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Late Registration | 
| Artist: Kanye West
Label: Roc-a-Fella
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $4.45
You Save: $9.53 (68%)
New (56) Used (40) Collectible (1) from $4.20
Rating:  683 reviews
Sales Rank: 948
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.2
MPN: 000481302
UPC: 602498824016
EAN: 0602498824016
ASIN: B0009WPKY0
Release Date: August 30, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Wake Up Mr. West (:41) | | • | Heard 'Em Say featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5 (3:24) | | • | Touch The Sky featuring Lupe Fiasco (3:56) | | • | Gold Digger featuring Jamie Foxx (3:27) | | • | Skit #1 (:33) | | • | Drive Slow featuring Paul Wall & GLC (4:32) | | • | My Way Home featuring Common (1:43) | | • | Crack Music featuring Game (4:31) | | • | Roses (4:05) | | • | Bring Me Down featuring Brandy (3:19) | | • | Addiction (4:27) | | • | Skit #2 (:31) | | • | Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) featuring Jay-Z (3:53) | | • | We Major featuring Nas & Really Doe (7:28) | | • | Skit #3 (:24) | | • | Hey Mama (5:05) | | • | Celebration (3:18) | | • | Skit #4 (1:19) | | • | Gone featuring Consequence & Cam'Ron (5:33) | | • | **BONUS TRACK**Diamonds From Sierra Leone (3:58) | | • | **HIDDEN TRACK** Late (3:50) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
For haters eager to see Kanye hit a sophomore slump--no such luck. Late Registration can't replicate the novelty of last year's College Dropout, but otherwise, this is an impressively more mature and labored-over album. Lyrically, Kanye's only improved a notch but musically, the album sounds incredible, especially with co-producer Jon Brion helping polish the songs to perfection. Tracks like "Heard 'Em Say" (featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) and "Hey Mama," are richly textured in their soulfulness while the flint-edge of "Crack Music" and "Gone" (feat. Cam'ron) will appeal to the street-oriented. There's a few duds on here--the sickly-sweet, syrupy "Bring Me Down" (feat. Brandy) being one of the worst offenders--but when the album's good, it's very, very good. In short, Kanye's detractors may not be swayed in their resistance to his charms but not only will his past supporters be rewarded but Late Registration has enough appeal to earn new crowds of fans. --Oliver Wang
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| Customer Reviews: Read 678 more reviews...
 Better "Late Registration" than never September 6, 2005
J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States)
111 out of 150 found this review helpful
No one and I mean no one could have predicted the critical acclaim that Kanye West received on "The College Dropout". Yes, Kanye was beginning to be well known as a producer by producing several tracks for the likes of Jay Z, Beanie Sigel, Scarface and others but once "Through The Wire" was made, Kanye began to become a well known producer and a decent rapper. Even after hearing "Through The Wire", I can admit that I still wasn't convinced. When I heard "Slow Jamz" with Twista & Jamie Foxx and "Jesus Walks", I firmly became a believer in Kanye's rap skills. I was definitely impressed with "The College Dropout". My favorite songs were "Get 'Em High" with a rejuvenated Common and Talib Kweli, "Never Let Me Down" with two verses from Jay Z, "Jesus Walks", "We Don't Care" and "Spaceship".
Although, Kanye sold over 2 million copies of "The College Dropout", you can tell that he felt like he still wasn't getting the respect that he deserved. He formed a record label Getting Out On Our Dreams, (G.O.O.D. music) and he slated John Legend and Common as his first two releases. If you look at the year of 2005 and you take a look at all the CDs that have been released up to this point, John Legend's "Get Lifted" is the best r&b CD of 2005 so far and Common's "Be" is the best rap CD of the year so far. The chemistry that Common and Kanye West displayed on Common's CD is definitely something to be remembered for years to come.
"Late Registration" was originally slated to come out earlier in the summer. When the release date kept getting pushed back, I grew impatient and of course I went seeking for tracks. The songs that I were hearing were real nice: Some of the titles were "Gossipping", "Drop Dead Gorgeous", "Arguing" w/John Legend, "Hey Mama", "My Way" and "Wack N....." with one of the best Talib Kweli verses that I have ever heard. Now I wasn't sure if these were going to be actual songs on "Late Registration" but these songs held me over until the CD was actually released. The 1st single, "Diamonds From Sierra Leone", was a nice intro to the CD as well. The remix with Jay Z still shows that the "retired" Def Jam president still has it. He even went as far as saying "...As long as he's alive, Memphis Bleek will be a millionaire". I am sure Kanye spent endless time trying to come up with the right mixture of songs to make sure that his 2nd release was just as good as "The College Dropout". After I wore both "Diamonds" tracks to the ground, Kanye West dropped his 2nd single featuring Jamie Foxx, "Gold Digger". Kanye had to make sure if he caught people off guard with "Diamonds" that the "College Dropout" fans would be right there with "Gold Digger", which was a smart move by Kanye.
