Music Review: Estelle & Kanye West "American Boy"

Estelle & Kanye West

American Boy

Album: Shine

Year: 2008

          Estelle meets a guy from the States while running errands in the tony “American Boy.”

          Illustrious synths open the single, setting a sophisicated tone. In the intro, Kanye West declares the song a hit mainly because he’s on it. He gets off the plane surrounded by an entourage. He thinks people will give him money for simply existing. However, they can’t go through his people. It has to be placed and counted in his hand. His manager told him the concert is selling well and to add another show. The expensive seats are already gone. (“This another number one champion sound/Yeah, Estelle we about to get down/Who the hottest in the world right now?/Just touched down in London town/Bet they give me a pound/Tell them put the money in my hand right now/Tell the promoter we need more seats/We just sold out all the floor seats.”)

            In the chorus, she tells him she has read and heard so much about the States. She only has seen New York City and Los Angeles on television and movies. She would love to travel around with him. Through emails and pictures, her family and friends would get a slice of American life through her new boyfriend. (“Take me on a trip I'd like to go some day/Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA/I really want to come kick it with you/You'll be my American boy.”)

He was so lost. He was looking his map of London. He asked her how far the West End was. She pointed to the West End on the map and said she’ll walk with him to the subway. He told her thank you. On the way to the subway, she learned he was a New Yorker. London is the one places he’s always wanted to see. He was well-spoken and sure of himself. However, she figured he was a boxer person right off – blue dots kept peeking out from the top of his low-slung pants. It doesn’t dull her attraction to him, though. She explains she’s never been anywhere in the States. She would love to see Miami. She asks if it’s true that California is always sunny and that New York is the city that never sleeps. She tells him they’ve reached their stop –Covent Garden.  She’s going to take him on her personal tour of the West End. She has some friends performing on the street today. (“He said, hey sister/It's really, really nice to meet you/I just met this 5-foot-7 guy who's just my type/Like the way he's speaking, his confidence is peaking/Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them/And no I ain't been to MIA /I heard that Cali never rains and New York wide awake/First let's see the West End, I'll show you to my bredrin/I'm liking this American boy, American boy.”)

            The chorus is sung again.

He tells her he’s going home tomorrow and then he’s returning home to Brooklyn. They exchange phone numbers and emails. She says next weekend is free for her. She can catch a flight. First, she wants to see a Broadway show. Then, hit Manhattan for Bergdorf’s and Tiffany’s. They’ll stop to eat at a deli. After lunch, they’ll take the subway to back to his house. She’ll see his office, where he works as an attorney. Even in casual clothes, he is put together. (“Can we get away this weekend? Take me to Broadway/Let's go shopping baby then we'll go to a Café/Let's go on the subway, take me to your hood/I never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good/Dressed in all your fancy clothes/Sneaker's looking fresh to death, I'm loving those Shell Toes/Walking that walk, talk that slick talk/I'm liking this American boy, American boy.”)

            The chorus is sung again.

            In the bridge, West says he’s as famous in the UK as he in the States. The media leaves him alone. They know he will tell them off. Estelle told him to not let his temper get the best of him. However, he says it’s just who he is. But he says he’s not the stereotype. Then, he argues he’s not materialistic as he rattles off the types of designer clothes he wears. But people like his lyrics and it’s what made him his money. Fashion is just where he prefers to spend it. He says he’s at his peak, like Michael Jackson or Gladys Knight and the Pips. It’s just talk. He ignores it. (“Who killing them in the UK, everybody going to say "you, K"/Reluctantly, because most of this press don't fuck wit me/Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down. Don't act a fool now, now"/I always act a fool oww, oww, ain't nothing new now, now/He crazy, I know what you thinking/Ribena I know what you're drinking/Rap singer, chain blinger/Holler at the next chick soon as you're blinking/What's you're persona about this Americana rhymer?/Am I shallow cuz all my clothes designer?/Dressed smart like a London bloke, before he speak his suit bespoke/And you thought he was cute before, look at this peacoat, tell me he's broke/And I know you ain't into all that, I heard your lyrics I feel your spirit/But I still talk that cash cause a lot wags want to hear it/And I'm feeling like Mike at his Baddest/Like The Pips at their gladdest/And I know they love it/So to hell with all that rubbish.”)

           Estelle asks in her part of the bridge, if he would be her boyfriend. (“Would you be my love, my love (could you be mine)/Would you be my love, my love (could you be mine)/Would you be my love, my love/Would you be my American boy, American boy.”)

In the final chorus, she says she would love to go to Chicago. Maybe she would run into Oprah! She says they could go to San Francisco also. (“Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day/Take me to Chicago, San Francisco bay/I really want to come kick it with you/You'll be my American boy, American boy.”)

                Estelle’s grand vocals exhibit a modern flair. She can explain the Met Ball to anyone and state her favorite theme. She knows who listens to and her music collection is a blend of UK and American singers. She knows the latest in pop culture and even follows the popular American shows.  She’s fascinated by America and having a boyfriend from the States would be like celebrity for her.

               West’s flat rap is unusually self-aware, addressing the perception of himself as a angry psycho who only cares about clothes. However, he doesn’t really represent the average American guy that Estelle likes. It’s doubtful he would ever let his jeans sag when there is likely a closet full of designer belts in every color to choose from.

            The  elegant “American Boy” travels well.