Release Date: Sep 11, 2007
Genre(s): Rap
Record label: Roc-A-Fella
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Kanye West :: GraduationIsland Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella RecordsAuthor: Jesal 'Jay Soul' PadaniaAnd so Mr. West's education comes to a close. The third instalment of his epic series is here – and before he can get a 'Good Ass Job', he must graduate from college (even though he dropped out... me neither!).
When Kanye West shrugged off a proposed public debate between himself and 50 Cent over whose disc would debut higher this week, it could have seemed like he was backing away from a fight. But it’s obvious from Graduation, his third album, that West’s only real contest is with himself. On his previous, wildly popular releases The College Dropout and Late Registration, West proved himself a talented producer, but only a serviceable rapper.
The great ones rise to the occasion. Kanye West gets more credit than he deserves, but his production is top of the line, and his awareness of his place in hip-hop history is on point. That's what separates his Graduation from 50 Cent's Curtis: West is progressive where 50 sounds redundant. Graduation prompts optimism for Kanye's future, while Curtis leaves listeners nostalgic for a time when 50's songs sounded original, the effort authentic.
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