Kanye’s blend of genres earned rare cross-audience critical approval

Evidence

At the time, Kanye’s debut album, The College Dropout, had just been nominated for ten Grammy Awards and was widely celebrated for its innovative blend of hip-hop, soul, R&B, and gospel. Much like the Neptunes, Kanye achieved the rare trifecta of approval in music, writer Rob Mitchum noted, “from pop radio, hip-hop purists, and reactionary rock critics.” — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 103