Looking back at the musical period and environment from which this album came and re-listening to the lengthy poetry verse by J.Ivy on “Never Let Me Down,” one is reminded of just how far outside the box Kanye‘s aeshetic was. G-Unit, DMX, DipSet, and Roc-A-Fella colleagues State Property were all mainstays on the Billboard charts, and there was Kanye in his pink Polo.

That contrast is strong, isn’t it? Kanye forced the world to conform to him. Every outstanding young voice in hip-hop today has incorporated the honesty and self-reflection that he shared on his introductory LP. From Cole to Kendrick, from Wale to Drake, the list goes on and on. Nothing looked more ridiculous to most hip-hop fans in 2004 than a rapper in Polos and Ralph Lauren blazers, but the music and the man stood out and spoke to people, especially the Grammy committee that acknowledged the album with 10 Grammy nominations.

In 2009, Drake told MTV, “Kanye West shaped a lot of what I do, as far as music goes. We always, always, always took the time to listen to Kanye‘s music and appreciate it beyond. We search the samples and we find out where his inspiration came from, because he has one of the best ears in music, period.” No arguments there, Aubrey.

Looking back at this track list and the “Through The Wire” video, it’s hard to believe Dame Dash had to fight to release the album. Dash was one of West‘s earliest and most fervent supporters and that’s clearly what made it difficult for West to side with his “big brother” Jay, after the latter split from Dash.

Thank you, Yeezus.

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