:en:Stronger (Kanye West song)

File:Busta rhymes-06-mika.jpg in Hamburg, Germany|The song's sample of Daft Punk's material was not the first time a rap act had sampled them, after Busta Rhymes had done so on his 2005 single "Touch It". West listened to the single on a tour bus in 2006, which was how he first discovered the duo.]]

Prior to its release, West first shared a snippet of "Stronger" on his mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing in May 2007. The song was playlisted by BBC Radio 1, appearing on DJ Tim Westwood's "Top Five Heavy Hits" for July 31, 2007.{{cite book |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Beaumont (journalist) |title=Kanye West: God & Monster |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-y3aBwAAQBAJ&q=stronger |date=2015 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9781783233946 |via=Google Books |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427145154/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-y3aBwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=stronger&f=false |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/timwestwood/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070731|title=Westwood's In New Music We Trust- Tracklisting|publisher=BBC Radio 1|access-date=April 22, 2024|date=July 31, 2007|archive-date=April 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422164134/https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/timwestwood/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070731|url-status=live}} The song's cover art was released through West's website with a video teaser on June 29, 2007. It was designed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, who handled the artwork of singles and the creative direction for Graduation.{{cite web |url=http://www.kanyewest.com/ |title=Stronger |access-date=April 24, 2024 |publisher=KanyeWest.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629184436/http://www.kanyewest.com/ |archive-date=June 29, 2007 }}{{cite news |author=Martin, Francesca |title=Kanye West Mixes Manga and Music With the 'Warhol of Japan' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2007/aug/01/art.popandrock |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 1, 2007 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204152534/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2007/aug/01/art.popandrock |archive-date=December 4, 2013 }} The cover artwork features a cartoon version of West's mascot "Dropout Bear", wearing the rapper's white sunglasses.

"Stronger" musically derives from a vocal sample of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" (2001) by French house duo Daft Punk.{{cite AV media notes |others=Kanye West |title=Graduation |year=2007 |publisher=Roc-A-Fella Records }} The sample was requested by West through Pedro Winter, Daft Punk's manager at the time. The duo, who enjoyed the track, granted approval and were open-minded towards producing for rappers after the sample increased their popularity in hip hop; they found the genre "exciting and interesting". In June 2007, West acknowledged that he was not the first rap producer to sample Daft Punk, as Swizz Beatz had sampled their single "Technologic" for rapper Busta Rhymes' 2005 track "Touch It".{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=Kanye West Premiers the 'Stronger' Video|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/kanye-west-premiers-the-stronger-video/|work=The Village Voice|date=June 20, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=May 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507124908/https://www.villagevoice.com/kanye-west-premiers-the-stronger-video/|url-status=live}} West later met the Daft Punk musicians, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, at Chicago music festival Lollapalooza in 2007.{{cite web | author=Pytlik, Mark | title=Interview: Daft Punk | url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6701-daft-punk/ | work=Pitchfork | date=October 2, 2007 | access-date=October 3, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604075957/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6701-daft-punk/ | archive-date=June 4, 2012 | url-status=live }} West was convinced "Stronger" was inferior to "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" when he heard it after release, although Daft Punk disagreed and were delighted with how the song turned out. The two first heard it on Power 106 when awaiting a San Francisco flight; Homem-Christo recalled that the DJ transitioned from their original into the song and expressed how West's sound "was really fat". He clarified that they may not have collaborated in the studio, but the original's vibe separately connected with West's work.{{cite magazine | author=Cohen, Jonathan | title=Exclusive: Live Album To Chronicle Daft Punk Tour | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049888/exclusive-live-album-to-chronicle-daft-punk-tour | magazine=Billboard | date=August 14, 2007 | access-date=August 27, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821150125/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049888/exclusive-live-album-to-chronicle-daft-punk-tour | archive-date=August 21, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}

Speaking on Tim Westwood TV in 2007, West said that his label executives were skeptical of "Stronger" since they thought people would not understand its sample, which he used to cross creative boundaries.{{cite web |title=Kanye West on Graduation, 50 Cent, Stronger – Westwood |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPxSeYc9WjI |publisher=Tim Westwood TV |via=YouTube |access-date=May 13, 2024 |date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513193457/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPxSeYc9WjI |url-status=live }} For a Spin story with West and Bangalter in January 2008, the rapper stated that he had accomplished a new level of musicality with how the song was crafted, particularly the end, and described his previous shortcomings at reaching this level as "still way better than everything else in hip-hop".{{cite magazine |last=Vontz |first=Andrew |title=Strength in Numbers |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/01/strength-numbers/ |magazine=Spin |access-date=April 23, 2024 |date=January 1, 2008 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424130726/https://www.spin.com/2008/01/strength-numbers/ |url-status=live }} Bangalter was intrigued by West making the sample suitable for his own personality, noticing how the rapper distorts its meaning like Daft Punk's musical attempts to express their ideas universally. He also said that the combination of genres for "Stronger" was done at a time of "open-mindedness on the part of both the musicians and the audiences", while West recalled receiving criticism from the electronic community for sampling a "holy grail" and the hip hop community for venturing outside his genre. West said that hip hop is about innovation and crafting previously unheard combinations. Bangalter echoed his views on influence; he explained that "what you want is the next generation to destroy what you've done" and start over again, emphasising the importance of taking risks when famous. He also would not comment about a future collaboration with West, though Daft Punk later contributed production to his sixth album Yeezus in 2013, including its lead single "Black Skinhead".{{cite magazine |title=Daft Punk Write Another Song For Kanye West |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/daft-punk-write-another-song-for-kanye-west/wqvV1NfW2dg/07-06-13 |magazine=The Music |access-date=April 24, 2024 |date=June 7, 2013 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424130722/https://themusic.com.au/news/daft-punk-write-another-song-for-kanye-west/wqvV1NfW2dg/07-06-13 |url-status=live }}

