Kanye West On The 10th Anniversary Of 'The College Dropout' LP

Kanye West has issued a statement about The College Dropout LP and the impact of the project on the 10th anniversary of the album's release on February 10, 2004. The project dropped that year on Roc-A-Fella and steadily garnered a massive amount of praise and support from fans, many of whom labeled Kanye's debut a game changing project. While those people were correct, it is doubtful that anyone - maybe not even Kanye - could have predicted his career trajectory and current aesthetic at the release of his seminal project. The College Dropout LP was the launchpad for the genre-bending experimentalism and unapologetic swag that many people love to hate and even more love to love. When Kanye first dropped, however, everyone was really just excited about what they were hearing and interested to know more about the producer from Roc-A-Fella who had been rapping with his jaw wired shut. The massive interest in Yeezy and his brand of beats made way for a wave of copycats who sped up classic soul tracks to try to capture his particular sound. While Kanye West is an artist who has historically been quick to move on to the next thing in an ongoing effort to redefine cool and explore his own curiosities, he takes a moment to reflect back on his beginnings today:

“Ten years ago today we finally released what had been my life’s work up to that point: The College Dropout.

I say “finally” because it was a long road, a constant struggle, and a true labor of love to not only convince my peers and the public that I could be an artist, but to actually get that art out for the world to hear.

I am extremely grateful to each and every person along that road who helped, lent an ear, lent their voice, gave of their heart to that project, and to all the projects that followed, and are to come.

I am honored and humbled by my fans, for the unwavering support and love over the past ten years. I wake up every day trying to give something back to you that you can rock to and be proud of.

Ten years later I am still the same kid from Chicago, still dreaming out loud, still banging on the door. The doors may be heavier, but I promise you WE WILL BREAK THEM.”

Purchase The College Dropout LP via iTunes. Purchase the Yeezus LP via iTunes. Catch Kanye West onstage during the upcoming dates of the Yeezus Tour.