Kanye West comes closer to “Graduation”

Well, it’s not even the end of May yet and the hype machine is revving up for Kanye West’s much-anticipated third album.

According to Island Def Jam via an MTV.com report, West’s Graduation will drop in September of this year. A Billboard.com story reported that a teaser cut produced by DJ Toomp, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” has already leaked online in snippet form. Other anticipated cuts include “Homecoming” with Coldplay leader Chris Martin (who the New York Times’ Jon Pareles memorably called “the most insufferable band in rock”) and “The Glory.”

As if the prospect of dropping another mega album wasn’t enough, the most arrogant man in hip-hop is claiming major credit for two upcoming opuses, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Common’s Finding Forever. (West’s work on Common’s first single, “Say Something,” has already found major favor with the bloggerati.) Apologies for my snarkiness…but when you’re confronted with someone as supremely talented and confident as West, you’re going to make sure he meets the bar. Regardless of how good it is (or isn’t), though, I have to admit that West gets a ghetto pass for life for dissing President George W. Bush on national TV.

“I’m graduating from a school called ‘Universe City,’ ” West told MTV.com while in full Jesus mode. “I think the sound is bigger this time. It’s bigger and simpler, where the notes really connect with you and I say lines … I know the power of my words, so when I rap, I know it’s gonna impact the world. I know I’m gonna be performing anywhere from the Summer Jam stage [at New Jersey’s Giants Stadium] to [New York nightclub] Speed to the House of Blues in L.A., to London to Brazil to Ireland. … I’m making music for somebody sitting in a car on their way to work trying to get through traffic and my music is helping them zone out, to a 60,000-seater where I’m opening up for the Rolling Stones or U2. I’m not talking about you two — I’m talking about U2 the group. Like I say, ‘Why would I do a song with you two when I just got offstage with U2? I’m not even talking to you two.’ That’s how I feel.”

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Kanye West photo by Sarah A. Friedman.