Kanye Uses ‘808s’ as Remedy for Heartbreak on New Album

We all know that the past year has been a rough one for the self-proclaimed "Louis Vuitton Don" aka Kanye West. The loss of his mother and the end of his engagement served as a double personal blow in the middle of reaching new professional heights. Out of such pain came the musical breakthrough that is '808's and Heartbreak.'

Strapped with his vocoder, West set out to make an album that is as lyrically plentiful as it is dulcet. Musically the beats are straightforward in using a repetitive main instrument behind a heavy drum beat with a hint of electronica. Unlike his previous albums, '808s and Heartbreak' steps out of the 'College Dropout' premise and shows West's bravery to march into his own field of music.

The album's lead single 'Love Lockdown' illustrates that traces of his relationship are not only present but staring him dead in the face. The emotion is undemanding yet regretful as he swirls in and out of a heartbroken coma only to delve deeper in his grief on 'Heartbreak' where fans thrown by all the melody can breathe easy at the sound of classic West rapping. 'See You In My Nightmares' featuring Lil Wayne is a lyrical tag-team rock infused effort while the Young Jeezy assisted 'Amazing' eases up on the arrogance replacing it with inspiration as West proclaims "I'm the only thing that I'm afraid of."

Not since LL Cool J's 'I Need Love' has a Hip-Hop artist singing left such a lasting impression. Who but Kanye West would have the gall to compile a Hip-Hop album full of songs that are thoughtful like 'Street Lights' and exasperating like the supped up 70's style oddness that is 'Paranoid.'

'808s and Heatbreak' is a trans-genre conceptual auto-tune overloaded release in which West proves that hip-hop is innovative but life and love are clearly heartbreaking.

Kanye West Pictures

Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941869), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Rapper Kanye West arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Red Carpet and After Party.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941046), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Kanye West arrives at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at the Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Arrivals.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15940839), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

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Filed Under: Kanye West

Categories: Hip-Hop