Family Business (song)

Last updated
"Family Business"
Song by Kanye West
from the album The College Dropout
ReleasedFebruary 10, 2004
Recorded2002–2003
Studio
Length4:38
Label
Songwriter(s) Kanye West
Producer(s) Kanye West

"Family Business" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004). The song features additional vocals from Thomasina Atkins, Linda Petty, Beverly McCargo, Lavel Mena, Thai Jones, Kevin Shannon, and Tarey Torae. It was written and produced by West, who had assistance from Torae in penning the lyrics about her family rather than his. A soulful number, the song samples "Fonky Thang" by the Dells and relies on a piano loop. Lyrically, it sees West discussing the pleasures and problems in family life.

Contents

The song received positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised the family theme. Some highlighted its authenticity, while a few critics commended the composition. The song was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America. Chance the Rapper performed a version of the song under the title of "Family Matters" at the Summer Ends Music Festival in September 2015, before recording a studio version that was accompanied by a clip. In a 2018 piece, DJBooth offered that "Family Business" should become a significant Thanksgiving song.

Background and composition

"Family Business" was solely written and produced by West. [1] Tarey Torae recorded on a number of tracks for The College Dropout, including additional vocals for the song. Torae explained that after West wanted the song to be about "real-life family", she helped him write it and the lyrics were set around her family. [2] As the oldest among 48 grandchildren from her mother's side of the family and in the middle of the 36 on her father's side, Torae offered him much material. Torae informed West about the likes of bathing with her cousins, six people having slept together, and her auntie's notorious poor cooking. [2] In February 2014, West's 2001 demo tape The Prerequisite experienced an internet leak, including the original version of the song. [3] "Family Business" was recorded at the Record Plant and Larrabee Sound North studios during the album's sessions in Los Angeles, which ran from West's car accident in 2002 until December 2003. [1] [4] [5]

"Family Business" is a soulful number. [6] It contains samples of the Dells' "Fonky Thang", as written by Terry Callier and Charles Stepney. The song relies on Josh Zandman's looped piano and features additional instrumentation, contributed by Ken Lewis. [1] [7] West delves into the pleasures and problems of family life in its lyrics, addressing life outside of the hip hop community. [7] [8] He discusses childhood embarrassments, including sharing baby baths with cousins as kept in scrapbooks and arguing with family members in the holidays. [8] [9] West acknowledges growing up from being children, "Who knew that life would move this fast?" [9] [10] Towards the end, Torae sings "They don't mean a thang". [2] Additional vocals are also featured from Thomasina Atkins, Linda Petty, Beverly McCargo, Lavel Mena, Thai Jones, and Kevin Shannon. [1] Torae utters "Let's get Stevie out of jail" on the outro, referencing his godbrother. [2]

Release and reception

On February 10, 2004, West's debut studio album The College Dropout was released by Roc-A Fella and Def Jam, including "Family Business" as the 20th and penultimate track. [11] The song was met with positive reviews from music critics, with general praise for its family theme. Slant Magazine 's Sal Cinquemani and Dave Heaton of PopMatters found it to be authentically touching, [12] with the latter calling the family tribute sweet and soulful. [6] The New York Times journalist Kelefa Sanneh glorified the song for paying tribute to "the pleasures and frustrations of family life" as it effortlessly utilizes a "wistful piano loop", which is followed up with the "kick in the teeth" of West uttering for Stevie to leave jail. [7] Writing for Blender , Jon Pareles commented that the song offers a reminder of life outside of hip hop from the childhood embarrassments and jailed cousin, feeling West has not managed to fall "into a fantasy world yet". [8] Josh Love from Stylus Magazine hailed the song's nostalgia and identified it as a "domestic utopia", communicating yearning in the vein of "the heavenly pleas" of the single "Jesus Walks". [13]

In May 2022, "Family Business" received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for pushing 500,000 certified units in the United States. [14]

Legacy

Chance the Rapper performed his version of the song at the 2015 Summer Ends Festival and subsequently released a studio edit under the title of "Family Matters", incorporating a horn section and piano. Chance the rapper.jpg
Chance the Rapper performed his version of the song at the 2015 Summer Ends Festival and subsequently released a studio edit under the title of "Family Matters", incorporating a horn section and piano.

