Kanye West is everywhere, producing hits for Alicia Keys and Jay-Z. Apparently, he’s also the “first nigga with a Benz and a backpack,” as he claims in the ambivalent “Breathe In Breathe Out”— nevermind like-minded MC’s who guest on the album like Common and Talib Kweli. Yet West is incredibly adept at holding listener attention throughout The College Dropout, already one of the year’s most talked-about albums.

West’s approach of sampling old-school R&B and speeding it to chipmunk levels is certainly striking, if occasionally annoying. The two fieriest examples are “Slow Jamz” and “Through the Wire,” Dropout’s first two hits. “Slow Jamz” features Jamie Foxx singing and ultra-fast rapping from Twista, while “Through the Wire” plays with West rapping with his mouth wired shut. Both songs carry a certain kitsch value but keep you coming back, a tribute to their attention-grabbing production and adventurous rhymes.

West’s rapping skills are often doubted, but more often than not, he’s up to the task. His rhymes are deeply affecting on the amazing “All Falls Down.” They range from hilarious to tasteless on “Never Let Me Down,” rhyming about Sam’s Club and Left Eye with equal ease. West reveals himself to be an MC/producer that you must have an opinion on, something which can be said of the best rabble-rousers in music.

Kanye West takes the stage with Dilated Peoples at 4th & B on April 8.