Kanye West is known for his ability to put out timeless music by fueling them with powerful lyrics. His legacy in rap is more than one particular style. Ye with a penchant to experiment with his music every step of the way, cracked the code to make his rap albums more than the background music in clubs or a favorite of a humble community. He wanted his songs to be chanted by a sea of people, and he did just that with his third studio album ‘Graduation’.

‘Graduation’ was hailed by many as an artistic masterpiece, owing to its storyline and the album cover designed by the renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. But as the album completes sixteen years, another reason has been added.

Kanye West has 4 Million regular streamers thanks to ‘Graduation’

Thirteen tracks, dozens of features, Murakami cover, electric beats, and Kanye West’s Rumpelstiltskin-like ability to spin music into gold. In 2007, when ‘Graduation’ was released, Ye had already established himself as more than a promising rapper. However, it was the third album that truly sealed the deal. The Grammy winner opened the door for rap to become mainstream. And 16 years later, with 4 Million streams daily on Spotify, it still is.

“I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny/And what I do? Act more stupidly,” the Grammy-winning rapper wrote on his loved track ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothin’. This proved his confidence in himself and his ability to infuriate people.

A decade and several controversies later, the lyrics still stand true as Ye continues to be unapologetically himself. At the time of ‘Graduation’s’ release, however, the rapper was in a tight spot.

Why was Graduation expected to flop?

Kanye West, for his third studio album, took nothing except for his powerful lyrics and a spoonful of confidence from the success of his prior albums. Unlike ‘The College Dropout’ and ‘Late Registration’, this one was made to bellow in an arena. But the music style was not the only challenge for ‘Graduation’.

Ye had opened war against 50 Cent by releasing his album on the same day as him: 11, September 2007. Given the cult-like fanbase of Cent, many expected it to be a clear win for him, only to be proven wrong. While the cultural impact of this square-off is one for the books, for Ye it was proof that academically motivated titles work for him.

Do you think Kanye West will make an album like ‘Graduation’ again? Let us know in the comments below.