808s

No. 6: 808s and Heartbreak

Releasing 808s may be the most daring artistic choice made in the last decade by any popular musician. Coming off of Graduation, his most successful album which was full of R&B samples and poppy hits, Kanye crafted an album filled with autotune heavy breakup songs. When I first listened to 808s, I found it unbearable. It was hard to imagine that massive hits like “Heartless” could be on the same album as shakily sung, electronic tracks like “Bad News.”

It was not until much later, that I discovered that the beauty of 808s only comes through when it is appreciated as a full project. It shows him being honest, showing his vulnerabilities and coming to terms with his deep sadness. Even this, however, cannot excuse a few songs where Kanye’s singing and song concepts are just unbearable.

In a way, 808s and Yeezus are complete opposites. One shows Kanye hurriedly celebrating happiness and success, while the other shows him wallowing in his own sadness and insecurities. These two albums show the two extremes of Kanye’s personality, making them two of his most interesting albums, but also two of his most polarizing projects.