The Bottom Line
Sometimes, you can't help but wonder if it isn't almost sacrilegious to castigate Kanye West for his egotistical personality. After all, the man constantly churns gems, while making it look easy. "Touch The Sky" is a reminder of his ability to capture mainstream audience with an unwavering sound.
Pros
- Snappy snares and triumphant horn stabs
- Lupe Fiasco's shrapnel-edged lyricism
- A superb take on Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up"
Cons
- A disappointing music video
Description
- Just Blaze, Kanye West, and Jon Brion translate Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" into a hip-hop anthem.
- Kanye's fellow Chicago-an Lupe Fiasco holds adds flavor to the song with his inimitable imageries.
- Kanye West shows some improvement on the mic.
Guide Review - Kanye West featuring Lupe Fiasco - Touch The Sky (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
Roc-A-Fella Records' other in-house producer, Just Blaze (aka Justin Smith), is the only beat-maker invited to partake in Kanye's Grammy Award-winning Late Registration album. Just Blaze takes advantage of the offer by co-producing one of the LP's most poignant singles.
Kanye also uses the chart-topping "Touch The Sky" as an avenue to put Lupe Fiasco onto mainstream fans. Many consider the decision a self-inflicting wound, as Lupe -- a seasoned Chicago wordsmith -- leaves West in the dust lyrically. Lupe's unfathomable metaphors and vivid imageries help make the song a headphone favorite.
While Kanye holds his own with honest lines like "I'm trying to right my wrongs but it's funny the same wrongs help me write this song," he also relies on wit, "Jay's favorite line, 'Dog in due time', now he look at me like 'Damn dog you're where I am' -- a hip-hop legend, I think I died in that accident, 'cause this must be heaven."
