10 Years Later: The “College Dropout” Reunion Posted by Lucas G. on 02/12/14 | Filed under Opinion, Kanye West, College Dropout Week

It's really hard to believe it has been ten years since College Dropout hit the shelves. Seriously, looking back to 2004 feels like another century; alot has changed. Sometimes it takes seeing old friends at say, a ten year reunion, to really see how far we have come. So, even though it's kind of ironic, let's have a ten year reunion for College Dropout. We all know where Kanye is and how far he has gone in just ten short years (and if you don't click here), but what about some of the other integral people in making the special project? Let's catch up with the 10 fellow dropouts (one for each year).

Jay Z:

Without this man none of this would be possible. I'm sure you already know all about where he is now, but it's still kind of crazy to read it in condensed form. Now, he is worth over $500 million, but back then, before he sold Rocawear for $200 mill, signed a $150 million Live Nation deal, released a handful of albums, retired, un-retired, married Beyonce, had a kid, started buying art, bought a fucking basketball team, started his own label and appeared at inauguration, It's safe to say he wasn't nearly as accomplished or nearly as rich. Back then he was a major player, and he has taken it to a different level, a level hip-hop has never seen. 

Dame Dash

Jay's right hand man, Dame deserves a ton of credit for getting Kanye signed to the Roc; without him, there wouldn't be a College Dropout. Though they were on top of the world, Jay and Dash's relationship soured and Dash was phased out when Jay took over as Def Jam president. He even bought Dash out of Rocawear. Dame never really regained his formerly lofty status after the split and has essentially been bouncing around from venture to venture ever since. 

GLC

I am not sure how he is viewed in Chicago (hopefully he is a local legend), but the rest of the world sleeps on GLC. Though he doesn't really make major waves, GLC has had a long, successful career, especially when it comes collabs. GLC has been featured on songs with Kendrick, Cudi, Bun B, and Jay Z (on another classic in "The Black Album") to go along with three alongside Kanye. For the accomplishments he had, and then ones he's yet to achieve, GLC doesn't get nearly enough respect, but he has still had a solid career.

Consequence

Syleena Johnson

Fun fact, the hook is originally from Lauryn Hill, but being Lauryn Hill, she refused clearance of the sample and Kanye got Syleena Johnson to sing it. Though you know her best as the lady behind one of the best hooks ever (yeah I said it), Syleena Johnson has plenty of her own accolades to stand on. Before Kanye she had worked with Busta and the Flipmode team, and after the infamous hook she released four albums. Though she isn't really a household name, Syleena is still a successful R&B songstress who even started her own label, Aneelys Records.

Evidence

You know if Kanye, already an established producer, wants your help on the production end, you are doing something right. You already know the name, but perhaps you didn't know Evidence was partly-responsible for the "Last Call" beat, which ended up being one of the best songs off the album. Though not on Kanye's level of popularity, Evidence is an equally as respected producer/emcee dual threat.  Not only is he part of Dilated Peoples, but he has had his own successful solo career and is an underground mainstay  even without Kanye (although the relationship doesn't hurt his case).

J-Ivy

His name might not be familiar but his impassioned spoken word on "Never Let Me Down" is likely branded into your brain. His appearance on the song with Kanye and a then soon-to-be-retired, Jay Z helped him land move approval from he hip-hop world and he has worked with RZA, Mos Def, and the Roots. He has also appeared on Def Jam poetry more than a few times. Though an album and a book are also important accolades Ivy has put his talent to good use, speaking in Chicago schools and starting the Write To Live Academy, among many more impactful endeavors.

Harlem Boys Choir

How many emcees/producers can say they have worked with a full choir? The incorporation of the Harlem Boys Chior is what gave the potent effort "Two Words" its punch; and was such a creative addition to the song. Though a performance with Kanye west would be a highlight of anyones career, it is just a blip on their resume. They have performed fro presidents, at 9/11 ceremonies, sung with Michael Jackson, and perhaps most importantly they performed at Wrestlemania in 2004. Sadly after a series of scandals and bad luck, the choir closed it's doors in 2009. It's a shame because any group who can do this needs to do so...alot.

Tony Williams

You might think Tony Williams has appeared on six of Kanye's albums because he is his first cousin, but the man has earned it. In addition to "I'll Fly Away" Tony lent his heavenly vocals to five other songs on the album including " School Spirit" and "Spaceship". That was just the beginning, Tony has had a long standing relationship with Kanye is seems to be his go-to vocalist; amazing considering his name isn't that big. In 2012 an album and a cool tape, Some Of My Best Rappers Are Friends which included this nice little diddy and an album. Still, his work with his cousin is what stands out on his resume.

Manny Marroquin

This is a name you have (probably) never heard before, but he has had a hand in shaping College Dropout, Late Registration, 808s, albums from T.I., John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Miguel Usher, Imagien Dragons, Pitbull,John Legend, Rihanna, Tupac, Pink, Natasha Beddingfield, and Common just two name a few of the six million artists he has worked with. Manny is a five time Grammy winning engineer. In fact in 2004 he won two Grammys for his work on College Dropout and The Diary of Alicia Keys. Mixing may not seem like the most important thing in the world to the average fan,  but it can not be a coincidence that he has credits on some of the best albums of the last decade and (almost) a half. That my friends is a career.

So there you have it, 10 years later and Kanye has made careers (Tony Williams) and been a part of the end of others (Dash). Obviously College Dropout is Kanye's baby, but there were so many moving parts (Evidence trying to get "Last Call" to Jay not Kanye), and so many people behind it and you almost lose sight of that when looking at an album. Without some of these people, College Dropout just wouldn't have been College Dropout, so lets take a minute to thank all the people not named Kanye West for this wonderful album.

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