I went to see him at the Glow N the Dark Tour in houston.... there is something about him that is so touching... he is a true performer. I think he is at the top of the game... hes brilliant. GRADUATION is a mind-blowing album with excellent samplez...

my favourite track hands down is "Flashing Lights" ft. Dwele. the beat is just OUTSTANDING... the video helped it become a INSTANT CLASSIC...

other joints on this album that i love...
"Homecoming"
"Champion"
"Barry Bonds"
"Good Morning"
"Cant Tell Me Nothing"
"I Wonder"

the whole album is amazing to me... he is alwayz going to b over the top and im not going to hate.... I just wish ppl would just give him the respect that he deserves...

4.5 out of 5 stars

Well the question of whether this album was going to be better than Curtis was answered a long time ago, so I think enough time has passed to look back on it and assess it as it is; Kanye West's third studio album. To start off, the artwork is one of the best I've ever seen on a hip hop album, and it'll catch your eye every time. As far as the music goes, I think it could have been much better had the original version of "Homecoming" been used. I still don't quite understand Chris Martin singing the chorus of a love song about Chicago, but who am I to question the marketing machine that is Mr. West. I think "Home" with John Legend is a far better song and was disappointed not to see it here. And speaking of that, where is "Bittersweet" with John Mayer??? Some of Kanye's best lyrics ever and in my opinion a far better song than "Big Brother" which should have been a b-side or a bonus track somewhere, as I believe "Bittersweet" became. Other than that, you know most of these songs already b/c he's released about 5 or 6 singles from this record. If you like those pick it up, if you're just starting out I'd suggest starting with College Dropout and than Late Registration (my personal favorite West album). 3 1/2 stars.

Kanye West - Graduation (Roc-A-Fella, 2007)

It's no secret: critics love Kanye West. The media loves Kanye West. Whatever wrongs he do in public are forgiven by them and each of his albums end up on some annual "Best of" list. Everybody else, however, has their own criticisms: he can't rap, he gives his best beats away, he's too cocky, etc. Well, this album, Graduation, probably won't change the naysayers' opinions but it is another well-rounded effort from Mr. West.

What you may notice is that this album is more condensed than his other albums (read: no stupid skits). It gives the listener more time to listen to 'Ye's lyrics. And he doesn't disappoint, especially on "Can't Tell Me Nothing", where he sums up the argument about how hip hop ain't how it used to be: "Old folks talkin' 'bout 'Back in my day'/But homey this is MY day". In other words, quit living in the past. Other great songs come in the forms of "Good Life" (any artist + T-Pain = instant hit), "Everything I Am", the funny "Drunk and Hot Girls" and the revealing "Big Brother" about Kanye's previous jealousy of Jay-Z.

Unfortunately, Kanye still has a way of trying to introduce old material to the masses, thinking that we never heard a certain rap before. One of The College Dropout Proper Advance's tunes, "Home", which used a girl as a metaphor for the city of Chicago, shows up on here called "Homecoming" and does an injustice to the original. And I'm not gonna lie, The College Dropout will always be Kanye's best album to me. Still, if you haven't yet, attend Kanye's Graduation because it's a special event. -EJR

This is not a review as such of Kanye West's "Graduation" album. Not a whole lot more that I can say about the album that hasn't been said somewhere in the hundreds of other reviews here. Instead, I wanted to comment on the disaster that was Kanye's performance at Bonnaroo in June, which I witnessed first hand.

Kanye was originally scheduled to perform at 8:15 PM Saturday evening, at the same time that Jack Johnson was scheduled to perform on the main stage. Claiming that he wanted to make sure it was dark enough for his stage show, Kanye requested that his set be moved to a 2:45 to 4 AM slot at the main stage (even though by 8:30 Central time, it's pretty much complete darkness). His request was granted (this was the first time ever that such a late performance would be held at the main stage). The headliners of the evening, Pearl Jam, ran over by 30 min. and finished their set at exactly 1 AM. Then the waiting started. 2:45 AM came and went with no sign of Kanye. The waiting went on and on and on... People were getting very frustrated, for obvious reasons. Lots of people simply left. Finally, at 4:25 AM, Kanye came on stage, no explanation given, no "thanks for hanging in there", like nothing was wrong. The set started with "Good Morning", and how appropriate it was as dawn started to break. By the time Kanye finished at 5:25 AM, it was complete daylight. So much for glow in the dark!

