Music Details
Artist
Label
Genre
More details
See more music reviews

The College Dropout (by Kanye West, Rap)

common sense media says

Packs edgy emotional wallop; best for older teens.

parents & educators say
See all 16 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this exceptional CD contains every explicit word there is, but you can buy the edited version. Also, Kanye West's lyrics are dismissive about higher education.

Positive messages: The "n" word is all over the place, though not on the edited version. But the social message is complex and worthwhile.
Violence: Violent imagery with an anti-violence message.
Sex: There's explicit sexuality.
Language: Very strong language.
Consumerism: Some brand names mentioned.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drug references.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The College Dropout

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about racism, sexism, class politics, and staying in school.

What's the story?

What's the story?
There's a lot of explicit music around that's meant to amuse, titillate, and/or offend. But THE COLLEGE DROPOUT, the debut offering from veteran rap producer Kanye West, is a different story. Here's an artist using strong imagery to make an intelligent and emotional statement about his world, with unflinching honesty, cynicism, and humor. This CD is unusual in that the "censored" version is better than the explicit original. The careful editing doesn't dilute the narrative flow of the lyrics; if anything, the messages are more powerful without the distraction of "those" words.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Exquisite cameo performances by Jay-Z, Common, Mos Def, Twista, and especially the Harlem Boys Choir add to the mix. Buy the edited version, listen with your teens, and talk about everything under the sun. Kanye West delivers songs and skits that are musically interesting and also take on racism, the American educational system, and other contemporary political and social issues. The writing and performances are about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but the intensity works.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: February 10, 2004
Label: Roc-A-Fella
Genre: Rap
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

Review It

 

Review The College Dropout

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

gOd_bLeSS_cAtA ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
footballtime56
teen, 18 years old
 
Great CD
This is a great CD for any young kid struggling to get in touch with God or to learn to do the right thing. It explains things in the language of today so that it is understandable.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
thetruthstrikes
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
jsharpe
parent of 13 year old
17
 
very bad
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
BIG PAPA
adult
 
i laughed
i thought it was outstanding cause it has some words that you would never think that somebody who had drop out of collage talk like tha.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
tdasimpsons
kid, 11 years old
12
 
maybe
kanye west is a good rapper, i don't think he's that explict
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
tcpballa93
teen, 18 years old
14
 
good album, not good for under 14 or so though
A great album. Not great for under 14 though, I would say one song has a great message. Jesus walks states the obvious that if you dont constantly cuss, refer to women as objects, talk about smoking crack constantly, or talk about taking out a whole neighborhood in a driveby you wont get far in the rap, such is the way of the world. This is a great album and if your kids are mature let them here it but much of the target audience are too troubled. I came from a good conservative background so i think i can handle it
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
commentgirl58
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
raulkidd52003
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
Johan
teen, 18 years old
 
This is an EXCELLENT album for 14 and up...
I say fourteen because i was fourteen when I got it and found the content okay for me. I mean, I understood it all. It wasn't gratuitous most of the time. Just get the edited. Other than that, it's an EXCELLENT CD. True art. A fresh, jazzy, new, only-once-in-a-while really hip-hoppy style. It's rap and real MUSIC, not just a beat. And it's about interesting things. Some of the songs give goosebumps. The singing is excellent and the ryhmes are clever. It has something to say. I got this album SO long ago, and I'm still very able to listen to it ALL THE TIME and enjoy it very thoroughly. I love this CD! Buy it! A Hip-hop classic! Just get the edited version and everything will be okay. Kanye West is one of the greatest rappers out there. Forget 50-cent, he needs to retire. Buy Graduation and Late Registration too.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
bups
adult
 
One of the best albums from the rocafella label *and it's just his debut!
Kanye west brings up a lot of interesting things such as the social system and the ghetto. The only flaw i saw with this album was the large amount of skits which sometimes became annoying. But there is so much good on this album you almost forget about that. Jesus Walks, We Don't Care, and All Falls Down are great songs where we see the world from Kanye's point of view. Other songs Such as Slow Jamz and Through the wire also are very interesting. Overall one of the best albums of 2004.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
blount27
teen, 16 years old
7
 
lighten up parents
This is truely Kanye's best work . To all the strict parents out there ive been listening to rap like Tech N9ne and Jay-z since i was 10, ive watched South Park since I was 7 and this ive started varcity football as a sophemore played basketball and mantained a 4.0 throughout high school.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
Pulp Exorcist
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Good Messages for a great album. One of the best hip-hop albums ever!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
KenCampbell
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
movieman1997
teen, 14 years old
 
amazing!
a must listen to kanye west did a great job on this except it has a lot of language and some sexuality but it's good!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
ianasdfghjkl
teen, 14 years old
13
 
most songs have decent messages
many songs in this album have good messages. not good if your kids are going to be immature about the sex references. overall, amazing album
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)
MusicDemon
teen, 14 years old
10
 
seirusly it is iffy for 17!!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide | had useful details | read my mind

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you add The College Dropout to your playlist?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already listened to it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more music
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines