Kanye West - Late Registration [2 LP, Black Vinyl]

Kanye West's sophomore album Late Registration was released on August 30, 2005, through Roc-A-Fella Records. This double LP black vinyl reissue captures the ambitious follow-up to The College Dropout. Kanye collaborated with American record producer and composer Jon Brion to produce the album, and recording sessions took place over the course of a year at Record Plant Studios, Chalice Recording Studios, and Grandmaster Recording Studios in Hollywood, and at Sony Music Studios in New York City. The album earned Kanye several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 2006 Grammy Awards and an Album of the Year nomination.

The album features singles "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," "Gold Digger," "Heard 'Em Say," "Touch the Sky," and "Drive Slow", showcasing Kanye's expanded sonic palette. "Gold Digger" became a massive crossover hit featuring Jamie Foxx's interpolation of Ray Charles, while "Heard 'Em Say" opens the album with Adam Levine's vocals over Natalie Cole samples. "Touch the Sky" features Lupe Fiasco over Curtis Mayfield's uplifting soul, and "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" pairs Shirley Bassey samples with sharp social commentary. The album includes guest contributions from Jay-Z, Common, Nas, Brandy, and Cam'ron, among others, with standout tracks like "Hey Mama," "Gone," and "Roses" displaying West's range as both producer and lyricist.

This double vinyl pressing spreads the album's 21 tracks across four sides, delivering the orchestral arrangements and layered production with clarity. Jon Brion's influence brings string sections, live instrumentation, and cinematic flourishes that elevate Kanye's sample-based production. The album blends soul, jazz, and classical elements with hip hop, creating a lush soundscape that remains influential. From the introspective "Roses" to the epic closer "Gone," the pressing captures the ambitious scope of an album that expanded hip hop's sonic possibilities.

• Format: Black Vinyl 2 LP
• Standout tracks: "Gold Digger," "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," "Touch the Sky"
• Pressing details: Double vinyl, Color insert
• Genre/style: Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Pop Rap
• UPC: 602498824047

This pressing preserves the orchestral depth and sonic ambition that defined Kanye West's creative peak, delivering an album that pushed hip hop production into new territory while maintaining sharp lyricism and broad appeal.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Wake Up Mr. West
2. Heard 'Em Say
3. Touch The Sky
4. Gold Digger
5. Skit #1
6. Drive Slow

Side B:

1. My Way Home
2. Crack Music
3. Roses
4. Bring Me Down

Side C:

1. Addiction
2. Skit #2
3. Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)
4. We Major

Side D:

1. Skit #3
2. Hey Mama
3. Celebration
4. Skit #4
5. Gone