Kanye West's Forgotten Mixtapes & Demos...

Only Pre College Dropout Era!!

»LINK TO ALL MIXTAPES TO FOLLOW ALONG!«

The mixtape era in hip-hop was one of experimentation and development for producers and rappers alike. For rappers, the unofficial nature of the release allowed them diss their rivals and opponents in even more explicit and disrespectful, yet comical, ways. For producers, the freedom allowed them to not care about legal repercussions of using a sample of a pop song. Fans loved mixtapes too as it was a way to get the latest exclusive music from their favorite artists. Today I want to take the time to explore the interesting history of Kanye West’s early, mostly forgotten mixtapes and demo tapes!

Rocafella:

While Kanye West’s career and legacy have blown up and spiraled out of proportion at this point in 2024, it was only around 20 years or so that the young artist was trying to make a name for himself as a rapper. He was already known as a producer, frequently ghost producing and producing countless classics for Jay-Z’s Rocafella label but was desperate to have his voice heard. Despite having played future classic songs like “Jesus Walks” and others for Jay-Z and other colleagues, nothing was sticking. “Last year shoppin' my demo, I was tryin' to shine. Every motherfucker told me that I couldn't rhyme.” (Kanye on “Last Call”)

Demo Tape: The Prerequisite (2001):

This was Kanye’s early demo tape that he was going around playing for different people, Genius has it listed that it was leaked but I can’t confirm that. It essentially acts as a preview of whats to come as most of the songs as just unpolished alternate versions to songs that would later officially release on College Dropout. Songs like “Home (Windy)” would get later reworked and reshaped with nearly the same lyrics into songs such as “Homecoming” ft. John Mayer, which released on Graduation. Others like “Wow”, Kanye boasted about never coming out and serve as an unedited look into the career of the young rapper.

The Highschool Dropout (2001):

This was essentially a draft version of The College Dropout that I assume was leaked, like some of the other projects on this list. Key highlights from the project are the extended uses of the samples in the beginnings of the song which seamlessly blend into the next. You can tell from the quality of the audio that the mastering of the album had not been completed including a bonus version of “All Falls Down” ft. Lauryn Hill. For the final song, the tape features a 20 minute version of “Last Call”, one of my favorite Kanye tracks to this date, details the trials and tribulations of being a producer desperate to make a name for himself as a rapper. While nearly the same album, I much prefer this raw, un-cut version of the album compared the later official release of The College Dropout.

Kanye Get Well Soon Mixtape (2002):

As Kanye was starting to make his mark at Rocafella, an unforgettable mark was made on him. On October 23rd, 2002, West was in California working in the studio with Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crakk, and The Black Eyed Peas. At 3am the next morning, while retuning to his hotel, he crashed a rented Lexus after falling asleep at the wheel. There remains controversy around this accident to this day with some sources noting that there was another driver involved in the accident who suffered from a number of broken bones in the accident and the label/artist trying to cover up some of this information. The original version of “Through The Wire” with the legendary Chaka Khan sample is featured on this tape, with Kanye being in noticeable uncomfort due to his recent jaw reconstructive surgery.

Controversy aside, again, at this point in his career, Kanye had produced some of the biggest hits for Rocafella and continually tried to prove his skills as a rapper. The “Get Well Soon” mixtape was the first time Kanye really got his props for production and rapping. While the mixtape primarily highlights his production for Rocafella, songs like “A Million (Freestyle)”, and “My Way” highlight his lyrical capability and tell the story of a producer desperate for acceptance in the rap world. Highlights from the tape include verses from Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Scarface, 50 Cent, Mos Def, Freeway, Consequence, and more as well as unclear-able samples from artist like Elton John and Queen.

I’m Good (2002):

Released almost as a follow up to Get Well Soon just months later, I’m Good, is another compilation mixtape of Kanye’s work as both a rapper and producer. The artwork for the project featured a painting on the front cover of young Kanye with the Chicago skyline stenciled behind, with an arrow pointing to him reading “Future College Dropout”. The backside features an X-Ray image taken after Kanye’s mouth was wired shut in his car accident. Even more superstar features on this tape include John Legend, Lil’ Kim, Twista, Beanie Sigel, Busta Rhymes, Big Pun, and many more.

Akademiks: Jeanius Level Music Vol. 1 (2002):

Another compilation tape of Kanye’s early work as a producer and rapper. It continues to blow my mind that as ahead of his time The College Dropout was, many of these songs had been mostly finished for years. These mixtapes are my favorites too as it shows how ahead of his time he was with production too. This mixtape was put out by Akademiks, not to be confused with DJ Akademiks, but Akademiks the NYC streetwear brand started in 1999 by brothers Donwan and Emmett Harrell. The bottom corners features a promotion for Kanye’s debut album that was set to release in the summer of 2003. One of my favorites from this tape is a freestyle flip of Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation” beat featuring Consequence.

Akademiks: Jeanius Level Music Vol. 2 (2003):

With Kanye’s debut album running behind schedule from its initial release, this Vol. 2 mixtape was put together by Akademiks. I wont be too repetitive at this point, but once again this was a compilation highlight tape featuring artists such as Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, GLC, Consequence, Monica, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and more! Finally on February 29th, 2004, Kanye released his debut album The College Dropout.

BONUS: Kon The Louis Vuitton Don (2003):

I’m considering this a bonus one since it was actually released a few months after The College Dropout had been dropped. Once again borrowing multiple songs from previous mixtapes, it also features other, unique ones to the mixtape. “Better Than Yours” ft. Common is a playful flip of The Neptunes’ “Milkshake” beat made for Kelis. Other favorites of this tape include “Me Against The Music” ft. Madonna and Britney Spears, “Dawgs Out” by DMX, “Doin’ My Job” by T.I., and many more.