the store...I'm thinking of gettin myself one... No mediums or smalls? they've all sold out i'm afraid.. once these shirts go they'll never be done again.. well if there are no mediums or smalls i guess i'll have to pass... :sipread: it's either that or stocking up on cheesesteaks down at Pats for the next week until I go back to college lol :fencing:

ah, thanks man! it's what I try to do so I can hone my own producing skills...or lack thereof haha.

I checked the store...I'm thinking of gettin myself one... No mediums or smalls?

Whenever someone says "oh you just like will because he doesn't curse" I immediately turn to this song to show the flow he's got... Like last night before going to see Superbad... My friend Jen said that exact quote so I had her sit and listen before going into the movies... "Wow, when did he rap like that?" "Uh, since 1988 and to this day"

except for that baseline, he basically stripped the real high pitch off the track for most of the song...and uses those keys that he was playing on every performance Will did in 2005...Live 8, Mandella...all of those performances he used those keys when Will would talk an intro into the song... I like it... but ya, WHY AT THE END OF SUMMER????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I've got a week before college again, and it's depressing to know the summer is saying goodbye....

amen

ya i mean willenium musta been a failure considering it went how many times platinum and was in the napster digital age? plus...will did movies and only had two bonafide singles on that and a borrowed one from the wild, wild, west movie.. willenium was classic

the one joke regarding benoit was down right wrong... way too soon and i don't know if it will ever not be too soon when poking fun at a father who killed his kid... I was surprised Kimmel wasn't censored on that one

The focus question I believe is a very subjective one, but delivery and flow? If anything, I think his direct working relationship with Consequence, a hero to him, and his continued work with Common has only upped his ability...now he does get lazy at times, but other times he's miles ahead of his old ways. Compare "Bittersweet" which FINALLY leaked and was going to be included on his last album only to be held back how many years for Graduation, with Southside or Can't Tell me Nothing...if anything, I think he's really stepped his game up. And Production? I feel he's finally gotten away from his signature foot-stomp beats with his near perfect production of Finding Forever. He perfectly, and I say perfectly, mimicked DJ Premier beat-mapping in "The Game" and showed so much ability in "Forever Begins" and "The People." His work on "Couldn't Get Far" also showed his move away from drums to work with individual bass strings. His production has been spotless...even the stuff he did on Stronger was pretty creative with the gaps left behind from Daft Punk's original song... I mean his last album, Late Registration...all those chord works weren't his...they were that orchestra conducter who Co-produced the whole thing. Kanye added drums here and there, but now he's finally taking what he's learned and creating new, original instrumentals

50 was never anywhere on focus. While Kanye may lose at times his focus, he comes back with stuff that's actually better than his old stuff. So he may once in awhile slip up with his point, but then he comes right back and is "better than he's ever been."