Late Registration
by Kanye West
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 1302 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,153 out of 1302
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 1302
  3. Negative: 110 out of 1302

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  1. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    9
    Really an excellent album. It gives me hope in Hip-Hop again. This album builds off it's predecessor, like the rest of his albums that follows (with an exception of 808's and Heartbreak).
  2. cr1995
    Nov 14, 2012
    9
    Kanye established his skill in College Dropout, but Late Registration is when he truly shines. The beats are expanded to new horizons and his lyrics are just as good. He does a great job of sampling songs and there's several guest appearances that amplify his own ability as well. Great album, I really do believe it's an instant classic. I think about it this way: Kanye always has thatKanye established his skill in College Dropout, but Late Registration is when he truly shines. The beats are expanded to new horizons and his lyrics are just as good. He does a great job of sampling songs and there's several guest appearances that amplify his own ability as well. Great album, I really do believe it's an instant classic. I think about it this way: Kanye always has that arrogant "I'm one of the greatest ever" kind of attitute, but after I listened to all of Late Registration, I caught myself starting to think that he may not be completely wrong. Favorites: Heard Em' Say, Gold Digger, Gone. Least Favorite: Bring Me Down.… Expand
  3. ben_zo77
    Feb 4, 2014
    9
    This album is a near-perfect mix of braggadocio, raw emotion, and socially conscious lyrics. Also, the features work beautifully and contribute to the impact of this album. There's 2 or 3 songs that could have been left out, but Late Registration is without a doubt an elite LP. ~ 8.5/10

    Best track: "Touch The Sky" Other notable tracks: "Gold Digger", "Crack Music", "Roses", "We Major",    This album is a near-perfect mix of braggadocio, raw emotion, and socially conscious lyrics. Also, the features work beautifully and contribute to the impact of this album. There's 2 or 3 songs that could have been left out, but Late Registration is without a doubt an elite LP. ~ 8.5/10

    Best track: "Touch The Sky"
    Other notable tracks: "Gold Digger", "Crack Music", "Roses", "We Major", "Hey Mama", & "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" (remix and original)    … Expand
  4. Revlewer
    Oct 28, 2016
    9
    This album embodies Ye's incredible ability to fuse hip-hop ballads with foot-tappers and head-nodders. Tracks like "Gone" and "Touch the Sky" make you want to learn all the words and forget where you are. They are nicely contrasted by "Addiction" and "Roses", which still have engrossing beats but lyrics that reflect his side that contradicts the impression of an egotistic pseudo-manic.This album embodies Ye's incredible ability to fuse hip-hop ballads with foot-tappers and head-nodders. Tracks like "Gone" and "Touch the Sky" make you want to learn all the words and forget where you are. They are nicely contrasted by "Addiction" and "Roses", which still have engrossing beats but lyrics that reflect his side that contradicts the impression of an egotistic pseudo-manic. Overlaid by skits that show the hardship of living in poverty, partially due to the color of one's skin, the album flows nicely, cementing Ye's career as a producer and an intense lyricist. This is an album that will be remembered for decades to come.… Expand
  5. victorcarter
    Nov 29, 2016
    9
    what an album... the variation on this project was just perfect. there were heartfelt songs like roses and hey mama, but there were also more upbeat songs like touch the sky and we major. the jazzy production was very fitting to the theme and vocals of this LP. my only complaint is that the skits were a little unnecessary. i liked the input of them, but they didn't seem to fit what waswhat an album... the variation on this project was just perfect. there were heartfelt songs like roses and hey mama, but there were also more upbeat songs like touch the sky and we major. the jazzy production was very fitting to the theme and vocals of this LP. my only complaint is that the skits were a little unnecessary. i liked the input of them, but they didn't seem to fit what was being said in the tracks before and after them. a really really enjoyable listen.
    fav tracks: touch the sky, gold digger, crack music, roses, bring me down, diamonds from sierra leone[remix w jay z], we major, gone    … Expand
  6. thehypebeast97
    Jan 27, 2017
    9
    An excellent follow-up to College Dropout and it pretty much follows the same concept of his debut. Solid album, another classic from Mr. West, best album of 2005
  7. AKthaBeast
    Mar 24, 2018
    9
    This album when it first came out was better than the debut album. This album has two of my favorite Kanye tracks in "Touch the Sky" and "Diamonds". The remix to "Diamonds" when it released was so impactful to what was going on during hip-hop and the Roc that it literally gave me the feels when Jay's verse came on.

    1. Wake Up Mr. West 2. Heard 'Em Say feat. Adam Levine - B+ 3. Touch    This album when it first came out was better than the debut album. This album has two of my favorite Kanye tracks in "Touch the Sky" and "Diamonds". The remix to "Diamonds" when it released was so impactful to what was going on during hip-hop and the Roc that it literally gave me the feels when Jay's verse came on.

