13 years ago today, Kanye West released Graduation

One of Kanye West’s masterpieces; a thread

Kanye released Graduation alongside 50 Cent’s album, Curtis. The media turned it into a sales war leading up to both releases, and it made for one of the biggest feud’s in hip-hop. Kanye ended up selling 960K units first week to 50 Cent’s 690K

The artwork for Graduation was created by Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, who eleven years later would also design the album artwork for KIDS SEE GHOSTS

The album opens with Good Morning, which samples Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John. The song also ends with JAY-Z repeating lyrics from The Ruler's Back, the opening track from The Blueprint

The hit single Stronger, was Kanye’s first co-production with Mike Dean. Even after the release of the single, Kanye was unsatisfied with the production, and brought in Timbaland for the final album sessions. Kanye mixed Stronger over 75 times

Kanye joined U2’s Vertigo Tour for several dates in 2005 & 2006. Watching them perform their melodic sounds in filled stadiums inspired Kanye to create his own hip-hop version of this with I Wonder

While T-Pain is Kanye’s co-star on the hit track Good Life, and Michael Jackson appears from the sample, two other singers also make appearances. Towards the end of the second verse, Ne-Yo and John Legend take over the last couple refrains

Throughout the track Flashing Lights, the voice of Connie Mitchell is repeating the title of the song. Kanye met Connie while he was on the Australian leg of his tour with U2, after two members of Sneaky Sound System referred him her way

Common passed on the beats for Everything I Am, as well as The Glory. They were meant to be on his album, Finding Forever

Kanye released an early version of Homecoming nearly five years prior to Graduation. The original beat and a hook from John Legend were completely replaced with a new track and chorus featuring Chris Martin

Big Brother was written about JAY-Z, describing their big/little brother relationship. When JAY-Z first heard the track, he was emotional and said it was beautifully written and Kanye’s best since Jesus Walks

Graduation debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. Kanye went on to win three Grammy Awards for the album, and it inspired many artists including Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Drake and J. Cole

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