Sketches of My Culture

What happens when an acclaimed 48-year-old professor of Afro-American studies morphs the content of his legendary lectures into hip-hoppish spoken word rhymes? The ivory towers get "jiggy wit' it," that's what. Sketches of My Culture captures this awkward yet useful synergy in a salvo of funk beats and scholarship-fuelled rhymes.

It's easy to overlook the shortcomings in West's lyrical flows, along with some of the pedestrian musical arrangements, because the subject matter is so compelling. After repeated listens of "Stolen King," an exploration of slavery's regrettable legacy recorded over some dusty soul grooves, and "Journey," a discussion of the generational links between spirituals, blues, jazz, and hip-hop, this release (whipping by in 35 minutes) acts as a good audio appendage to West's acclaimed Race Matters. He's not exactly trading dope lyrics with Tricia Rose over some hot rhythm tracks cooked up by DJ Premier, but West's learned flow appeals to all of rap's expanding demo, from shorties on the street corner to elitist intellectuals who enjoy a good dose of 50-cent words, in rhyme. But that said, West shouldn't give up his day job. --Dalton Higgins