Graduation [Explicit]

As far as mainstream rap music goes, Kanye keeps putting it down for all the legions of "underground" hip hop acts whose talent and creativity get marginalized because they're not dropping hip hop nursery rhyme crap that's downright crippling radio airplay lists these days.

I bought this release when it dropped but deliberately put off a first listen (minus the inescapable singles "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Stronger" and "Good Life" which you'd have to be living under a rock to have not heard out at a party/club/bar/lounge/hot spot) until now.

Now that the 50 v. Ye hype is history and the Grammys have past, here's what I understand about "Graduation." It's another strong release from Kanye who keeps getting better and better as a rapper and continues to be bold enough to experiment with hip hop's sound.

This album, conceptually, is nothing like the refreshing "College Dropout" or the more emotion-driven "Late Registration" (both great albums). The highlight of "Graduation" is most definitely the success he has blending a more funky, almost alternative rock-edged sound and making it hip hop.

To make a third hip hop album that's still worth your money in this day and age of throwaway music is no small feat. Afterall, look at what most of this decade's quote/unquote new hip hop superstars did on Album 3
(note: Trick Daddy, Lil Wayne and Eminem don't count b/c technically they all dropped in the '90s) -- 50 Cent's "Curtis" (garbage, not that I'd even consider buying a 50 album), Nelly's "Sweat Suit" (more crap), Chingy's "HoodStar" (self-explanatory).

That leaves T.I. and Ludacris as Kanye's only peers by my count.

My only wish is that the blazing hot track "Classic" he did with Nas, Rakim and KRS-One over a throwback-sounding DJ Premier beat had made this album (visit youtube if you haven't heard this song).

I would've given this LP five-stars alone for that one!

Otherwise, Kanye succeeds in delivering an album worth the money and a third straight project that goes above and beyond anything else that's out at the moment.

I had to turn this off because I thought my head was going to explode.

BOTTOM LINE:

There are two songs on here I cared NOTHING FOR AT ALL. I think we all know what they are...

other than that I thoroughly enjoy this album.

Compared to his other joints: B
compared to rap music: A+
on its own merit: B+

Graduation is, by far, Kanye's best album. Each song has a good to great beat and the lyrics go with the song. One might be thinking of course the lyrics would, but some artists forget this is a vital part to songs. My recommendation would be to buy the album because every song is great. It is really hard finding an album this good.

All I have to say is this CD is amazing. As part of christmas gifts to my friends I got them all this CD and noted it as one of my favorite things of 2007. I would highly recommend buying this.