Two Words

Last updated
"Two Words"
Song by Kanye West featuring Mos Def, Freeway and The Boys Choir of Harlem
from the album The College Dropout
ReleasedNovember 10, 2003
Recorded2002
Studio Edie Road Recording Studio
(Argyle, New York)
Quad Recordings
(New York, New York)
Genre Hip hop
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) West
Music video
"Two Words" on YouTube

"Two Words" is a song by American hip-hop artist Kanye West, that features Mos Def, Freeway and The Boys Choir of Harlem, from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). A cinematic version of the song was released as part of The College Dropout Video Anthology . It has been performed by Freeway regularly at his live shows over the years. An orchestral sound is used in the song. The music video was released in March 2005.

Contents

Background

The original version of the track list for The College Dropout showed that the song was initially scheduled to be titled "2 Words" and have the position of number 5, rather than number 18 as it stands on the official release. [1] [2] Featured artist Freeway stated that Kanye wasn't initially respected as a rapper, but, after seeing West's talent, when asked to feature on the album, Freeway's response was: "Hell yeah. Let’s do it." [3]

Composition and lyrics

Within "Two Words", there is an orchestral sound that includes classical strings. Miri Ben-Ari revealed that she was the one who introduced West to this sound, which led to him falling in love with it. [4] The track contains a sample of 1970 recording "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement III (Time)", written by Lou Wilson, Ric Wilson and Carlos Wilson, and performed by Mandrill. [5] On top of this, it samples drums from The 5th Dimension's 1971 track "The Rainmaker". [4]

West references a group he was once in known as the Go Getters with the line: "Go Getters rhyme like, should've been signed twice" and over the years, West has actually recycled multiple rhymes that he first spit when part of the group. [6]

Recording

Miri Ben-Ari revealed that "Two Words" was the first recording she ever did with West. [4] It was revealed by West that he drove to the Harlem Boys Choir's summer camp to record them in a barn for the track. [7] West actually had to pay them $10,000 to record a feature for him. [8] Freeway liked the beat when he heard it, which made him: "want to go ham on it" and the rapper laid his verse down for the song before West and Mos recorded their parts. [3]

An alternative version titled "Two Words (Frisky Remix)" was shared to BBC Music, which is a mashup of the original and Tinie Tempah's Labrinth-featuring single "Frisky", but only Kanye West, Labrinth and Mos Def are included as artists in the remix. [9] On February 27, 2014, Ace Hood released a freestyle titled "Lyrical Exercise" over the instrumental of "Two Words". [10]

Critical reception

Eric Tullis of SPIN described the track as being "the perfect playground for [the three rappers] to break character and address the American reality". [11] It was pointed out by Paul Cantor of Billboard as what is "perhaps the symphonic high point of the record". [12] It received a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Deep Cut at the 2005 Groovevolt Music and Fashion Awards. [13]

Live performances

West and Mos performed "Two Words" live with The Roots as a backing band on September 18, 2004 as part of Dave Chappelle's Block Party concert. [14] Freeway has performed the song at his live shows for years and said himself that: "Everyone loves it." [3] On one occasion, Freeway joined West for a performance of it at a Super Bowl party with Pepsi, which was at the time of Super Bowl XL in February 2006. [3]

Music video

Despite the song not being one of the album's singles, a music video was officially released for it as part of West's The College Dropout Video Anthology on March 22, 2005. [15] He released an edited version of the video independently on November 4. [16]

All of the people who starred in the music video shot their parts in different places. [3] This didn't mark the only time a video was released for a non-single from West's debut album, since he also shot one for "Spaceship", which was posted online by featured artist GLC on June 1, 2009 - however, it was originally scheduled to be released as a single, unlike "Two Words". [17] [18]

Personnel

Information taken from The College Dropout liner notes. [5]

Cinematic version

"Two Words (Cinematic)"
Song by Kanye West featuring The Boys Choir of Harlem
ReleasedMarch 22, 2005
Recorded2004
Genre Hip hop
Length4:04
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) West

On March 22, 2005, The College Dropout Video Anthology was released, which features a bonus audio CD with a cinematic version of "Two Words" as a track on it. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yasiin Bey</span> American rapper, singer, and actor (born 1973)

Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc-A-Fella Records</span> American hip hop record label

Roc-A-Fella Records was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1994. Carter issued his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with Priority Records. The label has signed and released albums for acts including Kanye West, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Juelz Santana, Freeway, Jadakiss, Teairra Marí, State Property, and The Diplomats before its dissolution in 2013.

