Kanye West has recently become known as the Santa Claus of the music industry. Soon after taking over the newest online social network, Twitter, West announced on August 22^nd, that he would be releasing a free song for download each Friday until Christmas. The idea of “GOOD Fridays,” as West proudly names the event, supposedly came about in a conversation West had with Swizz Beatz. When asked why West was not getting the much needed rest he deserved, West replied that he knew the fans needed his music. Thus was born the idea to give out free songs each week while fans wait for the long anticipated album that is still without a confirmed release date.

These GOOD Fridays, is said to be named after West’s record label, “Getting Out Our Dreams.” The name is a great explanation for what West hopes to accomplish through the release of the songs.  These songs were supposed to begin to be delivered to fans last Friday, August 27, 2010. Many in the journalism industry felt that this proposal was too good to be true. Well, did West deliver?

He did! Last Friday, West announced on Twitter “’MONSTER’ ….. Happy GOOD Friday!!! The second song off of me and Jay album!” West also informed fans of where he would be releasing the first GOOD Friday song, his own blog site. Whether or not all songs will be released at this site is still unknown. However, it can be expected that wherever the songs are posted, West will be sure to announce the location for the free download on Twitter.

The song that he released, titled “Monster,” is a great song showcasing West’s return as a rapper and innovator and transformer of the hip-hop industry. West returned with a song that blows your mind away. Not only does West bring it hard, but fans also have the pleasure of listening to other great rappers, including Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Bon Iver, and upcoming raptress Nicki Minaj. This was an explosive start to the GOOD Fridays promised by West.

However, critics and fans alike, question whether catering to the needs of fans is simultaneously hurting West’s career. If each new song released is from West’s new upcoming album, what will fans have to look forward to when the album is actually dropped? On the blog site, some fans request for him to not release any new songs from his album so that when they buy the album they can actually enjoy listening to new songs, not played-out radio hits.

Most predict that, while the release of a song off the new album was not a great start to the GOOD Fridays series, West will probably not release many more songs from the album. He might release songs from other artists with whom he is collaborating on the album. He is rumored to have worked on a song with Justin Bieber. Fans might be treated to the remix made from the duo.

Kanye West has received much attention this past year, what with his interruption of Taylor Swift’s award acceptance at the 2009 MTV VMAs. However, that attention has not been nearly as immense as that surrounding is new 2010 album, Good Ass Job. Taking advantage of technology is said to be West’s smartest move in the music industry yet.

A recent member of Twitter, it seems as if West has been utilizing this new social network non-stop to deliver updates on music promotions and details on his album. Other artists have also been informing followers of their collaboration on this new album through Twitter. One of the most exciting tweets was delivered recently by West himself. Fans will be able to enjoy free music on a consistent basis until Christmas.

He will start releasing his music starting this Friday, August 27, 2010. West said that although “It may be my song it may be a new Jay [Z] song etc…” he promises to release a song every week for the rest of this year. While fans love this, it has no doubt caused some concern to be raised at the two artist’s record labels.

While much is still a mystery about this album, fans do know that Good Ass Job will be the end to West’s college series of albums. Through Twitter, Big Sean has confirmed his appearance on this soon-to-be-released album. It is speculated that other artists who have done past collaborations with West will also appear on the album as well. Such rumored names include Common and Mos Def. Fans will be happy to hear that it is also rumored that newer artists might also appear, including top Billboard 200 artist Drake, and Kid Cudi.

A major supposed change to the expected album is that West is to leave Auto-Tune out of the spotlight and that his songs will focus more on the sound that he brings to his music. Don’t be too sad that Auto-Tune will not be the main attraction as was with Heartbreak, it is sure to make exciting appearances on some songs on the album.

While the track list for Good Ass Job has already been leaked, some speculate as to whether this alleged “leak” is a tactic by West himself to further give hype to an album that already seems far from debt for eager fans. Either way the leak only increased attention to West and his album.

West has also seemed to increase wait time for fans yearning for his album. Originally scheduled for release on September 14^th, West announced from Korea that the album will now be released “sometime in November.” However, what is interesting in his excitement of his new album his is transformation back to the fans. On Twitter he posts that his energy will be delivered fully to educate fans of the many new horizons available for hip-hop music.

West relates to Eminem in that they have both apparently transformed themselves to better people and better musicians. The quest West hopes to take from this album out is to deliver truth of his life and his perception of life. The fans, according to West, deserve this and merit the opportunity to learn of all that is out there for this genre.

West opens up a variety of doors for hip-hop with this album, including the addition of rock-and-roll to the genre. The integration of various music techniques, West, originally a rapper, has pushed the boundaries of hip-hop like no other musician before him. Breaking out all Auto-Tuned songs, including 808s and Heartbreak, in 2008, West is going to push the limits further with this album. With other artists taking lead, it begs the question, what is hip-hop today?

