graduation album graduation studio album american hip hop recording artist record producer kanye_west released september recording sessions album took place new_york_city los_angeles primarily produced west significant contributions brian day miller plain pat jon features guest contributions artists including pain premier album cover artwork designed japanese contemporary artist inspired indie rock chicago house graduation marked movement away ornate soul based sound west previous releases style function performing large arenas end west incorporated synthesizer sounds production electronic music sampling wider spectrum sources lyrically album introspective comparison predecessors west dedicated album analyzing exploring ambivalent outlook newfound fame continues education theme west previous studio albums college late registration album debuted number billboard selling copies week produced singles including international hits tell stronger good life coinciding release dates graduation fellow rapper cent curtis generated publicity idea sales competition resulting record breaking sales performances albums outcome competition marks turning point hip hop culture dominance rap mainstream hip hop brought end graduation received positive reviews critics earned west accolades including grammy award best rap album album sold copies certified double platinum recording_industry_association_of_america background graduation installment kanye_west planned education themed studio albums west subsequently later events surrounding conception fourth studio album album demonstrates distinctive progression west musical style approach production spending previous year touring world irish rock band west inspired watching open stadium tours night incredible sought compose rap songs operate efficiently large arenas west attempt accomplish stadium status endeavor west incorporated layered electronic synthesizers hip hop production finds utilizing slower influenced music 1980s experimenting electronic music kanye_west particularly influenced house music electronic dance music originated hometown chicago illinois early 1980s west stated growing listen hip hop music home car felt like dancing attend house club rarely listened house home felt important culture background west musical palette graduation limiting customary use samples classic soul records instead drew influences far eclectic range music genres house music graduation contains samples music elements euro disco hard rock electronica lounge progressive rock synth pop electro dub reggae studio album kanye_west modified style rapping adopted flow vocal west altered vocabulary utilized rhythmic favor melodic sounds addition west drew inspiration arena rock bands rolling_stones melodies chord songs terms rhymes touring rolling_stones bigger bang concert tour discovering audiences complex lyrical themes west conscious decision widespread recording practice excessive rap albums saturated filler instead comprised graduation significantly fewer tracks chose scale guest appearances limiting single guest rap verse entire studio album stylistic divergence desire economical studio album creative reaction brought alternative rock indie rock west listening time recording studio album west cites rock bands killers indie pop singer songwriter looked songwriting inspiration favorite musicians having considerably profound influence sound graduation largely inclusion layered electronic synthesizers west believed record took hip hop different direction acknowledged fact differences right away doubt graduation good album felt representation music listening time recording kanye_west began working graduation immediately releasing second studio album late registration late september west completed songs album intended contain total tracks time recording studio album west listen songs written folk country singer songwriters bob_dylan hopes developing methods augment word play storytelling abilities musician recommended west multiple friends including english disc jockey claimed music way dealt press reminded listened favorite alternative rock bands including killers order gain new ideas hip hop production style stadium friendly additionally west test new songs office dance clubs people listen music adjustments tracks based feedback received repeating process times necessary comparison previous albums graduation features fewer guest appearances recording artists west elaborated fully conscious decision guest vocalists minimum saying hear records favorite bands killers hear voice start finish singers pain new_york rappers famed hip hop record producer premier featured individual tracks primarily deliver hooks originally intended graduation completely devoid guest rap verses west decided invite new_orleans rapper track barry bonds time working west contributing production sixth studio album absence west explained songs hooks chords ideas special effects antics fake west instead decided record musical place hip hop incorporated african sounds percussion unknown reasons musical omitted studio album songs graduation contain background vocals provided australian dance music group collaboration came west met sydney touring country november seeking musical inspiration west asked mcdonald ideas turn suggested introduced mitchell meeting mitchell arrived studios recording music tour west sing vocal track quickly took liking voice singer guitarist edge complimented mitchell singing visiting studio time later mitchell received west asked travel los_angeles