100 Best Albums of the 2000s: Kanye West, 'Graduation'

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Kanye West, 'Graduation'

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Kanye's third album was his tightest and sleekest yet, with the Louis Vuitton don picking designer beats to match his designer clothes: There was the Steely Dan-sampling "Champion"; "Stronger," which cribbed from Daft Punk; and even a Chris Martin hook on "Homecoming." Kanye was more self-obsessed than ever, but the music's hypnotic sheen helped his fame-sucks rants go down easy. "I'm doin' pretty good as far as geniuses go," he rapped on "Barry Bonds." No one argued.

Related:
• Rolling Stone's Original 2007 Review

• Photos: 2011 Essence Music Festival

• Inside Kanye West's World