On annotations for Genius in 2015, Canadian DJ A-Trak detailed the origins of the sample. A-Trak and West heard the sample of "Technologic" in Busta Rhymes' "Touch It" on a tour bus during 2006; the rapper was a fan of the beat, but did not know who Daft Punk were at the time. The two went to a hotel and the DJ played "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" to West, who was insistent on sampling the track after taking a liking. A-Trak felt reluctant because of a 1990s "mentality in terms of sampling" for using unknown records, although retrospectively believed West's choice was correct and that culture had accelerated musically. West sent him an early demo of "Stronger" as they were on tour and A-Trak appreciated the sample, after which West made the beat and re-wrote his verses for months. The DJ ultimately contributed scratching to the song, decided by West since "it's only right".{{cite magazine |last=Frydenlund |first=Zach |title=A-Trak Annotates 'Gold Digger,' 'Stronger,' and More on Genius |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/a-trak-genius-annotations |magazine=Complex |access-date=April 24, 2024 |date=March 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424130715/https://www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/a-trak-genius-annotations |url-status=live }} A-Trak later spoke about the sample at the Meadows Music & Arts Festival 2017 in New York City (NYC), crediting West's "curiosity period" when genres were largely separated and focusing on his strength at "identifying these [great] things". The DJ also recapped his initial reluctance as he offered that "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" remained "an international hit" despite West not having heard of Daft Punk, feeling the usage could come across as cheap.{{cite magazine |last=Salud |first=April |title=A-Trak Introduced Kanye West to Daft Punk's Music |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/a-trak-introduced-kanye-west-daft-punk-music-interview-7966060/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 24, 2024 |date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424130723/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/a-trak-introduced-kanye-west-daft-punk-music-interview-7966060/ |url-status=live }}

"Stronger" paraphrases a dictum from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose content is related by West to the more physical subject of a girl. West was particularly proud of his comparison between her and actress Apollonia Kotero, honoring how the reference stood out for its purity as opposed to rappers using "prefabricated metaphors and similes" about subjects from guns to sports. The track's production was handled by West and utilizes a vocal sample of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk, the instrumental of which samples "Cola Bottle Baby" (1979), a song by the funk keyboardist Edwin Birdsong. Bangalter and Homem-Christo were credited as co-writers of "Stronger" because of the vocal sample, while Birdsong received a writing credit due to the master use of "Cola Bottle Baby".{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=The Number Ones: Kanye West's 'Stronger'|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2218062/the-number-ones-kanye-wests-stronger/columns/the-number-ones/|access-date=April 24, 2024|work=Stereogum|date=March 31, 2023|archive-date=June 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608002929/https://www.stereogum.com/2218062/the-number-ones-kanye-wests-stronger/columns/the-number-ones/|url-status=live}} West sought to give his sample a cinematic sound and he slowed it down, loosening the rhythm and overdubbing throbbing synths. The rapper and record producer Mike Dean, who handled the outro, layered and re-arranged the sample to create their crescendos. West accompanied it with his rapping and singing, which transformed "a robotic feel into something much more soulful".

File:Sony Music Studio (537506745).jpg|Sony Music Studios in New York City, one of the locations for the song's recording sessions.]]

The song was recorded at Ape Sounds in Tokyo, Sony Music Studios in NYC, and the Record Plant in Hollywood, California. Its recording sessions placed attention to detail and were a turning point in the production process for Graduation, following West having previously been "aimlessly making songs".{{cite web|last=Indiana|first=Jake|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-stronger-facts/ |title=Kanye West's 'Stronger': 10 Facts You Might Not Know |website=Highsnobiety|date=2017|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240425102328/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-stronger-facts/|archive-date=April 25, 2024}} Video director Hype Williams inspired West to move towards a futuristic direction after he heard the song when it had no drums, which the rapper also did for the music video and the album: "It inspired a whole movement." He returned to the studio to resume working on songs like "Stronger", finding creative inspiration from films such as Total Recall (1990). West reflected on his past mistakes, admitting he had become caught up in criticism and negativity; he channeled his frustration into the song's first verse for expression. He elaborated that rather than an apology, he used the song as "an emancipation". The rapper also said that he offered the message to his fans of him "coming back after a time away and I need you right now", looking for their help in his comeback. Inspired by his worldwide stadium tour with Irish rock band U2 from 2005 to 2006, West redesigned the song for it to be chanted.{{cite news|author=Lyons, Patrick|title=Kanye West's 'Graduation,' Ten Years On|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/on-graduation-kanye-west-reached-for-the-stars-fell-and-landed-on-the-clouds-news.37177.html|work=HotNewHipHop|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912013424/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/on-graduation-kanye-west-reached-for-the-stars-fell-and-landed-on-the-clouds-news.37177.html|url-status=live}} He said that the song offered the "bigger sound" of stadium music, providing "a throw-your- hands-up-in-the-sky vibe". West explained the song has a "heavy melody", and that it features a digital hi-hat as opposed to a snare drum. West worked on "Stronger" with 8 audio engineers and 11 mix engineers at Larrabee North Studios in Universal City, California and Battery Studios in NYC, recording over 50 versions of the track.{{cite news |last=Bainbridge |first=Luke |title=It's Kanye's World |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/12/urban.kanyewest |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 11, 2007 |access-date=March 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005073655/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/12/urban.kanyewest |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}