begin recording tracks studio album mitchell later admitted previously didn know kanye_west cared hip hop music collaboration changed views interview billboard west revealed worked lead singer british alternative rock band song entitled homecoming possibly released lead single graduation collaboration occurred year kanye_west met impromptu jam session abbey road studios london england west finished performing held abbey road band happened recording music recording studio exactly time song actually home track originated demo tape dating year available years later new title home west soon advance copy west debut studio album college leak released original version possesses kanye_west trademark classic soul vocal sample production style singer chorus contains lyrics different martin fact asked kanye_west change song lyrical content widely considered music critics listeners alike radio friendly track graduation west defines studio album single good life song blatant hit track features vocals singer utilizes voice audio technology west previously experimented technology debut album college background vocals songs jesus walks let brief stay sweden west sent sixteen different mixes good life recording studio audio mastering process west admitted actually care single pressured releasing record label west clarified doesn retain lingering animosity whatsoever record label regards graduation started taking definite form time filming music video second single stronger prior west making songs music video directed famed music video director film director screenwriter sci imagery music video inspired west album futuristic direction filming music video began west written song second verse returned studio parts stronger tracks recorded album watching films total recall ideas west mixed track seventy times kick drum sound precisely way wanted issues worked stronger different audio engineers different mix engineers globe recorded versions track feeling dissatisfied hearing number hit single inside club compared alongside single way favorite hip hop beat time west enlisted record producer assist drum programming studio album sees return composer multi jon played integral role executive producer west previous studio album late registration track drunk hot girls claimed day listening sing swan song german experimental rock band heard words drunk hot girls actual hot lyrics rap west instead slowly sings sinister song original melody vocals features vocal harmony chorus guest artist voice experiences second audio delay delivers song filled bridge comparison tracks album drunk hot girls taken seriously time recording sessions heard laughing background playful west abruptly makes ridiculous liner joke intentionally doesn actually rhyme said song entire studio album epic stadium rap power ballad wonder influenced kanye_west cites favorite songs graduation sought hip hop variation rock band city lights west reportedly heard snare drum track shopping furniture moss spent weeks working said wrote song thinking performing onstage audience people mind placed significant concentration speaking high volumes fewer wording initially delivers defiant lyrics intense vocal style west raps song verses single double time rhyme schemes stresses word minimalist verse west transitions faster fluid flow intricate second verses west considered release wonder album fourth single instead chose flashing lights refers track studio album hip hop beat glory originally west good music associate close friend fellow chicago hip hop artist common seventh album produced recorded west simultaneously graduation case previous albums certain tracks west originally crafted common declined eventually ended studio album song intended common passed fact west addresses opening lines record features contributed famed hip hop record producer premier west played demo phone premier asked thought premier replied enjoyed lyrics innovative beat offered scratch working track following numerous instructions supplied west premier took seven different styles including drum breaks cut different rhythms scattered track providing west different ideas choose written west envisioned concept chorus riding elevator soul jay-z dedication big brother stands song graduation didn produce production track instead handled solely atlanta record producer according west cousin soul singer jay-z emotional west played big brother studio time interview rolling_stone kanye_west recalled moment asked opinion jay-z replied considered big brother fair portrayal little brother perspective jay-z went thought song brilliantly written believed west best song jesus walks far structure emotion poetry appears japanese bonus track graduation actually songs crafted late registration seeing biographical film ray kanye_west blues rock musician decided collaborate record immediately went recording studio compose song wasn time west mayer collaborated previously worked single common sixth studio album came mayer went visit west record plant los_angeles end kanye_west felt song coincide overall second studio album subsequently composition music style graduation kanye_west departure warm soul samples college lush baroque pop orchestration late registration motivated stadium west ventured arena rock elements explores electronic music musical progression arose west touring world rock bands change came listening music encompass genres alternative rock indie rock especially house music house music electronic dance music origins traced kanye_west hometown chicago illinois