Well-known rap producer Kanye West's solo debut, "The College Dropout," is intelligent, humorous and full of great samples and hooks.

Not only does the album incorporate reflective and thoughtful hip-hop and R&B, but it also makes use of old-school soul sounds.

West is a hip-hop genius. He's the producer and writer behind hits such as Ludacris' "Stand Up," Jay-Z's "03 Bonnie & Clyde" and Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name."

West is pure wit, there are no prostitutes, bling bling or cold-blooded killah rhymes involved in "The College Dropout." All of the songs deal with the importance of going to college, how it's difficult to get a job when you don't go to college and how impossible it is for many people to afford it.

Most of the songs focus on how it's easy to fall into the world of dealing drugs or working long hours at low-paying jobs when there's no opportunities. This album is really a sign of the times. The album's first musical track, "We Don't Care," says it all within the first few seconds of the song:

"You are about to experience somethin' so cold man/ We never had nothing handed, took nothin' for granted/ Took nothing from no man, man I'm my own man/ But as a shorty I looked up to the dopeman/ Only adult man I knew that wasn't broke man."

West's musical diversity shines through with the soul/gospel version of "I'll Fly Away," featuring amazing vocals from West, Tony Williams and Deray.

"Never Let Me Down" has given me more respect for mainstream rapper Jay-Z. The song features his great rap voice against West's intense and impacting lyrics about death, revival and racism.

"I get down for my grandfather who took my momma/ Made her sit in that seat where white folks ain't want us to eat/ At the tender age of 6 she was arrested to the sit-ins/ And with that in my blood I was born to be different/? They even make me show ID to get inside of Sam's Club/ I done did dirt and went to church to get my hands scrubbed/ Swear I been baptized 3 or 4 times."

If everyone that blames rap and hip-hop music for promoting violence would listen to this album, I'm sure they would be forced to take a second look at the genre. Beautiful, soulful backup vocals and ironic, real-life rhymes make "The College Dropout" a real slap in the face to most mainstream rap and its stereotypes.

If you liked this, you might also like: Talib Kweli or Binary Star.

Suggested listening: For anyone who thinks all rap is about killin', stealin' and disrespectin' the ladies.