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CAMPUS
NEWS
STAFF
MANAGEMENT
Darren W. Martin Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
Jared Loggins
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Cabral Clements
TigerTV Executive Producer
Ahmad Barber
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Will Shelton
Chief Copy Editor
Jamal Lewis
New Media Director
Michael Martin
Assoc. New Media Director
COPY EDIT
Reginald Hutchins
Associate Copy Editor
EDITORS
James Parker
Campus News Editor
Dawnn Anderson
Assoc. Campus News Editor
Maya Whitfield
Features Editor
Nebiyu Fitta
Features Assoc. Editor
Moriba Cummings
A&E Editor
Fanon Brown
Assoc. A&E Editor
Kadijah Ndoye
World and Local Editor
Tiffany Pennamon
World and Local Assoc. Editor
Robert Douglas
Sports Editor
Ryan Rhodes
Sports Assoc. Editor
Cydney Fisher
Photography Editor
Jalen Law
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Maurice Goins
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Devario Reid
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ADVISOR
Ron Thomas
'THE COLLEGE
MORIBA CUMMINGS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
MORIBACUMMINGS@YAHOO.COM
It serves as quite a rarity for any musician of contem
porary times to release an album that not only is commemo
rated and remembered 10 years after its release, but is also consid
ered a classic by hip-hop's meticulous standards. Such is the case with Kanye West’s
debut album “The College Dropout,” which reached a decade of iconicity this month.
Synopsizing the story of the underdog, the album explores West's frustration for recogni
tion and his hunger for perseverance. Ultimately, this record not only served as an official
infroducfion of West to the world, but also as a launching pad for his current successes.
Before he was considered a controversial time bomb, before he admitted that
he “fell in love with Kim,” and before he reminded Taylor Swift - and the world - that
“Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,” West was a young producer-turned-
emcee who had a lot to prove and channeled his emotional musings into a debut
titled "The College Dropout.” It featured by a teddy bear mascot that became un
equivocally iconic as the West brand grew in stature.
“Ten years ago today we finally released what had been my life’s work up
to that point: The College Dropout,” West tweeted on Feb. 10. “I say ‘finally’ be
cause it was a long road, a constant struggle and a true labor of love to 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.”
This conviction to prove oneself was not exclusive to West, and he made
that apparent when enlisting each individual who played a part in the project's
conception. All who contributed to “The College Dropout” were considered
underdogs as well, trying to prove themselves to label executives, peers, their
respective hometowns, and essentially, themselves.
In true honor of community, West enlisted those whom he grew up with
in Chicago (Coodie, Chike, Olskool Ice-Gre, JB Marshall, etc.) to create a mas
terpiece that would provide them with that ticket to ultimate opportunity. They
became a family of producers, rappers, vocalists, directors, and instrumental
ists, to name a few, that sought the overarching goal of mainsfream success
on a large scale.
While West had a team of supporters and believers in his corner, he
headlined the production of fhe project entirely himself, deviating against the
imagery that was projected of mainsfream rap at the time. He implemented
the exuberant orchestration and rhapsodic scrutiny of consumerism ("All Falls
Down”), institutional injustices (“Spaceship”) and religion ("Jesus Walks”).
The old school collaborative vibe that was employed by West and his
team paid off in the long run as “The College Dropout" kicked off West’s career
with a bang, remaining the highest-selling album of his entire career thus far.
Though he has won a slew of Grammys throughout his career - 21 in total - his very
first were awarded for this album; the collective record won Best Rap Album and
“Jesus Walks” won Best Rap Song.
Further creating his signature stamp on the music industry at large, West
used this album to usher in his inaugural attempt at the artistic production value he is
known for today. The LP features the soul samples, high pitched and unusually altered
vocal cues, and orchestral flourishes that everyone now associates with the “Kanye
sound."
What many “stans” of “The College Dropout” credit as the album’s timeless
factor is its air of innocence that much of West’s music lacks today. While 'Ye undoubt
edly still makes plenty of jokes in his art (remember, “Hurry up with my damn croissants!”),
he now employs a darker, and much more abstract brand of humor in his more recent
releases.
There is a looseness and and tongue-in-cheek cleverness that was seamlessly
implemented into this album’s infrastructure. This lightness lives in tracks like “Get ’Em High"
where West seems to be kicking back, sharing verses with Common and Talib Kewli, and
the skit-heavy "School Spirit” that showed the rapper's more playful side. This lightness bal
anced out the depth and heaviness of those cuts that focused on the plights of recovery like
"Through the Wire,” and the monolithically powerful anthem of faith “Jesus Walks.”
In essence, “The College Dropout” proved to be an artistic masterpiece that tran
scended all genres, and Kanye knows this... all of it. While his delivery of this sentiment may be
warped at times and awkwardly received, the underlying fact that cannot be disputed is his
ability to create a magnum opus of sensory and emotionally charged cuts that is not restricted
to the traditional realms of contemporary hip-hop paradigms. Here's to the next 10 years.
JAMES PARKER
CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
JAMESJR.PARKER@GMAIL.COM
Members of the U.S. Secret Service were seen on the
Morehouse College campus for the inauguration of President John
Wilson, but even they could not outdo Cal “The Happy Preacher"
Murrell.
While not an official speaker at the program, one voice was
heard during every speech at Friday’s event. A lone "amen,” “halle
lujah," or another expression of agreement frequently rang out while
the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson '79 gave re
marks, actor and comedian Bill Cosby made a statement via video,
and Wilson delivered the inaugural address.
“I love The Happy Preacher,” junior Jelani Watkins said. “He
keeps everyone awake when events are dull."
Watkins said the preacher attended last year’s graduation
and could be heard during President Barack Obama’s commence
ment address. He remembers first hearing Murrell as a freshman at
tending baccalaureate services at Morehouse.
Sophomore David Mayo was less encouraged by Murrell's
outbursts. "I think he was trying to draw attention to himself," Mayo
said. “When he screamed, it was impossible to hear what the actual
speakers were saying.”
The man behind the loud shouts was the flamboyant Atlanta
minister Cal Murrell, also known as "The Happy Preacher.” Murrell has
gained notoriety among media outlets and local leaders in recent
years.
News organizations have photographed him at the Geor
gia State Capitol, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and various
events for social activism. In January, Murrell was at a church cel
ebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also attended by King's
daughter Bernice King and sister Christine King Farris, Georgia Gov
ernor Nathan Deal, Senator Johnny Isakson, Rep. John Lewis, and
dozens of other city and state officials.
At this event, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed heard Murrell
throughout the service and even mentioned him during his speech.
Cheryl Lowery, the daughter of Joseph Lowery, who is often
referred to as the “dean of the civil rights movement,” said that Mur
rell is at every major event in the city.
On Friday, Murrell appeared to be most excited during the
glee club’s performance and the Rev. Charles Adams’ investiture
prayer; however, Wilson’s speech also energized Murrell.
As Wilson concluded his address he said, “I’m quite certain
that realizing the world of our dreams on this campus and on this
earth is - in God’s name - up to us.” This motivated Murrell and other
attendants to give Wilson a standing ovation in addition to the vocal
applause.
While passionate expressions, such as those from Murrell,
are common at Morehouse’s speaking engagements, his remarks
sparked more emotion from students than the usual comments from
event attendees.
Even though reactions to Murrell are mixed, he is expected
to reappear in the future. Sophomore and glee club member Chaz
Cannon said he looks forward to hearing Murrell's encouragement
during the choir's performance at this year’s graduation.