productions tracks graduation unique european musical influences according west developed fascination euro disco european form electronic dance music branched american disco 1970s going columnist slant_magazine claims album hip hop beats european club worthy stripped vocals importantly green kanye_west developed affinity electronic synthesizers chicago_tribune music critic greg_kot comments incorporation synthesizer sounds musical standpoint views graduation album keyboard tones variety pitchfork_media album exhibits new production style rave stabs synth patches electronic noises contrast allmusic andy_kellman argues synthesizer use marks clear conscious diversion past productions highlights deeply rooted old nostalgia inducing samples elegant strings gospel west retracted rich live instrumentation characterized previous studio album late registration replaced heavy layered electronic synthesizers gothic tendencies loud volumes graduation west injected distorted synth chords rave stabs house beats electro disco rhythms wide array audio effects articulate hip hop production west buried signature kicks deep beneath layers synths mix graduation contains eclectic variety familiar samples manipulated west continues use vocal samples west pushing underneath synths causing sound like voices trapped huge machine like organic connections mythical black music past case productions west relies simply samples instead lies sense multi layered evident track new unfamiliar musical surroundings west retains self assurance close attention sonic detail album contains random semi sounds challenging notice sounds range keyboard crowd cheers hard rock guitars act supplement samples layered electronic synths west filled corners graduation subtle instrumental studio warrant repeated close careful listening experience according los_angeles_times album subtly dark tone inevitable toll placed west artist genre partially destroy renew torn devotion hip hop tradition restless artistic drive graduation intricate musical environments times odds west lyrics contradictory music makes sense heard attempt express internal struggle west hip hop west contained genre hard stop running crowd west verge moving forward despite predominant synthetic attributes overall electronic aesthetic emphasis placed organic string arrangements late registration remained significant factor graduation similar predecessor graduation wasn restricted confines conventional techniques typical traditional hip hop production instead west continues implement sudden musical shifts multi layered song structures express composed introductions bridges album west produced songs combine hip hop beats continues employ skill keys strings vocals melodies samples according graduation ambitious album demonstrates west ear blending structure melody timing evocative arrangement potential exist comfortably alongside effective samples acting producer west manages maintain quality control album music ensure productions build momentum revolve handful repeated samples nearly song graduation memorable hooks overall sound album progresses textures glossy polished synthesizer driven productions harder track belief sophomore effort far poorly arranged unnecessary sonic west took measures release west fashioned graduation contain ornate production studio album completely devoid hip hop record way produced cohesive package production graduation opens sparse note good morning beginning echoed beat bassline simple synthesizer drowned music arrives chorus ambient synths backing choir crafted non verbal vocal sample saved life tonight elton_john good morning eventually concludes voice jay-z lyrics ruler rapper opening track sixth studio album blueprint production champion features intermittent drops expresses slight jazz rock influence guitars favor breezy synths verses west raps constant loop words eyes hook formed question realize champion phrases line lifted dan song sports reggae inspired bridge delivered distinct vocal style soul fired track wonder starts piano based refrain contains samples song british poet proceeds synths impacted distorted snare drum strokes ethereal electronic keyboards bridge chord progression changes song adopts heavy string section melody synths composition enters instrumental passage finishes sweeping string arrangement good life utilizes multi tracked vocals guest singer auto tuned voice song melody based sampled keyboards michael_jackson tempo slightly decreased pitch raised point sound resembles barry bonds built bass line gothic organ punctuated sampled long red mountain drunk hot girls exhibits sluggish pitched rhythm eastern european drinking song contains mix dark orchestration electronics elements sing swan song german progressive rock band west claimed listening song heard words drunk hot girls actual hot lyrics rap west guest artist sing song melody opening gradual rising symphonic strings flashing lights synth transforming moderately paced synth driven beat introduction mitchell processed vocals repeat titular hook times west raps verses followed chorus sung coupled hook following break song enters passage heavily manipulated hook echoes coda draws composition close stronger built sample harder better faster stronger composed rhodes piano vocal sample stands studio album production west marries tempo beat gentle piano chords soulful sampled lovers low key track hook premier formed vocal sample contains line lifted bring noise public enemy thick heavy bass line pattern glory tempo number soul defined