After hearing "Late Registration", there will definitely be a debate about who has made the best rap CD of 2005 so far: Common or Kanye West. The CD starts off with a song that should be a single in the future, "Heard 'Em Say" featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5. The song is very laid back and the track allows Kanye to actually talk about pertinent issues that are going on in the world today. Kanye has no problem saying what is on his mind on this track. "Touch The Sky" is produced by Just Blaze and sounds alot like Jay Z's "Encore" off of "The Black Album". Although the track is pretty good, Jsut Blaze should know better about basically duplicating a song that Kanye has already produced. "Drive Slow" fetaures ("The People's Champ") Paul Wall and GLC, who was featured on "Spaceship" from "The College Dropout". Kanye produces a track that works for him and the Texas bred Paul Wall. Paul Wall will definitely have people anticipating his release of "The People's Champ" on Septmber 13th, after hearing this verse. This song is one of my favorite songs on "Late Registration". Common shows up with a verse on the interlude, "My Way Home". He shows the same formula that he displayed on "Be" and on "Get 'Em High" from Kanye's last CD. Whoever thought Kanye couldn't talk about social issues of the world today, definitely needs to check out "Crack Music". Kanye displays why he is one of the best producers in the hip hop game today with this track. The Game is featured on the chorus and Kanye has an anthem for people to enjoy for years to come. Hip hop politics come into play as well on this track: Since The Game has had no problem dissin' Memphis Bleek and Young Gunz on tracks like "300 Bars", The Game doesn't get a chance to rap a verse on "Late Registration". I know The Game wishes that he kept his mouth shut because he definitely could have dropped a nice verse on "Crack Music". I am sure that Coach Carter wasn't going to let Game rap on the track after what he said about him and some of his Rocafella artists. "Roses" definitely displays Kanye's growth after only one CD. Kanye West isn't the greatest lyricist, but he is immensely talented and his is very clever with his word play in his verses. Although, she isn't given credit in the liner notes, when you hear Patti LaBelle's voice, you know it's her providing vocals as only Patti does on this track. Brandy shows up on "Bring Me Down" and while the pair don't seem as one of the best people to put on a track together, they do a decent job on making the track tolerable. Compared to the rest of the CD, the song may not measure to the other tracks but the song is still worth listening to. "Addiction" has Kanye basically bringing a humorous side to addictions that most people have, whether or not they are his own remin to be seen. I remember at one time, Kanye West was tring his best to get Jay Z and Nas on a track together. Since, he wasn't able to accomplish his task, Kanye decided to do the next best thing: Track 13 is the Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) and Track 14 is "We Major" which is a track that features Kanye West, Nas & Really Doe. Ladies and gentlemen, Kanye has outdone himself on this track. This track will definitely be the most memorable moment on this CD. Nas spits nothing but fire on this track. Although, some people slept on his double CD, "Street's Disciple", Nasir Jones shows why he has been one of the most respected hip hop lyricists for over 10 years: His last lines on this track are "Look, I used to "cook" before I had the game took, Either way my change came like Sam Cooke." This track alone is worth the price of this CD, in my opinion.
"Hey Mama" is a track that Kanye takes time out to thank his mother for the sacrifices and struggles she went through with Kanye when he was a child, just like how 2Pac created "Dear Mama". Kanye does a good job of putting his feelings into words on this track. "Gone" is another track where Kanye shows that he is more than just a producer as he delivers one of his best verses on the whole CD on this track. Although, Cam'ron has been slippin' lyrically, in my opinion, he delivers a nice performance on this track along with Consequence, who is best knwon for his performances on A Tribe Called Quest's "Beats, Rhymes & Life", especially on the song with Faith Evans, "Stressed Out". Kanye ends things with "Late", which is a nice change of pace as Kanye slows things down a bit with a nice old school sample.
"Late Registration" demonstrates that there will not be a sophomore jinx as far as Kanye's disc library is concerned. This CD also creates a nice chnage of pace from most hip hop acts that are out today. Now don't get me wrong, I know there will be people that say, "Oh!, he uses too many samples" or "Oh! he's just too arrogant and cocky". However, if you just sit down and listen to "Late Registration" without any prejudice towards Kanye and just pay attention to the music and words, then you will realize that Kanye West has created another masterpiece. If you have bought this CD and you enjoy "Late Registration" as much as I do and you have not listened to Common's "Be" CD, I am going to need you to get this CD IMMEDIATELY!!. Then you can be like me and compare the best two rap CDs of 2005 so far.