    1. Wake Up Mr. West
    2. Heard 'Em Say feat. Adam Levine - B+
    3. Touch the Sky feat. Lupe Fiasco - A+
    4. Gold Digger feat. Jamie Foxx - B
    5. Skit #1
    6. Drive Slow feat. Paul Wall & GLC - A-
    7. My Way Home feat. Common - B+
    8. Crack Music feat. The Game - B+
    9. Roses - A-
    10. Bring Me Down feat. Brandy - A
    11. Addiction - A-
    12. Skit #2
    13. Diamonds from Sierra Leone feat. Jay-Z (Remix) - A+
    14. We Major feat. Nas & Really Doe - A
    15. Skit #3
    16. Hey Mama - A
    17. Celebration - A
    18. Skit #4
    19. Gone feat. Consequence & Cam'ron - A
    20. Diamonds from Sierra Leone - A+
    21. Late - B+    … Expand
  8. C_dot
    May 22, 2019
    9
    Still to this day, Kanye's best lyrically written album. However, he plays it a bit safer than he has with all of his other albums, not experimenting as much with his production. That being sad, his production is still great (just not as great as his other projects), but his rapping skill and song writing keep this a excellent album.
  9. A_Normal_Bush
    Mar 10, 2020
    9
    Late Registration is my favorite Kanye album. I listened to College Dropout, Graduation, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy before this album and absolutely loved all three of them. I was expecting to like this album as much as those 3, not less or more. Then, I listened to the album.
    It's a near perfect album, and while MBDTF may be more popular, I personally think this is his best    Late Registration is my favorite Kanye album. I listened to College Dropout, Graduation, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy before this album and absolutely loved all three of them. I was expecting to like this album as much as those 3, not less or more. Then, I listened to the album.
    It's a near perfect album, and while MBDTF may be more popular, I personally think this is his best album, even if just barely. It's near perfect.    … Expand
  10. Wrong_Opinions
    Dec 21, 2020
    9
    Fantastic album that makes me miss the Old Kanye. 9/10. Would definitely recommend.
  11. The-X-Territory
    Jan 24, 2021
    9
    Somehow surpassing it's predecessor, this album is awesome. Songs like Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Roses, and the Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix are more than enough to push album above The College Dropout.
  12. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    9
    this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9
  13. hiphopplatinum
    Oct 2, 2022
    9
    the album is a great successor to The College Dropout and shows a massive improvement in his sampling he brings more rapping to the album and really succeeds in his skills
  14. Lucky_the1
    Nov 15, 2021
    9
    Another Kanye classic.
    After his critically acclaimed debut album Kanye surprises his public with an orchestral sounding opus with great production and great songs. Ironically, he neglect the lyrics in favor of a better sound.
    In this masterpiece he speaks about racial issues, how it feels to have made it and he talks about his past. The sound is better treated than the college dropout    Another Kanye classic.
    After his critically acclaimed debut album Kanye surprises his public with an orchestral sounding opus with great production and great songs. Ironically, he neglect the lyrics in favor of a better sound.

    In this masterpiece he speaks about racial issues, how it feels to have made it and he talks about his past. The sound is better treated than the college dropout one with an amazing orchestral production. Every song has it purpose and the whole sounds magnificient. He improves his sample ability giivng to the public a really hear plesaure. The skits are funny and fit perfectly with the school theme portrayted from the preveus album. Unfurtunatly he worked a little bit less on the lyrics despite having some of the great verse here. Overall it has higher highs and lower lows. Very enjoiable.    … Expand
  15. narolo
    Mar 30, 2022
    9
    goodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgoodgood
  16. maplegotchi
    Mar 19, 2022
    9
    After Kanye's debut album The College Dropout I think most figured he would never top it, a one time wonder if you will. However after listening to Late Registration it was clear that not only was he not a one time wonder, but he was still improving. Late Registration is everything I loved about The College Dropout 10x.
  17. somaontv
    Jul 18, 2023
    9
    One of my favorite Kanye albums to date i absolutely am in love with this album favorite track has to be roses
  18. Hockster
    Aug 14, 2023
    9
    Kayne's follow-up 2nd studio album to TCD hit's really hard. Once again, the lyricism and instrumentals live up to (and sometimes exceed) my expectations. I feel as if the interludes are a tad bit harder to listen through with this project, along with some of the songs feeling a little more bland. But Kanye does evolve his music with this record, having incredible flows, after incredibleKayne's follow-up 2nd studio album to TCD hit's really hard. Once again, the lyricism and instrumentals live up to (and sometimes exceed) my expectations. I feel as if the interludes are a tad bit harder to listen through with this project, along with some of the songs feeling a little more bland. But Kanye does evolve his music with this record, having incredible flows, after incredible flows. This album still holds up strong and is amazing.

