Graduation is the complete opposite of Kanye’s first two releases. College Dropout and Late Registration both were swamped with features and skits while Graduation takes a minimalist approach, containing only 13 tracks and many of the features only appear on the hooks.
When this album first came out I had absolutely no interest in hearing it. The whole idea of Kanye West repulsed me, especially when you factor in the idea of him and 50 Cent battling for the most sales. With that being said, I was pleasantly surprised when I finally sat down and listened all the way through. The thing I love about this album is the fact that Kanye continued to stretch the common boundaries we as Hip Hop fans are used to. Kanye proved his fearlessness when he released his main single, “Stronger” which is obviously techno inspired. Kanye took a huge risk but in turn, “Stronger” was a major hit. One refreshing thing about, Graduation, is the fact that everything is so different yet so cohesive. From Lil Wayne to T-Pain to Coldplay’s Chris Martin, ‘Ye finds a way to satisfy every need of every fan.
When an artist makes an album with only 13 tracks, the margin for error is so slim that it can be dangerous. However, in this case Kanye crafted this perfectly. I personally only skip 2 songs, so overall I feel like Graduation outshines Late Registration but falls short when compared to College Dropout.
Overall score: 4/5
Standout Tracks: “I Wonder”, “Everything I Am”, “Homecoming”
***Writers Note***
Earlier this week when I reviewed College Dropout, the official rating should have read, 4.5/5, not 4/5.
I apologize for the typo and confusion.
Read Kevin Nottingham’s take on Graduation from when the album was released last year.
