Kanye West's "Graduation" Lyrics

Graduation, Kanye’s third album, touched on a multitude of subjects as Kanye’s fame grew to levels he had not yet experienced. Whereas The College Dropout found Kanye detailing the struggles of an aspiring rapper and Late Registration delved into his initial brush with notoriety, Graduation saw Kanye celebrating his new life of fame. From writing hits to discussing groupies with Mos Def, much of the album is upbeat, mirroring the happiness that Kanye was experiencing in his own life. But perhaps the most notable track on the album came with Kanye at his emotional best, penning a letter to Jay-Z entitled “Big Brother,” where Kanye praised, but did not shy away from criticizing, the man he has looked up to his whole life.

Here are the lyrics from Kanye West's Graduation.

Good morning [x4]

Wake up, Mr. West, Mr. West, Mr. Fresh

Mr. by-his-self-he-so-impressed

I mean, damn, did you even see the test

You got D's mother fucker, D's, Rosie Perez

And yes, barely pass any and every class

Looking at every ass

Cheated on every test

I guess this is my dissertation

Homie, this shit is basic

Welcome to graduation

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

On this day we become legendary

Everything we dreamed of

I'm like a fly Malcolm X

Buy any jeans necessary

Detroit Red cleaned up

From the streets of the league

From an eighth to a key

But you graduate when you make it up outta the streets

From the moments of pain

Look how far we done came

Haters saying ya changed

Now ya doing ya thing

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

Good morning

Look at the valedictorian scared of the future

While I hop in the Delorean

Scared-to-face-the-world complacent career student

Some people graduate, but be still stupid

They tell you read this, eat this, don't look around

Just peep this, preach us, teach us, Jesus

Okay, look up now, they done stole your streetness

After all of that, you receive this

Good morning

Hustlers, that's if you're still living

Get on down

Every time that we hear them

Good morning

Hustlers, that's if you're still living

Get on down

Every time that we hear them

Good morning

Hustlers, that's if you're still living

Get on down

Every time that we hear them

Good morning

Hustlers, that's if you're still living

Get on down

Get on down

Get, get on down

Get on down

Get, get on down

[chorus:]

(Did you realize

That you were a champion?

In their eyes)

Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib

Just a little somethin' show you how we live

Everybody want it but it ain't that serious

That's that shit

So if you're gonna do it, do it just like this

(Did you realize

That you were a champion?

In their eyes)

You don't see just how wild the crowd is?

You don't see just how fly my style is?

I don't see why I need a stylist

When I shop so much I can speak Italian

I don't know I just wanted better for my kids

And I ain't sayin' we was from the projects

But everytime I want it, layaway or a deposit

My dad'll say "When you see clothes close your eyelids"

We was sort of like Will Smith and his son

In the movie I ain't talkin' 'bout the rich ones

'cause every summer he'll get some

Brand new hare-brained scheme to get rich from

And I don't know what he did for dough

But he'd sent me back to school with a new wardrobe and hey!

[chorus]

When it feel like living's harder than dyin'

For me givin' up's way harder than tryin'

Lauryn Hill say her heart was in Zion

I wish her heart still was in rhymin'

'cause who the kids gonna listen to? Huh?

I guess me if it isn't you

Last week I paid a visit to the institute

They got the Drop Out keepin' kids in the school

I guess I'll clean up my act like Prince'll do

If not for the pleasure, least for the principle

They got the CD then got to see me drop gems

Like I dropped out of P.E.

They used to feel invisible

Now they know they invincible

(Did you realize

That you were a champion?

In their eyes)

This is the story of a champion

Rounders in the mob and they pop the guns

Stand up stand up! Here he comes

Tell me what it takes to be number one?

Tell me what it takes to be number one?

This is the story of a champion

Rounders in the mob and they pop the guns

Stand up stand up! Here he comes

Tell me what it takes to be number one?

Tell me what it takes to be number one?

[chorus]

Work it, make it, do it,

Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger!

[played in background, continuously:]

Work it harder, make it better,

do it faster, makes us stronger,

more than ever, never over,

Our work is never over.

[Chorus:]

Now that don't kill me

Can only make me stronger

I need you to hurry up now

'cause I can't wait much longer

I know I got to be right now

'cause I can't get much wronger

Man I've been waitin' all night now

That's how long I've been on you

I need you right now

I need you right now

Let's get lost tonight

You could be my black Kate Moss tonight

Play secretary, I'm the boss tonight

And you don't give a fuck what they all say right?

