Call him ridiculous or call him brilliant, there is no doubt that Kanye West is one of the musical geniuses of Generation Y.
In his near 10-year rap career, he has solidified himself as not only a musical icon in the making, but a cultural one as well. He has blurred genre lines in his collaborations, but remained true to his hip-hop roots.
With the upcoming June 18th release of his sixth solo studio album Yeezus, we take the time out to ask, “What are five things we want from Yeezus?”
Superb Production
This may be a bit of a no-brainer. Having come into the game as a “producer-rapper,” we only expect the best from Kanye in regards to production.
Known for his wide usage of 1970s soul samples, Yeezy has evolved musically over the years, most recently enlisting the talents of Rick Rubin on Yeezus.
We can count on the album having an overall darker feeling, but hopefully song-structure and melody will not be compromised.
Storytelling
In conjunction with his stellar production skills, Kanye first wowed us with his remarkable storytelling on his debut album College Dropout, released in 2004. He told us stories of his relationship with his mother Donda, and his struggle to make it the top, documenting his dead-end job in songs like “Spaceship.”
This storytelling hooked us in, and made Kanye human to us, something that has been lost in parts over the years due to his overwhelming global success. It would be nice to hear more everyday, or even mundane stories from Ye.
Singing
For Kanye, singing was never his strong point, but that didn’t stop him when he recorded his fourth solo album, 808s & Heartbreaks.
The album, released in 2008 after his mother’s death, temporarily took him out of the rap category and placed him in somewhat of an electro/new wave lane.
His vocals on the record accounted for most of this. Can we get a round two?
Honesty/Vulnerability
Kanye’s bravado is a double-edged sword. On the positive side, we see it as words and expressions from an individual who is incredibly passionate about his craft. On the negative, we see his actions as ones devoid from scrutiny from the outside world. We want to continue to see Kanye share his honesty musically, but from a more vulnerable place.
He has had many ups and downs professionally and personally over the years, and showing a more tender side without sacrificing his product would be a perfect addition to the mix.
Thoughts on Impending Fatherhood
This is a big one. Despite Mr. West being in a relationship with one of the most visible personalities in Hollywood, Kim Kardashian, he has been able to keep somewhat of a stronghold over his personal life and privacy.
With the July due-date of their baby girl around the corner, a song speaking of or alluding to impending fatherhood would be refreshing to hear.
Andrea K Castillo is a freelance writer & blogger. @concreteloop | @theDUNK360