Blog entry by Taj Elsass
Ye, the
legendary artist, pushed the boundaries of creativity with the
release of his highly anticipated album, *Graduation (2007)*.
Dropped on in September of 2007, *Graduation (2007)* marked the
conclusion of his "college" trilogy, following *The College
Dropout* and *Late Reg*.
The *Graduation album* became a symbol of Kanye’s evolution. With tracks such as *Good Life*, the album illustrated his departure from traditional rap, melding elements of house music with his conscious rap.
One of the most iconic aspects of the *Graduation album* is its visual design, designed by the famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. The *Graduation cover* depicted Kanye's signature cartoon bear, ascending into a brightly animated world. This combination of kanye west graduation posters's musical direction and Murakami's anime influences mirrored the themes of the album.
Fans were impressed with the *Graduation* for its sonic evolution. Kanye brought in notable producers like Mike Dean to produce a sound that pushed musical boundaries. The result was an album that dominated the airwaves, but also influenced the next generation of artists.
One of the standout tracks on the album is *Stronger*, featuring a sample from Daft Punk’s *Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger*. This song illustrated the melding of hip-hop and electro sounds. It was turned into a massive success, dominating charts around the world. The visual for Stronger, directed by legendary director Hype Williams, featured futuristic visuals.
Another key highlight is *Good Life*, that included the vocal styling of T-Pain. The track radiates good vibes, beautifully matching the album’s themes of celebration. It resonated with fans.
In terms of lyrics, *the Graduation album* dives into ideas of self-reflection. Kanye touches on his desire for validation, as he looking inward. Songs like *Big Brother* express kanye west graduation canvas’s complex relationship with success.
*The Graduation album* was not just a masterpiece; it brought about a transformation in kanye west graduation songs's music. The project shaped his later experiments, particularly 808s & Heartbreak.
*Kanye's Graduation* remains a classic album, standing as one of his finest works.