Graduation
by Kanye West
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 1249 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,109 out of 1249
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 1249
  3. Negative: 98 out of 1249

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  1. MicheleS
    Nov 21, 2007
    0
    A pile of S&*t. I regard Kanye West as one of the contributers to the decline of the music industry.
  2. NielsT.
    Nov 18, 2007
    10
    it's only good that Kanye West is the best, and on the other hand then he's also the only real good in rap biz. Everything i am, best son in 2000-2007
  3. Lamont
    Nov 17, 2007
    9
    This album isn't a bad one. What sets this set apart is the simplified structure of the songs. While I preferred the ornate production of Late Registration, the production here on Graduation could very well be more focused and cohesive here.
  4. jupioi.
    Nov 15, 2007
    10
    Incredible
  5. cookie_14smith
    Nov 9, 2007
    6
    its not that good it hought he should have neva came out wit anything normally i dnt care bout his song but its not as good as it normally is i could be worng and nobody agrees wit me but all i got to say he sho is a whole lot betta den 50 cent cd
  6. AlexS.
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    The Classic...
  7. MusicLover
    Oct 29, 2007
    8
    An amazing album- definitely better than 50 Cent's "music". Kanye put all his heart & soul into the music, & all 50 did was put work into the beef they had going on.
  8. PeterP
    Oct 28, 2007
    8
    Nice! If you like Hip-Hop then you'll like this album. It's one of those that you'll be able to listen to over and over.
  9. AdamL
    Oct 21, 2007
    0
    Soul-less garbage. Kanye West is the next P. Diddy.
  10. Lbooige
    Oct 11, 2007
    9
    Great music all the way through.....to all the people out there that rated this cd 1-5 you don't know hip-hop...just stick to your ringtone raps.
  11. luciam
    Oct 10, 2007
    10
    Just great and different .His music is in a high level.
  12. iano
    Oct 5, 2007
    8
    The beats are good, but it lacks real passion theres something a bit plastic bout it, don't get me wrong a good album i just expected more from the saviour of hip hop.
  13. otisc.
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    Great album, its inspirational and moving. Different from everything out right now. A leap forward for Real authentic Hip-Hop Music especially people who don't carry 40 Caliber pistol.....lol
  14. TristonT.
    Oct 2, 2007
    4
    Kanye West cd is not that great at all i mean the only songs i really like are flashing lights, goodlife and cant tell me nothing, thats it the other songs it just bores me. im really pissed off becuz all these critics are giving it 90's. The best album of the year is Chamillioniare Ultimate Victory. i can actually listen to the whole cd from beginning to end and still be awake. Man Kanye West cd is not that great at all i mean the only songs i really like are flashing lights, goodlife and cant tell me nothing, thats it the other songs it just bores me. im really pissed off becuz all these critics are giving it 90's. The best album of the year is Chamillioniare Ultimate Victory. i can actually listen to the whole cd from beginning to end and still be awake. Man critics are trippin.… Expand
  15. AliA
    Oct 1, 2007
    6
    Kanye's "Graduation" is exactly like he mentions on the first track of the album, "And yes, barely pass any and every class" Yes kanye you did just that. His 3rd album's lyrics are the least thought provoking and kanye chooses once again to take the route of "but I'm doing songs with artists who arent in hop hop!" just like he did on his last album but this time the results Kanye's "Graduation" is exactly like he mentions on the first track of the album, "And yes, barely pass any and every class" Yes kanye you did just that. His 3rd album's lyrics are the least thought provoking and kanye chooses once again to take the route of "but I'm doing songs with artists who arent in hop hop!" just like he did on his last album but this time the results are not there. Graduation is by no means a bad album but something that was overhyped. You will listen to this CD for a few days at most and get tired of all the songs, none of the tracks stand out as classics. Here to hoping that kanye's "master degree" or his next album will be in something besides medicore music.… Expand
  16. ShaanS.
    Sep 23, 2007
    5
    Hands down Kanye's worst album, no substance, no lyrics, the only thing that saves this album is the production quality. In College Dropout we saw a glimpse of a lyrically qualified West, but each album seems to get worse, as if Kanye's book of rhymes has dried up. Please take some time off Mr.West or stick to producing until you can come up with higher quality lyrics, after all Hands down Kanye's worst album, no substance, no lyrics, the only thing that saves this album is the production quality. In College Dropout we saw a glimpse of a lyrically qualified West, but each album seems to get worse, as if Kanye's book of rhymes has dried up. Please take some time off Mr.West or stick to producing until you can come up with higher quality lyrics, after all you are making a Hip-Hop album.… Expand
  17. MikeD.
    Sep 23, 2007
    9
    Kanye proves he is able to make actual music and not just repetitive commercialized rap-pop, with lyrics that are actually saying something new, rather than the standard cookie cutter hip-hop verbiage, Graduation is full of originality and intelligence musically and lyrically - Thank you Mr. West, the Stevie Wonder of hip hop!!
  18. ToddS.
    Sep 22, 2007
    7
    Reminds me of Kanye's first two albums. Some classic stuff with a lot of filler. K. West still has a long way to go when it comes to blessing the mic, but he's a better rhymesayer than most producers (ie. Pete Rock, J-Dilla, and Madlib). Somewhat disappointed with the cameos. There's a wasted opportunity with Mos Def and Lil' Wayne sounds tired on "Barry Bonds." Reminds me of Kanye's first two albums. Some classic stuff with a lot of filler. K. West still has a long way to go when it comes to blessing the mic, but he's a better rhymesayer than most producers (ie. Pete Rock, J-Dilla, and Madlib). Somewhat disappointed with the cameos. There's a wasted opportunity with Mos Def and Lil' Wayne sounds tired on "Barry Bonds." Nonetheless, Kanye still put out decent album, but he's still capable of making better music.… Expand
  19. GeneG.
    Sep 22, 2007
    9
    Easily his most musically satisfying and consistent album. Not as wide in scope as his last two, but that only serves to accentuate the qualitiy of the fewer tracks.
