Kanye West 808's & Heartbreak to Feature All Autotune, Wants It Classified "Pop"
Kanye’s first single, “Love Lockdown,” from his new album 808s and Heartbreak, seemed to stun some Kayne fans as the entire song was sung by Kanye with the aid of a technology called Auto-Tune. And according to writers at Rap-Up.com who attended an 808s and Heartbreak listening party held by Kayne, the entire album features Kanye singing with Auto-Tune. In fact, he avoids rapping throughout the album except for a duet with Lil Wayne and a verse by Young Jeezy. At the listening party, Kanye even went so far to mention that he wants the new album to be classified under “pop” on iTunes. Kinda a big turn around, no?
Auto-Tune technology corrects an artist’s pitch to help hide inaccuracies on stage and in the studio. While there has been some debate about whether this technology presents the audience with an honest performance, I think Kanye uses it in a different light. I never wondered if Kanye could sing or not — I just assumed he couldn’t. From what I can hear on “Love Lockdown,” Kanye seems to be using the technology to a different effect. While it took me some time to love it, “Love Lockdown” has a surprisingly fresh sound. The Auto-Tune isn’t there to hide the imperfection; it’s there to showcase it.
Kayne recently released a new, unmastered single, “Heartless,” from 808s and Heartbreak on his blog. You can listen to it here.
But don’t worry, Kanye also announced that he’ll have another studio album in June. Maybe he’ll head back to his roots. Maybe he’ll dive into death metal. Whatever it is, I’m down.
http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/10/12665/kanye-wests-new-album-entirely-in-auto-tune/
Kanye’s first single, “Love Lockdown,” from his new album 808s and Heartbreak, seemed to stun some Kayne fans as the entire song was sung by Kanye with the aid of a technology called Auto-Tune. And according to writers at Rap-Up.com who attended an 808s and Heartbreak listening party held by Kayne, the entire album features Kanye singing with Auto-Tune. In fact, he avoids rapping throughout the album except for a duet with Lil Wayne and a verse by Young Jeezy. At the listening party, Kanye even went so far to mention that he wants the new album to be classified under “pop” on iTunes. Kinda a big turn around, no?
Auto-Tune technology corrects an artist’s pitch to help hide inaccuracies on stage and in the studio. While there has been some debate about whether this technology presents the audience with an honest performance, I think Kanye uses it in a different light. I never wondered if Kanye could sing or not — I just assumed he couldn’t. From what I can hear on “Love Lockdown,” Kanye seems to be using the technology to a different effect. While it took me some time to love it, “Love Lockdown” has a surprisingly fresh sound. The Auto-Tune isn’t there to hide the imperfection; it’s there to showcase it.
Kayne recently released a new, unmastered single, “Heartless,” from 808s and Heartbreak on his blog. You can listen to it here.
But don’t worry, Kanye also announced that he’ll have another studio album in June. Maybe he’ll head back to his roots. Maybe he’ll dive into death metal. Whatever it is, I’m down.
http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/10/12665/kanye-wests-new-album-entirely-in-auto-tune/
