Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 18 Years Ago

On this day in 2007, Kanye West dropped his third studio album, Graduation, the final chapter in his education-themed trilogy, via Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella Records. Already riding high from the critical and commercial success of The College Dropout and Late Registration, Kanye stepped into this release as one of hip hop’s brightest stars and Graduation cemented his place among the greats.

The album arrived during a much-hyped sales showdown with 50 Cent’s Curtis. Framed as a battle for hip hop’s future, the matchup drew national headlines, with Kanye positioned as the underdog against 50’s dominant G-Unit machine. The results weren’t close; Graduation moved nearly half a million copies on its first day and went on to outsell Curtis by a wide margin, symbolizing a cultural shift toward Kanye’s forward-thinking sound.

Packed with massive singles, the project elevated Kanye beyond his peers and deeper into pop culture. “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” became an anthem of defiance, “Stronger” redefined his sonic palette with a Daft Punk sample, and “Good Life”, featuring T-Pain, lit up the charts and the clubs. By the end of 2007, Kanye had Grammy and American Music Award wins under his belt, and his influence was undeniable.

Still, Graduation also marked a bittersweet turning point in his personal journey. Just two months after the album’s release, Kanye’s mother, Dr. Donda West, tragically passed away following surgery complications. Her loss would profoundly impact his music and life moving forward.

Eighteen years later, Graduation remains a cornerstone of Kanye’s catalog and a landmark in hip hop history. Salute to Kanye, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, DJ Premier, and everyone who helped create this classic.