Stronger / Hey Mama
The rhymes are clear, the flash pots full of fire, but there's something lacking. Alone on the stage and hidden behind incandescent white shades, West seems even more self-important than usual. Then he sheds his glasses and brings up the lights for a strings-only version of Hey Mama dedicated to his late mother. It's nice, simple, even touching. A reminder that bare bones rapa few words, a little rhythm, a lot of emotionstill has power.
by Josh Tyrangiel