Kanye West’s rise is one of the most unlikely stories in hip-hop history.
From a kid making beats in his Chicago basement…
to releasing Graduation and changing the direction of rap music forever.

This episode of the SoundSeam Almanac breaks down how Kanye went from being dismissed as “just a producer” to becoming one of the most influential artists of the 21st century, and how Graduation marked the moment hip-hop chose its future.

This is the story of belief, confidence, and what happens when someone refuses to let the world decide who they’re allowed to be.