After premiering his new single "Love Lockdown" at Sunday's 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West has snatched the spotlight once again without rolling around on the floor like a two-year-old. I was amongst those who actually dug this song when I heard it the other night. However, now that I've heard the official studio version, I'm rather dismayed. Ye has gone all T-Pain on us and is using Auto-Tune, which I'm now convinced is the devil. Sure, in Kanye's hands he uses the program to craft something out of the ordinary, but a great man once said, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig." In this case, this is a lyrically powerful, unique song on top of a beat that knocks hella hard, but even with all that dressing, it's still Auto-Tuned out. I'm all for rappers switching it up, and there are rappers who can sing (Phonte of Little Brother immediately comes to mind), but Kanye needs to stay in his lane and leave the singing to people who can and the Auto-Tune to those with less talent.
So are we loving Kanye's "Love Lockdown" or not? Personally, I think I'd much rather just listen to the instrumental. [H/T: KN]
- Advertisement -
Kanye West: "Love Lockdown"
This ends our Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Kanye programming for today. Come back tomorrow for more coverage of the holy trinity of hip hop and soul.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