In September 2015, West's protégé Chance the Rapper performed his version of the song at the Summer Ends Music Festival and referenced his newborn daughter by referring to himself as "Chance the Daddy". [15] The following month, Chance the Rapper shared a studio version entitled "Family Matters" that includes a horn section and piano. The release was accompanied by a clip that incorporates footage of his Family Matters tour and Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 set, behind-the-scenes shots of his live show, and old home films. [16] [17] In a November 2018 article, DJBooth posted that "Family Business" should become a Thanksgiving song of the same significance as "Jingle Bells" for Christmas. The staff expressed that while there is not a Thanksgiving song, it perfectly portrays a family gathering "like a sonic Norman Rockwell painting" and invokes feelings of childish joy. [10] They desired for the song to be played from the very start of November for Thanksgiving and children's choirs to perform it, envisioning a cheesy film to be broadcast based on "Family Business" that would become a family tradition shown on American Broadcasting Company. The staff also thought of the song becoming a part of mainstream culture like "Jingle Bells" and frustrated people saying of it being played too early by 2029, "Goddammit, it's October 11 and I already heard 'Family Business' on the radio." [10]

Justin Tinsley of Andscape identified "Family Business" as West's most personal song on the 20th anniversary of The College Dropout in 2024, citing his self-awareness of subjects like bathing with cousins and sleeping with them alongside siblings. The meaning of the song in Tinsley's life started during his final months of high school as an 18-year-old and continued five years later when he listened on the way to the Washington Metro, later using it to help cope with a friend's suicide and his mother's Alzheimer's disease. Hip hop historian and Chicago native Andrew Barber told Tinsley that the song makes him feel emotional on every listen in a way none of West's albums do and while people may change, it "was Kanye's make-or-break moment" and he does not seem to remain the same person. [9]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [1]

Recording

Personnel

Certifications

Certifications for "Family Business"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [18] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>The College Dropout</i> 2004 studio album by Kanye West

The College Dropout is the debut studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released on February 10, 2004, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. In the years leading up to release, West had received praise for his production work for rappers such as Jay-Z and Talib Kweli, but faced difficulty being accepted as an artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. Intent on pursuing a solo career, he signed a record deal with Roc-A-Fella and recorded the album over a period of four years, beginning in 1999.

<i>Late Registration</i> 2005 studio album by Kanye West

Late Registration is the second studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released on August 30, 2005, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. West recorded the album over the course of a year during sessions held at studios in Hollywood and New York City, in collaboration with Jon Brion. The album features guest appearances from Adam Levine, Jamie Foxx, Common, Brandy, Jay-Z, and Nas, among others.

<i>Graduation</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Kanye West

Graduation is the third studio album by American rapper Kanye West. It was released on September 11, 2007, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place between 2005 and 2007 at several studios in New York and Los Angeles. It was primarily produced by West himself, with contributions from various other producers, including DJ Toomp. The album features guest appearances from recording artists such as Dwele, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, DJ Premier, and Chris Martin. The cover art and its interior artwork were designed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, who later worked on the album art for West and Kid Cudi’s 2018 collaborative album Kids See Ghosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Workout Plan</span> 2004 single by Kanye West

"The New Workout Plan" is a song from Kanye West's debut album, The College Dropout. Released as the album's fifth single on August 31, 2004, it peaked at number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was written and produced by West, with additional songwriting from John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, Sumeke Rainey, and Bosko Cante. The music video was released the same year, with cameos from Legend, Ben-Ari, Anna Nicole Smith, Fonzworth Bentley, Tracee Ellis Ross, Vida Guerra and GLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Through the Wire</span> 2003 single by Kanye West

"Through the Wire" is the debut solo single by American rapper and producer Kanye West, who wrote and recorded the song with his jaw wired shut after a car crash on October 23, 2002. The song samples Chaka Khan's 1985 single "Through the Fire" and was released on September 30, 2003 as the lead single from his debut album The College Dropout (2004). The song was also included on West’s debut mixtape Get Well Soon…. (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus Walks</span> Song by Kanye West

