Graduation

Kanye West · 2007

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What it is

Kanye West's third album, made with DJ Toomp and others, adding stadium synths, electronic music and arena rock to his soul-sampling sound behind a cover by Takashi Murakami. "Stronger", built on Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger", "Good Life", "Flashing Lights", "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Homecoming", with Chris Martin, carry his boasts and doubts.

Why it matters

The album that outsold 50 Cent's Curtis in a famous same-day release, a sign of rap moving away from gangsta swagger. Its synthesized, emotional sound shaped the hip-hop of the next decade.

Listening to it

Length: 51 min.

Your notes

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Connects to earlier albums14

Built on
Led Zeppelin IV · Led Zeppelin · 1971
Kanye West drew on arena rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, the band of Led Zeppelin IV, for the melodies and chord progressions of Graduation.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)"
Samples
Ege Bamyasi · Can · 1972
On Graduation, "Drunk and Hot Girls" samples "Sing Swan Song" from Ege Bamyasi, by Can.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Built on
Exile on Main St. · The Rolling Stones · 1972
Kanye West drew on arena rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, the band of Exile on Main St., for the melodies and chord progressions of Graduation.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)"
Samples
The Royal Scam · Steely Dan · 1976
On Graduation, "Champion" samples "Kid Charlemagne" from The Royal Scam, by Steely Dan.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Samples
Thriller · Michael Jackson · 1982
On Graduation, "Good Life" samples "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" from Thriller, by Michael Jackson.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Built on
The Joshua Tree · U2 · 1987
Kanye West drew on U2, the band of The Joshua Tree, for the melodies and chord progressions of Graduation.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)"
Samples
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back · Public Enemy · 1988
On Graduation, "Everything I Am" samples "Bring the Noise" from It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, by Public Enemy.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Samples
All Eyez on Me · 2Pac · 1996
On Graduation, "I Wonder" samples the snare drums of "Ambitionz az a Ridah" from All Eyez on Me, by 2Pac.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Producer or player
Black on Both Sides · Yasiin Bey · 1999
Graduation features Yasiin Bey, whose Black on Both Sides came before it.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (personnel)
Samples
Discovery · Daft Punk · 2001
On Graduation, "Stronger" samples "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" from Discovery, by Daft Punk.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Producer or player
The Blueprint · Jay-Z · 2001
Graduation features Jay-Z, whose The Blueprint came before it.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (personnel)
Samples
The Blueprint · Jay-Z · 2001
On Graduation, "Good Morning" ends with Jay-Z's lines from "The Ruler's Back", the opening track of The Blueprint, by Jay-Z.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (sample credits)
Producer or player
A Rush of Blood to the Head · Coldplay · 2002
Graduation features Chris Martin of Coldplay, whose A Rush of Blood to the Head came before it.
Wikipedia, "Graduation (album)" (personnel)
Continues
Late Registration · Kanye West · 2005
Graduation completes the college trilogy Kanye West began with The College Dropout and Late Registration.
Wikipedia, "The College Dropout"

Connects to later albums1

Samples it
Beyoncé · Beyoncé · 2013
On the 2014 Platinum Edition of Beyoncé, "Drunk in Love (Remix)" samples "Flashing Lights" from Graduation, by Kanye West.
Wikipedia, "Beyoncé (album)" (sample credits)

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