Kanye West Glow In The Dark Tour

[edit] Guide Note

The Kanye West Glow In the Dark Tour is the tour in support of the album Graduation. The third album by hip hop giant Kanye West was released to the public on September 11, 2007. It keeps the theme of his two previous releases The College Dropout which was released in February of 2004 and Late Registration which was released in August of 2005. The albums artwork is credited to Takashi Murakami.

The release date of this album was changed from its original date in order to coincide with the release of the 50 Cent album Curtis. 50 Cent stated he would end his career as a rapper if his sales did not beat those of Graduation. 50 Cent later recanted his statement when Graduation outsold his Curtis album. Graduation sold 957,000 units in its first week while Curtis sold 691,000 units. The two albums combined sold over 600,000 in the United States their first week.

Graduation was released with much fanfare. Rolling Stone had this to say about the album "none of the beats clobber you as immediately as "Jesus Walks" or "Gold Digger," but most of them improve on every listen: This is an album that you first like, then love." They also said "as a lyricist, West will never possess the pure cool or formal mastery of his mentor Jay-Z, but he's grown as a writer. (See the off-kilter, dreamlike "I Wonder".) And given the lousy year hip-hop has had, the music needs his spazzed-out, neurotic crea-tivity more than ever. As for the rest of you rappers: Try harder."

[edit] Fast Facts

1. Kanye announced the tour in February 2008
2. Supporting Acts are Rhianna N.E.R.D and Lupe Fiasco
3. Tour Opened in Seattle Washington on April 16, 2008
4. Def Jam Records started policing YouTube following the opening show to have all videos removed
5. No cameras were allowed into any venues
6. Kanye's engagement to Alexis Phifer was broke off prior to the first show of the tour
7. Tour dates and Venues