"Jesus Walks" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It was released on May 25, 2004, as the fourth single from his debut album The College Dropout (2004). The song contains a sample of "Walk with Me" as performed by the ARC Choir. "Jesus Walks" was acclaimed by music critics, who praised its compelling sonic atmosphere and boldness in its open embrace of faith. It was met by widespread commercial success, peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming West's fourth consecutive top-twenty hit in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Falls Down</span> 2004 single by Kanye West featuring Syleena Johnson

"All Falls Down" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It was released as the third single from his debut album, The College Dropout. The song was written and produced by West and features singer Syleena Johnson. The hip hop song contains an interpolation of "Mystery of Iniquity" by Lauryn Hill from her live album MTV Unplugged No. 2.0; Hill is credited as a composer.

"Two Words" is a song by American hip-hop artist Kanye West, that features Mos Def, Freeway and The Boys Choir of Harlem, from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). A cinematic version of the song was released as part of The College Dropout Video Anthology. It has been performed by Freeway regularly at his live shows over the years. An orchestral sound is used in the song. The music video was released in March 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow Jamz</span> 2003 single by Twista

"Slow Jamz" is a song by American rapper Twista together with the American rapper and producer Kanye West and American singer Jamie Foxx. Produced by West, it was released in November 2003 through Atlantic and Roc-A-Fella Records, as the lead single from Twista's fourth studio album Kamikaze (2004), and the second single from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). The song was written by Twista and West, with additional writing credits going to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the sampling of Luther Vandross' cover of Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "A House Is Not a Home". Containing genres of hip hop, pop rap, R&B, and soul, the song's lyrics reference slow jam artists and describes the role of lovermen.

"Good Morning" is the first song from American hip hop recording artist and record producer Kanye West's third studio album Graduation (2007). The song was produced by West and contains samples from the recording "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" by English singer and pianist Elton John. As the opening track, the song serves as an introduction to the musical and lyrical themes of the album. West establishes the academic narrative of it, celebrating his graduation in the realm of hip hop and rapping about his skepticism of higher education over thumping, off-kilter boom bap drums.

"Hey Mama" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his second studio album, Late Registration (2005). The song includes additional vocals from John Legend. West composed the song in 2000, specifically intending for it to be included on the album. The song was produced by West and Jon Brion. A ballad, it contains a sample of Donal Leace's "Today Won't Come Again". In the lyrics of the song, Kanye pays tribute to his mother, Donda West.

<i>My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy</i> 2010 studio album by Kanye West

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 22, 2010. Retreating to a self-imposed exile in Hawaii after a period of controversy in 2009 following his interruption of Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, West recorded the album at Honolulu's Avex Recording Studio in a communal environment involving numerous musicians. Additional recording sessions took place at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, along with the New York City studios Electric Lady and Platinum Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wrldfms Tony Williams</span> American singer

Antony Von Williams, known professionally as the WRLDFMS Tony Williams, is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Williams is the first cousin of American rapper Kanye West and has contributed vocals or songwriting to most of his albums, beginning with The College Dropout (2004).

"Waves" is a song by the American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song includes guest vocals from singer Chris Brown and fellow rapper Kid Cudi. It was the first beat conceived by West with Charlie Heat, which was set to be scrapped until a few weeks before release and Chance the Rapper persuaded West to keep the song on the album. An art pop number with gospel elements, the song samples Fantastic Freaks's "Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie" and features choral synths. It mostly features vocals from Brown, who sings about the symbolism of waves crashing at sea. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised Brown's appearance. Some highlighted the musicality, while a few critics picked it as a highlight of the album.

"30 Hours" is a song by American rap musician Kanye West, featuring backing vocals from Andre 3000, that lies on West's seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The track was released as a promotional single from the album as part of West's GOOD Fridays program.