<i>The College Dropout</i> 2004 studio album by Kanye West

The College Dropout is the debut studio album by the American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on February 10, 2004, by Def Jam Recordings and Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. In the years leading up to release, West had received praise for his production work for rappers such as Jay-Z and Talib Kweli, but faced difficulty being accepted as an artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. Intent on pursuing a solo career, he signed a record deal with Roc-A-Fella and recorded the album over a period of four years, beginning in 1999.

<i>Late Registration</i> 2005 studio album by Kanye West

Late Registration is the second studio album by the American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on August 30, 2005, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. West recorded the album over the course of a year during sessions held at studios in Hollywood and New York City, in collaboration with Jon Brion. The album features guest appearances from Adam Levine, Jamie Foxx, Common, Brandy, Jay-Z, and Nas, among others.

<i>Graduation</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Kanye West

Graduation is the third studio album by the American rapper and producer Kanye West released on September 11, 2007, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place between 2005 and 2007 at several studios in New York and Los Angeles. It was primarily produced by West himself, with contributions from various other producers, including DJ Toomp. The album also features guest appearances from recording artists such as Dwele, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, DJ Premier, and Chris Martin. The cover art and its interior artwork were designed by Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.

<i>Quality</i> (Talib Kweli album) 2002 studio album by Talib Kweli

Quality is the first studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No I.D.</span> American music producer

Ernest Dion Wilson, professionally known as No I.D., is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is also a former recording artist, having released his only studio album, Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (1997) through Relativity Records. He is best known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"—each have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Workout Plan</span> 2004 single by Kanye West

"The New Workout Plan" is a song from Kanye West's debut album, The College Dropout. Released as the album's fifth single on August 31, 2004, it peaked at number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was written and produced by West, with additional songwriting from John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, Sumeke Rainey, and Bosko Cante. The music video was released the same year, with cameos from Legend, Ben-Ari, Anna Nicole Smith, Fonzworth Bentley, Tracee Ellis Ross, Vida Guerra and GLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heard 'Em Say</span> 2005 single by Kanye West featuring Adam Levine

"Heard 'Em Say" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his second studio album, Late Registration (2005). The song features a guest appearance from Adam Levine. It was produced by West with Jon Brion, the former of which served as a songwriter alongside Levine, while Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin also received credit due to the sample of "Someone That I Used to Love". When West played Levine an early version of the song during a flight to Rome in 2004, the singer felt he had a chorus written that would work perfectly. West lacked certainty about collaborating with Levine before hearing him in rehearsal at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, after which the two recorded the song quickly with assistance from Brion. It marked the first song recorded for the album and originally, West sang the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Through the Wire</span> 2003 single by Kanye West

"Through the Wire" is the debut solo single by American rapper and producer Kanye West, who wrote and recorded the song with his jaw wired shut after a car crash on October 23rd, 2002. The song samples Chaka Khan's 1985 single "Through the Fire" and was released on the last day of September 2003 as the lead single from his debut album The College Dropout (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus Walks</span> Song by Kanye West

"Jesus Walks" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It was released on May 25, 2004, as the fourth single from his debut album The College Dropout (2004). The song contains a sample of "Walk with Me" as performed by the ARC Choir. "Jesus Walks" was acclaimed by music critics, who praised its compelling sonic atmosphere and boldness in its open embrace of faith. It was met by widespread commercial success, peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming West's fourth consecutive top-twenty hit in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Falls Down</span> Kanye West song

"All Falls Down" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West. It was released as the third single from his debut album, The College Dropout. The song was written and produced by West and features singer Syleena Johnson. The hip hop song contains an interpolation of "Mystery of Iniquity" by Lauryn Hill from her live album MTV Unplugged No. 2.0; Hill is credited as a composer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mos Def discography</span>

The discography of Yasiin Bey / Mos Def, an American rapper, consists of four solo albums, two compilation albums, and several singles. Mos Def began his hip hop career in 1994 in the underground rap group UTD alongside his sibling group members DCQ and Ces, after which he pursued a solo career. In 1998, he made his mainstream debut on Rawkus Records in the duo Black Star with rapper Talib Kweli. "Definition", the lead single from Black Star's self-titled debut album, reached No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

<i>The College Dropout Video Anthology</i> 2005 video by Kanye West

The College Dropout Video Anthology is a DVD release featuring the music videos to the singles from American rapper Kanye West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004), released on March 22, 2005. It featured the videos to the previously unreleased "Two Words", "Slow Jamz", "Through the Wire", "All Falls Down", the three versions of "Jesus Walks", and "The New Workout Plan".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labrinth</span> English singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer (born 1989)

Timothy Lee McKenzie, better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Labrinth signed as a recording artist with Simon Cowell’s record label Syco Music in 2010, initially collaborating with the English rapper Tinie Tempah. He appeared as a featured artist: uncredited on the single "Pass Out", but later officially on "Frisky"; then he released his first solo single, "Let the Sun Shine" in September. All three songs peaked in the top five on the UK Singles Chart.

