Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.63)
- 3.5 stars out of 5 - "West has something to prove on DROPOUT....His ace in the hole is his cozy sound - dusty soul samples, gospel hymns, drums that pop as if hit for the very first time."Rolling Stone (p.153)
- Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - "[T]he red-hot producer delivered a solo debut that partied all over its contradictions..." Spin (p.68)
- Ranked #1 in Spin's "40 Best Albums of the Year" - "He is witty, provocative, and intensely devoted..." Entertainment Weekly (2/13/04, p.71)
- "[H]is surprising debut disc is the most impressive hip-hop CD of the young year....[T]he Chicago native shuns hip-hop's tired SCARFACE iconography for a broad topicality..." - Rating: A- Uncut (5/04, p.106)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "West's rhymes are wry, witty, warm and unswervingly self-aware." Uncut (p.75)
- Ranked #12 in Uncut's "Best New Albums of 2004" - "[H]e leavens the swagger and bling of hip hop with lyrics that are wry, witty and aware." Mojo (Publisher)
(p.102)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "The numerous guests never out-shine their host's vocals, meaning this is one drop-out graduating near the top of his class." | 
CD
