Graduation will be the third major label album release from Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam hip hop artist/producer Kanye West.
On August 5, 2006, at San Diego's Street Scene and on August 20, 2006, at Indiana's State Fair, West performed a cappella two verses which he said are from songs on the album. West also performed a couple of verses from an unnamed song which will be on the album during his September 3, 2006 performance at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle. In introducing the verses, West said that he was working on the album, but that it would not be out anytime soon.
On May 11, 2007, West's mother, Donda West, announced to MTV that Graduation will be released on September 18, 2007. Donda West also mentioned that Graduation is Kanye West's best album ever, musically, as well as lyrically.citation needed] West also mentioned during the video shoot for Common's new single, "The Game", that he and Hype Williams have just shot two videos for two songs from Graduation.
Although West's mother stated that the album was going to be released on September 18, 2007, the release date was changed to September 11, 2007.
In an article published April 20, 2007, DJ Toomp told Yo! Raps magazine that he produced three tracks for Graduation.citation needed]
On June 26, 2007, the video of West's second single, "Stronger", was premiered on MTV Germany, during the daily Total Request Live show. Then, on June 28, 2007, the video premiered on MTV in the United States.
West performed a live version of "Stronger" to over 63,000 music fans, and a global television audience in 140 countries worldwide, when he performed a seven minute set during a concert remembering Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium in London on July 1, 2007.