Graduation (album)

Graduation (album) is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released on September 11, 2007, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album was recorded over a period of two years, with Kanye West working with various record producers, including Mike Dean, Nottz, and DJ Toomp. Graduation (album) features guest appearances from Mos Def, Dwele, and Lil Wayne, among others, and incorporates elements of Electronic music, Soul music, and Rock music into its sound, drawing inspiration from artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince (musician), and The Rolling Stones.

Background

The background of Graduation (album) is closely tied to Kanye West's personal life and experiences, with the album's themes and lyrics reflecting his feelings on Fame, Success, and Criticism. Kanye West has stated that the album was influenced by his relationships with other artists, including Jay-Z, Nas, and Dr. Dre, as well as his own experiences with Depression and Anxiety. The album's title, Graduation (album), refers to Kanye West's own graduation from Chicago State University, as well as his growth and development as an artist, with influences from The College Dropout and Late Registration. Kanye West has also cited artists such as The Neptunes, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams as influences on the album's sound, which incorporates elements of Hip hop, R&B, and Pop music.

Composition

The composition of Graduation (album) is characterized by its use of Electronic music and Synthesizer-heavy production, with Kanye West working with producers such as Mike Dean and Nottz to create a distinctive sound. The album features a range of guest appearances, including Mos Def, Dwele, and Lil Wayne, and incorporates elements of Soul music, Rock music, and Jazz into its sound, drawing inspiration from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Jimi Hendrix. Kanye West has stated that the album's composition was influenced by his experiences touring with U2 and The Rolling Stones, as well as his own experiments with Music production and Songwriting. The album's sound is also influenced by Kanye West's work with other artists, including Jay-Z, Nas, and Dr. Dre, and features references to Hip hop classics such as The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die and Tupac Shakur's All Eyez on Me.

Release

The release of Graduation (album) was highly anticipated, with the album debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling over 957,000 copies in its first week. The album was released on September 11, 2007, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings, and was supported by a range of Singles (album), including Stronger (Kanye West song), Good Life (Kanye West song), and Flashing Lights (Kanye West song). The album's release was accompanied by a range of Music videos, including the Hype Williams-directed video for Stronger (Kanye West song), and the Spike Jonze-directed video for Flashing Lights (Kanye West song). Kanye West promoted the album with a range of Live performances, including appearances at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, and Lollapalooza, and collaborations with other artists, including Jay-Z, Nas, and Dr. Dre.

Reception

The reception of Graduation (album) was overwhelmingly positive, with the album receiving widespread critical acclaim for its innovative production and Kanye West's lyrical depth. The album was praised by critics such as Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield, The New York Times' Kelefa Sanneh, and The Guardian's Alexis Petridis, and was named one of the best albums of 2007 by publications such as Pitchfork Media, NME, and The Village Voice. The album was also a commercial success, with the album selling over 2.7 million copies in the United States and being certified Triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Kanye West won a range of Awards for the album, including Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for Stronger (Kanye West song).

Tracklisting

The tracklisting of Graduation (album) features a range of innovative and critically acclaimed tracks, including Good Morning (Kanye West song), Champion (Kanye West song), and Everything I Am (Kanye West song). The album's tracklisting is as follows: # Good Morning (Kanye West song) # Champion (Kanye West song) # Stronger (Kanye West song) # I Wonder (Kanye West song) # Good Life (Kanye West song) # Flashing Lights (Kanye West song) # Everything I Am (Kanye West song) # The Glory (Kanye West song) # Homecoming (Kanye West song) # Big Brother (Kanye West song) # Barry Bonds (Kanye West song) # Drunk and Hot Girls (Kanye West song) # Flashing Lights (Kanye West song) (Reprise)

Personnel

The personnel involved in the creation of Graduation (album) include a range of talented Music producers, Songwriters, and Musicians. The album's personnel include: * Kanye West: Vocals, Production * Mike Dean: Production * Nottz: Production * DJ Toomp: Production * Mos Def: Vocals * Dwele: Vocals * Lil Wayne: Vocals * Jay-Z: Vocals * Nas: Vocals * Dr. Dre: Production * The Neptunes: Production * Timbaland: Production * Pharrell Williams: Vocals, Production * Chris Martin: Vocals * Daft Punk: Production * Eric Hudson: Production * Warren G: Production * Che Vicious: Production * No I.D.: Production * Devo Springsteen: Production * Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds: A&R * Don C: A&R * Noah Goldstein: Engineering * Andrew Dawson: Engineering * Anthony Kilhoffer: Engineering * Manny Marroquin: Mixing * Vlado Meller: Mastering Category:Kanye West albums