On this day in 2004, Def Jam Recordings released Kanye West’s highly anticipated debut album, The College Dropout through its Roc-A-Fella Records imprint. The project marked the arrival of an ambitious producer-turned-rapper who would go on to reshape the landscape of Hip-Hop.
Now celebrating its 21st anniversary, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 441,000 copies in its first week. Fueled by a string of hit singles, The College Dropout earned West his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 47th Grammy Awards. Among the standout tracks, “Through the Wire”—inspired by West’s near-fatal car accident—introduced his unique storytelling style, while “Jesus Walks” broke barriers by infusing mainstream rap with spiritual themes. “All Falls Down” and “Slow Jamz” (featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista) both became top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter reaching No. 1.
The College Dropout remains West’s best-selling album in the United States, with over 3.4 million copies sold domestically and more than 4 million worldwide. Over the years, it has been consistently recognized as one of the greatest debut albums ever. Both Time and Rolling Stone have ranked it among the greatest albums ever recorded, cementing its legacy as a groundbreaking moment in Hip-Hop history.
