6. Kanye West - Graduation
Kanye, like Eminem is really an artist that need no introduction, however, unlike Em, Kanye took hip-hop to brand new heights with less controversial lyrics, proving that you can reach the top without a thuggish ruggish past or gun-talk and murder.
Graduation ranks number six on my list because of Kanye's ability constantly progress and change hip-hop and remain at the forefront as he does so. When Kanye is not making his own music, he is making someone else's. He produced a significant number of this decades hit music and also guest starred on some of the hottest tracks. Unlike College Dropout and Late Registration, Graduation was a shift in Kanye's musical style that had a huge impact on hip-hop in the late quarter of the 00's. The beats are dominantly electronically inspired, like "Stronger," which samples Daft Punk and also tracks like "I Wonder" and "Flashing Lights," which is a huge change from the common soul and R&B sampling from his previous albums. Even after this transformation, Graduation was unanimously a crowd and critic pleaser that produced a handful of chart-topping singles. Lyrically, Kanye shifted from a more observational perspective, often rapping about problems in America and also the occasional slow jam and slow riding tune to personal success and the life of an "A" list celebrity. Through all this, Kanye still managed to maintain his emotional style of delivery that entices the listener.
In switching his style up and looking forward with confidence, Kanye managed to do it right and with style. This album was Kanye's graduation from hip-hop university into a world of change... 808's & Heartbreaks. "And with my ego, I could stand there in a speedo and be looked at as fucking hero." -Kanye, The Glory.
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