Official tracklist for "Graduation" and an online review

[Meho]

BBC’s Portland studios yesterday played host to an exclusive playback of Kanye West’s new album Graduation with the Graduate himself in attendance. Hosted by 1Xtra and Trevor Nelson in particular, the invite only event had many an industry knob (and us) clambering for a ticket. Once gathered, the assembly patiently waited way past the allotted time of Kanye’s arrival, peering at the empty stage through the pairs of sunglasses (you know the ones he wears in the Stronger video), before Trevor announced that Kon was in the building.
When he finally arrived clad in a cardigan and diamonds, he first ran through some questions from Nelson before playing the new album in it’s full entirety direct from his own laptop (via a huge-arse speaker system of course) before answering questions from an in-awe-audience. Speaking to Trevor, ‘Ye described his album as “people music cos all people go through hardships, not just rappers. And most of us do that without killing people!”
Breaking down the lack of guest appearances and skits in comparison to previous efforts West explains, “There’s just serious songs, hooks, chords and ideas. No special effects or antics,” before joking, “and no fake Bernie Mac!” The seriousness is in response to a lot of heat the Louis Vuitton Don has been getting from various sectors, “This album is like what made Muhammad Ali great. Sure he’s remembered for being a great fighter, but he’s also remembered for getting up off the mat whenever he was knocked down.”

So what does Kanye’s comeback round sound like? Read past the tracklisting to find out what we thought about his graduation ceremony…

Tracklisting:

1. Good Morning
2. I Wonder
3. Champion
4. Stronger
5. Skit
6. Can’t Tell Me Nothing
7. Good Life (Feat. T-Pain)
8. The Glory
9. Barry Bonds (Feat. Lil’ Wayne)
10. Flashing Lights (Feat. Dwele)
11. Drunk & Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def)
12. Skit
13. Everything I Am
14. Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin)
15. Big Brother
16. Goodbye (Feat. Mos Def & Al Be) (*Bonus Track*)

After Trevor Nelson had left the stage, Kanye immediately asked the light technician to turn down the stage lights cos he didn’t wanna have to take of his ‘fly-ass sweater,’ before whipping out his laptop and connecting it to the speakers. We were treated to some exclusive material that West has been working on with Lil Wayne whilst he adjusted the sound levels, so that we heard Graduation at it’s optimum hearing level, though it would probably have sounded amazing even if we’d heard it through tinny lap top speakers.
Album opener Good Morning is a combination of old skool boom-bap drums, haunting chants and a sonic orchestra which provides the musical layers throughout the album. On the vocals Kanye compares conquering life’s struggles to graduating whilst maintaining bravado levels with lines such as, “I’m like the fly Malcolm X, buy any jeans necessary.” Lyrically the album sees West showcase his improved lyricism but it’s his production that takes centre stage on the second track as Kon’s fragmented flow shadows the beat. I Wonder is a myriad of sounds intertwined with an addictive sample that evolves over four minutes whilst ‘Ye occasionally responds to the negative barbs that have been thrown his way. Late Registration featured the mother’s day favourite Hey Mama and ‘Ye addresses his paternal guardian whilst also aiming to inspire the ‘kids’ with a positive, upbeat joint Champion
Even though it’s hit number three in the charts over here and has repeated a similar feat stateside, Kanye still wasn’t happy with Stronger when he heard it in a club alongside Timbaland’s Way I Are which is his favourite beat at the moment. So he dragged Timbo into the studio and got him to redo the drums on the track, ‘for people who look fly’ so we were treated to the new version, though to be honest I didn’t realise there was anything different until West mentioned it. Another staple of Kanye’s albums have been a saturation of ridiculous skits (apparently some people like them) but the no nonsense Kanye is done with them and instead there are two musical interludes, both of which are very earthy and natural incorporating African sounds and percussion. Next up was the other previously heard track Can’t Tell Me Nothing which Kon revealed didn’t include a sample but the doomful ‘oh-oh-oh-oh’s actually come from the voice-box of Connie from the Sneaky Sound System.
The next video from the LP will be fore Good Life. A feel-good electric offering in the style of Arrested Development, featuring the vocoder talents of T-Pain, Kanye encourages listeners to have fun and throw their ‘hands up in the sky’. Funnily enough West revealed that he wasn’t too fond of the Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. sampling track, but was pressured into releasing it by Def Jam, though he doesn’t harbour any ill feeling to his label. Whatever Kanyeezee may feel, we liked it! After that we had another potential single (though they all sounded like bloody singles!) with The Glory It’s more of a traditional Kanye production with clever use of a soul sample, and West reels off boastful bars such as “I stand in Speedos and still look like a f*cking hero,” over pacey drums. This is followed by the most Kanye’s most lyrical performance on the now available (go to your nearest download dealer) Barry Bonds where the braggadocio is upped by the inclusion of the only guest verse on the album in the form of Lil’ Wayne. The straight hip hop track was felt so much by the audience and Kanye himself, that he cut off the next track Flashing Lights about 10 seconds in so that he could play Barry Bonds again! When Flashing Lights eventually was played it unravelled a dramatic, Dwele featuring ditty about relationships where West lets a girl now that she, “can’t Rome without Caesar.”
Females were on the agenda again as Kon zoned out to the eerie Drunk & Hot Girls where he slowly sings about the manoeuvring around intoxicated women, with sang additions from Mos Def as well. Afterwards Kanye revealed that this defines his life, “more than any other record.” What was thought to be a sarcastic comment and met with a few laughs in the audience soon subsided after seeing the sincerity on West’s face. After the second of the two skits the hugely introspective Everything I Am where he laments the hallmarks of being a popular hip hop artist, coupling the gossip and the rumours with the popularisation of crime and violence. Rhyming over and around old skool hip hop drums and scratching from DJ Premier, ‘Ye confesses “Everything I’m not, made me everything I am.” A different Chris Martin turns up on the next song Homecoming where Coldplay’s lead singer provides the hook and possible the piano playing. An original version of this leaked with The College Dropout advance, but ‘Ye has gone to town and revamped the tale of his long put off return back home after finding his fame and fortune.
The 15th and final track was severely hyped up before it’s play by Kanye as he divulged that he felt it was the most important, best and career-defining record he’s ever made. With such a huge build up, everyone held their breath to see if it was as good as West said it was. Maybe not the best track he’s ever made, but it was very big! Chronicling his complete relationship with Jay-Z, Big Brother gives thanks, and details his respect for Jigga as well as question some decisions and allow ‘Ye to get some things off his chest. Explaining his decision to make the track Kanye states, “I wanted to show that he’s an idol in my eyes, as well as a god in the game.”


