November 18, 2008

New Kanye West Album -- No, Not That One -- Hits The Web

By Joseph Patel (MTV.com)

People eagerly awaiting the release of Kanye West's newest album, 808s & Heartbreak, due out in two weeks, are being treated to an appetizer before the big meal.

Sky High is a new mixtape that features remixes of various West-produced tracks by hipster hip-hop DJs and producers, compiled by DJ Benzi and Kanye cohort Plain Pat. Sky High started streaming on imeem earlier Monday (November 17) and will be distributed by hip-hop blogs beginning Tuesday night.

The project was commissioned by West and his camp just more than a year ago, said Benzi, who is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He said he was given a cappellas and other session tapes - mostly from Late Registration and Graduation - and spent time trying to match different producers and DJs to certain songs. Remixers include former Kanye West touring DJ, A-Trak; New York DJing legend Stretch Armstrong; club-rap producer Diplo; and house-music pioneer Kenny Dope.

Given how much of a perfectionist Kanye is with his own tracks, many of the producers went in a totally different direction, turning many of the tracks into more club-friendly dance tunes. "Each remix had at least five revisions before finally complete, and I'm sure it drove some of the producers insane," Benzi told MTV News. "In the end, I'm psyched about the project. I think we did all of his classics justice."

West has been no stranger to hipster hip-hop culture. He's co-signed Chicago club rapper Kid Sister and, most recently, Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi.

The Sky High track list, according to imeem:

1. "Sky High Introduction"
2. "Good Morning (The Kickdrums Remix)" (featuring Big Sean)
3. "Champion (Nick Catchdubs Remix)"
4. "Barry Bonds (Eli Escobar Remix)" (featuring Lil Wayne)
5. "Crack Musik (Cookin Soul Remix)"
6. "We Major (The Kickdrums Remix)" (featuring Nas)
7. "Get Em High (A-Trak Remix)" (featuring Common)
8. "Throw Some (Cousin Cole Remix)"
9. "Electric Touch (Mighty Mi & Steve1der Remix)" (featuring Lupe Fiasco)
10. "Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks Remix)"
11. "Flashing Lights (Diplo Remix)"
12. "Addiction (Kenny Dope & Terry Hunter Remix)"
13. "Stronger (A-Trak Remix)"
14. "Workout Plan (Chaise Marcel Remix)"
16. "Impatient Boy (Benzi Refix)" (featuring Will.I.Am)
17. "Homecoming (Discotech Remix)" (featuring Chris Martin)
18. "I Wonder (Scottie B Remix)"
19. "Good Life (Stretch Armstrong Remix)" (featuring T-Pain)
20. "Can't Tell Me Nothing (DJ Godfather Remix)"