Kanye West

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 rap—a few words, a little rhythm, a lot of emotion—still has power.

— by Josh Tyrangiel