I had heard a lot about the Glow in the Dark tour, and was very curious to see what the brouhaha was all about. Well, color me mightily disappointed! The 'special effects' came across cheaply, for one. Separate from the faux pas for not apologizing for being so late, the show is just a one man performance, dancing and singing to pre-taped music (not a single 'live" instrument), just like on the Disney channel! Very disappointing. Later I read that Kanye blamed the fiasco on the Bonnaroo organizers "who clearly don't know how to put on a show". Sure, Kanye! Me personally, I think that "Kanye don't like white people"...

i had to listen to this a few times, but i like most of the tracks on it.

This will be short but sweet. So much hip-hop today, almost all of it is garbage. There is an overflow of so-called rap artist in todays music market, and hip-hop is being destroyed. Even though Kayne West is more in the "pop" areana of hip-hop, this album is pretty enjoyable and catchy. Kayne doesnt lay down wanna be gangster tracks here, so he gets bonus points just for that. The sampling of some of the songs is done well, and the lyrical content of the album is solid. Perfect? No, Solid, Yes, and worth a listen even for non-hip hop fans or those as myself who mostly like oldschool (almost everything up to 2002, then after, most everything sucks) might enjoy some of the catchy tracks
Overall Grade- B-

Kanaye West Graduation is the first cd of his I have ever bought or even wanted to buy as his release approached I was looking past his effort to a man who had held my attention for several years 50 cent . So I picked up 50's effort first and while not as strong as his first efforts I felt it was still a solid effort but as I heard more of Kanaye's effort stronger, welcome to the goodlife and flashing lights really moved me to purchase this cd . Seems to me Kanaye kinda reinvented himself and atleast to me put out a better product . I would say he narrowly edged out Jay-Z for best rap cd of 2007 . Kanaye spits inpressivly and beats are strong while bring in T-Pain for good life appears to have been brillent . Go out and get Graduation

Ok lets get one thing straight, Kanye is one of the best out there. Since coming on the scene with College dropeout he hasn't stoped. Kanye is one of the only artists to get better with time. Graduation is easily Kanye's best album to date. Every track on this disc is a classic. When I first heard drunkin hot girls, I couldn't believe it. Had to rewind it several times. I hate all the people that say Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive. Haha, lets get one thing straight Jay-z is and will always be the greatest, case closed. Kanye deserves all the good things that come to him. On this album once again he invites you into his world. You hold your breath on every line he says. Lyrically Kanye isnt the best, but damn this man is creative. I love Kanye, I love what he bodies. Sure he is cocky, but lets face it he can be. Thank you Kanye for releasing another hip hop classic. Thank you Kanye for all you do for Hip Hop.

26th October 2007, Dubai Media City! Try imagine The Beatles' concert in the 60s, Bob Marley's in the 70s or Michael Jackson's in the 80s. I never had an NBA ticket for a Chicago game in the mid 90s... but this time, the dream came true! I bowed in the presence of Greatness; Kanye West! Well, lost my assets there but the tragic accident could not prevent me from spitting "Jesus Walks". I felt like Zachary up in that tree, above the agitated crowd eager to attend his graduation...

Graduation - Top credits

1. Everything I Am
2. Can't Tell Me Nothing
3. Flashing Lights
4. Big Brother
5. Champion/The Glory

Finally a rapper I feel comfortable with, as a white college student. Most rap doesn't speak to me but if you put some cutesy animals on your cover instead of rims and hoes, NOW you got me. He's like SCI-FI and you know that's what we white boys are into. He may not have much street cred but whatever, everyone knows if you want to make it big , you have to sell to white kids, and KANYE IS GOD. Scratch that-chck-a-chck-a whck, BIGGER than god. I was amazed when I went to his concert and he said, "We don't need another white person as president, we need a black person." It's so cool how he simplified politics down to black and white like that. He is the greatest artist alive and ALL you haterz are just jealous you can't flow like him, or however you quantify the vocal prowess of "rappers" these old school days. ......ihatemyself

he has proved himself to be even better than before, i like this one...fly muzik, vibe and everything in between...

A Walk Through LifeGraduation is Kayne Wests best album of the three he's released so far! all the tracks are good so your able to play it from beginning to finish, without skipping any tracks.Nowadays so many records have one or two good songs on them and the rest are bad but this is not the case in Graduation a good whole album to have in your collection!.

