The College Dropout
Following his signing to Roc-A-Fella Records, Kanye released his debut studio album, The College Dropout. It features string arrangements, choirs, and his signature soul sampling, frequently branded as "chipmunk soul" for its sped-up and high-pitched nature. Contrary to the popular gangster-persona lyrics at the time, his songs mostly revolved around themes of family, materialism, religion, and racism. The inspiration for finally making his music came when he was in a near-fatal car crash.
65 tracks
Tracks (65)
| Track | Length | Quality/Available |
|---|---|---|
18 Years Gold Digger Throwaway from The College Dropout era. Would later morph into the verses found on "Gold Digger" similar to how "Home" became "Homecoming". Features alternate lyrics and an entirely different instrumental. Was performed by Kanye a handful of times and is on an early tracklist for the album, however no snippets of a studio recording have surfaced. | Recording Full | |
Self Conscious [V2] All Falls Down Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Has a completely new first verse, and lyrics reused from "Dream Come True". Has a completely alternate beat that was not used in later versions. | CD Quality Full | |
All Falls Down [V3] Self Conscious Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Has the Lauryn Hill sample, alternate instrumentation, and an alternate vocal take. According to Shalik Berry, Lauryn Hill cleared the sample, then last minute wouldn't allow it to be used, as "she didn't actually write the record". | High Quality Full | |
All Falls Down [V7] Self Conscious Used on the Entertainment Weekly review copy of The College Dropout. Has the Lauryn Hill sample, different vocal take, and slightly different outro | Lossless Tagged | |
All Falls Down [V8] Self Conscious Syleena Johnson (feat. Syleena Johnson) Later version that is similar to the released single version, however it has a different mix and the applause used for the outro is longer. The guitar is also mono unlike in the released version and is mixed quieter, while Syleena's vocals are at a less consistent volume. Featured in album samplers for The College Dropout that were sent to DJs but were not intended for public release. | Lossless Full | |
Arguing [V2] Out Of Your Mind John Legend (feat. John Legend) Version that was included on the unofficial mixtape Freshmen Adjustment under the name "Out Of Your Mind". Very similar to the previous version however there are John Legend vocals over the Martin Lawrence sample. | CD Quality Full | |
Breathe In Breathe Out Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Kanye does the hook instead of Ludacris on this version. | CD Quality Full | |
Change Clothes CDQ version of a 2004 Tim Westwood show freestyle. | CD Quality Full | |
✨ Drug Dealin' [V2] We Don't Care GLC, Keyshia Cole (feat. GLC & Keyshia Cole) Original version which features rougher vocals, additional vocals by Keyshia Cole and a verse from GLC. | High Quality Full | |
Family Business [V2] Family Affair Used on an early The College Dropout copy. First known version with the vocal sample found in the release version of the song. Has 1:37 of vocals, the rest is open verse. | High Quality Full | |
Family Affair [V3] Family Business Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Has a rougher mix. | High Quality Full | |
Family Business [V4] Family Affair Used on the Entertainment Weekly review copy of The College Dropout. Similar to V3, but has a different vocal take. | Lossless Tagged | |
Get Em High [V1] Common (feat. Common) Version of "Get Em High" with only a Common feature, apparently made before Talib Kweli recorded his verse. Seems to have open section for Talib. | CD Quality Snippet | |
Get Em High [V2] Talib Kweli (feat. Talib Kweli) Early version with a different vocal take, worse mixing and no Common verse. | Low Quality Full | |
Gimme The Mic Remix of Sean Paul's song "Gimme The Light". Leaked in a bootleg mixtape. | High Quality Full | |
Gorgeous Drop Dead Gorgeous Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Interpolates lyrics from "Dead Wrong" by Biggie Smalls. Samples "Doggone" by Love. No relation to the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy song of the same name. | High Quality Full | |
Hey Mama [V2] Hey Ma John Legend (feat. John Legend) Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Alternate mix of the version found on the 2001 demo tape. | High Quality Full | |
Hey Mama [V3] Hey Ma John Legend (feat. John Legend) Original version with multiple unheard adlibs, poor mixing and beat switches, and a different vocal take. | High Quality Full | |
⭐ Home [V2] Home (Windy) John Legend (feat. John Legend) (prod. Kanye West) Used on an early The College Dropout copy. Has a better mix and a longer outro. Lyrics would later be used for "Homecoming" on Graduation. | CD Quality Full | |
I Need To Know [V2] ??? (feat. ???) Version of "I Need To Know" that contains elements of the version of the demo tape and the version used in the unofficial mixtape Freshmen Adjustment. Uses a different vocal take than both versions. Features an unknown female artist doing back vocals on the chorus. Was likely included in some mixtape as the beginning has a DJ talking and at the end it seems to transition into another song. Unknown if the unedited version is in circulation. | Low Quality Tagged |