Awesome, the Christian and Christian Dior

Damn, they don't make 'em like this anymore

I ask 'cause I'm not sure

Do anybody make real shit anymore?

Bow in the presence of greatness

'cause right now thou has forsaken us

You should be honored by my lateness

That I would even show up to this fake shit

So go ahead go nuts go ape shit

Especially in my pastel or my Bape shit

Act like you can't tell who made this

New gospel homey, take six, and take this, haters

[Chorus]

I need you right now

I need you right now

Me likey

I don't know if you got a man or not,

If you made plans or not

If God put me in the plans or not

I'm trippin' this drink got me sayin' a lot

But I know that God put you in front of me

So how the hell could you front on me?

There's a thousand you's, there's only one of me

I'm trippin', I'm caught up in the moment right?

Cause it’s Louis Vuitton Don night

So we gonna do everything that Kan like

Heard they'd do anything for a Klondike

Well I'd do anything for a blonde dike

And she'll do anything for the limelight

And we'll do anything when the time's right

Ugh, baby, you're makin' it (harder, better, faster, stronger)

[Chorus]

I need you right now

I need you right now

You know how long I've been on you?

Since Prince was on Apollonia

Since OJ had Isotoners

Don't act like I never told you [x6]

Baby, you're making it (harder, better, faster, stronger)

[Chorus]

I need you right now [x4]

You know how long I've been on you?

Since Prince was on Apollonia

Since OJ had Isotoners

Don't act like I never told you

Never told you [x4]

Never over [x8]

[Kanye West]

Like we always do at this time

I go for mine, I got to shine

Now throw your hands up in the sky

I g-go for mine, I got to shine

Now throw your hands up in the sky

[Chorus - T-Pain:]

I'm gonna get on this TV mama, I'm gonna

I'm gonna put shit down

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Hey, I'm good

[Verse 1 Kanye West]

Welcome to the good life

Where niggas that sell D

Won't even get pulled over in they new V

The good life, let's go on a living spree

Shit they say the best things in life are free

The good life, it feel like Atlanta

It feel like L.A., it feel like Miami

It feel like N.Y., summertime Chi, ah

(Now throw your hands up in the sky)

So I roll through good

Y'all pop the trunk, I pop the hood, Ferrari

And she got the goods

And she got that ass, I got to look, sorry

Yo it's got to be cause I'm seasoned

Haters give me them salty looks, Lawry's

50 told me go 'head switch the style up

And if they hate then let 'em hate

And watch the money pile up, the good life

[Hook:]

Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine

Now throw your hands up in the sky

Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine

Now throw your hands up in the sky

[Chorus - T-Pain]

[Verse 2 Kanye West]

Welcome to the good life

Where we like the girls who ain't on TV

Cause they got more (Ass than the models)

The good life, so keep it coming' with the bottles

Till she feel boozed like she bombed out Apollo

The good life, it feel like Houston

It feel like Philly, it feel like D.C.

It feel like VA, or the Bay, or Ye

Ayy, this is the good life

Welcome to the good life

Homie, tell me what's good

Why I only got a problem when you in the hood

Like I'm new in the hood, the only thing I wish?

(I wish a nigga would)

He probably think he could, but, but

I don't think he should

50 told me go 'head switch the style up

And if they hate then let 'em hate

And watch the money pile up, the good life

[Hook]

[Chorus - T-Pain]

[Verse 3]

Have you ever popped champagne on a plane

While getting' some brain

Whipped it out, she said "I never seen snakes on a plane"

Whether you broke or rich you gotta get biz

Having' money's not everything that having it is

I was splurging' on trizz

But when I get my card back activated

I'm back to Vegas cause

I always had a passion for flashing before I had it

I close my eyes and imagine, the good life

[T-Pain]

Is the good life better than the life I live

When I thought that I was gonna go crazy

And now my grandmama ain't the only girl calling me baby

And if you feeling me now then put your hands up in the sky

And let me hear you say hey, hey, hey, ooh

I'm good

[Chorus]

[John Mayer:]

Bittersweet

You're gonna be the death of me

I don't want you, but I need you

I love you and hate you at the very same time

Bittersweet

[Verse 1:]

See what I want so much, shit never hurt this bad

Never did this before, that's what the virgin says

We've been generally warned, that's what the surgeon says

God talk to me now, this is an emergency

And she claim she only with me for the currency

You cut me deep bitch, cut me like surgery

And I was too proud to admit that it was hurting me

I'd never do that to you, at least purposely

We breaking up again, we making up again

But we don't love no more, I guess we fucking then

Have you ever felt you ever want to kill her?

