Mediocre Music: Why Kanye West's Aural Orgy 'Cruel Summer' Is Crudely Underwhelming

Disclaimer: I’m a fan of Kanye West’s music and responsible for the 5-mic album review for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in The Source. This is not a “hate” column.

Kanye West is an intriguing guy. He often walks the tightrope between self & socially conscious hip hop hero and overzealous douchebag with each album release. The latter part being more prevalent at this stage in his career. A creature of passion, Kanye West has always poured his soul into his music. Coming from a guy who claims to see music in colors, the art is ’Ye’s second language and a conduit to other portals of life he wanted to explore. It’s become rather extraordinary how he has connected with fans and singlehandedly brought forth so many things into the mainstream that were, at one time, not considered so popular. Everything from soul sampled production, a fashion forward mentality and helping turn underground heroes like Common and Mos Def into mainstream stars all happened under his watch. All the while he was considered an underdog.

Kanye West, despite all of his accolades, always had something to prove and felt that the world was against him. It didn’t really matter who he had to prove it to, he just wanted people to know that he could do whatever it was he assumed people didn’t think he could accomplish. The concept that he was up against something has always motivated him. He challenged George W. Bush’s affinity for the minority population during Hurricane Katrina, handily TKOed record sales kingpin 50 Cent in a battle of release dates, redefined what a hip-hop tour should look like with “Glow in the Dark,” tag teamed with the man that at one time didn’t want to sign him (allegedly) for the event album Watch The Throne, stashed a boatload of awards, proudly proclaimed that the “Yeezys jumped over the Jumpman,” launched his own label and wifed up a couple of the baddest chicks in the game. That’s just a microcosm of what Kanye West has accomplished during his near decade long career, all in the midst of losing his mother in 2007.

Then something strange happened, instead of trying to beat the man, he became the man. No more fighting, no more complaining about awards he or others were denied, and no more having to surpass the top artists in the game. He had become the marquee name; perhaps surpassing Jay-Z in terms of relevancy amongst all ethnicities and age groups. You know, because Jay-Z is viewed as the elder statesmen rather than someone the kids can relate to.

Before, West was the voice of reason that was self-aware, passionate and often a tad irrational. But it was all human and something that we could connect with. Now? Kanye West is like a robot constantly programmed on “douchebag” at a reality show TV factory. His douchebaggery appears to be a direct result of still wanting to be accepted even though he already has been accepted by the masses. Canoodling with Kim Kardashian is the latest “it appears he’s trying to damn hard” effort by West to remain relevant while pointing at you and saying “my chick is badder than yours.”

The point is, he doesn’t have to do it anymore. He doesn’t have to jump up and down with his hand raised to get our attention. We like you Kanye, we really do. You have nothing left to prove to us. Just keep making amazing music and stop going out of your way to be accepted (even though you act as if you don’t care) and we’ll keep riding with you.