Kanye West has already received several perfect ratings for his latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Music legend Quincy sees greatness in his fellow Chicago artist, but believes it’s in West’s talent as an emcee, and not a producer.
Jones, who’s produced, composed, and arranged nearly every genre of music since beginning his album career in 1956, took exception with having his producer credentials compared to Kanye West. Jones, who’s produced extensively for jazz (Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald), pop (Michael Jackson), country (Peggy Lee), and soul (James Brown) legends in addition to film composing (The Color Purple), believes his skills with live instruments completely separates him from any Hip-Hop based producer.
“No way. Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He’s just a rapper,” Jones explained to US Magazine. “There’s no comparison. I’m not putting him down or making a judgement or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don’t rap. It’s not the same thing. A producer has to have some sort of skills that enable him to be a producer. It’s totally different to know what to do with 16 woodwinds you know from piccolos down to bass clarinet. It’s a whole different mindset. No comparison. None.”
Unlike many of his peers, Quincy Jones actively sought out Hip-Hop artists for many of his albums, starting with 1989’s Back On the Block. That project featured appearances from Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, Melle Mel, and Kool Moe Dee. His latest, Q Soul Bossa Nostra, features Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Q-Tip, David Banner, Talib Kweli, and Three Six Mafia. While Jones views Kanye as a great emcee, he notes that one of his favorites is Ludacris.
“He’s a great rapper, but there are a lot of good rappers. I just did The View with Ludacris, who’s one of my favorites,” Jones stated. “He’s a beautiful human being and college educated. I joke with him and say, ‘How did ‘Move Bitch Get Out The Way’ come out of you?’ But I was raised around the Mafia when I was a kid in Chicago in the 30s. Chicago’s rough. I’m from the streets, I know what’s up!”
Q Soul Bossa Nostra marks Quincy Jones’ 37th album as a performer.
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Although Jones completely dismissed Kanye’s merits as a producer, we have to remember where the living legend is coming from. We’re talking about a guy who sat in the studio and came up with sounds from scratch with the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Bob James, and numerous other legends. There were no samples to give a blueprint and spark creativity. So with that in mind, I can understand why he would be taken aback to have Kanye put on his level.
Quincy Jones is no Hip-Hop hater, but you’re never too old, even at 77, to learn new things. I know Scott Storch and Jermaine Dupri has production credits on his new LP, but I’m not sure how much time Quincy Jones has ever spent in the studio with an elite Hip-Hop producer. I’m certain if he got the chance to do a jam session with Kanye, his opinion of his skills as a producer would greatly increase.
Does that mean Q would then start putting ‘Ye on his level? Not likely. Mr. West has roughly 20 film scores, 10 other musical genres to tackle, and about three cultural milestone albums to make before that can happen. We can only hope that Hip-Hop culture continues to thrive, and 40 years from now we have an elderly, and now ornery Kanye West telling the press about a young buck who isn’t on his level.
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