And you mix them emotions with tequila

And you mix that with a little bad advice

On one of those bad nights, ya'll have a bad fight

And you talking 'bout her family, her aunts and shit

And she say "Motherfucker, yo momma's a bitch!"

You know, domestic drama and shit, all that attitude

I'll never hit a girl, but I'll shake the shit outta you!

But I'mma be the bigger man, Big Pimpin' like Jiggaman

Oh I guess I figure it's...

[Chorus]

[Verse 2:]

See what I want so much, shit never hurt this bad

Never did this before, that's what the virgin says

We've been generally warned, that's what the surgeon says

God talk to me now, this is an emergency

And my nigga said I shouldn't let it worry me

I need to focus on the girls we getting currently

But I been thinking and it got me back to sinking and

This relationship it even got me back to drinking all this

Hennessy

It's gonna be the death of me

And I always thought that you having my child was our destiny

But I can't even vibe with you sexually

Cuz every time that I try, you would question me

Saying "You fucking them girls, disrespecting me?

You don't see how ya lies is affecting me.

You don't see how our life was supposed to be?

And I never let a nigga get that close to me.

And you ain't cracked up to what you was supposed to be.

You always gone, you'll always be where them hoes'll be."

And this the first time she ever spilled her soul to me

[Chorus]

[Kanye:]

I fucked up and I know it g

I guess it's bittersweet poetry

[Bridge x2]

See what I want so much, shit never hurt this bad

Never did this before, that's what the virgin says

We've been generally warned, that's what the surgeon says

God talk to me now, this is an emergency

[Chorus]

[Bridge - Mos Def]

I'm not sure anymore-more

Who is knocking at my door-door

All the faces that I know

Ja make them so sunny and true

[Chorus - Mos Def]

I don't wanna say goodbye to you

So I'll just say good night to you

My people, no goodbyes to you

I'm just gonna say good night

[Verse - Kanye West]

Right now I can see it so vivid

Like it was just yesterday like I could relive it

Me and my grandparents on a field trid-ip

And I'm the little kid tryna touch the exhibits

But it'll fade before I get to get a hold of that

Man I wish I could stop time like a photograph

Every joke that they told I'd know to laugh

Man, man I wouldn't let a moment pass

What do it mean when you dream that you fallin'

What do it mean when you dream that you ballin'

What do it mean when you never dream at all then

And you don't really know cause you can't recall them

It's sorta fly you get a chance to say hi to

People you never got a chance to say bye to

Maybe you could pull em up outta your dreams

Into real life, if you try to

So close, but so far

And so far, no cigar

We can't dwell on the past all we got is today

So I'mma live like there's no tomorrow

No goodbye

[Chorus - Mos Def]

I don't wanna say goodbye to you

So I'll just say good night to you

My people, no goodbyes to you

I'm just gonna say good night

[Verse - Al Be]

Uhh, to you

If I part my heart will live through you

Dream beautiful and unusual

Wake up like everyday new to you

Stay true to you, a hood musical

My art will live through you

Dream beautiful and unusual

Wake up like everyday new to you

Stay true to you, a hood musical

[Chorus - Mos Def]

I don't wanna say goodbye to you

So I'll just say good night to you

My people, no goodbyes to you

I'm just gonna say good night

[Bridge - Mos Def x3]

