Kanye Day at HM: Share Your “Graduation” Purchasing Experience…A Follow Up to our Vow
Disclaimer: HM, Reecie, or thehonorable are NOT affiliated with KanYe West or his record label.
As a follow up with my previous post about my vow to wait until today, I thought it was only appropriate to share my experience while purchasing KanYe West’s “Graduation.”
G.O.O.D morning! First thing I thought after I woke up is…I need to buy KanYe West and Wal-Mart opens at 7am. But when I looked at the clock, I realized that it was…730am. Shit! (I blame my wonderful new mattress). I rush in the shower, rush and brush my teeth, throw on some winkled ass work clothes and rushed to the 405 Freeway.
I hopped in my bucket (yes, I drive a hooptie…I don’t know if its gonna start or not every time I hop in the car) and speed to be in traffic. Umm…this is weird because usually there is a good flow going south on the 405 in the morning. While sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I am listening to Power 106 and Big Boy is giving out tickets to his private KanYe West concert. Yes, I am jealous and a geek…so, I pick up my phone and call the radio station about 25 times. I never get through – but as Reecie always tell me “Nothing beats a failure but a try.”
Finally, I get to Wal-Mart. I am almost running to the CD section (why are the CDs in the back of a huge ass Wal-Mart?) and I pick up “Graduation.” I am thinking – “Yes! I got it…I feel like I won a grand——–“ *Rudely interrupted by a Latina Wal-Mart employee* – “Every CD in Wal-Mart is edited…I just thought I’d let you know.”
I look at her like she is crazy and I reply “What?!” She explains to me that Wal-Mart doesn’t sell explicit CDs. WTF?! How come I did not know about this? I voted in the last election and I did not see that proposition on the ballet…this makes no sense. But the Wal-Mart lady was good lookin’ out…so, thanks!
So, I call Reecie and tell her my story and she experiences the same thing!! How do both of the HM contributors go to the SAME Wal-Mart and have the same experience?!
I speed to Target (it’s already 830am and I’m hella late to work) and almost run to the back of the store (déjà vu?) and I find “Graduation.” Yes!! I am feeling like Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Jerry Maguire on Monday Night Football and I just want to do an endzone celebrat—- *Rudely interrupted by an older black lady* “Ah! Do you know who sings that song “Get buck in here! With Akon and Diddy…that’s my jam…Why do you have Kanye in your hand? Fuck Kanye and 50…I need that Akon! And how come it aint on his album?” Err…”Ma’am, it’s on DJ Felli Fel album…but this KanYe is hot!”
As Reecie told me, this is our presidential election of hip-hop…each CD we purchase represents our vote for the future of hip-hop, Kerry vs. Bush, but its Kanye vs. 50. So, I felt compelled to tell her and the Target workers my political position of the Good Life…and simply that KanYe West won’t disappoint. Less than 30 seconds later, I see some young black cat pick up “Curtis” talking about that song with JT is hot and KanYe is corny. To avoid going to jail, I just preceded to go the cash register while picking up M.I.A’s Kala CD…
Please share your experiences during our hip-hop election day. What CD did you buy? KanYe (of course) or 50 or both? What happened when you picked the CD…anything dramatic happen?
By The Honorable
Kanye Day on HM
Yeah I said it…I’m declaring today Kanye Day on HM. If you’ve been under a rock and haven’t figured it out yet, I’m totally Team Kanye. This morning, I was sooo aggravated that I had to wait til I got to Long Beach to buy his new cd (I put in Late Registration to hold me over) and even more irate when I discovered that Wal-Mart only stocked the edited version of his album…what kind of bogus sh!t is that? I said a few expletives somewhat under my breath and walked out in disgust. So…I had to wait another half hour to sneak away to Target to get the real deal. As I was walking towards the music section I saw a dude fresh from copping his Curtis CD…I smiled even though I sneered to myself after he left. I don’t know why I’m so amped/passionate about this…I guess the Kanye vs. 50 marketing ploy was genius because it really got my blood boiling. There isn’t a rapper I despise more than 50 and Kanye is in my top 4 favorite rappers (Tupac, Nas, Common are the others in case you were wondering), so yeah I’m totally invested in this.
