Kanye West – Graduation [2007]
Too soon to call Kanye West’s Graduation a classic album? Not at all. A few years ago when we first opened up the doors here at nappyafro, Graduation was one of the first albums I got to review for the site (Even before we made up our minds to go with the track by track format). It was also the first album on nappyafro to receive 4.5 out of 5 rating. And still to this day I find myself going back to this album and still enjoying it. Yes, Graduation more than deserves the Classic Material title.
Now I can go a lotta ways to prove this point. I could go track and track and show you how almost all the songs are top notch. Or I could talk about how the album showed progression and shifted to a more electronic feel. Or how each track fits with the whole scheme of the album. Or how Ye wasn’t afraid to share production credits with the likes of Nottz, DJ Toomp, & Jon Brion. Or how Kanye flexed his lyrical muscle and buried Weezy on “Barry Bonds”. Or even how this album gave Curtis Jackson a big L in the sales competition.
If Kanye West ended his career today he would have a lotta accolades, but this would be the go to album to showcase his talent. It also proves that he will never have the burden of trying to top his first album like some of Hip-Hop’s elite because so far Graduation is his best album.
Then why did I give Graduation a 4.5? “Drunk & Hot Girls”. In years of listening, it’s starting to grow on me. But switch that track out with the bonus cut “Good Night” and it may deserve the 1/2 of a star.
Sidenote: Front page image.
drunk and hot girlswill grow on you, everything i am is just an amazing song. but idk i do love this but i think the college dropout is the go to album but maybe that’s just me. but either way, there is no denying that kanye dropped 3 classic albums. (no not 808s) and when his next album comes out if its anything like college dropout it will be amazing. im so appalled is a bangin song . that shit is like a warning honestly i think
“I’m So Appalled” goes in!
Negative, The College Dropout was his best joint, in my opinion after each cd he got worse little by little. Breaking point was that crap ass 808s and Heartbreaks, that was strait up music from a pcp and acid session.
I’d say Late Registration is his best but all 3 are amazing. I missed the skits on this one though.
I do think this was his best album, good choice. College Dropout might need to be put up there too.
Come on people. Track for track you can’t deny Graduation being his best. All the songs (Except “Drunk & Hot Girls”) are great.
Sidenote: These comments prove that people don’t give Ye the credit he deserves.
Couldn’t the same be said for every Kanye West album besides 808? Late Registration and College Dropout didn’t have any bad songs either.
Finally… This is Definately A Classic.
Each is a classic.
Great album but I wouldn’t consider it a classic. The lyrics weren’t doing it for me.
Fresh off the plane, konitchiwa bitches
Turn around another plane, my passport on pivot
As for what I did it, that asshole done did it
Talked it and he lived it, spitted then he shitted
I don’t need to writers, I might bounce ideas,
But only I could come up with some shit like this
I done played the underdog my whole career
Ive been a very good sport, haven’t I, this year
They said he’s going crazy and we seen this before
But I’m doing pretty good as far as geniuses go
And I’m doing pretty hood in my pink polo
Nigga please, how you gonna say I ain’t no low-head
Cos my Dior got me more model head
I’m insulted
You should go head
And bow so hard till your knees hit your forehead
And the flow just hit code red
Top 5 MC’s you ain’t gotta remind me
Top 5 MC’s you gotta rewind me
I’m high up on the line, you can get behind me
But my head’s so big you can’t sit behind me
Life of a Don, lights keep glowin’
Comin’ in the club wit that fresh shit on, with something crazy on my arm
Ha Ha Hum, here’s another hit, Barry Bonds
Actually, he says “I don’t need WRITERS,” not “I don’t need to write hits,” he just pronounces it like that so it rhymes
Ha! I just copied that shit from a lyrics website.
“They said he’s going crazy and we seen this before
But I’m doing pretty good as far as geniuses go
And I’m doing pretty hood in my pink polo
Nigga please, how you gonna say I ain’t no low-head
Cos my Dior got me more model head
I’m insulted
You should go head
And bow so hard till your knees hit your forehead”
Probably one of my favorite Yeezy verses, the fucking swagger (Did I really use that word?) works.
I always thought this album was a classic. Glad to see it finally get its due
Honestly the cd is great. However I wouldn’t classify it as classic. It was properly rated at 4.5 just missing the classic mark. which I agree with 100%. It just falls under the same category as AZ’s Doe or Die does…being great but just barely missing the classic status
In all honesty, although Late Regristration is probably his best album, this album is the most consistent. A small 14 tracks, and all of them (yes, even the bonus track, but exempting that Drunk And Hot Girls ish…) are definitely listenable, and convey an honest, flossing, all around Kanye. It’s his most well-rounded album, because you have everything in it, and that everything exceeds a lot of the typical rap standards. Defintely a classic contender.
I dont like yeezy at all. but i will say late registration is his best album and only one i currently own. college dropout was pretty good and i hate this graduation shit. 808 was a bad move. hey i am entitled to my opinion!
I would give Late Registration the classic stamp first but this albums like a 4.95 lol. In fact how about this for a question, can you consider an album great (as in 5/5) but not classic?
yea i agree wit this, but that 808s shits on everything else Ye done put out there! lol
No doubt its a classic but college dropout is a lil better..imo. Btw the fro shud review another album for classic material its been a minute…maybe college dropout?