Minimalist Piano

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Lore & Background

The album demonstrates a distinctive progression in West's musical style and approach to production. After touring with U2 on their Vertigo Tour, West became inspired by Bono opening stadium tours and sought to compose anthemic rap songs that could operate efficiently in large arenas. He incorporated layered electronic synthesizers, slower tempos, and drew influence from house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music that originated in his hometown of Chicago. West broadened his musical palette by not limiting himself to samples from classic soul records, instead drawing from euro-disco, hard rock, electronica, lounge, progressive rock, synth-pop, electro, krautrock, dub, reggae, and dancehall. He modified his rapping style, adopting a dilatory, exuberant flow in emulation of Bono's operatic singing, and simplified some rhymes after touring with The Rolling Stones on their A Bigger Bang concert tour.

In Their Own Story

West began working on Graduation immediately after releasing Late Registration. By late September 2005, he had completed three songs for the album, which he intended to contain twelve tracks. During recording, West often listened to songs by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to develop his word play and storytelling abilities. He also listened to alternative rock bands including The Killers, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, and Keane to gain ideas for making his production more stadium-friendly. West would test new songs on his iPod, in his office, in dance clubs, and anywhere people might listen, then make adjustments based on feedback. The album features fewer guest appearances than previous releases, with West explaining that when he hears records by his favorite bands like The Killers or Coldplay, he hears only one voice from start to finish. Many songs contain background vocals from Connie Mitchell of Sneaky Sound System, who West met while touring Australia with U2 in November 2006.

Reader's Guide

The album's production was primarily handled by West himself, with contributions from various other producers including DJ Toomp. Recording sessions took place between 2005 and 2007 at several studios in New York and Los Angeles. West made a conscious decision to abstain from excessive rap albums saturated with skits and filler, instead filling Graduation with significantly fewer tracks — 13 on the standard version, or 14 on the digital version. He recorded two earthy musical interludes incorporating African sounds and polyrhythmic percussion, though these were omitted from the final album for unknown reasons. The cover art features West's mascot Dropout Bear in a new cartoon form, with interior artwork designed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. The album prematurely concludes the education theme of West's first two studio albums, The College Dropout (2004) and Late Registration (2005).

Did You Know?

• The album's release date coincided with 50 Cent's Curtis, creating a sales competition that resulted in record-breaking performances by both albums.
• West cites rock bands The Killers, Keane, Modest Mouse, and indie-pop singer-songwriter Feist as having profound influence on the sound of Graduation.
• Singer Chris Brown intended to name his second studio album Graduation but changed it to Exclusive after learning West planned to use the same title.
• The album earned West his third Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and his third Album of the Year nomination.
• Graduation is credited with paving the way for hip-hop artists who did not conform to gangster conventions to find commercial acceptance.