early production style displays sped high pitched vocal sample save country accompanied uplifting strings keys male gospel choir frontman sings chorus supplies gospel style piano motif west raps heavy drums homecoming noisy cheering crowd heard background track jay-z ode big brother begins west words stadium status backed string orchestra pounding drums distorted guitar riff piano keys mid verse track adopts synths mimic melodies string section second verse additional instrumentation enters including heavy bass line metallic percussion studio album final track good night exhibits production characteristics west musical evolution west mechanical sound bit beat elegant traditional sound classical piano lyrical content comparison previous albums largely driven commentary matters pertaining social welfare graduation introspective nature addresses personal themes west stated wanted inspirational music placed focus individual perspective experience listeners connect attempt create people theme songs dismayed messages complex frequently lost listeners didn carry live performances west attempt lyrics use skeletal rhyme schemes straightforward verses concentrating speaking volumes wording graduation having committed significant time storytelling abilities listening folk musicians west manages form lyrical narrative nearly song album west dedicated majority album conducting analysis conveying ambivalent outlook newfound wealth fame west subversive songwriting playful self critical self doubt confident celebratory face value songs contained graduation thematically distanced retained music critics remarked compounded west urgent rapping style record sounded experiencing crisis free champion primarily composed lyrics west briefly touches strained relationship father divorced mother years old eventually reaching conclusion ups downs end father champion eyes west described stronger emancipation uses song vent frustration mistakes past wonder carries introspective tone retaining chorus finding dreams west uses verses describe struggle person experiences determining meaning life achieving dreams inspired watching open stadium tours west concentrated speaking volumes words song delivers raps manner vocal flashing lights tells narrative man contemplating tragic relationship tell serves west reflection fame characterized bitter remorse defiant self awareness west begins song conflicted feelings wealth desire describing spend objectives life ties perceived overall inability grows increasingly prominent figure public eye west regains lyrical barry bonds competitive friendly battle exchange rhymes song uses major_league_baseball player metaphor west ability create music hits drunk hot girls person narrative illustrates man attractive woman club gets song self examination west attempts confront surveying consequences ways people expect conduct track west addresses indifference constructing gangster persona refusal dress act like rapper social commentary lack self restraint west comes conclusion able live people expectations flawed serve writing song west thought young girl high school dealing people coming homecoming serves heartfelt tribute west hometown chicago illinois extended metaphor city childhood sweetheart named west rhymes love chicago guilt leaving pursue musical dream song opening lines lyrically love similarly hip hop song west close friend common later appeared single music video west dedicated big brother jay-z feels close sees brother song west details love admiration jay-z relationship sibling rivalry west uses song chorus subsidiary dedication mentor taught produce music similar songwriting characteristics album closing track good night alludes west musical progression majority song composed repetitive choruses bridges west raps single verse taking trips museum grandparents verse draws close west person past charges living life like tomorrow retrospect death mother months album released addition dissolution engagement fiancée trace amounts melancholy found scattered graduation west studio album artwork west collaborated japanese contemporary artist oversee art direction graduation design cover art album accompanying singles called japan visual art characterized creatures appear friendly cheerful possess dark twisted collaboration came west visited studio brief trip tokyo japan midst touring year album artwork expresses colorful imagery influenced affiliation post modern art movement influenced manga anime production process took place course weeks west constantly new images ideas team bringing educational theme expressed west previous albums close visual plotline images contained liner notes lead graduation ceremony takes places fictional college institution situated futuristic metropolis called explained metaphor artwork saying cover based theme student life school place dreams place fun occasionally place experience rigid human race music like uses grooves tornado spins times wanted swept spun tornado artwork storyline centers bear west anthropomorphic bear mascot illustrations chronicle bear overcoming obstacles effort reach college campus time graduation ceremony story begins rainy day alarm clock running apartment car modeled car engine dies forced find alternative means transportation attempts hail cab speeds right past water tries metro rail misses pulls away left options reduced pursuing goal foot races populated multi eyed living mushrooms pursued monstrous rain cloud attempts swallow eventually bear arrives university makes ceremony time stand colleagues