When Kanye West first started out, I thought he had a lot of potential to be a decent and credible artist. He was new and fresh, plus I thought he had quite a few catchy songs. Nevertheless, I don't feel that way anymore. Kanye West just seems like an a s s hole, plain and simple. He's extremely arrogant and think's he's the best rapper who's ever gotten signed. Bottom line, is that he let the fame and money get to his already enormous head. In my opinion, the singles he's put out on "Graduation" aren't very unique or different from anything else that's out there right now. Granted, I have not purchased the album nor have I ever attempted to listen to it. But why would I? If the best songs that are on the album are the ones that are playing on the radio right now, then I'm not going to waste my time or money to hear the rest of it.

I will always enjoy Kanye for his artistry, but unfortunately this album just falls short. The songs have no replay value and his beats & lyricism are becoming predictable. Hopefully his fourth release will be much more enjoyable.

i think rap music is so trash the first decent rapper to hit the scence{which is not kanye} there gonna go crazy. people are so use to 1 and 2 hit wonder albums if you give them 4 songs that are good on an album there bite. so even though theres 14 songs on an album they can listen to 4 over and over again thats good.

"kanye's album is brilliant, but is it hip hop?..we don't wear white shades around here. We're not into fashion, versace, gucci. nah"
-KRS

That quote sums it up for me. Production is great, but more of a pop album than hip hop. Almost all people that are blown away by Kanye's lyrics didn't follow rap in the mid-90's (esp 94). Yeah they're ok, but compared to the golden age they don't come close. Props on the innovation though it's good to see ppl like him doin his own thing after payin his dues

Kanye does. If you know someone who loves music, but doesn't love Graduation, their issue is with the artist, not the art. The art cannot be denied. Kanye flat out makes great music. It's been a lot of years since I heard a hip hop song and went searching all over to find the original song that was sampled. This CD has several songs like that. Take a welcome break from tough guy posturing and drug sales and just enjoy music for a while. You won't be disappointed.

Kanye is perhaps the only person in music who matters. Why is that? On "Graduation" he not only has something to say but he also gets his point across lyrically, poetically, artistically and brilliantly. The man is a genius disguised as an artist. Kanye reminds me of a young Stevie Wonder because his songs have so much life and passion. I hope he never stops and I hope he only gets bigger and bigger because Kanye is just what we need. IMO he should run for president. But he's probably too smart for that job.

"Tell me what it takes to be number one..."

Kanye West knows what it takes. He made loud noise a few years ago with his debut cd COLLEGE DROPOUT, and he hasn't really simmered down yet. And, really, Kanye may be an arrogant, self-serving so-and-so, but, damn, can the man back up his swagger! GRADUATION, his third release after the immense The College Dropout and Late Registration, comes at ya hard with infectious tunes that employ tight, well-articulated lyrics and that inimitable Kanye West attitude. With a dubious year for hip hop, I'd say that GRADUATION emerges as pound-for-pound the best rap album of 2007. And, as a bonus, it resoundingly kicks 50 Cent's simultaneously released Curtis to the curb.

Only 13 jams to this one, compared to COLLEGE DROPOUT's 20 tracks, and LATE REGISTRATION's 21. This probably helps to lend a more restrained feel to GRADUATION (compared to those prior two's excesses; and no skits in this one). GRADUATION hits you up with sweet joints and captivating beats. I'm not enough a creature of music to determine if Kanye's grown as an artist or not or if his stuff here is more mature or not(that "genius" label sure is touted around pretty liberally). But I do know what I like, and I like most of Kanye's songs here. He again lets loose the producer side of him, resulting in outstanding production values, rich, polished and intricate.

GRADUATION is soul and synth and samples, electronics and brass and strings, and sometimes nostalgic, often versatile; all adding up to a bounty of addictive hooks. Most of the tunes serve equally as either bangin' club joints or bob-your-head-as-you-drive music. The danceability factor is simply off the chain. The break out hits (so far) are the techno-funky "Stronger," "The Good Life," and my personal favorite "Flashing Lights" (which boasts the best, lushest hook in the cd).

Nicely sampling from the likes of Daft Punk ("Stronger), Steely Dan ("Champion"), and even Elton John ("Good Morning"), Kanye also collaborates with T-Pain ("Good Life"), Dwele ("Flashing Lights"), Cold Play's Chris Martin (the piano-driven "Homecoming"), Lil' Wayne (sloppy in "Barry Bonds"), and with one of my favorite dudes Mos Def (on "Drunken Hot Girls," which, along with "Barry Bonds," unfortunately constitutes the CD's sub-par stuff). "The Glory" is his catchy go-to-church gospel tune. And, although he'll "never be as laid back as this beat was," he still takes time to be reflective in the mellow and charmingly melodic "Everything I Am" and "I Wonder." Also worth checking out is the final track "Big Brother," which is Kanye's sincere ode to his mentor Jay-Z.

