Why “Last Call” Is Kanye West’s Best Song Posted by Lucas G. on 01/08/14 | Filed under Opinion, Debates, Kanye West

With 2014 comes a whole new year to talk Kanye West, one of my favorite things to do in case you didn't see any of the eight million pieces we did on him last year. Don't worry, there isn't a new rant or paparazzi attack to talk about, this piece is actually about the music; a rarity these days when it comes to Kanye. Think back to July of last year (feels like it was decades ago). While it wasn't as outlandish as some of the other stuff he said, Kanye made a few headlines with this claim.

Now, obviously, everybody and their momma knows that is malarkey. There is no way in hell "New Slaves" trumps the likes of "ATLiens" verse one, "Renegade" verse one and two, and "Juicy" verse one (just to name a few of the hundreds), but is it even Kanye's best? Nope. I might be years late, but on a West binge over the break, I came to the realization that "Last Call", though not a sexy pick,  not only has his best verse, but might just be Kanye's best song.

I don't know why I was sleeping on it - maybe the 8 minute story makes it feel more like a outro than it's own song? - but after listening to it once, something just clicked. After that first listen "Last Call" was like the only song I listened to for a few days; I even got in a heated argument with my brother about how that one song is better than anything on his favorite Kanye album, "MBDTF" (which I love too by the way). It felt weird arguing that a random song on "College Dropout" is a legendary song, but it also felt right. Here's why...

First, the beat. No fireworks, big changes, or fancy window dressing, just a simple yet effective soul beat. In fact, you might not be blown away, but on the low, this beat is really strong. Most beats get old after about three minutes or so, but the "Last Call" beat (sampled around a Bette Midler song mind you) goes on for 12 fucking minutes. What makes the long run time even more incredible is that he only raps over it for a third of the song, the rest is him just talking. Think about that for a second, how long do you think you could listen to classic beats like "93 Til Infinity" or "T.R.O.Y"? As much as I love those beats, I think most would be hard-pressed to make it through 12 minutes, but "Last Call" goes fro 12 mintues and you don't even bat an eye.  What makes it even more incredible is that he isn't even rapping over it, yet even at the 12 minute mark, you are still nodding your head. It takes a special kind of beat to keep you that interested, so while it isn't this elaborate production, it arguably is more effective and though it goes on for a whole (with relatively no changes) it doesn't feel stale.

I could go on an on about the beat and that dope saxophone solo, but that isn't even the meat of my argument. If you really want to know why "Last Call" is Kanye's most impressive effort, just take a look at the lyrics. Top to bottom, this has to be one of the strongest lyrical performances from Kanye. The second verse gets the attention (and we will get to it), but the first verse is no slouch. It is sort of like an appetizer to the main course (verse 2) but even still Kanye has some gems. "The Rudolph the red nosed reindeer of the Roc" is definitely one of his more creative comparisons. Now, he compares himself to Nelson Mandela or God, but back then, Kanye was still that hungry, young producer with a chip on his shoulder; his underdog or outsider status is what made me fall in love with him and rooted for him. Comparing himself to Rudoplph, who was disrespected by the big reindeer but finally got his shot, is a perfect analogy and I never would have made that connection if it weren't for this line.

Additionally,  Kanye is actually pretty damn funny in this verse. "My money was thinner than Sean Paul's goatee hair" still gets me everytime (remind me to make more Sean Paul jokes) and "they say he bougie he big-headed/Would you please stop talking about how my dick head is" has a freestyle/rap battle vibe too it.  Last but not least "I'll have a buzz bigger than insects in Texas" is pretty damn witty too. While most rappers would kill to have three lines like that on one album, Kanye is just getting started.

All I really need to write here is "Mayonnaise colored Benz, I push Miracle Whips" and the conversation ends--that line is hands down one of the best ever--but for the sake of my job, I will continue. This second verse is the quintessential Kanye verse. If you only had one verse to use to show people what he was all bout it has to be this one. He tells a story, paints vivid pictures, is really clever, and really makes you a fan; something magical happened when he stepepd into the booth that day and it is tangible on each and every listen. It really does feel more like a story and less like a verse. One might think a verse all about your own rise is a little self-indulgent (and Kanye is no stranger to that) but "Last Call" feels more like he is marveling at how far he has come rather than bragging about it; almost like his own personal journal entry. 

To me (early) Kanye was (and still is) so different from anybody else, but I have never really been able to explain why, but in the first part, he says what I have always thought, "Though the fans want the feeling of A Tribe Called Quest / all they got left is this guy called West That'll take Freeway, throw him on tracks with Mos Def Call him Kwa-li or Kwe-li, I put him on songs with Jay-Z I'm the Gap like Banana Republic and Old Navy, and oooh".

Seriously though, who else had the balls or talent to blend all those talents; and don't get me started on the depth of that Gap/Bannana Republic Line". Kanye sums up why I love him in the a few bars. Okay I am probably teetering on the brink of being a "dickrider" but I am now just coming to appreciate the song more than before so I am a little sprung. Lines like the aforementioned miracle whips or (my personal favorites) the "I prefer the term African American Express" always stood out, but but it wasn't until I really listened to what was in between that I came to appreciate this verse. Even with his more laid-back contemplative flow, Kanye paints a vivid picture, makes you laugh, gives you that "oh shit" reaction all in one verse. Many emcees dream of being able to do that at all, but Kanye manages it in one verse; a pretty impressive feat all things considered.

Well, there is my one thousand plus word magnum opus on "Last Call".... reason number 9,462 why I love my job. Anyway I think just the fact that I can write over a thousand words on just one song is all the more proof of how awesome "Last Call" is. I don't know why I slept on it for so long, but these past few weeks, it found it's way into my heart. It doesn't have the lore or the high-octane explosiveness that some of Kanye's best songs do, but when it comes down to straight rap (which it always should) "Last Call" is second to none.

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