Album: The Life of Pablo

Overview
"The Life of Pablo" is the seventh studio album launched by American rapper and music producer Kanye West, on February 14, 2016. The album features a vast array of categories and styles, including gospel, soul, electronica, and experimental music. Called after the well-known artist Pablo Picasso, the album's title represents a deep sense of change, exploration, and experimentation that West considers reflective of his own life.

Throughout the album, West shares his ideas on popularity, household, and faith and discuss numerous problems near his heart, including his battles with psychological health. He works together with a wide variety of artists and manufacturers, such as Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Chance the Rapper, and Kendrick Lamar to create a diverse and varied body of work.

Production and Release
Kanye initially revealed the album in March 2015, under the title "So Help Me God", however he changed the name several times prior to coming to "The Life of Pablo". The album's release was preceded by a series of controversial tweets and public appearances, which only heightened the anticipation and interest about the task.

The production procedure of the album was disorderly, as West engaged several manufacturers to create an unique sound. He frequently changed the tracklist and re-recorded tunes till the really eleventh hour, making the end product an amalgamation of noises, genres, and feelings. Noteworthy producers on the album include West himself, Rick Rubin, Metro Boomin, Madlib, and Mike Dean.

Upon release, "The Life of Pablo" was at first special to the music streaming service Tidal, with West infamously claiming it would "never ever be for sale" on other platforms. Ultimately, however, the album was provided on Spotify, Apple Music, and for purchase as a digital download.

Significant Tracks
"The Life of Pablo" opens with "Ultralight Beam", a gospel-inspired track featuring the vocals of singer-songwriter Kelly Price and a verse from Chance the Rapper. The song sets a tone of spirituality and introspection that is evident throughout the album.

"Famous" is another standout track, notorious for its controversial lines about Taylor Swift, which reignited their feud. The song samples Nina Simone's "Do What You Got ta Do" and Sister Nancy's dancehall classic "Bam Bam", and includes vocals from Barbadian vocalist Rihanna.

"Real Friends" has a confessional tone as West ruminates about the impact of popularity on his relationships, with Ty Dolla $ign providing a melodic counterpoint. "No More Parties in LA" is a densely lyrical partnership with rap heavyweight Kendrick Lamar, over a soulful important that harkens back to West's early production style.

Reception and Impact
"The Life of Pablo" got positive reviews from music critics, who applauded its experimental nature, wide variety of impacts, and West's vulnerability throughout the album. The album was an industrial success, ending up being West's seventh consecutive top album on the Billboard 200 charts.

The album's release marked a substantial minute in the music market, as its preliminary Tidal special stimulated debates about streaming services' exclusivity practices. Furthermore, the blending of artistic styles and self-expression on "The Life of Pablo" has actually certainly left a long lasting impact on the innovative direction of mainstream hip-hop and popular song.