Fresh off the success of his singles “Power,” “Runaway,” and “Monster” peaking at 22, 12, and 18, respectively, rapper and producer Kanye West has announced the fourth, and presumably final, single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: “All of the Lights.”
To provide background vocals for “All of the Lights,” Kanye West created a dream team of trans-genre artists: Fergie, Charlie Wilson, John Legend, Tony Williams, Alicia Keys, La Roux, The Dream, Ryan Leslie, Alvin Field, and Ken Lewis (as evidenced by the closing credits of the official video.) The abundance of previously unrelated artists makes “All of the Lights” comparable to “We Are the World;” however, you will purchase Kanye’s song because you enjoy listening to it, not because of collective, decadence-fueled guilt.
“All of the Lights:” Kanye West’s Beat
The production quality of “All of the Lights” is just what you would expect from Kanye West. Undoubtedly the track’s high point, the beat of “All of the Lights” utilizes traditional orchestral instruments, juxtaposed with modern synthesizers and keyboards to create a dramatic, anticipatory mood that creates a perfect vessel on which to carry Kanye’s devastating, plotted verses. Overall beat/production rating: 9.5/10.
“All of the Lights:” Kanye West
In addition to his sterling producing on “All of the Lights,” Kanye brings two verses to the track. Though the verses are not fantastic when logically examined, the story of a man attempting to overcome the legalities separating him from his daughter, delivered through Kanye’s coarse, sometimes rapping, sometimes sing-song voice, makes them work. Overall Kanye West verse rating: 7.5/10.
“All of the Lights:” Rihanna
Normally the Barbadian bombshell Rihanna would bring the quality of any song featuring her up several tiers. However, in “All of the Lights,” her hook is strangely subpar. The several lines barely passing for a chorus are forgettable and don’t fit in with the dramatic nature of the beat and lyrics. Overall chorus rating: 5/10
“All of the Lights:” Kid Cudi
Half of the third and final verse of “All of the Lights” is delivered by Kanye West protégé, Kid Cudi. The time it took for Cudi to roughly sing his repetitive portion of the song could have been better used for a third Kanye verse. While his performance does not negatively stick out as much as Rihanna’s chorus, it does not add anything to the song. Kid Cudi rating: 6/10
“All of the Lights:” Fergie
The Black Eyed Peas singer being in this song is perhaps the worst thing to happen to music since Billy Ray Cyrus. After Kid Cudi finishes his harmonizing, she kicks in with a cringe-worthy half verse. Its oddly pop sounding beat and mechanical regurgitation of lyrics makes it an unwelcome zit on the semi-smooth face of “All of the Lights.” Fergie rating: 3/10
“All of the Lights” Music Video
As one would expect from a song titled “All of the Lights,” the music video is essentially a four minute psychedelic laser show. Directed by notorious writer/film maker Hype Williams, the video creates an entertaining visual experience for most viewers; however, not all Kanye fans enjoyed the short film. Photosensitive epileptics, in particular, did not find “All of the Lights” enjoyable.
After several complaints to Epilepsy Action, the British epileptic watchdog agency, stating that the “All of the Lights” video was causing violent seizers, the offending MV was taken down for a one day and edited to include a warning at the beginning reading: “this video has been identified by Epilepsy Action to potentially trigger seizers for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.”
While I’m certain that it was not meant in this way, the video does seem to be a big middle finger to all people with epilepsy. You have to check it out for yourself; it is fairly comical to think of it in that way while watching. Overall video rating (if you do not suffer from photosensitive epilepsy): 8.5/10
“All of the Lights”
Despite the many problems with “All of the Lights,” it is still a good song. Kanye West’s beat and verses are enough to override Cudi, Fergie and Rihanna, and create a song that lives up to people’s expectations for a fourth single. “All of the Lights” is somewhat recommended. Overall rating: 7.75/10
Tristan Devereux - Tristan James Devereux was born on March 18, 1983 (though you would never guess it based on his picture.) As a child his favorite past ...