    Favorite Track - Gold Digger
    Least Favorite Track - Skit #3
    Favorite Track - Gold Digger
    Least Favorite Track - Skit #3    … Expand
  19. FHarris
    Aug 30, 2005
    8
    Kanye gives a solid approach at greatness but falls short. Many of the tracks are great, but a few too many are just blah.
  20. JustinW
    Apr 8, 2006
    8
    Kanye is back with a bang. This is a satisfying album, and a good follow-up to College Dropout. Most of the songs are written well. The only down point I can think of is that West's giant ego is evident in a few songs.
  21. CarlyQ
    Apr 2, 2007
    8
    Not worthy of Rolling stones extremely rare 5 star rating but a very good album with great production. His rhymes are not worthy of a classic rating.
  22. MarshallM
    Oct 22, 2005
    8
    some reallly good songs, but not better then his other album. " bush doesn't care about black people!" pshh, idiot.
  23. adriano
    Oct 5, 2005
    8
    Top Stuff, so laid back and what real hip hop is about. Rather than hearing about artists continously blabbering on about cars, bitches, and money Kanye adreeses some real issues Even with a mainstream tune like Golddigger man still gets his word across. 'My way home' could have been such a better tune if common and kanye himself had done another 2 verses, such a tease!
  24. RossA
    Aug 26, 2005
    8
    Kanye doesn't belong above Sufjan Stevens. Seriously.
  25. [Anonymous]
    Aug 26, 2005
    8
    not as good as the college dropout, but still sits above most hip-hop records, a slower record than the colege dropout, not as fun or as gripping, but very thoughtful, I hope the next one is more lively and fun
  26. daveg
    Aug 26, 2005
    8
    not quite up to par with college dropout, but a very solid sophmore album.
  27. douglasm
    Aug 26, 2005
    8
    it's better than almost every hip-hop release this year, even though it's not mind-blowing. more of the same from kanye. and ross, don't worry about it getting a higher score than sufjan. i'm sure there will be more sites to review it and bring down the average. don't be so naive.
  28. salmonpc
    Aug 27, 2005
    8
    everyone who has ever picked up a musical instument(or not in the case of most modern "musicians", is superior to Sufjan Stevens. Seriously.
  29. JimW
    Aug 31, 2005
    8
    This CD is not as great as COLLEGE DROPOUT, but Kanye still delivers with humor and wit. His lines are fresher, but he has lost some from his first CD. As for Gnarles, Kanye is not at all overrated. Late Regis. might have been a bit overhyped, but College Dropout was a legend, one of the few quality Hip-hop cd's to come out in the pas 3 or 4 years.
  30. JC
    Sep 26, 2005
    8
    First I'd like to say that I'd give this an 8.5 if I could, but I can't... Secondly...you must realize that this album takes some listening to get used to. You probably won't like it the first time you play it through. All of you that give this album less than a 7 either need to stop hating or give the album a few more chances. I'll admit it, my first go-around, I First I'd like to say that I'd give this an 8.5 if I could, but I can't... Secondly...you must realize that this album takes some listening to get used to. You probably won't like it the first time you play it through. All of you that give this album less than a 7 either need to stop hating or give the album a few more chances. I'll admit it, my first go-around, I was very disappointed. I only liked "Gold Digger" and "Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)". But after a few more listens, a few more songs grew on me..."Heard 'Em Say" is probably my favorite song on the album. "Touch the Sky", "Hey Mama", "Roses", "Bring Me Down", "Gone", "Addiction", and "Crack Music" also grew on me. "We Major" is a major letdown, its really two songs rolled into one...I mean come on, it has 2 choruses, he's not fooling anyone. "My Way Home" is half a song and I really wish Kanye dropped a verse on that. I'm starting to like "Drive Slow" too. The only songs I skip are "Late" and "Celebration". Be patient people...give the album a second, third, fourth chance if you need to...it really is a great album.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Album of 2005
4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2005
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Slant Magazine
    Feb 17, 2011
    70
    Late Registration's salvation (and, undoubtedly, Kanye's own) are when it basks in the sunshine after the rain.
    Read full review
  2. Village Voice
    Jan 3, 2011
    90
    Each of these songs offers more exquisite details than I could earmark in twice this space, many of them literary, which the English prof's dropout son rightly claims as his calling. But secret brilliance is more likely to emerge from the sops to his hip-hop base.
    Read full review
  3. Amazon.com
    90
    Late Registration can't replicate the novelty of last year's College Dropout, but otherwise, this is an impressively more mature and labored-over album.
    Read full review
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