“Trippin Off Tha” by SoulOne

First off let me start by saying that I have the highest expectations possible for ‘Good Ass Job’ (Def Jam 2010 *fingers crossed*). Not because I thought ‘808’s And Heatbreak’ was a cluster-fuck of burning trash, I (for one) actually love(d) most of it. Not because Ye’s “rapping again”. Not because of the rumored all-star cast of artists contributing to the album, including the likes of Dwele, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, QTip, Officer Ricky, Symbolyc One, and a host of others (maybe Hov. probably Hov.) My expections are high because, well, he’s Kanye…
So although it’s pretty absurd to even review a song that may or may not be finished, may or may not be mixed, hell, may or may not even be on the album, there are so many triumphs as well as pitfalls here, so many read-between-the-lines’ AND in-your-face’s, that I can’t NOT. Because well…he’s Kanye.
Plus I’ve been waiting on this for like, months so…
The dichotomy within this song is so hard to ignore, similar to the duality in his own character. (see: Gemini. Twin. Or Aries. Most times, ram, sometimes, lamb.)

Example…

He reminds you that he can’t REALLY rap…

“…they say / I was the abomination(?) of Obama’s Nation…” Errrr. What??

“….my furs is Mongolian…” Uhhhhh, what??

He reminds you that he really CAN rap…

“…I just needed time alone, with my own thought/got treasures in my mind, but couldn’t open my own vault…” Brilliant.

“…Reality is catching up with me/ takin’ my inner-child, I’m fighting for it, custody…” WOW.

Is this a love letter from Kanye TO Kanye??

“…ion’t need yo p#ssy, bitch I’m on my own d*ck…”

“…he knows/he so/ fucking gifted…”

Or a suicide note??

“…I was drinking earlier, now I’m driving…”

“…Now this would be a beautiful death (Jumpin’ out the window)…”

Or should ANY of this be even taken literally??

?????

A tad bit on the self-conscious and reflective (in its own way) side for a guy presumed *COUGH* to be a self-absorbed ego maniac…right??

Managing to cover the past 18 months in under 5 minutes, (the “break-up”, the introduction of Amber Rose, the VMA stunt/relapse, the cry for help that is the ‘Run This Town’ verse, ect.), “Power” is actually quite the lightning-in-a-bottle. And a breath of fresh air, considering that the song reflects how he FEELS, and feeling is what fuels creativity. Not just rhyming because you can rhyme good.

Simplicity?
Complexity?

Doesn’t matter. It’s about the FEELING. And even WITH the inception of Aubrey Graham, when was the last time you could tell how a rapper FELT in a song?? Sure how ‘Ye feels may be clouded by all that Riesling he drinks (LOL), or a few light-skinned girls and some “Kelly Rowlands” (im not mad, have you seen Kelly lately?), but at least it’s HONEST.
SO honest in fact, that Kanye may actually have the third best performance on HIS own song, following Symbolyc One one the beat, and then Dwele on the chorus. Big drums, big guitars, big sample, big beat, big chorus. Oddly enough, Ye’s lyrics are overshadowed by the music, and for a guy who’s presumed *COUGH* to always push himself to the forefront, he’s essentially playing a supporting role on his first post-hiatus offering??

Hmmmmmm.

Not to mention that (DON’T LOOK AT MY FACE) B.E.T Awards performance….

Hence, “You got the power to let power go??”.

His raps could stand to be louder, noticeably ,and although they’re still mostly filled with the witty narcissism and chuckles we expect, they are overshadowed by the music. Could it be the mix?
Possibly. But I think there’s more to it than that. Purposely.
As soon as he starts to get respect as an emcee (Graduation), he ditches emceeing (808’s). He acts like he doesn’t really give a fuck, obviously he does. “Power” seems to be a mixture all of Kanye’s previous works, only now with the notion that he’s not the underdog anymore. And although the song doesn’t give me chills (yet), I can’t wait to see what’s next.