Blog entry by Angelika Thornhill
the visionary artist 2008 kanye west West, one of the most influential musicians in pop culture, delivered his third studio album, *Graduation (2007)*, on 9/11/2007. This project is often considered as one of hip-hop’s best albums, establishing his reign as a rap legend.
Graduation set new standards for music production. With its use of synthesizers and drum machines, *Graduation* created a new wave in the hip-hop scene. The album highlighted stadium-filling anthems, leaning towards mainstream appeal.
Lyrically, *Graduation* focuses on Kanye's rise to fame, with Kanye West posters celebrating music legends examining stardom, along with the challenges that come alongside it. Tracks like "Stronger" demonstrate the victory lap of a successful artist.
On the production side, *Graduation* is innovative for its polished production, with contributions by sound engineers like Plain Pat. The lead single "Stronger" showcases Kanye's genre-blending abilities, flipping Daft Punk’s hit to produce a timeless hit that became a global sensation.
*Graduation* is packed with a number of standout tracks, such as "Can't Tell Me Nothing." Every anthem contributes to the album's greatness. *Graduation* also includes contributions from major artists, including Mos Def.
Critics celebrated *Graduation* for its boldness. It became a defining album in Kanye's evolution as an artist, catapulting him to global fame.
*Graduation* achieved tremendous sales. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, breaking records with over nearly 1 million albums in its first few days. The album received certification as multi-platinum, marking its position as a modern-day classic.
The impact of *Graduation* reaches beyond the album's sales. Its mark can be seen in modern music production.