http://rwdmag.com

[wcsoldier]

Props ... so the I-Tunes tracklist wasn't 100 % right ... hope the whole product gonna be better than the 3 tracks we heard so far

[Oklin]

2 Mos Def features? nice.. The track with Kanye and Mos Def on the first Kanye album was dope

[-Euthanasia-]

Cant wait for the Mos West collab cd. Get that classic album that we know Mos Def is good for

[Meho]

You should really read the review: Females were on the agenda again as Kon zoned out to the eerie Drunk & Hot Girls where he slowly sings about the manoeuvring around intoxicated women, with sang additions from Mos Def as well.

Looks like he has a small part and even thats only singing 

[CRAFTY]

Nice read. No way in hell I'm downloading this album before it hits shelves. I know this'll be worth the money...

[-Euthanasia-]

You should really read the review: Females were on the agenda again as Kon zoned out to the eerie Drunk & Hot Girls where he slowly sings about the manoeuvring around intoxicated women, with sang additions from Mos Def as well.

Looks like he has a small part and even thats only singing 

You ruined my day

[Elano]

I thought Lil wayne was the only featuring 

[KURUPTION-81]

I was dissapointed with Late Registration, but i have high hopes for graduation. I felt kanye got real sloppy lyrically on late registration so hopefully he has spent more time on his rhymes.

[.:Hercy Buggz:.]

More GOOD MUSIC!!!!

[es-jay]

I was dissapointed with Late Registration, but i have high hopes for graduation. I felt kanye got real sloppy lyrically on late registration so hopefully he has spent more time on his rhymes.

lol.

"I be up in Europe, spending Euros"

but seriously some of his raps were a bit poor but i liked the album, and i certainly am looking forward to Graduation. i will be picking it up on Sept. 11th... or a week later when i get paid, lol.

[The "Untouchable" DJR]

Trevor Nelson... I hate that muthafucka. 

Bittersweet is not going to be on the album?

[Al Bundy]

so much dope shit to buy. i got alot of records on my list that i gotta get.

[Bones01]

propz, the records really starting to look nice

[wcsoldier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mistajam/2007/08/kanyewest_graduation_1.shtml

kanYeWest - Graduation
Mistajam 14 Aug 07, 09:08 AM

I gave you a brief teaser last night but yesterday 1Xtra hosted an exclusive 'Audience With Kanye West' at the BBC's famous Radio Music Theatre where he took an special select audience through his album Graduation. You can hear the whole thing (including many WORLD PREMIERS) with Trevor Nelson from 4pm. Before you hear that though, lemme break down some of the tracks on the album for you.

Before I go into this, let me state for the record that 'Graduation' very possibly could be my album of the year. Common & Klashnekoff's albums are the only 2 other albums I've listened to this year that could compete - but 'Yay just edges it out. 50 Cent has vowed to retire if Kanye outsells his album 'Curtis' which is being released on the same day. Don't get it twisted, "I Got Money" (50's current street single) and the freshly leaked "Follow My Lead" are very good singles but listening to the quality of Kanye's album (which is far more cohesive than anything 50 has done since Get Rich Or Die Trying) I think he should contact the retirement village and reserve his place.

