Kanye West - Graduation

The self-appointed saviour of rap is all grown up as he releases the final act of his college trilogy. But rather than graduate with honours, the gradient of his grades is descending steadily downwards.

Despite moments of dazzling lyrical flair and numerous biting hooks, Kanye West fails to live up to past standards. Previously, he possessed a charming self-consciousness that precariously balanced his gargantuan ego and created a likeable streak within every verse.

Now, with the advent of international superstardom, he believes the hype. ‘Champion’ and ‘Barry Bonds’ are both exercises of self-gratification. What set West apart was his determination not to rely on rap clichés of guns and girls, accompanying his bravado with social relevance. Instead, this is replaced by ropey drones like ‘Drunk and Hot Girls.’

West appears indefatigable in his quest to sample every song ever written. Here his cuts include Elton John, Daft Punk, Steely Dan, Public Enemy and Michael Jackson. Live, his blurring of boundaries and embracing of all genres sounds fresh and innovative. On record, the excessive barrage of borrowed beats (12 tracks include samples – one regrettably features Chris Martin) suggests a lack of original thought.

However, there are highlights, such as ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’, an honest account of fame’s trappings including insight like “I feel pressure, under more scrutiny; and what I do? Act more stupidly.” Elsewhere, Number One single ‘Stronger’ is a fizzing, vibrant assault on the senses. Sadly, the gems are too infrequent.

Three tracks include the word ‘Good’ in their titles; Graduation is exactly this. But is that really enough? “I’m doing pretty good as far as geniuses go,” he muses. No, Mr. West, geniuses don’t do pretty good. They do exceptional, inspirational, revolutionary. This album cements his standing as rap’s premier performer, but its ordinariness is more a testament to the unhealthy state of the genre than the brilliance of its creator.