wide variety anthropomorphic creatures like visual story concludes bear shot cannon university sky cover cover art graduation cited fifth best album cover year rolling_stone designs album artwork later brought life use shaded animation minute animated music video good morning release hosting listening session second studio album late registration august kanye_west revealed wanted schedule release graduation october months later march west appeared los_angeles radio station power said working album common seventh album lyrics songs cappella announced release date graduation september west debuted album lead single tell new_york radio station hot released free internet features preview clips songs appear graduation showcases artists signed west record label good music collaborations musicians contains debut song west formed end pushed forward release date graduation september unspecified late august date decision west announced introductory track tell july album release date changed moved september release date rapper cent studio album curtis presented proposal label moving release date album idea sales competition cent west initially expressed indifference thought saying heard thing debate thought thing album drops album drops everybody wins gon lot good music time jam president ceo jay-z welcomed competition feeling prosperous hip hop date permanent album release generated publicity sales competition months prior september release date west extended gratitude cent enthusiasm excitement friendly competition produced confident emerge victorious west said perfectly fine losing cent saying day come day cares interview usa today cent expressed view idea sales competition stating great marketing kanye_west sell way records kanye_west generate way interest kanye_west think match find week goes sales come rivalry august cent confirmed interview end career solo recording artist graduation sell copies curtis united_states cent later retracted statement mtv interview contract agreements records promotion west spent significant time promoting graduation trip united_kingdom august west guest starred british comedy variety friday night project played preview versions songs big brother champion forthcoming album making appearance radio august later day west performed festival england audience people played new material graduation tribute cover hit single rehab held secret concert singer rihanna audience fans invited guests westminster central hall london england august guests greeted staff members wearing graduation robes caps reference title west studio album graduation end concert shower silver tape reading touch sky fell ceiling audience actual touch sky fourth single late registration played speakers returned united_states west joined cent onstage surprise performance audience people held august madison square garden tour west performed benefit concert raising funds promoting higher education sponsored charity foundation august chicago concert provided live renditions songs graduation gave audience sneak early production stages fall glow dark tour august west hosted studio album listening session graduation new world stages new_york_city kanye_west explained influences aspirations album played songs video clips taken variety futuristic sci films including days later morning august clean version album leaked internet survey conducted billboard results displayed estimated readers predicted graduation sell units cent projections week based early store sales reports indicated range graduation curtis projected range commercial performance day release graduation sold copies album debuted number billboard chart grossing total copies week united_states graduation west second consecutive studio album billboard debuted number album charts united_kingdom canada week stronger topped billboard hot selling digital downloads giving west number single release graduation achieved highest week sales week album topping minutes midnight sold copies album west highest sales week date surpassing opening week previous album late registration registered best week sales totals record released years west late registration additionally graduation ranked 15th highest sales week album nielsen_soundscan began tracking data highest sales week time release album cent massacre set record largest week album digitally downloaded registering paid downloads beating previous set record won soon long graduation week sales curtis week sales marked second time inception nielsen soundscan albums debuted week totals surpassing copies united_states occurrence event september roses released use illusion sold copies use illusion sold copies week sales totals week sales totals roses albums cent showed regards defeat statement released associated_press said excited participated biggest album release weeks years collectively sold hundreds thousands units debut week marks great moment hip hop music history years sales album competition releases resulting record breaking performances albums demonstrated considered fantastic day hip hop second week billboard graduation slid number release selling copies maintaining dominance curtis sold week releases new albums graduation dropped spaces number registered reaching cumulative total million copies october selling copies album descended spots following week reach number seven fourth week chart graduation experienced slight rebound rose number seven october selling copies following week album began descend selling estimated copies dropping places reach ninth position