The final version of the song was mixed by Manny Marroquin, who worked with West on several sessions. Marroquin and West got past the challenge of mixing the song through strong communication, beginning with a 14-hour working day at Larrabee and then completing four three-hour sessions at Battery. The producer contributed at Battery in his spare time from working with Alicia Keys; he adjusted the arrangements and the instrumentation with West, who frequently looked for new elements to incorporate. Marroquin worked using stereo submixes and stems on his laptop at the studios, printing mixes with the analogue effects and editing on software like Pro Tools. Due to West's slowing of the song and chopping of the sample, it created glitches that were fixed by him adding volume drops for a few milliseconds each time. Marroquin used equalization and a doubler plug-in to widely pan the dominant sample across the stereo field, thus ensuring West's vocals could be heard over it.{{cite magazine|last= Tingen|first=Paul|title=Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Manny Marroquin|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec07/articles/insidetrack_1207.htm|magazine=Sound on Sound|date=December 2008|access-date=October 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904174813/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec07/articles/insidetrack_1207.htm|archive-date=September 4, 2011|url-status=live}}

West mixed "Stronger" 75 times, with over 100 elements including many layers and he was dedicated to working with Marroquin on the kick drums sounding precise, seeking out a sound for the clubs.{{cite magazine |author=Vozick-Levinson, Simon |title=Jay-Z's Brotherly Love |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/20/jay-z-toasts-kanye-wests-graduation/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=September 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012110306/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057568_2,00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=live }} Marroquin broke the drum down into an 808, snare drum, and hi-hat, then working on the sample, keyboards, and vocals; West heard the final version from Larrabee and exclaimed "That's it!" However, he still felt dissatisfied after hearing the song's drums back-to-back with record producer Timbaland's 2007 single "The Way I Are" at a nightclub, deciding to enlist the producer to assist him in redoing the song's drum programming.{{cite web|author=Reid, Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567552/kanye-enjoys-muchhyped-rivalry-with-50-cent.jhtml|title=Kanye West Thanks 50 Cent for Much-Hyped Rivalry: 'We Push Each Other'|publisher=MTV|date=August 21, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222003521/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567552/kanye-enjoys-muchhyped-rivalry-with-50-cent.jhtml|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}} Despite being perplexed that West was not already satisfied with the song, Timbaland still helped with the programming as they went through 12 iterations. The completed version of "Stronger" contains a master use of Birdsong's "Cola Bottle Baby".{{cite web | title=The Little Song That Could ... Kanye West Snaps Up 'Cola Bottle Baby' Sample For Hot New Single 'Stronger,' Written By Edwin Birdsong, A Gamble & Huff Philadelphia International Records Recording Artist | publisher=Cision | date=2007-10-08 | url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb559240.htm | access-date=2022-10-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025203014/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/10/prweb559240.htm | archive-date=October 25, 2022 | url-status=dead }}

{{Listen|pos = left

|filename=Strongerkanye.ogg

|title="Stronger"

|description=A 25-second sample of the chorus to "Stronger", deploying the synths, kick drums, and robotic sounds alongside its slowed and chopped vocal sample of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" on vocoder. West raps about becoming stronger from his patience in lust for a girl as he juxtaposes certain lyrics with the duo's vocals, then delivers his return message to his fans.

| type = music

}}

Musically, "Stronger" is a maximalist hip-hop song that lasts for a duration of five minutes and eleven seconds (5:11). The composition is also based in electronica and incorporates elements from a range of electronic music genres,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-electronic-music-turned-kanye-west-into-a-superhuman/|title=How Electronic Music Turned Kanye West into a Superhuman|magazine=Vice|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008220424/https://thump.vice.com/en_au/article/how-electronic-music-turned-kanye-west-into-a-superhuman|archive-date=October 8, 2016|url-status=live}} including techno, disco, French electronic music, and EDM.{{cite news |first= Troy L. |last= Smith |title= Every No. 1 song of the 2000s ranked from worst to best |publisher= Cleveland.com |date= 13 September 2021 |access-date= 31 January 2023 |url= https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/09/every-no-1-song-of-the-2000s-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date= October 28, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221028080142/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/09/every-no-1-song-of-the-2000s-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |url-status= live }} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, "Stronger" is composed in the key of E-flat minor (E{{music|flat}}m) and set in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute. The song follows a descending sequence of E{{music|flat}}m–D{{music|flat}}–A{{music|flat}}₇–C{{music|flat}}–B{{music|flat}} as its chord progression.{{cite web|title=Kanye West 'Stronger' Sheet Music| url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0101492| publisher=Musicnotes.com| date=2011| access-date=June 10, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508043605/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=mn0101492| archive-date=May 8, 2012| url-status=live}} A 4/4 beat pattern is deployed on the song, driven by the bright synths. It is based on a vocoder-affected,{{cite web|author=Rizov, Vadim|title='Indie 500': Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Joy Division and Pale Young Gentlemen|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2007/01/indie-500-kanye-west-swizz-beatz-joy-division-and-pale-young-gentlemen|work=Slant Magazine|date=November 1, 2007|access-date=April 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213203/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2007/01/indie-500-kanye-west-swizz-beatz-joy-division-and-pale-young-gentlemen|archive-date=October 4, 2013|url-status=live}} slowed vocal sample of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger", which is chopped up.