It's no secret that Kanye West has opinions. And you may find them grating at times (or maybe not), but dude at least is nothing but forthright. He's not shy about telling the world that he craves and deserves fame and wealth and Grammys up the yingyang. And yet, once in a while, this brash Chicago native throws a curve by pausing his rampant narcissism to pepper in bits of self-deprecation (see "Everything I Am" for an example). Mostly though, Kanye's agitated style is palpable; dude is vibrant in his neurosis, twitchy in his brazenness. Is it false bravado? Whatever it is, Kanye gives off a vibe unlike other artists'.

I may not agree with Kanye's verbal incendiaries much of the time, but one can't deny that you get more out of his music than from the typical hip hop album. Kanye again delves a bit deeper than the standard riffs on gangstas and guns, fancy cribs and shiny dubs, hard street reps and hot chicks (although "Drunken Hot Girls" kinda puts paid to that last one, huh?). I don't know if his lyrics are necessarily thought-provoking, but they certainly are blunt and honest. So respect to that. Kanye, I guess, will always be a polarizing figure. His music, on the other hand, is more a unifying thing. To go by his chart-topping status, Kanye West is decidedly (to quote my very hip grandma) the shiznit.

As the song goes, "Did you realize...that you were a champion in their eyes?"

Yes, he did.

The stuff on this album is ok, but it doesn't seem to be anything all that different or that much better than the hip hop or rap from the past. I guess he should get extra points for not promoting the thug life like many artists in his genre do. This sounds like compentent stuff, but I just don't hear anything that's blowing my mind here. Kinda makes me yawn when compared to the old school stuff. I mean, great for him that he's selling tons of records, etc. But so did Britney Spears, so obviously that's not a sure sign of artistic merit on its own.

I can only assume that those who continually use the word "genius" when talking about West are simply buying into his press hyperbole as much as he is himself.

Kanye West has always been known for going against the grain of others in the Rap Industry. "Graduation" seems to solitify him as one of the best for innovation lyrically and productions. Each beat are deeper, darker & bass pounding besides tracks like "Good Life (ft. T-Pain)" & "Homecoming (ft. Chris Martin)". Each track has its positive strong points with good lyrical craft from Mr. West. The feature artist on the album are not exactly rapping but more crooning on the hooks from Dwele, Mos-Def, Chris Martin & T-Pain; this allows Kanye to venture into the world of the unknown. The most shocking track on the whole album is "Big Brother", which he dedicates his whole career to his "brother" Jay Z; the beat is sick also.
Overall, the ablum is strong regardless it is only thirteen tracks on the album. But, each track is strong and supberb and carries the album to platinum status.

Following a lackluster year of new hip hop music, with the simultaneous release of Kanye West's third album, Graduation, and 50 Cent's Curtis, September 11, 2007 was a very good day for fans of rap and hip hop. (Graduation went on to become the number 5 album on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2008.) Unlike 50 Cents' darker, grittier album, Graduation is hip hop for the masses in that there's something here sure to please everyone. West's album samples Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" on the opening track, "Good Morning;" Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" on the second track "Champion;" and Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" on the third track, "Stronger." "Homecoming" features Coldplay's Chris Martin. I like West's previous two albums, The College Dropout and Late Registration better only because they were somewhat edgier. Tracks include:

1. Good Morning
2. Champion
3. Stronger
4. I Wonder
5. Good Life
6. Can't Tell Me Nothing
7. Barry Bonds
8. Drunk and Hot Girls
9. Flashing Lights
10. Everything I Am
11. The Glory
12. Homecoming
13. Big Brother

G. Merritt

Any Kanye West album is pure hip-hop gold. He is one of the best rappers alive, and his lyrics and style are original and creative. If you are actually wondering whether or not to buy this, it's a simple decision. Just do it. You wont regret it. Favorite Tracks: Homecoming, The Glory, Flashing Lights, Can't Tell Me Nothing, Stronger, Bittersweet.

I have never bought a Kanye West CD before; or many at all, for that matter. Usually I just download music on my computer, but thought this CD would be worth my while. Mr. West is definitely one of my favorite rappers. With that said, I was quite disappointed with the songs on this album; that I have not yet heard on the radio... He actually tries to sing on certain tracks. To put it nicely, he really must stick to rapping. The album art, I think once again by Murakami, is wonderful. I gave this CD review 3 stars because I do love love love his craft, but would suggest listening to the songs before you choose to buy. Whenever I listen to the CD, I fast forward through half of his tracks.