Originating in the South Bronx in the 1970s hip-hop emerged as a new (hip) and cool way to integrate rhythmic beats with dance (hop). Later, rap was introduced into the mix to create what is generally considered the first type of hip-hop shaped in America. While initially being a medium of reducing violence in urban society, hip-hop was later associated with the an increased rate of violence in the 1990s with the theme of rapping about violence, drugs, and sex. Sadly, this has becoming the paramount style of hip-hop known to most of American society today.

However, a new wave of hip-hop has recently been introduced to society and has opened up the eyes of many fans not only in the U.S. but around the world. With the integration of different styles of music in hip-hop, as done by Lil’ Wayne using rock-and-roll in Prom Queen, artists now have a sense of pride in experimenting with music and being more real in their lyrics. This past summer alone fans were introduced to the truth of the life of Eminem, spoken by known other than the artist himself.

In Not Afraid, Eminem reveals the truth behind his failed past album Relapse, and the mistakes he’s made in his life. He looks forward to being a better man and promises that to his fans and his daughter. There is much inspiration and motivation in this song, so much so that it is being used in other setting, including the classroom, to teach students about admitting faults and mistakes and looking for ways to better oneself after accepting the consequences of your actions.

Kaye West is another artist key to the transformation of hip-hop back to its original state of truth. The first of this was seen is his promise to deliver free songs to fans, calling this feat “Good Fridays.” Whether or not fans believe West to deliver truth, the face of hip-hop is changing. It is now geared to changing the stereotypical perception of society from thinking of hip-hop as fueling violence to thinking of the genre as a mechanism for positive change in society.

With the constant media circus that surrounds Kanye West, it can sometimes be easy to forget why exactly he’s famous in the first place. Contrary to recent events, it is not because of his very public opinions or his apparent inability to them to himself. Before he was a national big mouth complaining about everything from Presidents to Twitter, Kanye West was and remains a noted musician. With the impending release of his fifth album, the question is now can Kanye remind us why we liked him in the first place?

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Kanye West has a past with the public which is hard to define, but most certainly “turbulent”  to say the least. Whether it was his actions at the MTV Awards ceremony or his questionable blog posts, Kanye hasn’t exactly created an atmosphere of popularity, at least when it comes to the media. However, even though Kanye has admitted himself that criticisms against him have stung, he seems to have made a full recovery after “retreating” to Hawaii, and not only is his confidence back and his spirits lifted, but he also might be about to make one of the biggest splashes in the hip hop community and gain the respect he often claims he righteously deserves.

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Kanye West’s new tune Power will no doubt be gracing the airwaves in the upcoming months with his album Good Ass Job set to be released in September. The question is what his fans think about it and if there is still a strong enough public interest in his music to rival the popularity of his previous releases such as Love Lockdown and Gold digger. Continue Reading

Kanye West vs Taylor Swift: What’s the Answer?

Looking for Kanye West and Taylor Swift updates? Get ready to wait. There is information about the Kanye West & Taylor Swift question online, but you must know where it be. If you keep reading, you’re going to be schooled about Kanye West. You may walk away finding your answer to the Kanye West vs Taylor Swift situation that has been on your mind for far too long. Will the poet rapper beat out the country teen?

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News about the new Kanye West single – Power – being leaked on the Internets Memorial Day Weekend 2010. Have you heard Power? What do you think of the new Kanye West single? Continue Reading

Well, the time is approaching. Will the new Kanye West album – Good Ass Job – drop soon like it’s supposed to? Many fans are anxiously waiting. There’s been a lot of discussion from different people who have already heard this new album from Kanye West. Most statements made about it have been very positive. We’ll not really know until hearing it, though, which is what makes the wait so damn difficult! lol.

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Prefix Mag had a brief write-up:

Details remain scarce about Kanye West’s Good Ass Job, but apparently it is his best hip-hop record yet. At least, that’s what Drake implied in an interview with GQ Magazine. And it’s likely that Yeezy is making his return to hip-hop and leaving the Auto-Tune behind after 808s & Heartbreaks. But don’t be surprised if the vocal effect makes an appearance here or there as it’s been featured on every one of his albums in some way or another. Good Ass Job, which finishes Kanye’s “college series,” is set to feature Big Sean, who confirmed his guest spot via Twitter. It’s also likely we’ll see frequent collaborators like Common and Mos Def along with newcomers such as Drake and KiD CuDi.

t’s been a long time since Kanye’s last album.  Whether or not you’ve heard the buzz, he does have an album in the works.  Get ready to wait a few months for it though, because it’s not coming out quite yet. Continue Reading