Last night my friend had the nerve to tell me she wasn’t going to buy Kanye’s album, but she was going to get the bootleg…and by the time I was done lecturing her I convinced her to go out and support “the movement”. Over the past month or so, the debate has raged on, but now it’s time for the people to put their money where their mouths are and make a statement about what they want Hip Hop to stand for. All of the people that have been talking sh!t about Hip Hop is dead, there’s no substance in Hip Hop, etc. etc. have a chance to pick substance and style over just style.
So as I put my Kanye West cd in the player…I instantly knew I couldn’t write an album review for Graduation. I couldn’t do it any justice by writing a few blurbs about the hotness of each song. So instead, I’m just giving my little 37 cents about how hot this cd is and how everyone who is a fan of G.O.O.D music needs to go out and support. The joint is only 9 bucks at Target…can’t get any better than that. I’m so incredibly in love with this cd…literally every song on this album has something interesting and different to listen to. I’m sure before I leave work today I would’ve listened to this joint ten times over…but that won’t stop me from putting my convertible top down as I hit the 405 on my way home and throwing my hands up in the sky to the tune of the “good life”.
Did you go out and cop Kanye first thing this morning? What do you think about the album? What are your favorite tracks?
My favorites are of course “Good Life” and “Everything I Am” which is just so incredibly on point lyrically.
By Reecie
P.S.- Yes I’m biased…so what! lol
haha…you guys are sommin else….Enjoy G.O.O.D music
CURTIS!!!!…lol
im about to go buy it now…
G.O.O.D. life knocks something stupid
i just wish it had more then 13 songs, but the new CD format now is for 12 and 13 songs since they only sell for $10, so im good.
big brother tells an ill story to me as well
im gone
Normally I would wake up, take a shower, get dress and head over to circuit city but I couldn’t do that today. Ever since my dad car broke down he has been driving with my mom. On the days that I don’t go to school he takes my car. Unfortunately for me today he took my car since I didn’t have class today. What annoys me about it is that he never gives me a heads up about it. I was planning on going to circuit and exercising at the gym before I had to go to work and I’ve been dying to exercise for sometime. So when I notice my car was gone I went to my neighbor house to ask him to take me to circuit city. He wasn’t home so I called my annoying friend Ike and told him if you take me to circuit city I will buy you lunch. He told me deal so to pass the time until he comes pick me up I started working on my unneccessary long homework assignment. While I was doing my homework he called me and told me he couldn’t pick me up. I was so pissed off. Most of my friends are at work or class so I couldn’t call them. Ten minute later my dad called me and told me what time I had to be a work. I told him I have to be at work at three o’clock. Since he had to be at a meeting around that time he came by to pick me up so I can take him to work and keep the car. On the way to drop him off at work I stopped by circuit and picked up a copy of that new Kenny Chessney album. Man that shit is bumping. I’m just joking but since I’m a fan of both 50 and Kanye I picked up both albums. I’m not expecting the Curtis to be better than Get Rich or Die Trying but I’m pretty sure it will be better than his last album. As for Kanye he never let me down before and I’m sure he won’t start now. I wasn’t able to listen to the albums right away because my CD player isn’t working. So after I dropped my dad off at work I rush home and listen to both albums. I’m loving both right now.
Is it consider cheating or bad to buy both albums?
Me - being a huge Kanye fan and absolutely LOVING the album, I WAS gonna buy it today to support ‘Ye…but opted to wait till next week.
WHY?!
Because of this..
http://www.illdoctrine.com/2007/09/the_truth_about_kanye_west_and.html
I think it’s a very good observation. I’ll only buy the album if there’s a special edition this week at Target or Best Buy. They usually do that shit and those only last the first couple of days. Other than that…I’ll support Kanye next week.
stallion - you current take the cake for going through the most effort to buy the KanYe CD.