James' Top 6
1) We Major w/Nas & Really Doe
2) Drive Slow w/Paul Wall & GLC
3) Gone w/Cam'ron & Consequence
4) Crack Music w/The Game
5) Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) w/Jay Z
6) Roses w/Patti LaBelle
Kayne West - Late Registration August 31, 2005
Constant (Vancouver, BC Canada)
87 out of 115 found this review helpful
Kayne West returns with his second solo album "Late Registration" (2005). To say Kayne West has made an impact on the music and entertainment world is an understatement, simply read the latest copy of Time magazine and you will see what I mean. Kayne West's production skills are definitely on point as beats throughout this album are excellent. The albums single's "Gold Digger" feat. Jamie Foxx and "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" are both distinct tracks, I prefer the later. My favorite collaboration on this album is the first track "Heard Em Say", Kayne West and Maroon 5's Adam Levine team up for a memorable cut. Some production help comes from Just Blaze who sampled Curtis Mayfield "Move On Up" for "Touch The Sky" an uplifting track, which has West and Lupe Fiasco shining. The next couple of tracks are good, though in all honesty I find myself listening to the beats/samples more the lyrics. The Hank Crawford sample used on "Drive Slow" reminds me of the one used on a track off 2Pac's All Eyes on Me. Kayne West helped Game out on "Dreams" so it makes sense that he return the favor on "Crack Music". Brandy laces "Bring Me Down" with some smooth vocals, while Kayne West talks about the haters. The remix of "Diamonds From Sierra Leonne" feat. Jay-Z follows. Hov's former rival Nas drops in and provides some substance on "We Major". Kayne West praises and shows his love for his mom on the dedication "Hey Mama". Consquence and Cam'Ron hook up with Kayne for "Gone" another standout, which samples Otis Redding's "It's To Late". Production wise this album is impressive, West samples and innovates well. Lyrically I find Kayne West to be hit or miss, shining on some tracks while barely leaving an impression on others. That said he remains the same rapper, and I respect him for not trying to take on another persona as some do. I recommend picking up "Late Registration" its an album that vibes well, one which fans of many different musical genres will enjoy.
 Sigh... I Knew It August 31, 2005
Andrew Jacob (Brooklyn, New York)
33 out of 40 found this review helpful
Call him egotistical if you want, but Kanye West delivered it well and plenty with his debut "The College Dropout." In terms of sound, his album probably did the best job in 2004 when it came to interspersing the gritty throwback sound with a bit of contemporary catchiness that appealed to both critics and fans. The unique edge he implemented into songs of other artists, as well as his own, earned him ten Grammy nominations and three winning statuettes. Success was inevitable, and in some ways, so was ego-inflation because "Late Registration," Kanye's sophomore album, pales in comparison and just lacks. Lyrically, there isn't much of an overwhelmingly high expectation, although it is deemed a bit inadequate considering the fact that he isn't really saying anything much besides the empty braggadocio. What happened to the introspection of "Jesus Walks" and "All Falls Down"? In terms of his flow, nothing has dramatically changed, which would mean it is still suspect. The collaborations primarily seem wasted, as most of them aren't highlighted by anything outstanding and become nothing more than just the result of "the art of reciprocation" (Kanye produces one of the collaborators' songs, and they appear obligingly on one of his tracks). The aspect that really surprises me is the production, which for the most part, sounds stale... or rather indistinctive. It leans more towards simplistic and passive sounding, almost lazy and uninspired. The only real highlights of the album are "Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)" (I'm wondering what the point was to include the original version as a bonus track), "We Major," "Drive Slow," "Gold Digger," and "My Way Home." If you include songs that sound good but are pretty hollow in every other aspect, then I'd also include "Touch The Sky" and "Crack Music." But other than those aforementioned, everything else is pretty lackluster. There is an old saying: "You get 25 years to write your first album and only 1 year to write your second." This is evidently the case when it comes to "Late Registration" because despite it's own title, this registry sounds more like a rushed effort rather than a late one.
DONT STOP SUPPORTING KANYE. September 3, 2005
Tracy L. Clayton (philly, pa)
20 out of 25 found this review helpful
since someone commented about kanye's comments about the hurricane situation on tonight's red cross telethon, i just want to say this:
there is NEVER a wrong time to tell the truth.
i'm goin out to buy kanye's albums first thing tomorrow because of what he did.
the kid's got some out of this world courage and he needs to be commended for it.
GOOD JOB KANYE. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF YOU!!
SUPPORT KANYE September 3, 2005
K. Tillman
18 out of 24 found this review helpful
What Kanye West said tonite was bold and true. It took a lot of courage to say what he said on national tv, we have all been thinking it and now it has been said. Stop rating his album low because you disagree with him!
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