The Bottom Line
Dig out a brilliant sample by those futuristic French electro-disco masters Daft Punk and mix with Kanye West's inimitable sense of greatness, and you have a great single to lead us into fall 2007. Kanye, a serious fan of 80's music, venturing into electro territory should be no surprise to anyone. Electronic sounds were a huge part of the early 80's hip hop nation explosion. Simultaneously contemporary and retro, the single is hot.
Pros
- Updating a brilliant Daft Punk piece for contemporary pop audiences
- Typical Kanye West intensity
- Danceable feel
Cons
- Kanye's permanent lack of humility
Description
- Daft Punk's lyrical chant from "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"
- Simple percussion backing
- Kanye West's conversational, boasting rap
Guide Review - Kanye West - Stronger
Kanye West has a huge act to follow, himself, with the upcoming album Graduation. His 2 previous albums College Dropout and Late Registration were phenomenal hits with music fans and critics alike. Late Registration, the most recent, was anchored by the massive #1 smash "Gold Digger." So far, I've not heard something on the level of "Gold Digger" from this project, but "Stronger" is no slouch.
Kanye West stripped out the trademark disco flourishes from French electronic act Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" leaving primarily the hooky, robotic chant. Adding in some simple percussion and Kanye rapping the praises of, well, being, and being with, Kanye West gives you a rousing club and radio smash. Look for "Stronger" to hang around the top of the pop charts well into the fall.
Kanye West veering into electronic territory is no surprise. Homages to the 80's are nothing new for the Louis Vuitton don. Electro was a key part of the first hip hop revolution. In impressive fashion, Kanye makes the electro sound utterly contemporary on "Stronger."