I never really used to like Kanye West, but got really into his music. FLASHING LIGHTS is a great song on here.

I first noticed Kanye from Late Registration, well let me go further back than that. When he had the accident and did "All Fall Down". Then my daughter kept playing Big Brother, and I had to finally ask look, who is that? and she told me, I finally sat down and listened to the cd myself and I am impressed. Kanye has a good album and I love "Welcome to the Good Life",#6 "You Can't Tell Me Nothing","Flashing Lights"(like Katrina with no FEMA, like Martin with no Gena, like a flight with no visa etc)#10 "Everything I Am",#11(the title escapes me), and the last and certainly best "Big Brother" to his mentor Jay Z.Folks may say what they will, but the fact that he just took home a couple of Grammys say that the brother has talent.

Music plays and he just talks over it. Can't believe I own this piece of junk.

As far as mainstream rap music goes, Kanye keeps putting it down for all the legions of "underground" hip hop acts whose talent and creativity get marginalized because they're not dropping hip hop nursery rhyme crap that's downright crippling radio airplay lists these days.

I bought this release when it dropped but deliberately put off a first listen (minus the inescapable singles "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Stronger" and "Good Life" which you'd have to be living under a rock to have not heard out at a party/club/bar/lounge/hot spot) until now.

Now that the 50 v. Ye hype is history and the Grammys have past, here's what I understand about "Graduation." It's another strong release from Kanye who keeps getting better and better as a rapper and continues to be bold enough to experiment with hip hop's sound.

This album, conceptually, is nothing like the refreshing "College Dropout" or the more emotion-driven "Late Registration" (both great albums). The highlight of "Graduation" is most definitely the success he has blending a more funky, almost alternative rock-edged sound and making it hip hop.

To make a third hip hop album that's still worth your money in this day and age of throwaway music is no small feat. Afterall, look at what most of this decade's quote/unquote new hip hop superstars did on Album 3
(note: Trick Daddy, Lil Wayne and Eminem don't count b/c technically they all dropped in the '90s) -- 50 Cent's "Curtis" (garbage, not that I'd even consider buying a 50 album), Nelly's "Sweat Suit" (more crap), Chingy's "HoodStar" (self-explanatory).

That leaves T.I. and Ludacris as Kanye's only peers by my count.

My only wish is that the blazing hot track "Classic" he did with Nas, Rakim and KRS-One over a throwback-sounding DJ Premier beat had made this album (visit youtube if you haven't heard this song).

I would've given this LP five-stars alone for that one!

Otherwise, Kanye succeeds in delivering an album worth the money and a third straight project that goes above and beyond anything else that's out at the moment.

I had to turn this off because I thought my head was going to explode.

BOTTOM LINE:

There are two songs on here I cared NOTHING FOR AT ALL. I think we all know what they are...

other than that I thoroughly enjoy this album.

Compared to his other joints: B
compared to rap music: A+
on its own merit: B+

Graduation is, by far, Kanye's best album. Each song has a good to great beat and the lyrics go with the song. One might be thinking of course the lyrics would, but some artists forget this is a vital part to songs. My recommendation would be to buy the album because every song is great. It is really hard finding an album this good.

All I have to say is this CD is amazing. As part of christmas gifts to my friends I got them all this CD and noted it as one of my favorite things of 2007. I would highly recommend buying this.

Kanye is doing it big like always, this album is great and delivers hot tracks all throughout!

It was new just as the seller said it would be and it got to me in time.

In 2007/2008, "creativity" means average rapping over simple beats with overlapping music sampled from someone else's TRUE creative mind. Whether Kanye paid for these sampling rights or not is not the issue. That this album is one of the most revered of 2007 is a crying shame. Then again, it's not like mainstream music had anything of real value to offer in fifteen years. So, along comes Kanye West proclaiming himself to be God and, why not? Let's all eat it up and give this chump credit for doing absolutely nothing.

There's literally tens of thousands of other albums out there that deserve your attention more than this one. This album is NOTHING. In years time, it will be forgotten (just like every other trend of their respective days; how many people are still talking about the Goo Goo Dolls?).

That's right. You're a trend, Kanye. Unwarranted self-importance has been bestowed upon you for God knows what reason, but you SUCK. Thousands of kids around the country can do exactly what you do. I don't want to say it takes no talent, but to get a record deal for what little talent you have? Please. You will NOT BE REMEMBERED, you fad.