"Ultralight Beam" is a song by American recording artist Kanye West from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features vocals by R&B singers The-Dream and Kelly Price, rapper Chance the Rapper, gospel singer Kirk Franklin and a ten-piece choir, with additional vocals by Natalie Green and Samoria Green. It was first performed live on Saturday Night Live in February 2016.

"All We Got" is a song by American rapper Chance the Rapper featuring Kanye West and Chicago Children's Choir, from Chance's third mixtape Coloring Book (2016). It contains vocals from Francis Starlite, Grace Weber, Isaiah Robinson, Jack Red, Sima Cunningham, Teddy Jackson and Vasil Garvanliev. A remix was shared by SBTRKT in March 2018.

"Champions" is a collaborative song by hip hop artists Damon Dash, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Young Chris and Twista. It is listed as the first track on the second disc of the Paid in Full soundtrack. The song includes a sped-up sample of "We Are the Champions" by Queen. It was originally scheduled to be a bonus track on West's album The College Dropout (2004).

"Spaceship" is a song by American musician Kanye West, featuring fellow American rappers GLC and Consequence, taken from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). It was scheduled to be released as the album's sixth and final single, but this plan ended up being cancelled. The music video was released in June 2009. "Spaceship II" and "Spaceship III" were released by Alex Wiley in 2013 and Consequence in 2017.

"Never Let Me Down" is a song by American rapper and producer Kanye West featuring Jay-Z and J. Ivy, from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). It was released as the album's eight track, produced solely by West and samples "Maybe It's the Power of Love" by Blackjack. West and Ivy each provide one verse–the latter is a poem–while Jay-Z has two verses. Music critics mostly had praise for it, but tended to view Jay's appearance in a negative light. In 2011, Billboard listed the song as the second greatest collaboration between Kanye and Jay. Although an accompanying music video wasn't ever produced for "Never Let Me Down", the audio of it was used in one of West's videos for "Jesus Walks". The song has developed a significant legacy over time, despite never being released as a single.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 The College Dropout (Media notes). Kanye West. Roc-A-Fella Records. Def Jam Recordings. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ahmed, Isanul (February 11, 2014). "15 Things You Didn't Know About Kanye West's 'The College Dropout'". Complex . Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ Kristobak, Ryan (February 7, 2014). "Kanye West Demo Tape 'The Prerequisite' Touts Original Songs From 'College Dropout,' 'Late Registration'". HuffPost . Archived from the original on January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  4. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (February 9, 2005). "Road to the Grammys: The Making Of Kanye West's College Dropout". MTV. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Martins, Jordan (April 19, 2010). "Tony Williams of G.O.O.D. Music Talks Most Memorable Studio Sessions With Kanye". Complex. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Heaton, Dave (March 5, 2004). Kanye West: The College Dropout Archived August 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . PopMatters . Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Sanneh, Kelefa (February 9, 2004). "No Reading And Writing, But Rapping Instead" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Pareles, Jon (April 2004). "Kanye West: The College Dropout". Blender (25). New York: 124. Archived from the original on April 9, 2005. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Tinsley, Justin (February 10, 2024). "'Family Business' is the perfect song from an imperfect Kanye West". Andscape . Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Kanye West's 'Family Business' Needs to Be the Thanksgiving 'Jingle Bells'". DJBooth. November 20, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "The College Dropout – Kanye West". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  12. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (March 14, 2004). "Kanye West: The College Dropout". Slant Magazine . Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  13. ↑ Love, Josh. Review: The College Dropout Archived September 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine . Stylus Magazine . Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  14. ↑ Caraan, Sophie (May 4, 2022). "Kanye West Earns Gold and Platinum Plaques for 'Ni**as in Paris,' 'No More Parties in LA' and More". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  15. ↑ Beauchemin, Molly (September 28, 2015). "Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment Cover Kanye West's 'Family Business'". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  16. ↑ Weiner, Natalie (October 14, 2015). "Chance the Rapper Covers Kanye West's 'Family Business' in New Video". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  17. ↑ Minsker, Evan (October 13, 2015). "Chance the Rapper Covers Kanye West's 'Family Business' in 'Family Matters' Video". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  18. ↑ "American single certifications – Kanye West – Family Business". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 15, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.