:Color Analysis: College Dropout
Kanye's debut album "College Dropout" is notably one of the most groundbreaking debut albums in hip-hop history. With a commitment to college aesthetics sonically and visually, Kanye re-defined the makings of an artist. In 2003, when he released his first track as a rapper "Through The Wire", he gained a compassionate following almost immediately. Personally, this track didn't grow on me until later, but at the time when his second single "Slow Jamz" came out, I immediately became a fan. He had the Summer on lock with that one. Having the classic Roc-a-fella duo Jay-Z and Dame as executive producers also created the perfect palette for his debut as a rapper. At the time, this was a sound that hip-hop needed and he even gained more notoriety for his heavy sampling tactic in production. As his best selling album to date and the album responsible for his first Grammy, there was no greater way to be a breakout artist. I remember stealing my sisters copy out of her 6-disc stereo and popping it into my CD player riding the bus to elementary school singing "We Don't Care." Actually, I used to wake up to it because my sister would have to leave earlier than me for school so "AND ALL MY PEOPLE THAT'S...", would always be my cue to wake up. Below I curated a palette of oranges to show the many tenses and hues that this album represents.
Given that orange is the combination of both red and yellow this album has an aggressively humble sound:
Russet Orange (PANTONE 16-1255 TPX)
Russet, or “rustic” orange is comparable to these tracks representing the truth as represented throughout the entire album. Often when “rustic” is mentioned an antique or fine historic piece follows which represents this hues humble beginnings. However, these songs embody a red forward truth that’s unfiltered and unapologetic about it. In “We Don’t Care” Ye opens the album with a call to action for us doing what we gotta do to get by to take pride in our jobs, traps, home studios, or your struggle of choice. “Spaceship” calls on the truth of working hard with no reward for years. But Ye also hits on deserving this album and deserving respect as a rapper making “5 beats a day for 3 Summers” affirming the fact that we really can’t match his hustle. This being a red dominant hue of orange, I had to bring “Get Em High” in the mix for the simple fact that Ye is flexing. I’m saying he’s russet in a sense that he’s rapping as if he’s seasoned on a freshman album, but he walks the walk. Similarly, “School Spirit” speaks to the world of Fraternities and Sororities in HBCU’s while pointing out that college isn’t exactly necessary (This nigga graduated at the top of our classI went to cheesecake, he was a mothafuckin’ waiter there). “Jesus Walks” is the most red dominant song on the album and is mighty in its production and message. It’s a track that is yellow in coming to God, begging for forgiveness but saying fuck you to the world we live in. The yellow component of this red dominant hue is found sonically, as these are songs that subtly,but aggressively stand out on the album.
Blazing Orange
Blazing Orange is a brighter shade of true orange similar to the inside of a cantaloupe or an orange popsicle; a very vibrant shade. “I’ll Fly Away” is instrumental to the blazing, bright, and positive aspect of this hue. Possessing a dominant yellow tone is also suggestive of the playfulness heard in “The New Workout Plan.” T.N.W.P introduces satirical Kanye in a song criticizing the priorities of women at the time. It’s somewhat still relevant today.
Dark Cheddar
Dark cheddar is the richest shade of pure orange in the entire palette and represents tracks that have an equal of red and yellow elements. These songs are more fun and easy to listen to. “Breathe In, Breathe Out” and “Slow Jamz” are those songs with very rich red elements and yellow accents in their features; B.I.B.O with Ludacris and S.J with Jamie Foxx and Twista . Both seeming to be personal connections given at the time, Jamie Foxx wasn’t singing as much as he was today and this song sort of reintroduced him as a vocalist. Twista being from Kanye’s hometown of Chicago and Ludacris who has Kanye to thank for production on his hit “Stand Up.” Very cool that Ye decided to work with people he was comfortable with in this industry and revamping a music career in the process. “All Falls Down” and “Last Call” are more rich in yellow with red accents in their production. Heavy bass as throughout the entire album, but in these songs, the bass feels the deepest. Deep in both of their messages as A.F.D is about the material and L.C is more of an inaugural record with Ye’s story to close out the album.
Hawaiian Sunset
Hawaiian sunset represents the songs that should be replaced and reflected on, songs you listen to during those introspective moments. I mean, just now listening to “Never Let Me Down” made me stop without even noticing. This is also a very dark and close to brown shade of orange. So not only are these tracks deep in red but positive in their yellow elements. Especially in “Family Business”, I remember listening to this song in 4th grade when personal family things were going on and I was doing homework crying to this one. One of the first songs that actually moved me. “Two Words” is my favorite track on this album, I mean the features are insane and the lyrics are even better. This is a track where you can hear the rappers competing against each other on the track. The production is also impeccable and the verses are as quotable as a film from it’s era in the early 2000’s. Last but most importantly, “Through the Wire” is the song that we all know as the track that gave Kanye his start to greatness. Aside from that it is a song that tells a story of triumph and passion over adversity and it’s a message that everyone respected and is the root of why we fuck with Kanye to this day.