Well my buying experience consisted of the following…
A week ago I was searchin the forum over at rapgodfathers.com and it was about 2:30, and all of the sudden there was a post that said, “Graduation - Kanye West (Group Rip)”. Now let me tell you how excited I was in the middle of class as my professor stressed to us the incompetency of UNC’s faculty and how the students should be listened to. Meanwhile, my computer has 20 min left of power and this download is going to take at least 18 min, and I’m getting nervous… I watch the download bar slowly fill to 100% and then I unzip the file and put cover art to the songs. I was hype… as my computer DIED! I nearly ran all the way back to my apartment and downloaded the files to my iPod.
I was cruising the rest of the day to the sounds of Graduation and by now I’m pretty good with the lyrics on the day the album actually drops.
I most likely will still buy Kanye’s album because it’s HOT! Would I have done this without having heard it first… NO! But the surprising part is I actually kind of like 50’s album too… it’s no Get Rich or Die Tryin but it’s definitely better than The Massacre.
I started checking out this site last week through a link from another site. Thought to myself this is a nice clean site, so ive been reading a couple of stories. But I’ve noticed this site is bull. Not hating at all. You three writers are all biased. Your a media site but you guys use it as your own opinion bowl. To your credit though you guys are fast with the new stuff. But other than that I dont like it. Perfect example, Kanye Day. Wipe the white off yall lips, Holla!
“Your a media site but you guys use it as your own opinion bowl.”
Yeah seriously, they are so biased on here, what do they think this is? If all they wanna do is give their personal opinion they should go start a blog or something. Oh, wait..
lmao@Jay Smooth…
I don’t know how many times I have to tell folks…if they want unbiased they need to check out CNN not an entertainment blog lol. That’s the beauty of the internet…regular ol’ folk like me and the other contributors can have a site where we can say what we want…about who we want…when we want to.
And yeah…I’m totally biased…Team Kanye all the way…if someone wants to make a shirt and send it to me I’ll wear it! lol
P.S.- Am I the only one that finds is hilarious that someone’s screen name is “Reecie stop hating”? lol
Well….
…I’m one of those people who hi-jacks the entire albums weeks before it comes out. I downloaded most of the album about two weeks ago & I’ve been in love with it ever since. I’ll buy the actual album…simply because I love collecting CD’s.
As for an album review, I give “Graduation” a perfect 10. I favored his last albums….but its something about THIS ONE that really snags at me. I can completely relate to this album! My two favorite tracks are the contemplative “I Wonder” & the well-worded “Big Brother”.
I’ve heard “Curtis”….& compared to “Graduation”….it falls behind. For a well-rounded music listen, go with Kanye.
LOL@Jay Smooth. Thanks!
R, absolute comedy.
Jay Smooth-
thas wassup!
Today when I woke up I had an early hair appointment so I had to wait to purchase Kanye until the afternoon. As I entered Best Buy (with the biggest kool-aid smile on my face) I had to refrain from buying ALL of the copies in order to support 50’s retirement. Sadly money is tight right now, so I had to settle for one copy.All I have to say is it was worth the wait, love the album…but thats no surprise.
Well I woke up late, 10:45am, and wasn’t really beat 2 B outside during the rain so I waited it out 4 2 hours. Around 12-ish I got ready 2 go out but it started 2 rain again. I needed my album, so I roughed it out and when out in the rain and took the bus 2 the mall. Once I get 2 Best Buy Im thinking “let me get this album and head back home 4 my listen”, only 2 B interrupted with the sight of empty shelves! Curtis was still there but all of the shelves marked “Kanye West - Graduation” was all empty! My stomach drops and, this other dude that came the same time I did, began using all types of colorful curse words. I turn around to make my way out the store when, like a divine intervention, my boy Johnny is walking towards me rocking a Best Buy polo! I didn’t even know he worked there. I asked if there were more copies, he said he didn’t know but he’d check. At this point now, a horde of people crowds around the door leading to the stock room waiting for more. Five minutes later, comes an employee with a handful of purple CD cases. Kanye! I snatched my copy and headed to the register. The CD came up 2 like 10 bucks and was well worth every cent! Incredible album, maybe his best.