"Bound 2" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featured as the final track from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Che Pope, with additional production being handled by Eric Danchick, Noah Goldstein, No ID and Mike Dean. The song features vocals from American soul singer Charlie Wilson and serves as the album's second single. "Bound 2" incorporates samples from "Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and the lines "Uh-huh, honey" and "Alright" from Brenda Lee's "Sweet Nothin's". The song also interpolates Wee's "Aeroplane (Reprise)" for the bridge, sung by Charlie Wilson.

Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah are American film directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and producers. Coodie and Chike started directing together with their music video for Kanye West entitled "Through the Wire", which was nominated for a MTV Viewers Choice Award, and won a Source Award for Best Music Video of the Year. They have continued their music video success directing "Two Words" and the third version of "Jesus Walks" off Kanye West's The College Dropout album, Pitbull's "Culo" video, Mos Def's "Ghetto Rock" video, Erykah Badu's controversial video "Window Seat" and most recently Lupe Fiasco's "Old School Love" video. The team started directing and producing long form music content with the bonus behind the scene video on Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics album and a music documentary for Wale's The Gifted album.

"Champions" is a collaborative song by hip hop artists Damon Dash, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Young Chris and Twista. It is listed as the first track on the second disc of the Paid in Full soundtrack. The song includes a sped-up sample of "We Are the Champions" by Queen. It was originally scheduled to be a bonus track on West's album The College Dropout (2004).

"Spaceship" is a song by American musician Kanye West, featuring fellow American rappers GLC and Consequence, taken from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). It was scheduled to be released as the album's sixth and final single, but this plan ended up being cancelled. The music video was released in June 2009. "Spaceship II" and "Spaceship III" were released by Alex Wiley in 2013 and Consequence in 2017.

"Never Let Me Down" is a song by American rapper and producer Kanye West, that features Jay-Z and J. Ivy, from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). It was released as the album's eight track, produced solely by West and samples "Maybe It's the Power of Love" by Blackjack. West and Ivy each provide one verse–the latter's is a poem–while Jay-Z has two verses. Music critics mostly had praise for it, but tended to view Jay's appearance in a negative light. In 2011, Billboard listed the song as the second greatest collaboration between Kanye and Jay. Although an accompanying music video wasn't ever produced for "Never Let Me Down", the audio of it was used in one of West's videos for "Jesus Walks". The song has managed to develop a significant legacy over time, despite never being released as a single.

References

  1. ↑ Garrison, Lucas (January 25, 2016). "Kanye's Early 'College Dropout' Tracklist Will Blow Your Mind". DJBooth. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  2. ↑ "The College Dropout - Kanye West". AllMusic . Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ahmed, Insanul (February 10, 2012). "Interview: Freeway Talks About The Making of Kanye West's "Two Words"". Complex . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Ahmed, Insanul (February 10, 2014). "The Making of Kanye West's "The College Dropout"". Complex . Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  5. 1 2 The College Dropout (Media notes). Kanye West. Roc-A-Fella Records. 2004. 986 173-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ Bassil, Ryan (August 13, 2013). "Kanye West Recycles Lyrics From Old Material". Noisey . Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Carroll, Jim (June 19, 2013). "Y-Day: Kanye West's trip from "College Dropout" to "Yeezus"". On The Record . Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  8. ↑ "50 Things You Didn't Know About Kanye West". Complex . February 26, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  9. ↑ West, Kanye; Labrinth. "Two Words (Frisky Remix) (feat. Mos Def) - Kanye West & Labrinth Song". BBC . BBC Music . Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  10. ↑ Lilah, Rose (February 27, 2014). "Ace Hood - Lyrical Exercise (Freestyle)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  11. ↑ Tullis, Eric (February 2, 2014). "Two Words - Kanye West - 12". SPIN . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ↑ Cantor, Paul (February 10, 2014). "Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' at 10: Classic Track-by-Track Review". Billboard . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  13. ↑ "05 GV Music & Fashion Awards Winners: Hip Hop". Groovevolt. 1 March 2005. Archived from the original on 7 March 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Watson, Elijah C. (10 October 2017). "Thirteen Years Ago Dave Chappelle Put On The Greatest Concert Of The Year". Okayplayer . Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Kanye West - College Dropout: Video Anthology". Amazon . Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Two Words (Edited Version) by Kanye West, Mos Def, Freeway & The Boys Choir of Harlem on Apple Music". iTunes . November 4, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Video: Kanye West f. GLC & Consequence, "Spaceship"". The Fader . June 1, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  18. ↑ Schiff, Mark (January 29, 2016). "Five rare Kanye West music videos you may not have seen". AXS . Retrieved September 18, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.