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Late Registration

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Social themes explored in this edited CD.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not afraid to confront some interesting social and political issues.
  • Violence:

    Some violent images
  • Sex:

    Some sexy stuff, but not overwhelmingly explicit.
  • Language:

    Strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    Ads for merchandise in the CD booklet.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Several references to drugs along with anti-drug messages.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Late Registration was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Parents need to know that this rapper employs explicit language and a visceral edge that might be uncomfortable for some parents. But Kanye West is an artist with something important to say, and he says it very very well. And, this album provides a rare example of an edited CD being at least as good as the explicit version.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the very real socio-political issues that Kanye West has the courage to confront, and the difference between his chosen subject matter and that of artists who write songs about nothing more than money, violence, and fame.
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More on Late Registration

What’s the Story?

Kanye West loves to put down higher education, yet both his debut album and this follow-up, LATE REGISTRATION, contain cover and insert art paying homage to the trappings of Academia – could there be some unresolved issues here? Whatever the artist's feelings about his own academic career, he's moved beyond schoolboy concerns to confront serious and important social and political issues. West shows real guts as he creates songs about inadequate health care ("Roses"), the weakening of political activism in the African American community as a result of drug use ("Crack Music"), and the relationship between the jewelry industry and Sierra Leone's civil war ("Diamonds").

Is It Any Good?

At least Kanye West is talking about something other than money, women, and living the life of a famous rapper, even if some of the lyrics are simplistic and a bit clumsy. Exquisite production (in collaboration with Jon Brion) helps bring out the best in these songs, and a long list of guest cameos features the talents of Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Lupe Fiasco, Jamie Foxx channeling Ray Charles, Paul Wall & GLC, Common, Game, Brandy, Jay-Z, Nas & Really Doe, Consequence & Cam'Ron. Though he employs explicit language and a visceral edge that might be uncomfortable for some parents, Kanye West is an artist with something important to say, and he says it very very well.

Music Details

Released on: 08/30/2005
Parental advisory: Yes, Edited version available: Yes

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    i love kanye wests cds they are awesome but some of them have a few swear words

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 0.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    8+

    i like kanye west and i like this

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Kayne West's CD is amazing and is probally the best in the rap game.

    Kayne West delivers so many important messages in this great CD but warning this Cd is not for younger kids at all.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in California
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 2.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    An important Hip Hop album for teens

    I was blown away by Kanye West's sophomore album, "Late Registration." Instead of promoting the usual product placement and bling bling that saturates Hip Hop, West confronts these issues head-on. His lyrics serve as a wake up call to African Americans to quit obsessing over material goods. In “Diamonds…” he addresses the topic of children enslaved in Sierra Leone, who are forced to mine the very diamonds that artists flaunt as signs of status in the Hip Hop community. “Late Registration” is truly one of the most important albums of this year and is worthy of critical discussion with your kids.

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