LOL@ Vision…no matter what, getting your hair did is the top priority!
Jon - great story, lol@divine intervention. for some reason, i can just imagine the best buy employee getting rushed for the CD!
I’m one of the wait ’till 9/11 no bootleggers and I couldn’t stand being awake and the album being out with me not listening to it. So I woke up at 4:30 so I could get the whole album from iTunes and listen to it before I had to get to school. Then, on the way home I picked up a hard copy at Best Buy. I was gonna get a clean one too for my little brother but they didn’t have it. Maybe I need to shop at Wal-Mart more. Team Kanye.
I picked up that knaye! Nothing Special but Ignorant People buying Curtis.. Thats yellow Bus special!
check this out
Rap sales since 2004
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09112007/photos/bizd.jpg
And thatys how I spell it Now *knaye*…nah…Kanye…
Oh yea…got it during my Lunch break from work @bets buy $9.99…smoke and listening session after I get off…YEE! for Ye…
Kanye interview on Hot 97
1. http://media.hot97.com/_SHARED/podcasts/missjones_kanyewest_91007_1.mp3
2. http://media.hot97.com/_SHARED/podcasts/missjones_kanyewest_91007_2.mp3
3. http://media.hot97.com/_SHARED/podcasts/missjones_kanyewest_91007_3.mp3
4. http://media.hot97.com/_SHARED/podcasts/missjones_kanyewest_91007_4.mp3
5. http://media.hot97.com/_SHARED/podcasts/missjones_kanyewest_91007_5.mp3
I would’ve had the CD by now,being that my brother works at Walmart,and he could have easily gotten for me,but like you said,they edit it which I think is garbage.But thats fine because its a better experience buying it yourself.I was so excited about this,I didnt download the album, nor have I heard any song that arent singles.But I’ll probably wont be able to get it today,but def. by the end of the week.
btw,have you seen the video on youtube of Kanye wildin out at the VMAs after loosing?you should,lol
Still haven’t gotten mine, Dad’s picking it up since I couldn’t cut school with anybody.
Lol @ some of the stories…
Reecie and T, that’s pure comedy about the Wal Mart thing. I almost got mine there, then i was like “wait…”
Haha.
Can’t wait to hear mine…still haven’t gotten it, like 20 mins later. Damn I’m impatient.
redshade - your time will come…lol. glad you didnt go to wal-mart
haha this is great, i thought everyone new Wal Mart is a no no on music!
Waking up today i was excited cause it thought back to high school, anytime there was a big release we would ditch school, hit roscoes (dena) cop the album and then go to someones house, listen and then bounce to school by lunch, those were the good days.
I also thought of the last 9-11 when i got a call from my boy waking me up saying turn on the tv, and as he asked we still goin to get the blueprint and to eat, i was like of course, hours later while listening to the blue print i then heard the news and realized it was something serious goin on in NY.
Today i woke up, went to target and best buy had to check to make sure one store wasnt selling some bonus cd or anything, but i bought BOTH, my first 50 cent purchase ever, and though i may not listen to it, i had to give dude a chance, all these interviews and articles have been interesting, pretty good business man so i had to cop.
Funny thing though, this election day battle wont be won by any of our people, people of color make up the least amount of album sales in hip hip, which is kinda ironic cause its just like regular elections, cause for some reason we tend not to vote.
They just premiered the Goodlife video on BET… I think the people who directed the Justice -D.A.N.C.E video directed this video… its the same style. Its nice.. I only caught half of it though. I’m sure it will be online tonight.
