Since Prince was on Apollonia

Kanye West has made me cranky before, but these are the times when he justifies his arrogance.

"Stronger" lays waste to so many current hip-hop songs that it should make artists like T-Pain ashamed. Hell, even Timbaland, darling of the moment, hasn't created a beat in the last two years that has the thumping, epic grandeur of West's latest brainchild. This song is on par with "Jesus Walks," and that's one of my favorite songs of all time.

"Stronger's" sample of the Daft Punk song "Harder, Better, Fast, Stronger" is particularly brilliant because it tweaks the techno-fuzz in Timbaland's songs without making West beholden to it.

(Ironically, Wikipedia reports that Timabaland helped West finish the track. I'd like to think that means both men are so secure in their abilities that they can help each other, even as they tease.)

And, you know... I love any and all references to Prince and Apollonia.

Meanwhile, West's continuing ability to be upfront about homophobia is starting to be inspiring. It would be easy for him to drop the subject or massage his position into something less alienating. Instead, he honestly admits his own prejudices while acknowledging how poisonous they are.

Unlike the forced "confessions" of celebrities like Michael Richards, Mel Gibson, or Isiah Washington, I believe West's declaration that he thinks it's wrong to hate people. After all, he spoke up of his own accord, not because he was caught doing something disgusting.

P.S. -- Who do you think he's talking about when he says he'll "do anything for a blonde dyke?"