Or there’s this aforementioned unfinished ditty, that pales in comparison to the robust soundtrack of the actual LP, but still keeps its grip on reality. True, the album’s theme was to relish in the land of make believe, but how do you get more for giving a lesser amount? In other words, Kanye took us there, even in the face of criticism for his simplistic wordplay. He gave us that “feeling” without shoving a 30-piece orchestra in our faces. Somewhere along the lines of his Beautiful Fantasy and delight of getting Elton John to agree to be drowned out by eleven other artists, ‘Ye forgot to color the borders of his portrait with a touch of palability.

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Kanye West Feat. John Legend – “Eyes Closed”

Of course, 4.5 Cigs is nothing to scoff at in any instance, but especially when we are firmly cemented in a generation that’s more infatuated with first week numbers than a rating count. The strict recording regiment he provided for himself is something EVERY artist should try to mold their hustle after and he’s probably the only millionaire rapper who still constructs his projects with the hunger of a rookie. But crowning it with top honors just because it was “Kanye’s year” doesn’t quite add up when Mr. West doubled up on masterpieces so early in his career.

If thirsty followers proceed to copy MBDTF’s ballooned more music, less coherence blueprint, then fine, his genius will undeniably be recognized as transcendent in the R.E.M. realm. But is that really what we want from future recordings from promising artists with so much to offer? And then you would have to sit and ask yourself, “what does “The Joy” “got” that couldn’t be fulfilled by the fancy daydream?”