Well, while the rest of you all remembered go get it early, I was stupid enough to wait until I got home from school…So around 5:40ish, my mom drives me to Target. I practically ran into the store to get myself a copy. Guess what? SOLD OUT. The shelves marked “Kanye West - Graduation” are completely barren, while copies of CURTIS just sit on the side more or less covered in dust. It must have been a strange sight, the one azn kid wandering around, pacing the shelves, asking anyone who walked by if there were any more copies…-_-
In the end, my mom drove me to Costco, where I got the last remaining copy from the little blue box thing, while again, copies of CURTIS just sat there.
One question though. Did everyone get a hard case for their copy of Graduation, because I got one of those soft, cardboard/paper/something cases that you open up. It’s a bit like the case for T.I. vs. T.I.P., just without the plastic in the center…Maybe it was just Costco that had it like that.
My time hasn’t come…
Kmart sold out of them.
Meaning, I probably won’t get it till like, Friday. I don’t think my parents realize how much that pisses me off. I refuse to get a clean copy, and I refuse to 1-Download [any way shape or form] it, 2-Get it for delivery, 3-Not have this shit.
I am so pissed, it’s not even funny.
I should have fucking pre-ordered.
*In my best Diddy voice*…take that take that. lol
Not funny, Reecie.
That messed up my whole week, on top of a shitty-ish day.
Kanye 1.4 million preorders *sigh*
Oh…my…God [@ preorders.]
Proof I should have been one, I’ll never find a copy by the end of the week T_T
Damn…
Well, he’s probably going to out do Eminem’s record, if that’s true. Great for him, great for music. And keep in mind…plenty of people didn’t preorder.
*Kanye 1.4 million preorders… is what is shipped to the stores not what is bought
oh, just wondering. could you possibly upload “good night” to or something? i want to complete my collection of all the graduation bonus tracks without having to go overseas for a copy…
redshade - sorry about not being able to find the CD. where do you stay at? usually, best buy stocks 1000s of them or try a costco or a mom-and-pop store. also, i think reecie was saying “take that take that” to all the Curtis CDs on the shelves…
k_azn - great story. mines came in the same type of CD case.
Oh rite @ Reecie thing. My bad…*embarrassed as all hell*
I’m in NJ, Manahawkin area really. I’mma try and get to Best Buy by the end of the week, or squeeze it out of Kmart. Due to the a bunch of factors, we have absolutely no mom-and-pop’s. None. At all. Since like…’98 when I didn’t know better. Yeah, it’s that bad.
Time to harass K-Mart, because I know they have more.
Sorry again, Reecie.
At first I was like
but then, I lol’d 
I aint buy shit.
When it leaked, I stayed up all night.
IM another team Kanye. the quality speaks for its self. i brought the cd and feel it was well invested. i was actually hype over the art work also.
Got home at 6 after a busy day. Cooked some food and then hopped in the shower. Then proceeded to fly down the interstate leaving a 2 mile dust trail to the nearest Best Buy. Got in there at 7:45 and I had to be somewhere 20 mins away(I knew this before leaving.. Kanye > Meeting) Walked in the store and they had a nice little table with a stack of Kanye CDs and a stack of Curtis CDs and some random other new releases. Was going to buy another CD along with this just to round out the musical experience but everything looked doo-doo. In the past I usually get the CD I want and then a CD I’ve never heard of…well after buying the Trae album I pick wisely.
So I’m walking the aisles and I hear a couple looking for the CD and I’m like: “It’s over there on the table”. I see the couple walk over and the girl sees the wrapping and she’s like “That’s it? You sure baby?” (I’ll admit I was kind of put off at first by the CD case but after looking it now its a work of art just like the music)
So I go to the counter and theres a cashier and a security officer standing there and the officer is like “Damn…they aint givin 50 no love today” and I laughed and then he went on to say Kanye was the better choice because he does everything and he raps about substance rather than stuff anybody could rap about. I thought that was cool and bid my adieus and ran out to the meeting.