The song features a bass that accompanies the kick drums as programmed by Timbaland, consisting of an 808, a snare, and a hi-hat. The thumping beat also incorporates robotic sounds,{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/11/AR2008051102001.html |title=Kanye West: Out of This World |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912092004/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/11/AR2008051102001.html |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} accompanied by West's crescendos and evocative rapping. It starts with a melodic chorus, coupled with the sample. At its close, the track enters an extended outro from Dean that follows his crescendo. The outro features keyboard stabs from Dean, which La Mar "Mars" Edwards and Andy Chatterley also contributed to. These keyboards were added using synths such as Roland Juno-106 and Clavia's Nord Lead, accompanied by Dean's guitars that chime in unison.{{cite web | author=Greene, Jayson | title= Kanye West Graduation – Music Review| url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/graduation.htm| work=Stylus Magazine | date=September 10, 2007| access-date=September 10, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601050224/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/graduation.htm| archive-date=June 1, 2016| url-status=dead}} A-Trak also delivers a four-bar solo of scratches, which is barely audible.

File:Nietzsche LIFE.jpg|The lyrics of the song's refrain offer a mantra that paraphrases Friedrich Nietzsche's famous quote: "What does not kill him, makes him stronger."]]

In the lyrics of "Stronger", West focuses on self-empowerment as he asserts his greatness in response to his critics. West raps about his patience making him stronger when struggling with lust for a girl on the chorus, offering a mantra that paraphrases Nietzsche's famous dictum: "What does not kill him, makes him stronger." In addition, West sends a return message to his fans with a refrain of "I need you right now", which also references wanting a girl in the club. West fantasizes the girl as a model, inviting her to be his "black Kate Moss". He juxtaposes the sample's words with his lyrics, preceding Daft Punk's "harder" by telling his girl, "Baby, you’re making it!" The rapper also alludes to Nietzsche's "Apollonian and Dionysian", expressing that he had been seeking out the girl since Prince was involved with Kotero.

On July 31, 2007, "Stronger" was sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations as the album's second single by West's labels Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.{{cite web | title=Available For Airplay Archive| url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=74389| work=FMQB| access-date=May 10, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029011615/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=74389| archive-date=October 29, 2007}} The song was made available for digital download in the United Kingdom by the labels on August 3, 10 days before a CD version was issued across Europe by Mercury. It was later released as a CD single in various countries worldwide by West's labels on August 20, 2007. On September 11, 2007, "Stronger" was included as the third track on West's third studio album Graduation.{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/graduation-mw0000484496|title=Graduation – Kanye West|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326172545/https://www.allmusic.com/album/graduation-mw0000484496|archive-date=March 26, 2019|url-status=live}}

File:K. West (cropped).jpg

"Stronger" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised the sample of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger". The staff of Rolling Stone assured that West "struck gold" due to the sample and also complimented his lyricism.{{cite magazine |title='Stronger' Kanye West 2007 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/song-stories/stronger-kanye-west|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2013 |access-date=March 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315214018/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/song-stories/stronger-kanye-west |archive-date=March 15, 2014 }} Writing for The Washington Post, J. Freedom du Lac said that he ventures into his self-aggrandizement on "the arena-rap standout", backed by "booming cyborg beats" and the sample as he commands the crowd with his greatness. At Slant Magazine, Eric Henderson affirmed that West manages to "cut through the hazard tape" with the sample, marking one of the album's "galvanizing moments" in contrast to the soul sampling of West's earlier singles "Through the Wire" (2003) and "Touch the Sky" (2006).Henderson, Eric. (September 7, 2007). [https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kanye-west-graduation/1170 Review: Graduation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606115918/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kanye-west-graduation/1170 |date=June 6, 2010 }}. Slant Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2024. The staff of NME wrote that West ventured from his previous choices with the unpredictable liberal sample, putting forward the song as "a contender".{{cite web|date=July 13, 2007|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-kanye-west-8810-343989|title=Kanye West – 'Stronger' track review|work=NME|access-date=May 12, 2024|archive-date=May 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512094106/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-kanye-west-8810-343989|url-status=live}} Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music graded the song four out of five stars and believed West largely delivered a message to his critics as an artist using "the royal 'we'", elaborating that he is backed by both God and the Daft Punk robots so should be left completely alone and advised to not "pick on him again".{{cite web|last=McAlpine|first=Fraser|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/08/kanye_west_ft_daft_punk_strong.shtml|title=Chart Blog: Kanye West ft. Daft Punk - 'Stronger'|publisher=BBC Music|date=August 3, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=May 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507124907/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/08/kanye_west_ft_daft_punk_strong.shtml|url-status=live}} The Village Voice critic Greg Tate asserted that the sample seemingly revives Eurodisco,Tate, Greg (September 4, 2007). [http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-04/music/in-praise-of-assholes/2 Review: Graduation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213032737/http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-04/music/in-praise-of-assholes/2 |date=February 13, 2011 }}. The Village Voice. Retrieved May 12, 2024. while Spin journalist Charles Aaron and Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club complimented its techno style.{{cite journal|last=Aaron|first=Charles|author-link=Charles Aaron|page=114|date=November 2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Db0ytsazMqUC&pg=PA114|title=Doo Wah Diddy|journal=Spin|volume=23|issue=11|via=Google Books|access-date=May 12, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527141236/https://books.google.com/books?id=Db0ytsazMqUC&pg=PA114|archive-date=May 27, 2016}}{{cite news|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|date=September 11, 2007|url=https://www.avclub.com/kanye-west-graduation-1798202973|title=Kanye West: Graduation|newspaper=The A.V. Club|location=Chicago|access-date=May 12, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522160948/http://www.avclub.com/articles/kanye-west-graduation%2C7568/|archive-date=May 22, 2013}} For the Chicago Tribune, Greg Kot saw the song as driven by the sample's synthesizers and Timbaland's drum programming.Kot, Greg (August 31, 2007). [http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/graduation-day-.html 'Graduation' day arrives: Kanye West exploits his growing pains] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514122703/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/graduation-day-.html |date=May 14, 2009}}. Chicago Tribune. Accessed 2007-10-01. AllMusic's Andy Kellman declared that the bright synths may be "one of the most glaring deal-breakers in hip-hop history"; Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone similarly felt West "single-handedly" returns to hip hop's disco days before the 1980s group Run-DMC.{{cite magazine|last=Brackett|first=Nathan|title=Graduation : Kanye West : Review|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/16233118/review/16256602/graduation|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=September 4, 2007|access-date=May 12, 2024|archive-date=September 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915133440/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/16233118/review/16256602/graduation|url-status=dead}} In Stylus Magazine, Jayson Greene lauded West for pushing hip hop's sonic boundaries with the sample and the "forlorn guitars chiming in unison" at the end, yet he found certain lyrics to show impatience.

"Stronger" also received mixed reviews from some critics. The Guardian{{'}}s Dorian Lynskey was impressed with the sample that could be the album's "mission statement" and showcased West's work ethic, but considered rhyming "Klondike" with "blond dyke" to be cringeworthy.{{cite news|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/07/urban.shopping|title=Kanye West, Graduation|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=September 7, 2007|access-date=May 12, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005183219/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/07/urban.shopping|archive-date=October 5, 2014}} Ann Powers from the Los Angeles Times highlighted West's performance by describing him as "push[ing] himself like a runner on a treadmill" who borders on losing his breath and makes the lyrics sound more interesting, despite thinking some of them delve into "embarrassing self-worship".Powers, Ann. (September 10, 2007). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-10-et-west10-story.html Hip-hop's Man of Two Minds] . Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on October 6, 2009. Louis Pattison of NME praised the song as "a silicone-hearted vocoder serenade, beefed up with hoover-like synthesisers", although he felt it resembles an act attempting karaoke without the words rather than pushing new boundaries and saw the sample as unoriginal.{{cite news|last=Pattison|first=Louis|date=September 13, 2007|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/kanye-west/8950|title=Kanye West - 'Graduation' Review|work=NME|access-date=October 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020032935/http://web.nme.com/reviews/kanye-west/8950|archive-date=October 20, 2007|url-status=live}} For Cokemachineglow, Chet Betz said the song works off the production that could have had a lot more impact due to "the glissando chop 'n key melds dazzling but suffering from a distinct lack of knock" and not even Timbaland can redeem it, while he felt West's lyrics were aimed at oppressing the rest of humanity as he "builds his castle".{{cite web | author=Betz, Chet | title=Kanye West: Graduation| url=http://www.cokemachineglow.com/reviews/kanyewest_graduation2007.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013041515/http://www.cokemachineglow.com/reviews/kanyewest_graduation2007.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 13, 2007 |work=Cokemachineglow| date=September 15, 2007 | access-date=September 23, 2015}} Anna Pickard of The Guardian became bored of the song quickly due to the sexual nature, although she praised the sample for opening with an "immediate familiarity" that is an appropriate fit for "this thumping beat".{{cite news|last=Pickard|first=Anna|date=July 25, 2007|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jul/25/popandrock|title=Kanye West - Stronger {{!}} Music|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210417/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jul/25/popandrock|archive-date=January 3, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

"Stronger" appeared on numerous year-end lists of multiple publications for 2007. The track was crowned as the best record of the year by Spin, while MTV named it the sixth best song.{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |title=The Best Songs Of 2007, In Bigger Than The Sound |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1575778/the-best-songs-of-2007-in-bigger-than-the-sound/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=24 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208173908/http://www.mtv.com/news/1575778/the-best-songs-of-2007-in-bigger-than-the-sound/ |archive-date=8 December 2018 |date=4 December 2007}} The song was voted seventh on the yearly Pazz & Jop poll of The Village Voice, receiving 48 mentions.{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres07.php |title=The 2007 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll |work=The Village Voice |date=February 6, 2007 |access-date=February 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201145618/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres07.php |archive-date=February 1, 2008 |url-status=live |via=Robert Christgau }} On a poll taken by Eye Weekly of critics across Canada for 2007, it was ranked at the same position, scoring 550 points in a tied seventh place.{{cite web|url=http://www.eyeweekly.com/music/features/article/15308|title=Best Singles|work=Eye Weekly|date=January 16, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202133938/http://www.eyeweekly.com/music/features/article/15308|archive-date=December 2, 2008|url-status=dead}} Rolling Stone named it as the 11th best song the 2007; the staff were impressed with West shifting towards robot funk and French electronic music on the "futuristic, Daft Punk-fueled synthfest".{{cite magazine | title=The 100 Best Songs of 2007 | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/3 | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=December 11, 2007 | access-date=December 21, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215191541/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/3 | archive-date=December 15, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}

For the 2014 issue of XXL that was in celebration of 40 years of hip hop, the magazine selected the track as one of the five best singles of 2007.{{cite magazine|title=XXL Lists The Best Hip-Hop Songs And Albums Of The Last 40 Years|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/xxl-lists-best-hip-hop-songs-albums-last-40-years-xxl-issue-152/4/|magazine=XXL|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110004336/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/xxl-lists-best-hip-hop-songs-albums-last-40-years-xxl-issue-152/4/|archive-date=January 10, 2014}} On a list of the top 50 songs from the 2000s decade by Consequence, "Stronger" was listed at number 21.{{cite web|title=The Top 50 Songs of the 2000s|url=https://consequence.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-songs/|website=Consequence|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421052936/https://consequence.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-songs/|url-status=live}} In Rolling Stone{{'}}s decade-end readers' poll, the song was voted as the sixth best single of the 2000s.{{cite magazine |title=The Decade-End Readers' Poll |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-decade-end-readers-poll-250167/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214213840/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-decade-end-readers-poll-250167/ |archive-date=14 December 2019 |date=8 December 2009 |url-status=live}} Furthermore, a 2013 Rolling Stone reader's poll ranked "Stronger" as West's eighth best song to that point. In 2012, "Stronger" was listed by Complex as West's ninth best song and The Daily Telegraph{{'}}s Neil McCormick placed the track fifth in 2015, while it was placed at number eight on a list compiled for his 39th birthday by the Jamaica Observer on June 8, 2016.{{cite magazine|last1=Barber|first1=Andrew|last2=Klinkenberg|first2=Brendan|last3=Scarano|first3=Ross|title=The Best Kanye West Songs|url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-kanye-west-songs/|magazine=Complex|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609063342/https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-kanye-west-songs/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/11698511/Kanye-Wests-ten-best-songs.html|title=Glastonbury 2015: Kanye West's ten best songs|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614013324/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/11698511/Kanye-Wests-ten-best-songs.html|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Top 10 Kanye songs ever |url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/None/Top-10-Kanye-songs-ever |newspaper=Jamaica Observer |access-date=May 14, 2024 |date=June 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112037/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/None/Top-10-Kanye-songs-ever |archive-date=October 6, 2017 }} The song was named by CraveOnline as West's sixth best song a year later, whereas Highsnobiety ranked it as West's ninth best song in 2020.{{cite web|title=15 Best Kanye West Songs Ranked|url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/1254187-15-best-kanye-west-songs-ranked/2|publisher=CraveOnline|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006071317/http://www.craveonline.com/music/1254187-15-best-kanye-west-songs-ranked/2|archive-date=October 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Barnett |first=Donovan |title=The 40 Best Kanye West Songs, an Official Ranking |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-kanye-west-songs/ |work=Highsnobiety |access-date=May 9, 2024 |date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211213090744/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-kanye-west-songs/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, "Stronger" was listed at number 493 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time; the staff wrote that West's stadium music influence from U2 and the Rolling Stones is channeled by the sample of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/kanye-west-stronger-1224837/|title=The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 16, 2024|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=February 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211230616/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/kanye-west-stronger-1224837/|url-status=live}}

The track received a total of eight nominations for industry awards. At the 2008 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, "Stronger" was awarded as one of the Most Performed Songs. It was among the Award Winning Songs at the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) London Awards, Pop Awards, and R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in 2008. The track won Best Rap Solo Performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, beating "I Get Money" by West's rival and fellow rapper 50 Cent.

File:Green and yellow taxi at night in Yasukuni-dori Avenue, Shinjuku, Tokyo.jpg.|Much of the song's music video was shot in Tokyo, Japan, including scenes of the city streets.]]

An accompanying music video was directed and produced by Williams, with director of photography John Perez, editor Peter Johnson, executive producer Susan Linss, and post supervisor Amelia Torabi. Post-production and visual effects were done at RhinoFX by VFX Supervisor Vico Sharabani, whereas Walter Lubinski and Ian Brauner handled animation. Sal Randazzo contributed roto and smoke animation, with John Budion, Niklaus Schlumpf, and Julie Mai serving as inferno artists, assisted by Barry Furlano.{{cite web |author1=Duncan Macleod |title=Kanye West Stronger In Japan |url=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2007/kanye-west-stronger/ |website=The Inspiration Room |access-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019001031/http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2007/kanye-west-stronger/ |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |date=August 20, 2007}} Williams explained to SOHH that after hearing "Stronger", working with West again felt natural, as he thought he could easily collaborate with him.{{cite web |author1=Janeé Bolden |title=Hype Williams Reveals There's More To Kanye's 'Stronger' Video Than What You See |url=http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/12008 |publisher=SOHH |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710013836/http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/12008 |archive-date=10 July 2007 |date=5 July 2007}} The director had previously worked with West on videos for the singles "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", "Gold Digger", and "Drive Slow" from his 2005 album Late Registration.

The video was shot guerrilla-style over 12 days in April 2007, while West was still working on "Stronger". It explores life in a sleek space-age robot world set in Japan, filmed in the country's capital Tokyo and Los Angeles (L.A.),{{cite web | author=Reid, Shaheem | title=Kanye West's 'Stronger' Video: Japanese Motorcycle Gangs, Mad Scientists — And Cassie | url=https://mtv.com/news/articles/1562919/20070620/west_kanye.jhtml | publisher=MTV | date=June 20, 2007 | access-date=August 27, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812005253/https://mtv.com/news/articles/1562919/20070620/west_kanye.jhtml | archive-date=August 12, 2007 }} featuring shots in Aoyama clothing store A Bathing Ape and Harajuku clothing store Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream. Singer-model Cassie was called to appear in the video when she was in Connecticut, flying to Tokyo the next day and working on the shoot immediately. Cassie had not worked with Williams before and admitted she was confused by the guerrilla-style, thinking the video "has to be crazy" as she danced on set. She was taken aback by her unawareness of West's latest vision and compared the setting in Tokyo to NYC's Times Square, recalling "running in the middle of the street" and filming at red lights. The music video also includes cameos from the two principal actors from the film Daft Punk's Electroma dressed as Daft Punk; West's manager Don C insisted on their appearances because "that's what it was". The video also features multiple scenes which pay homage to the 1988 anime film Akira,{{cite web | title=Kanye West Music Video Inspired by Akira | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-08/kanye-west-music-video-inspired-by-akira | publisher=Anime News Network | date=July 7, 2007 | access-date=August 27, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908073904/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-08/kanye-west-music-video-inspired-by-akira | archive-date=September 8, 2007 | url-status=live }} adding elements of sci-fi. These include the light effects on the motorbikes, the medical machinery examining West, and Daft Punk's control room.{{cite web |last=Peters |first=Megan |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/akira-anime-kanye-west-stronger-music-video-movie/ |title=Remember When Kanye West Made An 'Akira' Inspired Music Video? |publisher=ComicBook.com |date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507124908/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/akira-anime-kanye-west-stronger-music-video-movie/ |url-status=live }} In July 2007, Williams mentioned the possibility of an extended video with unseen footage for a limited-edition internet release.

West approached the Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid with only a general concept for the video, lacking any storyboard or script, and was given $1,200,000 on request to fund four videos. Don C mentioned the treatment for the first visual was simply "Kanye and Hype in Japan", simplifying that they then went and shot the music video with only their visions. West felt comfortable working without a strict setup, allowing him and Williams to collaborate on the concept freely. West, a fan of Japanese directors and anime, had desired to shoot in Japan. This was also to give the video a futuristic look from the country's bikers and neon lights, in line with the creative design of Graduation.

{{cite web | author=Reid, Shaheem | title=Kanye Added Perfectionist Touch — And Venetian-Blind Glasses — To 'Stronger' Video: VMA Lens Recap | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1568968/kanye-added-perfectionist-touch-and-venetian-blind-glasses-to-stronger-video-vma-lens-recap/ | publisher=MTV | date=September 5, 2007 | access-date=October 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007053109/http://www.mtv.com/news/1568968/kanye-added-perfectionist-touch-and-venetian-blind-glasses-to-stronger-video-vma-lens-recap/ | archive-date=October 7, 2014 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}

Upon arrival in Tokyo with their team, West and Williams had ideas for video shots and a rough storyline plan. For the original plot, West played the part of a Japanese motorcycle gang member, who became involved in a bar fight with rivals where he was attacked violently and needed care from doctors. Both West and Williams had originally planned to integrate scenes from Akira into the video. Williams said that West took inspiration from the film and during the shoot, they ended up filming "parts of that movie for the video", although decided to shift towards a more abstract final version providing elements of its story. West also felt neon colors in the video were too similar to visuals of Maroon 5 and 50 Cent, deciding to spend five days on re-shoots.

Don C detailed that for the guerrilla video, West's team did not have any permits to film and simply had interpreters explain the situation to locals. The clip features shots of a real-life riot from people against a Japanese politician, which West insisted on Williams shooting after it took place directly outside of his hotel, going from Tokyo to Yokohama. After reviewing the footage in the US, West abandoned the initial storyline in favor of "the hottest shots possible". He moved filming to NYC, specifically at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, after struggling for 10 weeks to improve the footage. Williams was unable to film additional footage when West's dedication had taken the video extensively over-budget as he edited it up to 5 a.m, so the rapper hired a local crew. They shot scenes in NYC with West wearing a pair of Alain Mikli shutter shades, which he requested from the designer specifically for the video.{{cite web|last=Schoeber|first=Tyler|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/happened-shutter-shades-spoke-creator-140003237.html|title=What Happened to Shutter Shades? We Spoke to Their Creator to Find Out|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=September 18, 2022|access-date=April 30, 2024|archive-date=April 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430141200/https://sports.yahoo.com/happened-shutter-shades-spoke-creator-140003237.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine | title=The Scoop on Kanye West's Sunglasses | url=http://offtherack.peoplestylewatch.com/2007/07/05/the-scoop-on-kanye-wests-funky-sunglasses/ | magazine=People | date=June 5, 2007 | access-date=October 10, 2007}} The rapper first came upon the shades abandoned at a public toilet from a Paris convention in 2006, having spent three months looking for shades not found in stores and these were notably worn by Jeremy Scott. Williams explained that the video was West's vision saying, "He's a strong filmmaker in his own right, a very well-respected and strong filmmaker in my book. He really did a great job executing his vision. I was kinda his co-partner on this one."

Sharabani affirmed that the process of the music video was unconventional, with West setting out to create it the same way he does songwriting. West set out to combine different elements and based on "how they relate to each-other he would then take the next step", resulting in high creativity with his "quickly-evolving vision". The video was supposed to utilize only four machine shots, until West decided to add a dozen more once the machine's style frame had been shown. Sharabani explained that West is a "very talented visual artist" whose passion is demonstrated in his process management, sticking to an "intimate and fast paced" process of continuous ideas. The supervisor described their collaboration with Williams and the team as "truly amazing" from all of the contributions; he expressed how rewarded he felt when the visual was nominated at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

A rough cut of the music video first premiered at the Tribeca Cinemas in NYC on June 19, 2007, with West editing the clip until the end of this night. He felt proud of the creation process, expressing how it was one of the first occasions "we got to make a video like how we make music". West detailed that this process consisted of intricate planning, tight scheduling, and a guerrilla-style, although Williams considered quitting the extensive shoot thrice. Dissatisfied with the video's footage from NYC, due to the director of photography not being the same as the one for Williams, West distorted the footage to resemble broadcasting over a cathode-ray tube television set. Its special effects, including robot arms and glowing starbursts, were then combined with the rest of the footage by the editors. The final music video was released on July 25, 2007.

File:Kanyeweststronger.jpg in the music video|In the video, West appears against a stone wall in NYC as he wears his shutter shades, which he first discovered at a public toilet following a convention in Paris during 2006.]]

The music video begins with the flaming trail of a speeding comet, which transitions to a laboratory where West is strapped by wires to a 3D CGI model of the medical machine that Tetsuo is examined in for Akira. West lies down while only wearing his boxers and the laboratory is operated by the Daft Punk actors, who appear with helmets in a control room as they push buttons and perform magnetic resonance imaging on the rapper. He is then shown rapping the song by a stone wall in NYC as he wears his jacket and shutter shades, while Cassie appears with a shiny kimono outfit and eye makeup resembling the 1982 film Liquid Sky when she repeatedly dances in a club. These scenes are interspersed with Japanese writing and shots of Tokyo, including the city's streets, streaked lights, and natives, as well as a motorcycle race with bright taillight trails after the actors press buttons again. The video includes a shot in a hospital where West wrestles out of his bed similarly to Tetsuo's behaviour after realizing his psychic powers and the film is also resembled by the riot, which occurs outside a hotel. For the conclusion, the scene moves back to Cassie as West seduces her.

Reviewing the rough draft of the music video for MTV, Shaheem Reid noted that it emphasizes "performance and looking fly", observing "a huge special-effects segment" from the control room and West being worked on by a machine large enough for a truck to fit. In The Village Voice, Tom Breihan highlighted that the clip is seemingly a "hyper-stylized pastiche" of Japanese sci-fi closely resembling Williams' video for fellow rapper Missy Elliott's "Sock It 2 Me" (1996), although noted it moves towards techniques used by directors to convey immediacy. He specified these techniques as choppy editing, distorted scenes, and Japanese lettering, while praising Cassie's appearance and concluding that rather than an actual story, the video is "a sort of overwhelming pileup of deft futurism". Megan Peters from ComicBook.com wrote that West's combination of Japanese culture with Akira was special, resulting in "one trippy homage". The staff of The Fader joked that the music video is equivalent to the 1941 Citizen Kane, while they affirmed it is "outstanding eye candy".{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2007/06/26/video-kanye-west-stronger|title=Video: Kanye West, 'Stronger'|website=The Fader|date=June 26, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=May 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507202810/https://www.thefader.com/2007/06/26/video-kanye-west-stronger|url-status=live}} Pickard was mixed in The Guardian, finding initial excitement in the visual's "futuristic atmosphere" and praising the elements of Akira, although he finalized that it was boring due to the repetition of clubbing scenes throughout.

The music video was awarded Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, while it received a nomination for Best Video at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards. The visual was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Director, and Best Editing at the 2007 MTV VMAs. After not winning awards at two ceremonies in a row, West demanded MTV to "give a black man a chance" from his hard effort at reaching number one with "Stronger" and vowed to never return to their shows.{{cite magazine |title=West Says He's Done With MTV After VMA Loss |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/west-says-hes-done-with-mtv-after-vma-loss-1049409/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 8, 2024 |date=September 10, 2007 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/west-says-hes-done-with-mtv-after-vma-loss-1049409/ |url-status=live }} It was awarded Best Video at the 2008 MOBO Awards, alongside being nominated for Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. By March 8, 2018, the music video had reached over 200 million views on YouTube.

Credits adapted from The Inspiration Room.

Personnel

{{Div col|colwidth=21em}}

• Hype Williams{{spaced ndash}} director, producer
• John Perez{{spaced ndash}} director of photography
• Peter Johnson{{spaced ndash}} editor
• