First Spin
Kanye's Official 'Love Lockdown' Is Here
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]
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.
Tags: audio, auto-tune is the devil, kanye west
Comments
we better get on the tinatic because sinking is rising on saturday morning!,
Ghislaine | November 4, 2008 1:37 PM | Permalinkuh, i want to open my arms and shine some pure, unconditional sistah lovin on him (he needs a hug from someone that doesnt give a fuck about who he is and how much money he has). with that said, i can appreciate the glimmers of heat and organic hand claps in this song...and well, would end playin this song over and over and eventually get over the imperfections.
... | September 12, 2008 12:31 AM | PermalinkWow. That is strange. How the hell does an autotune song sound better performed live (yet digitally aided) than the studio track? Seems kinda sterile, too much autotune. I didn't realize how much I was responding to an energy, that agressively chanted chorus in the live clip (plus more upfront non-electro percussion?)-- and that's just missing here. Balance is off. Do we need to call Timbaland in to do a beat tweak like he did for "Stronger"? Dunno.
heyhey | September 11, 2008 5:53 PM | PermalinkWhy did Mr. West have to go and ruin a perfectly good song with all that is evil: auto-tune? I will definitely be listening to the live version from now on..
Bree | September 11, 2008 4:49 PM | Permalinkaw man, it was a million times better live. what a disappointing day for mr. west. :(
e. | September 11, 2008 3:26 PM | PermalinkSomething is stinky in here?
The instrumental is hot, but the vocals are not!
SoundNexx | September 11, 2008 3:23 PM | PermalinkI agree I liked the live version alot better.
TiP | September 11, 2008 3:22 PM | PermalinkKEEP THIS SONG LOCKED DOWN.....PLEASE
Shawn.Blaze | September 11, 2008 9:32 AM | Permalinkwhat a terrible song.
aya | September 11, 2008 7:52 AM | Permalinkthe live version was soooo much better and had so much more feeling in it. Hopefully the comment monitors won't block what I'm about to type - I found the live version on odeo, just search the title of the song. :0)
kiki | September 10, 2008 11:32 PM | PermalinkThe music/beat are so good that I want to love it. But Kanye's voice just isn't strong enough for singing the whole way through -- maybe if he had just sung on the chorus. I'll still give him props for trying to step out of the expected.
eby | September 10, 2008 10:54 PM | PermalinkAt first I thought what the heck is this?? But after a few listens, I respect it. Yes, its autotuned out....but he kinda flipped it. The song is reminiscent of Radiohead's material (don't ask me why) but Kanye is attempting to stretch the boundaries of what we have in our heads as "hip hop" and as well breaking the boundaries of the "box" that we as listeners put hip hop artists in. Congrats for growth....
FreshNerd | September 10, 2008 9:05 PM | PermalinkEpic fail.
Nate | September 10, 2008 8:50 PM | PermalinkI like it! It's kind of strange with the distortion, but I really like the odd-electronic thing it's got goin'. I also really connect with it lyrically. I was just in a situation where the song describes it. I know what my next ringtone's gonna be. And I'm with FiyahLilly, I was one of those people that watched the VMA performance over and over again. It was really good. I loved the drummers.
Felisa | September 10, 2008 7:45 PM | PermalinkI vote : No
Sharonda | September 10, 2008 7:12 PM | PermalinkWowzers. This song sounds really bad. Especially the chorus. The auto-tune is overwhelming which is very much unlike his VMA performance.
Maybe he can release the live version. Or get someone else to sing this song.
ill Mami | September 10, 2008 7:03 PM | PermalinkThis song slapz hella hard!!!! I think Ye can get away with the whole singing and using auto-tune, just as long as his WHOLE album aint like that!! But the sytle is unique a fusion of hiphop and electronica/bassndrum...dope all around....i will for sure cop the new release, and cant wait to see this song live in person....Ye kill't it on the VMA's!!!! I watched that performance about a 100 times onlne yesterday....the passion and yearnign in his voice as he belted the courses gave me the chills everytime!!!!
Fiyah Lilly | September 10, 2008 6:57 PM | Permalink