I'm not sure anymore-more

Who is knocking at my door-door

All the faces that I know

Ja make them so sunny and true

Stadium status

Uh

My big brother was Big's brother

Used to be Dame and Big’s brother

Who was hip hop brother

Who was No I.D friend

No I.D my mentor

Now let the story begin

Its the hard knock life tour

Sell out, picture us in the mall

Coping Iceberg and yell out Jigga

Yea that's what we would yell out

Yell out

You know the name dude

I gotta spell out or tell bout

J A Y an Ye so shy

Now he won't even step to his idol to say hi

Standing there like a mime

Let the chance pass by

Back of my mind he could change your life

With all these beats I did at least let him hear it

At least you could brag to your friends back at the gig

But he got me out my mama crib

Then he help me get my mama a crib

Big brother was Big’s Brother

Used to be Dame and Big’s Brother

Who was hip hop brother

Who was No I.D friend

No I.D my mentor

Now let the story begin

Let the story begin

If you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands

Fresh off the plane I'm off to Baseline

Nothing handed out

I'm about to take mine

Around the same time of that BluePrint 1

And these beats in my pocket was that Blueprint form

I'd play my little song in that old back room

He would bob his head and say, damn, oh, that's you

But by the Black Album I was blacking out

Party at S.O.Bs and we had packed the crowd

Big brother got his show up in Madison Square

And I'm like yea, yea we gonna be there

But not only did I not get a chance to spit it

Carleen told me I could buy two tickets

I guess big brother was thinking a little different

Kept little brother at bay, at a distance

But everything I felt was more focused

Only made me more focused

Only wrote more potent

Only thing I wanna know is why I get looked over

I guess I’ll understand when I get more older

Big brother saw me at the bottom of the totem

Now I'm at the top and everybody on the scrotum

My big Brother was Bigs brother

Used to be Dame and Bigs brother

Who was hip hop brother

Who was No I.Ds friend

No I.D my mentor

Now let the story begin

Begin

Let the story begin

If you feel the way I feel why don't you wave your hands

Have you ever walked in the shadow of a giant

Not only a client the presidito

Hola Ovito

The game getting foul so here's a free throw

I was always on the other side of the peep hole

Then I dropped Jesus Walks now I'm on a steep hole

And we know

New jack city gotta keep my brother

But to be number 1 I'm a beat my brother

On that diamonds remix I swore I spaz

Then my big brother came through and kicked my ass

Sibling rivalry, only I could see

It was the pride in me that was driving me

At the Grammies I said I inspired me

But my big brother who I always tried to be

When I kick a flow it was like, pick and roll

Cause even if he gave me the rock its give and go

I guess Beanie’s style was more of a slam dunk

And my shit was more like a finger roll

but I had them singles though

And them hoes at the show gonna mingle yo.

Y’all know

I told Jay I did a song with Coldplay

Next thing I know he got a song with Coldplay

Back in my mind I'm like damn, no way

Translate espanol

No way Jose

Then I went and told Jay Brown

Should of known that was gonna come back around

Should of taled to you like a man should of told you first

But I told somebody else that's what made shit worse

My big brother was Big’s brother

So here's a few words from your kid brother

If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell em

People never get the flowers while they could smell em

A idoll in my eyes, God of the game

Heart of the city, Rocafella chain

Never be the same, never be another

Number 1 young Hov also my big brother

My big Brother was Big’s brother

Used to be Dame and Big’s Brother

Who was hip hop brother

Who was No I.Ds friend

No I.D my mentor

And that's where the story ends

"I got fury in my soul,

fury's gonna take me to the glory goal.

In my mind I can't study war no more."

Gonna take you to the glory

Oh I can't study war

Yeah

I can't study war

No no

I can't study war

Yeah

I can't study war

Uh

I can't study war

Now where the south side

I can't study war

Uh uh uh

I can't study war

Now where the west side

I can't study war

Yep

I can't study war

Uh

Can I talk my shit again?

Even if I don't hit again

Dog are you fucking kidding?

My hat, my shoes, my coat, Louis Vuitton stitch, with Donatello Versace,

That's Louis Vuitton bitch

I think Hennessy, I drank I'm gone on that Bacardi Lemon, Corona, I'm zoning

Class back in session so I upped it a grade

Two years the Dwayne Wayne became the Dwyane Wade

And eh

Please don't start me

I'm like Gnarls Barkley meets Charles Barkley

I'm pop the barkers, I'm hood to Parkers

While you all was in limbo I raised the bar up

I touched on everything

Married to the game rock a chain stead of a wedding ring

Y’all brides maids catch the garter

On nights when Ye romance

Cameras flash so much

That I gotta do that yayo dance

I'm on a world tour with Common my man

After each and every show a couple dykes in the van

It's easy

The hood love to listen to Jeezy and Weezy and oh yeah Yeezy

I did it for the glory

[chorus sample]

I can't study war

No no

I can't study war

No no

The glory

I can't study war

No no

I can't study war

I did it for the glory

I can't study war

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

I did it for the glory

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

The glory

No no

I can't study war

Uh

What am I supposed to do now?