october year end graduation downloaded best selling album itunes store graduation west consecutive studio album sell million copies united_states certified double platinum recording_industry_association_of_america riaa october june nielsen soundscan reported graduation grossed copies united_states critical reception graduation received widely positive reviews critics metacritic assigns normalized rating reviews mainstream publications album received average score based reviews pitchfork_media critic complimented accessibility west sonic finding impressive innovative assembled seemingly disparate elements songs writing village_voice dubbed genuinely hip hop today said bouts aside graduation contains killer pieces production stylus magazine said serves document west maturation musically accomplished thing rolling_stone wrote west evolving increasingly experimental genre bending production said lacks jay-z formal mastery west grown writer given year hip hop music needs creativity time wrote west best samples layers track surprises thrills discoveries dozen enthusiastic review robert_christgau deemed graduation minor success single track offers pleasures choruses yeah songs found wanting details emotional album reduces quality product felt west spent album obsession fame fashion occasionally awkward rhymes little stuff like failure convert shit live rhyme champion bay distance big brother guardian said west rap wit observed disappointing lyrics tell said revealed limited perspective slant_magazine critic found west lyrics expressive said songs hooks grab ear listen notably bypassing brain popmatters felt album ordinary lacks feel late registration songs aren richly dressed doesn trying hard accolades rolling_stone placed album number list albums graduation listed number time listed graduation tenth best album year year end poll conducted entertainment_weekly cited graduation best album hailed best album year usa_today wrote louis don major rap music schools create broader studio album listed fourth eighteenth best record year pitchfork_media respectively popmatters listed graduation fourth best album year graduation listed number thirty observer best albums year daily_telegraph ranked number list pop cds year writing kanye_west finally grew album delivering inventive precision hip hop wearing explored dark addictive pitchfork_media placed graduation number list albums 2000s graduation cited second best album entire decade complex magazine 50th grammy awards west led field total nominations including album year best rap sung collaboration good life tell west received grammy awards best rap solo performance stronger good life finally graduation received award 34th annual west received awards favorite rap hip hop artist favorite rap hip hop album graduation west offered felt award musical efforts praising artistic expression prevalent graduation success studio album singles lastly vivid imagination accompanying international glow dark tour mtv crowned west year hottest game legacy influence irish rock band asserted touring west significant effect music regards band twelfth studio album line horizon elaborated kanye_west rapping inspired utilize songwriting vocal performance west studio album graduation particularly hit singles stronger flashing lights attributed encouraging hip hop artists incorporate house electronica elements music playing revival disco electro infused music late 2000s addition tracks cited best example soulful introspective atmosphere came dominate rap world drake west received praise ability appeal diverse music audiences indie rock listeners rave enthusiasts hip hop audiences outcome highly publicized sales competition cent curtis west graduation decline rap dominated mainstream hip hop columnist asserts west win prove rap music didn conform rap conventions commercially successful cites west defeat cent sales responsible altering direction hip hop paving way new rappers didn follow hardcore gangster mold writing watershed moment indicate hip hop changing direction come cent competed album claim superior sales lost clear excellent lack street life experience led wave new artists hall drake lacked interest ability create narratives past drug dealing competition cent west released studio albums day penultimate series articles lists key events history hip hop music written guardian wrote highlighted hip hop decade rap west thinking man alternative similarly according graduation far west best studio album great piece work outcome competition cent stands historical moment hip hop culture graduation isn best people favorite incredible body art literally transitioning stardom right eyes attempting moment time victory rap changed longer ran doors opened drake graduation monument hip hop treasure classic track listing notes signifies producer signifies additional producer sample credits good morning contains samples saved life tonight elton_john champion contains elements dan stronger contains sample harder better faster stronger performed wonder contains sample song good life contains sample pretty young thing performed michael_jackson barry bonds contains sample long red performed mountain drunk hot girls contains elements sing swan song performed contains elements lovers performed bring noise performed public enemy glory contains elements save country performed contains sample long red performed mountain good night contains samples man dead wake town poetry performed personnel credits adapted liner notes charts certifications
Graduation (album)