Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye West New School Critics

Alright everyone, we know what you're thinking: "Why even bother with Breathe In Breathe Out? It's the worst song in Kanye's discography!" Well, we're here to help you appreciate it a little more. Despite its problems, Kanye actually pulls off one of the most impressive feats of his career by interpolating one of Black Star's most famous songs, Respiration. We'll show how Kanye's ironic twist on this classic track signals a turning point in The College Dropout's narrative.
If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Jamie Foxx sang the chorus as a lark—but little did he know that "Slow Jamz" would become Kanye West's first No. 1 single. There's so much to unpack when it comes to this legendary track. And Chris and Travis are ready to break it all down, from how "Slow Jamz" fits into the "College Dropout" narrative to Kanye's beautiful twist on Luther Vandross's "A House is Not a Home."
If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

For about two-thirds of this episode, Chris and Travis wondered, "Did Kanye have any deeper intentions with 'The New Workout Plan?'" And then suddenly, amidst the chaos of their what is considered by many to be one of Kanye West's worst songs...they happen upon something. Go through this journey with them, as they try to fit this song into the "College Dropout" narrative and find out how it captures a young Kanye trying to find his place in the music industry.
If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

Today, Chris and Travis discuss how they felt about Joe Rogan's interview with Kanye West. The topics include how Kanye has opened up about his potential policies, Kanye's "symphony" style of speaking, what kind of leader Kanye would be.
Note: This is just Part 1 of Chris and Travis's breakdown of the interview. If you'd like to hear the full breakdown, then support the show over at Patreon.com/KanyePodcast.

We've got another extensive breakdown of a Kanye West song, this time for the legendary Get Em High. Chris and Travis cover it all, from Kanye's first instance of conflating romance with fame, to Talib Kweli's disguised advice to a young Kanye, to Common's gargantuan (and slightly confusing (and purposely off-rhythm???)) verse. Take a puff, because episode is gonna get you high AF.
If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.

The first seven tracks of The College Dropout build and build and build, starting from an oppressed position on "We Don't Care" before breaking through the stratosphere on "Never Let Me Down." On this episode, Chris and Travis dissect every important component of this epic-and-inspiring Kanye track, from its critical place in the album narrative to the importance Jay Z's serves to both the black and hip hop community to how J. Ivy channels the energy and spirit of God to better himself.
If you'd like to hear our entire season that covers "The College Dropout" right now, then all you have to do is join Watching the Throne's Patreon page. Plus, when you become a WTT Patron, you'll gain access to every song analysis and bonus episode we've ever done—including the new episodes we're recording for the rest of Kanye's discography. Those episodes will be released twice a week on Patreon, but won't become part of the public feed until months after.
Note: This episode was recorded in 2019.