Man the game all messed up

How I suppose to stand out when everyone get dressed up

So yeah at the Grammies I went ultra Travolta

Yeah that tuxedo might have been a little guido

But with my ego, I can stand there with a speedo

And be looked at like a fucking hero

The glory the story the chain the polo the Nike the chronic

Empty bottles of nodo's

Tank on empty whipping my mamma Volvo

I spent that gas money on clothes with logos

The furrest man that shit that you don't floss

The Goyard so hard man, I'm Hugo's boss

Why I gotta ask what that two door cost

House on the hill

Two doors from Tracey Ross

And I'm asking about her girlfriends yeah the dark skinned ones

She asking about the speed boats I admit we rented 'em

When you meet me in person what do ya feel like

I know, I know I look better in real life

I hear people compare themselves to BIG a lot

You know BIG and Pac, you know to get it hot

I guess after I live I wanna be compared to BIG

Anyone Big Pun, Big L or Notorious

Fit in

Get money and stunt and stay glorious

And I'm gonna stop killin' these niggas as soon as the chorus hit

[chorus sample]

No no I can't study war

Yeah I'm gonna stop killin' these niggas soon as the chorus hit

I can't study war

No no

Uh

These haters be killing themselves they wanna come and get the glory

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

Uh

No no I can't study war

The glory

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

Uh ha

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

Now where the south side

No no I can't study war

No no I can't study war

Yeah

Now where the west side

No no I can't study war

Yeah

I can't study war

No no

I can't study war

No no

Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]

She don't believe in shootin' stars,

but she believe in shoes & cars

Wood floors in the new apartment,

couture from the store's department

You more like love to start shit,

I'm more of the, trips to Florida

Order the h'orderves, views of the Water

Straight from the page of your favorite author

And the weather so breezy,

man why can't life always be this easy

She in the mirror dancing so sleazy,

I get a call like where are you Yeezy

Try to hit you with a 'Oeur de Whopee'

Till I get flashed by the paparazzi

Damn, these nigga's got me,

I hate these nigga's more than the Nazis

[Dwele]

As I recall, I know you love to show off

But I never thought that you would take it this far

What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

[Kanye West]

I know it's been a while,

Sweetheart, we hardly talk, I was doing my thing

I know I was foul bay-bay,

a-bay lately you been all on my brain,

And if somebody would've told me a month ago

Fronting though, yo I wouldn't wanna know

If somebody would've told me a year ago

it'd go, get this difficult

Feeling like Katrina with no FEMA

Like Martin with no Gina

Like a flight with no visa

First class with the seat back I still see ya

In my past, you on the other side of the glass

Of my memory's museum,

I'm just saying, Hey Mona Lisa,

Come home you know you can't Rome without Caesar

[Dwele]

As I recall, I know you love to show off

But I never thought that you would take it this far

What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

What do I know? Flashing lights, lights

As you recall, you know I love to show off

But you never thought that I would take it this far

What do you know? Flashing lights, lights

What do you know? Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights

Flashing lights, lights

[Fade out]

Lights, lights, lights, lights...

[Kanye West]

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

[Mos Def (Kanye West)]

Looks like that mami can't buy everything up [x3]

(We go- through too- much bullshit- to mess- mess with- these drunk-

all of these drunk and hot girls)

[Kanye West (Mos Def)]

Driving around town looking for the best spot for the

(Drunk and hot girls)

Up in the club look at here what we got some

(Drunk and hot girls)

Stop dancing with your girlfriend and come dance with me

Stop talking about your boyfriend since he is not me

Stop running up my tab cause these drinks is not free

You drunk and hot girl

[Kanye West]

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

[Mos Def (Kanye West)]

(We go- through too- much bullshit- to mess- mess with- these all-

all of these drunk and hot girls)

[Kane West (Mos Def)]

I don't wanna drop your friends off, I just want you

(You drunk and hot girl)

You wanna sit down but we hit the drive through

(You drunk and hot girl)

Please don't fall asleep baby we almost back

Please don't throw up in the car we almost crash

Oh now you sober, how'd I know you'd say that

You drunk and hot girl

[Kanye West]

We gonna through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

[Mos Def (Kanye West)]

(We go- through too- much bullshit- to mess- mess with- these drunk-

all of these drunk and hot girls)

[Mos Def]

Lot of dangerous necessity that people seek without regard

To where they are, the human heart is curious above all things,

laa the lights are low

your eyes are bright

the music, makes it sweet delight

It's out of sight, I'm feeling right

your dress is tight

Oh waaaa ow, I want you right now

[Kanye West]

Don't tell me you sing,you bout to get a deal

(You drunk and hot girls)

Aaa aaa aa aa aa, that's how the fuck you sound

(You drunk and hot girl)

You only live once do whatever you like

I thought I'd be with you for only one night

Now I'm with this girl for the rest of my life

That drunk and hot girl

[Kanye West]

We go through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

(A little sippy sippy)

We gonna through too much bullshit just to mess with these drunk and hot girls

(Want a little whisky)

[Mos Def (Kanye West)]

(We go- through too- much bullshit- to mess- mess with- these drunk-

all of these drunk and hot girls)

Ra ra ra ra ra ra... brrraaa