I always find it strange when people act like they're shocked when someone states they didn't like Yeezuz. A LOT of people didn't like Yeezus, just as a lot of people did enjoy it. Yeezus has always been a polarizing album outside of music publications.
Yep. I'm one of those that jumped on the Kanye train when The College Dropout released. I'm partial to The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation, I just really like the flavor and energy those albums have along with the topics Kanye covered in some of his tracks...back when it wasn't him talking about buying everything Italian and being egotistical. When 808s came out, all I heard on the radio was Love Lockdown and Heartless and while the beat on Heartless was great, I just couldn't get into that auto-tuned radio filter sound or whatever. So honestly, I never ended up listening to 808's past those two songs...which...I should probably do at some point. Once My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out, I really liked most of what was on there but it was definitely a departure from Kanye's first three albums. Actually did enjoy that short film he made though with Dark Fantasy, Runaway, All of the Lights, etc...even if I didn't bother to sit and interpret shit lol. I just enjoyed the visuals while listening to the music. Watch The Throne was a pretty cool concept and I enjoyed a few songs off that.
But once Yeezus hit...I was one of those people thinking, "Uh....what?" I don't know, I just wasn't feeling the album save for maybe two songs. Stuff was just too jarring for me. The Life of Pablo though? Although there are maybe a couple songs I have to skip and it's still a little jarring at times with beat switch-ups and songs ending abruptly (I mean too early and right when shit gets goin'), I can listen to his newest album all the way through and jam out to that shit. I don't understand the huge love for FML. It's boring as fuck for nearly 2 minutes and then once it gets going with a pretty dope beat, it kinda ends too soon and in an odd way. Overall, The Life of Pablo ain't the "old Kanye" but it's much easier on my ears than Yeezus is and I believe it has something for every Kanye fan to enjoy. I'm not ashamed to admit I wish he'd come out with something that just fuckin' grooves like Last Call or really anything from his earlier days. But hey, Ye's doin' Ye.
I mean I like a
lot of Kanye's stuff but some things I just don't "get" like his proclivity to repeat the same fucking line over and over again like...for emphasis or something. And like others have mentioned, some of his verses are just fuckin' weird, childish, or seem to be said for shock value. At this point, it's kinda like he can do/say whatever he wants and people will go, "Oh that's just Kanye being Kanye!" similar to how South Park seems to have that sort of free reign.
It's the same with many artists I suppose. I used to fuck with Drake back when he released his first mixtape in '05 or '06 and he was selling them online for $5 and sending them out with his autograph on 'em. First two mixtapes were ace. Then once he hit the mainstream around '09 and I heard him on the radio, he migrated towards more of an R&B type of style and I really just wanted to hear him rap more with that energy he used to have when he wanted to make it big. He acknowledges his style has changed as well though and sometimes sings about how fans want the "old Drake" (girl, don't tempt him). Don't get me wrong though, he still puts out some stuff I like every now and then but I just don't listen to him much these days personally (mainly because my ex listened to him all the time so....yeah).
My favorite band is Jamiroquai and I feel the same way about them. Although I love all music from Jamiroquai, I stand with majority of the group's fans when I say their first 3 albums were the best back when they had an acid jazz/house/disco/funk feel rather than the newer style they've developed into where it's more in line with rock and pop with a bit of funk thrown in. Artists evolve and wanna try new things and stuff so I can respect that.
Woke up my dick crooked as the Nike sign
lol
That double entendre though! Lmfao.