  20. RexJ.
    Sep 22, 2007
    6
    I dont see why people are rating this album so high. I admit there are 5 or 6 solid songs, the other half is very bland filler.
  21. MikeC.
    Sep 22, 2007
    8
    The production is amazing in this album, to bad the raps are self-concieded and lame. Also the overall prodject never feels like an album, just a bunch of songs, this had all the makings in terms of production to be a classic, unfortunatly, Kanye misserably fails at the mic on this attempt.
  22. RashonW.
    Sep 22, 2007
    10
    Not just the greatest rapper of all time but the greatest artist living today. Like Kanye said, if there was a modern day Bible written today he would be the lead character, the narrator and all the acknowledgements would be reserved for Kanye himself. Can anyone stop this man?
  23. AnissaB.
    Sep 21, 2007
    10
    Kanye is a lyrical genius! I love the way he skillfully plays on words. My fav tracks on Graduation are Big Brother, I Wonder, Bittersweet and Can't Tell Me Nothing. But basically all the tracks are bangers, with the exception of Drunk & Hot Girls, [what were you thinkin Ye & Mos Def??]
  24. LiefS.
    Sep 20, 2007
    8
    I liked that he took the skits out; i dont think they were ever important and they messed up the flows of his earlier albums, the production is really good too, the only things that bother me in the album is his ego for thinking hes up there in rapping with big and pac, hes not in the top 15 rappers on my list, but he is one of the top producers, and album sales don't mean to much to I liked that he took the skits out; i dont think they were ever important and they messed up the flows of his earlier albums, the production is really good too, the only things that bother me in the album is his ego for thinking hes up there in rapping with big and pac, hes not in the top 15 rappers on my list, but he is one of the top producers, and album sales don't mean to much to be honest, if they did, ja rule would b a better rapper than biggie.. nuff said.… Expand
  25. DreM.
    Sep 18, 2007
    9
    Kanye doesn't disappoint on this album.
  26. JoeT.
    Sep 18, 2007
    8
    Don't be fooled if you thought the first couple of singles were kinda weak. All the tracks fit remarkable well together, and the album just flows by (both not usually the case for a hip hop album) No skits. No filler. Still, with Jay-z as a mentor you'd think he's rhymes and flow would improve ...and not get worse.
  27. KevinH.
    Sep 17, 2007
    9
    This album is amazing the only drawback that i had was that it is only 13 tracks. I don't understand what some of these critics are talking about when they bash this album. They must have been Kanye haters from the start. Favorite Song: Flashing Lights
  28. WilliamT.
    Sep 17, 2007
    8
    Really this album gets a 7.8 as in C+. Heres the break down throughout Kanye's career (It's all in the numbers): College Dropout - Is a hip-hop classic. Out of 14 tracks (w/out skits) 13 were good with some of those great. The skits for the most part were great compliments, listenable, some useless, some really funny. = A (.92) Late Registration - A great, strong follow-up. The Really this album gets a 7.8 as in C+. Heres the break down throughout Kanye's career (It's all in the numbers): College Dropout - Is a hip-hop classic. Out of 14 tracks (w/out skits) 13 were good with some of those great. The skits for the most part were great compliments, listenable, some useless, some really funny. = A (.92) Late Registration - A great, strong follow-up. The biggest problem with this album was probably the skits, which didn't really blend well with the songs. They still added character to the album though. About 12 (or 13) of the 15 tracks (not skits or interludes) are nice. Plus the Common interlude adds some depth. B+ (.86) Graduation - 10 or 11 of the 13 (not counting the hidden #14) songs are good. Some are more just okay, while others are really good. This gives the album a C+ or B. Its actually missing some catchy skits that could tie this album more to the "School" theme like his previous offerings. C+ (.78)… Expand
  29. Brad
    Sep 17, 2007
    10
    Not a huge fan of Kanye West, but come on. This isn't even fair how unbelievably produced it is.
  30. emilyw
    Sep 17, 2007
    9
    This album is getting majorly slighted just because it's Kanye West and there were serious expectations. If an album of this quality were released by any other rapper, the reviews would be much more positive. For example, this album is much better, both lyrically and musically, than Lupe Fiasco's debut, yet that album has an 82 or 83 on here. Different but just as good as his This album is getting majorly slighted just because it's Kanye West and there were serious expectations. If an album of this quality were released by any other rapper, the reviews would be much more positive. For example, this album is much better, both lyrically and musically, than Lupe Fiasco's debut, yet that album has an 82 or 83 on here. Different but just as good as his last two albums.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best Album of 2007
8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2007
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. The New York Times
    Feb 9, 2011
    70
    Nearly every song on Graduation is memorable for both its hooks and its overall sound.
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  2. AllMusic
    80
    Graduation is neither as bold nor as scattered as "The College Dropout," and it's neither as extroverted nor as sonically rich as "Late Registration." Kanye still makes up for his shortcomings as an MC and lyricist by remaining charmingly clumsy, frequently dealing nonsense through suspect rhyme schemes.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    80
    An impressively creative hip-hop album that will hopefully inspire West's peers to try new sonic avenues.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »