February 10, 2004 - Kanye Omari West released his debut album "College Dropout"
If you know me, you know that Kanye is at the top my most influential people list. Since day 1, I've paid attention to this guy. In the beginning, it was just about his music. Shit was dope. The strength Kanye showed on "Through the Wire" (the first single) was impeccable. You can literally hear and FEEL his pain throughout the entire song. The day I heard that song is the day I fell IN LOVE with Hip Hop. From that point on, I knew to expect nothing but greatness from him.
Being a Jay Z fan, I knew who Kanye was but I didn't know WHO KANYE WAS. "College Dropout" introduced his skill of creativity I love today and proved how brave & committed he was to bringing something brand new in Hip Hop. From the skits to the POWERFUL tone of "Jesus Walks", "College Dropout" is HANDS DOWN one of the BEST Hip Hop albums IMO. I recently got to see Kanye at the Barclays Center for the Yeezus tour and witnessing him perform "Jesus Walks" honestly made me a bigger fan. The way he felt back then poured out of his performance and it was truly inspiring.
You can tell just by looking at him how far he's came as an artist. His music will forever be timeless. What he's done with "College Dropout" to "Yeezus" has kept Hip Hop on its toes. All of his albums in the past 10 years exceed way beyond light years what anyone has done in the music industry to this day. His thoughts, growth and movements throughout the years prove that we as Hip Hop fans NEED him. I especially need him and I look forward to the next 10 years of creativity!
Thank you Kanye - for the amazing production, lyrics, badassness, honesty, G.O.O.D. Music, DONDA, and most importantly for being YOU and not compromising who you are and what you believe in for ANYONE. You have inspired me to work hard AND smart to continue to take my art to MY ultimate level. I am a God.
Below you can peep Kanye's tweets today about "College Dropout". My favorite was "The doors may be heavier, but I promise you WE WILL BREAK THEM."
Ten years ago today we finally released what had been my life's work up to that point: The College Dropout.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014I say "finally" because it was a long road, a constant struggle, and a true labor of love
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014to not only convince my peers and the public that I could be an artist, but to actually get that art out for the world to hear.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014I am extremely grateful to each and every person along that road who helped, lent an ear, lent their voice,
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014gave of their heart to that project, and to all the projects that followed, and are to come.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014I am honored and humbled by my fans, for the unwavering support and love over the past ten years.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014I wake up every day trying to give something back to you that you can rock to and be proud of.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014Ten years later I am still the same kid from Chicago, still dreaming out loud, still banging on the door.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014The doors may be heavier, but I promise you WE WILL BREAK THEM.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 10, 2014