It is hard to believe it has nearly been 10 years since Yeezy graced us with his sophomore LP, Late Registration. The second album drop was the megalomaniac rapper’s testament of how he would withstand over a decade of criticism and become one of hip-hop’s most notable and influential rappers. ‘Ye’ “rose from the ashes like a Phoenix”, giving hip-hoppers sporadic hints of a forthcoming musical genius who would change the rap game. Kanye’s premiere album, The College Dropout, before drop date, was already a heavily buzzed about release through mixtapes and pirated music sites; then after official release garnered a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. 
His follow-up album, Late Registration was a no-holds barred work of art with evident notes of political statements. Kanye’s use of underground hip-hop meets indie-eclectic instrumentals showcased his ingenius producing methods, while the interlacings of quick, witty lyrics exhibited his unique rap style. For many, this album was the defining music installation that would enlist them as Yeezy fans. Throughout the album listeners were entertained with the late Bernie Mac’s portrayal of a chastising college professor and motley of music samplings layered over Kanye’s eccentric beats –noted these elements were a spill-over from the previous LP. Though what was more prevalent in his sophomore release, was the political trappings of what was then on-going during the mid 2000’s.
Heard ‘Em Say lyrics:
And I know that the government administer AIDS/So I guess we just pray like the ministers say/Allahu Akbar and throw him some hot cars/Things we see on screen that’s not ours
The same year Late Registration was released there were an onslaught of controversies and emergencies: post-devastation of Hurricane Katrina; Kanye’s public outburst over former President George W. Bush; speculated conspiracy of the U.S. government distributing AIDS; which are all brought into light through the hip-hop artists lyrical quippings. Though Kanye does not stop the [political] list there, he continues his ramblings in the Shirley Bassey sampled track “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”, where he raps about flawless cut diamonds bought by the jewelry industry, at the cost of human lives. The diamonds mentioned are then referred to as “blood diamonds” in the remixed [Jay-Z] version of his rap:
When I speak of diamonds in this song/I ain’t talking about the ones that be glowin’/I’m talkin’ about Roc-a-Fella, my home/My chain, these ain’t conflict diamonds/Is they Jacob? Don’t lie to me, man/See, a part of me sayin’ “Keep shining”/How? When I know what a blood diamond is/Though it’s thousands of miles away/Sierra Leone connects to what we go through today/Over here it’s a drug trade, we die from drugs/Over there they die from what we buy from drugs
Another piece of noteworthy praise about this album is Kanye’s fantastic collaborations from producers like Jon Brion, known for his music direction on films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I Heart Huckabees. Brion’s musical contribution as co-producer scored Kanye melodic tracks like “We Major” and “Crack Music”. This early collaboration would also reap more opportunities to work with the seasoned producer.
Although Late Registration was not Kanye’s best album to date, it is, without question, the album to solidify the artist’s career and musical trademark, which have undoubtedly changed the way we listen to hip-hop. Cheers to another 10 years, Yeezy!
Written by Jason “AJ” Daguinod