Mobile phones/cameras/recording equipment etc... were banned from the venue to make sure there were no leaks (although Yeezy still had his on and even took a call from his A&R Plain Pat who was mastering the album during the playback) and I forgot my pen and pad so I can't break down every track (my memory isn't that good) but I can remember most of them. Kanye came on stage with his Louis Vitton bag, pulled out his mac laptop, plugged it in and pressed play so...


The first thing he played was a track he'd just finished for Lil Wayne - just to test the sound system and trust me, it was FIRE!! The Carter 3 is gonna be a hot album. Utilising some hardcore jazz break, it was the classic Pete Rock/DJ Premier kind of Hip Hop sound with a 2007 Kanye twist - something many producers have been trying to achieve for years.

He then started to go through the album:

Good Morning - strong start to the album, really aspirational and powerful.

I Wonder - Reminiscent to 'Never Let Me Down' in mood, one for the ladies. Kanye testing out a new kind of flow here - not too sure on one listen, need to hear it again.

Stronger - The version that will appear on the album is much bigger and (pardon the pun) stronger than the version out now because Kanye has strengthened the drums. My main critiscism of the track was that the drums were weak and took away from the track because they weren't punchy enough, well, after hearing 'The Way I Are' compared to 'Stronger' in a club, 'Yay apparently hollered at Timbaland and the pair worked on the drums. Nice!

Champion - this one could be a future #1. Big sample, big hook, big beat. Feels a bit like 'Touch The Sky' in mood, but the beat is much stronger. kanYe says this was Timbaland's favourite track.

Flashing Lights - another one of the tracks he's done in the past 3 weeks. This one is another banger. I can hear it bumping in a club. It's got a sort of slowed down house beat with arpeggiating synths and a 4x4 kinda beat pattern - like how Dre did for Eminem's "Encore" & 50's "Outta Control". Definitely a future single.

Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin) - On the strength of this, I can safely say that Kanye has got the best Chris Martin from Coldplay performance on a Hip Hop record. Big stadium sounding record - I can picture this one being performed in front of an arena crowd and going down really well. That's one of the things 'Yay said he was aiming for on the record - to make "...stadium status" records that will translate well in front of a huge crowd and be around for over 20 years and still be relevant. Bono from U2 apparently said that kanYe's the only one from his community who has the potential to do that. We'll have to wait and see but with tracks like this, he's going on the right path.

Barry Bonds (Feat Lil Wayne) - If you're someone who hates on Kanye because he doesn't make that "real" Hip Hop, prepare to eat your words. A track so big Kanye had to play it twice and he didn't do that to any other track on the album. Featuring Lil Wayne, this is something that will not be a commercial hit but will be one of any true Hip Hop head's biggest tracks from the album. So boasty and full of swagger, it's "Brooklyn's Finest" but with a dude from the Chi and a dude from Norleans. Big. Kanye asked the audience which record he should leak and we said this one so he promised he would leak it before the end of the week - shouts to Spine!

Good Life (Feat. T-Pain) - Kanye claims this is the most obvious straight to radio record he's done yet but I don't see much difference in feel to this and 'Gold Digger'. Sampling Michael Jackson's PYT and featuring Teddy Penderassdown, if this isn't a future #1, I'll be VERY surprised. That said, it's a banging track - one that will work on the radio and in the club. Big hook, accessable lyrics and it's near impossible to sample something from 'Thriller' and not make a banger. He said the video is in the process of being completed and will be directed by the same dude who did Justice's amazing D.A.N.C.E video. That one will be very interesting - especially after it was Justice who won the MTV video award over Kanye last year...

Can’t Tell Me Nothing - Nothing more to add to this track - you know it! It's the anthem for anyone wanting to quit their sh*tty 9-5 job that features the lead singer from Australia's Sneaky Sound System. I actually prefer the remix with Jeezy but the original is the one that features on the album. BTW - have you seen the crazy second video?


Drunk And Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def) - weakest link on the album sees a 3/4 beat and Kanye and Mos Def sing rapping about messing with drunk and hot girls. Think I need a couple of listens to be able to get it.

Everything I Am (Scratches by DJ Premier) - Another big "real" Hip Hop feeling track. Banging beat, Primo sounding better than ever (you forget what level of actual DJ skills the other Chris Martin has)

Big Brother - Kanye says this one will be the album closer contrary to all the online tracklistings and if it is, there is no stronger way to close the album. Kanye said that he feels that this track is his strongest ever lyrically, career defining record and I have to agree. He asked those of us who have heard it to not spoil it for others by revealing what the concept of the record is but lets just say he's done something no other rapper has ever done on this record. When I get the album, this will probably be the first track I play.

So overall, it's a VERY strong album full of moments for everyone - from the hardcore underground backpacker Hip Hop fan to the pop music fan who only knows Kanye from Gold Digger. 9 out of 10 from me.

Make sure you check Trevor Nelson's show this weekend to hear the whole thing - let me know what you think once you've heard it.