It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas...the Best Kanye West Song Tournament Death Match Extreme!!! In this 2021 version of the tournament, Chris and Travis sit down with their favorite recurring guest Jordan Johnson and vote on which Kanye song is the best. Will blood be shed? Yes. Is this episode way too long? Of course. Will you be infuriated? Undoubtedly. But will you be entertained? We think so. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye West

The 2021 Best Kanye West Song Tournament Death Match Extreme

We've reached the end of The College Dropout...and the end of an era on Watching the Throne. Chris and Travis have big plans for season 10 of the show, but for now, they're going to focus on what may be Kanye West's magnum opus: a 13-minute track that details how Kanye used arrogance as the steam to power his dreams. If you'd like to hear the show ad-free, then support us over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KanyePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Call by Kanye West

We've reached the end of The College Dropout...and the end of an era on Watching the Throne. Chris and Travis have big plans for season 10 of the show, but for now, they're going to focus on what may be Kanye West's magnum opus: a 13-minute track that details how Kanye used arrogance as the steam to power his dreams.

Last Call - Kanye West, The College Dropout

All that glitters is not gold...but all that shines IS Kanye!   OK, sorry, that was terrible, and doesn't do justice to Family Business. We'll make up for it by analyzing this fan-favorite track, which brings the story on The College Dropout to a poetic close.

Family Business - Kanye West, The College Dropout

Every superhero has their origin story. Often they are called upon for a greater mission, but must find the power to fight from within. And here on Through the Wire, Kanye finds himself in that exact situation as he looks to turn tragedy to triumph after a terrible car accident. Chris and Travis break down how Kanye does this with his energy and production, from his legendary Chaka Khan sample to his avant-garde storytelling techniques to his subtle nod to Gil Scott-Heron. If you'd like to hear the show ad-free, then support us over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KanyePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through the Wire by Kanye West

Moving away from "bullshit ice rap", Kanye enters the final phase of The College Dropout with Two Words—an epic tribute to his idols and a promise to make music that change the world for good. Jay Z, Mos Def, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, 5th Dimension and Mandrill all contribute to what is perhaps Old Kanye's most layered track, and Chris and Travis are going to break it all down. If you'd like to hear the show ad-free, then support us over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KanyePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Words by Kanye West

Moving away from "bullshit ice rap", Kanye enters the final phase of The College Dropout with Two Words—an epic tribute to his idols and a promise to make music that change the world for good. Jay Z, Mos Def, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, 5th Dimension and Mandrill all contribute to what is perhaps Old Kanye's most layered track, and Chris and Travis are going to break it all down. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released every week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Two Words - Kanye West, The College Dropout

Alright everyone, we know what you're thinking: "Why even bother with Breathe In Breathe Out? It's the worst song in Kanye's discography!" Well, we're here to help you appreciate it a little more. Despite its problems, Kanye actually pulls off one of the most impressive feats of his career by interpolating one of Black Star's most famous songs, Respiration. We'll show how Kanye's ironic twist on this classic track signals a turning point in The College Dropout's narrative. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Breathe In Breathe Out - Kanye West, The College Dropout

Jamie Foxx sang the chorus as a lark—but little did he know that "Slow Jamz" would become Kanye West's first No. 1 single. There's so much to unpack when it comes to this legendary track. And Chris and Travis are ready to break it all down, from how "Slow Jamz" fits into the "College Dropout" narrative to Kanye's beautiful twist on Luther Vandross's "A House is Not a Home." If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Slow Jamz - Kanye West, The College Dropout

For about two-thirds of this episode, Chris and Travis wondered, "Did Kanye have any deeper intentions with 'The New Workout Plan?'" And then suddenly, amidst the chaos of their what is considered by many to be one of Kanye West's worst songs...they happen upon something. Go through this journey with them, as they try to fit this song into the "College Dropout" narrative and find out how it captures a young Kanye trying to find his place in the music industry. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

The New Workout Plan - Kanye West, The College Dropout

Today, Chris and Travis discuss how they felt about Joe Rogan's interview with Kanye West. The topics include how Kanye has opened up about his potential policies, Kanye's "symphony" style of speaking, what kind of leader Kanye would be. Note: This is just Part 1 of Chris and Travis's breakdown of the interview. If you'd like to hear the full breakdown, then support the show over at Patreon.com/KanyePodcast.

Joe Rogan's interview with Kanye West

We've got another extensive breakdown of a Kanye West song, this time for the legendary Get Em High. Chris and Travis cover it all, from Kanye's first instance of conflating romance with fame, to Talib Kweli's disguised advice to a young Kanye, to Common's gargantuan (and slightly confusing (and purposely off-rhythm???)) verse. Take a puff, because episode is gonna get you high AF. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Get Em High - Kanye West, The College Dropout

The first seven tracks of The College Dropout build and build and build, starting from an oppressed position on "We Don't Care" before breaking through the stratosphere on "Never Let Me Down." On this episode, Chris and Travis dissect every important component of this epic-and-inspiring Kanye track, from its critical place in the album narrative to the importance Jay Z's serves to both the black and hip hop community to how J. Ivy channels the energy and spirit of God to better himself. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after. Note: This episode was recorded in 2019.

Never Let Me Down - Kanye West, The College Dropout

If you know Kanye West, then you know it all started here. "Jesus Walks" was everything to the young rapper/producer/storyteller/future president back in 2004, which means Chris and Travis can't screw up and give this song a subpar analysis! So they're going to be extra thorough for this line-by-line deconstruction, which is chock-full samples and interpolations and stories and meaning and oh god this is gonna be a long one isn't it. If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after. Note: This episode was recorded in 2019.

Jesus Walks - Kanye West, The College Dropout

Time for a redo! About 5 years ago during one of their earliest episodes, Chris and Travis analyzed the fantastic Kanye West song "Spaceship"—and did a terrible job. Now they're back to do this classic "College Dropout" track justice, from the beautiful chipmunk-ed Marvin Gaye sample to legendary guest verses from GLC and Consequence to Kanye's impeccable storytelling skills. Strap in, everybody, cause we're 'bout to take off in this spaceship. If you'd like to hear the show ad-free, then support us over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KanyePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spaceship by Kanye West

This is an in-depth-yet-entertaining dive into the lyrics and narrative artistry of Kanye West's music. We go track by track through Ye's discography, revealing the narrative and poetic techniques he uses, tracking his growth as a storyteller, and illuminating the narratives behind Yeezus and The Life of Pablo. For Kanye fans, this might be the Ye-centric lyrical discussion you've been waiting for. For musicians and writers, this is practical insight into how one of the best storytellers in music history does what he does. We also have a news show about Kanye, Kim, North, Saint, and Jay-Z. We look at the top 5 posts from Reddit's Kanye community, r/Kanye. And discuss other relevant Ye topics. And there's our interview series, My StorYe, where we interview people about their relationship with Kanye West. We hope you enjoy!

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Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye West

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