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. EvinA.
    Sep 13, 2007
    9
    Kanye West is the savior of Hip-Hop. Three Times a Charm
  2. AlexG.
    Sep 13, 2007
    9
    I think the new record's good. A lot of good stuff. Wish it had officially included Bittersweet Poetry which is fantastic. But I'd like to respond to Brendan D. that ABBA's pretty perfect, finely crafted pop music. Even great music curmudgeon (and personal hero) Lester Bangs saw that.
  3. TylerU-Turn
    Sep 13, 2007
    6
    Sounds about right.
  4. AlexS
    Sep 14, 2007
    9
    Aight. Now I wouldn't say this album is as good as Late Registration (Except the removal of the skits, thank God.) or the triumph that The College Dropout was. But...hell...Kanye proves he is definintely the best producer in the hip-hop game with this album. With such a broad palette of sounds being used....and all of the beats he creates with them being forceful and catchy as hell, Aight. Now I wouldn't say this album is as good as Late Registration (Except the removal of the skits, thank God.) or the triumph that The College Dropout was. But...hell...Kanye proves he is definintely the best producer in the hip-hop game with this album. With such a broad palette of sounds being used....and all of the beats he creates with them being forceful and catchy as hell, he proves it. And I know Kanye may be a little dull lyrically sometimes...but the beats usually compensate...but at other times his lyrics are very clever and humorous. In a lot of songs it's his references to pop culture that keep the lyrics fresh. This album is definitely a welcome addition to Kanye's winning streak and I give it a 9 straight up.… Expand
  5. johno.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    AMAZING.
  6. ChrisK
    Sep 16, 2007
    10
    Possibly the best album of the year!
  7. RajeshS
    Sep 16, 2007
    9
    Nice use of diverse samples.
  8. christianp
    Sep 16, 2007
    8
    in some ways this is kanye's best album because of the restraint he shows. his first two had an "everything all the time" approach, but this feels more focused. truly original in its combination of french house, american hip-hop, synth strings, real strings, buzzing keys, and soul. i think he is an original lyricist, which is what turns people off. he is in his own world and that in some ways this is kanye's best album because of the restraint he shows. his first two had an "everything all the time" approach, but this feels more focused. truly original in its combination of french house, american hip-hop, synth strings, real strings, buzzing keys, and soul. i think he is an original lyricist, which is what turns people off. he is in his own world and that makes for some captivating music. and why does everybody hate on "barry bonds"!? i think it's amazing. once it ended i had to re-start it to take it all in. great song. great album!… Expand
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. FaiselS
    Feb 13, 2008
    10
    Is one of the best. Attracts many people even those who don't listen to rap.
  14. SachinD.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    This was an amazing achievement for Kanye. The sheer variety in the songs makes it one of the most colorful and intriguing albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. KyleZ.
    Sep 11, 2007
    8
    Kanye as a producer is the greatest out there. As a rapper, he is still better than most
  19. AdamE.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    This album is amzing and I am not even a big rap fan a must buy for 2007! My favorite songs are Good Morning,Stronger,Good Life,Champion and Can't Tell Me Nothing! Go Get It!
  20. JasonH.
    Sep 11, 2007
    8
    Graduation is maybe Kanyes best cd
  21. ChrisC
    Sep 11, 2007
    7
    It sounds pretty good. At some times it seems like he picked a sample based on how cool he thought it would make him sound, then worked backwards to build the song. He had no business rapping over Daft Punk's 'Bigger Better Faster Stronger'. But his self-opinion aside, it's a pretty good listen.
  22. KanyeWest
    Sep 11, 2007
    6
    i love puffy and i want to be just like him. i like having the samples overshadow my voice and my beats because if it werent for the samples nobody would know who i am.
  23. ThatMusicGuy
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    50 vs. Graduation? hahahaha the real argument is Graduation vs. Neon Bible and Boxer for Album of the Year
  24. SaadG.
    Sep 12, 2007
    9
    This album is tight. The beats are top notch. And sampling Daft Punk? pure genius
  25. SteveO
    Sep 12, 2007
    8
    What makes people hesistant to glorify this album is incredibly high standard that Kanye has set for his releases. Put this next to 'Curtis' and there is no comparison. Clearly, Kanye holds both musical and lyrical supremacy over the hobbling 50. Big Brother is a great tribute to JayZ, Stronger pumps up Daft's song even more, and Good Morning is as good an Intro to a hip What makes people hesistant to glorify this album is incredibly high standard that Kanye has set for his releases. Put this next to 'Curtis' and there is no comparison. Clearly, Kanye holds both musical and lyrical supremacy over the hobbling 50. Big Brother is a great tribute to JayZ, Stronger pumps up Daft's song even more, and Good Morning is as good an Intro to a hip hop album as you'll find.… Expand
  26. JavierT.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    Awesome!! Finally real hip hop with true lyrics...Can't beat that!
  27. JosephA
    Sep 12, 2007
    8
    Excellent, few other artists have managed to creatively alter their signature sound so successfully as Kanye. Everytrack is a keeper. Only thing that comes to my attention is the less substantial lyrics this time around. But Kanye's character, charm, and humor are still present leaving him, despite all his self gratification, human @ heart and that counts for alot.
  28. MarcusH.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    i personally love the album kanye is great wayyyy better than 50
  29. WesT.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    Artful, soulful, contemplative, funny, and real. The pure sonic craftmanship displayed is sometimes boggling. Best of '07 thus far.
  30. seanm.
    Sep 13, 2007
    8
    Consistent is the word I've definitely heard the most, upon my first listen I can see hear is for a reason. It's a more mature album but lacking some passion and politics that Late Registration embraced... note this may have not been an accident.
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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.
    Read full review
  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 »