Kanye is one of the few rappers to emerge in the last few years who can actually do justice to hip-hop as an art.  He delivers clever, sometimes quirky rhymes over funky beats that throw a bangin' modern twist on oldschool soul.  Kanye has defined a style all his own.

As is his character, Kanye's always got a point to make with his tracks.  It's refreshing to see a repertoire that extends well beyond the typical “f--- you up” or “look how rich I am” trifle.

Late Registration has no shortage of guest appearances, featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Lupe Fiasco, Jamie Foxx, Paul Wall, GLC, Common, The Game, Brandy, Jay-Z, Nas, Really Doe, Consequence, and Cam'ron.  It's a good thing they were all chosen carefully, each merging well with Kanye's style.

Kanye does do a good bit of sampling of old-school tracks for hooks, but there's plenty enough originality to excuse this.

Late Registration opens on a strong note with a thick beat and laid-back but reflective rhymes in “Heard 'Em Say.”

“Touch The Sky's” got the horns goin' on like the soundtrack to a '70s action flick - probably not a coincidence, if you've seen the video.  Slightly silly and very catchy.

“Gold Digger” shows Kanye's knack for delivering serious social commentary while packaging it in downright humorous rhyme.

While I can't put my finger on why, to be honest I find “Drive Slow” somehow annoying.

On another note, I personally have no problem with swearing, but what I do have a problem with - and I know this is very common in hip-hop - is the use of degrading terms like “hoe” to refer to women.  Mind you, I still like a lot of songs having this flaw, so that isn't actually why I find “Drive Slow” annoying; I just do.

Common takes over the mic on “My Way Home.”  Common is one of those rappers who'se earned my respect by bringing forth intelligent and meaningful material, as opposed to spewing repetitious rhyme that harps on the material.

Next, Kanye weaves political commentary into a metaphorical comparison of his art as a drug, or more specifically, “Crack Music.”  And just to make sure you're hooked, he throws in a beat to march through your head without relent.

Hatas are the subject of “Hold Me Down,” on which Brandy joins Kanye.  The both of them having had their share (and more) of hatas, there's no lack of genuineness here.  The production on Brandy's vocals is similar to that on Afrodisiac.  There's a lot of layering, which I'm not 100% into, being that it doesn't let Brandy's awesome talent for singing shine as much.  However, given the context and mood of the song, it does work.

While there are serious connotations underlying “Addiction,” it's got a sort of silly, whimsical feel to it.  (I have to crack up at the line, “unless you gon' do it!”)

Kanye borrows the James Bond hook, “Diamonds Are Forever,” not once but twice: first and foremost on a remix of “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” with Jay-Z, and then on the original, included as a bonus track.

The remix addresses the troubling issue of the illegal trading of diamonds - then known as “blood diamonds” -, as a means of financing violent political regimes.  This problem is particularly prevalent in the small western African country of Sierra Leone, thus the title of this track.  See also the VIBE.com article.

Nas and Really Doe join Kanye on “We Major,” a triumphant track.

“Hey Mama” is a joyful dedication for a mother completely supportive in spite of hardships.

“Celebration” is downright corny; and it describes the most bizarre babyshower you'll ever hear of.

Now, you know a Kanye album wouldn't be “gone” without droppin' an inspired instrumental, and that's something “Gone” definitely has; now the lyrics on this one, they gone off in all directions - not too sure where they goin', which is 'far as I'll go.

The “Broke Phi Broke” interludes are somethin' else, goin' on 'bout bein' broke like it was somethin' to be proud of, lol.

Oh, and if you want the whole experience, be sure not to turn off the CD until it stops for itself.     

This guy always cracks me up with this:

Like them eskimos, what would you do for a Klondike?
Or two dykes that look Christina Milian like
Hmmm, I'll be on time for that
I ain't thought of no line that could rhyme with that
_{(emphasis added)}

But for real, Kanye certainly has no shortage of rhymes.

It may have been a Late Registration, but it was worth the wait.