Graduation Kanye West

Roc-A-Fella, 2007

kanye west’s third album was his sleekest yet. There’s the Steely Dan-sampling “Champion”; the Daft Punk rip-off “Stronger”; and even a Chris Martin hook on “Homecoming.” He’s as self-obsessed as ever, but the music’s hypnotic sheen helps his fame-sucks rants go down easy.