It is 11:30 now and sadly I’m not going to cheapen the listen by rushing through it because I have to get some sleep! Tomorrow though I’m setting aside an hour or two just like I did the TI album to take in the full experience(plus or minus *insert your favorite drink*)
lol i walked into best buy and the workers were like kanye yah! and put up balloons next to the cds just for it…it was pretty cool
Did ya’ll check 106 & Park? 50 was looking kinda scared there! He was hella salty that the audience was cheering for Kanye calling them “haters like the bloggers” lmao.
According to Bilboard…Kanye is projected at 575K-700K and 50 is at 500-600K. I’m sure they are inflating 50’s numbers though just to build the suspense a little and drag the story out.
My only question is…when Ye outsells 50…will it finally shut 50 the f*&k up?! Will Ye be able to do what no other rapper has done for the past 3 years and cause 50 to retreat with his tail between his legs? lol…Oh a girl can dream!
WOOOOOOOOOW! I’m loving the stories ya’ll but ummm…. I thought we were in 2007?
On Kanye Day Eve, I sat here on my computer at about 10:12pm to check my email.
“Dear Emme,
Your pre-order item “Graduation” by “Kanye West” is now available for download. Your payment method will be billed when you download the item. To download your pre-order item, open iTunes and select Store (or Advanced for iTunes 6 or lower) from the iTunes menu and click Check for Purchases. Or just click the link below.
Sincerely,
The iTunes Store Team”
And happiness was born.
Does that get a prize? Maybe a little scratch and sniff sticker?
Kanye Day, that’s ridiculous.
“Does that get a prize? Maybe a little scratch and sniff sticker?”
Emme…you can get a scratch and sniff sticker! lol
Emme where’s the fun experience in that? Any album worth buying, I go and buy the actual hard copy. You don’t get a CD case and liner notes and artwork with an internet download.
Emme - also, read this post from last week where we discussed why going out to buy the album enhances the music experience of the album - http://hmblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/a-vow-to-wait-for-graduation-on-911-do-you-remember-when/
yea…imma have to mail you a scratch and sniff sticker - lol.
YAYAYAYAY! *scratches the little strawberry* Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! Thanks Reecie!
Yea, Monk you got a good story out of it, but ummmm what about gas prices? LOL. However, I do admit, I kinda miss the little booklet thingy with the Bear Costume pics.
Yea, iTunes version was lacking on that.
I saw that blog on the album buying experience enhancing the music and all after my post. LOL. So forgive me. After I read it I was like “Ooooooohhhhh okay. I get it now.” But still, gas prices. I’m just sayin’.
Honorable, I’ll be waiting on that other sticker, cause Reecie bought me a cheap one and the strawberry smell is fading as a type….
i went to target and copped both curtis and kanye…put both in the changer.
kanye up first…production was hot, but not extremely exciting like his past two albums…he still progreesing with his lyrics which is good to see, he’s still growing, no stagnation…i love it
50’s up…he paid some cheese for his tracks, cause there pretty hot, majority of em’. still same ol 50 though, guns,ones,and cum…no progression, but it’ll satisfy
side note…i also copped the plies album on the same day…the production is lack luster, besides maybe 2 or three tracks that include “shawty”…he has decent story telling skills though
just wondering, does anyone else find it funny that the CURTIS cd has 50 holding his head in his hands? it’s the funniest thing: the image of 50 holding his head in his hands, right next to multiple empty shelves. its like toy story, where some of the toys are watching all the other toys get bought, while they just sit there.
Latest Album Sales News from Bilboard
Ha! Team Kanye!
K is gonna do plat first week, I’ll put 5 on it. Still haven’t gotten my copy
damn redshade - i just wanna express mail you a CD!!!!!!
I know..I’d prob get it sooner lol.
I finally got it, just finished listening. Expect story/review/whatevs tomorrow. Bottom line, I loved it, and it made my week.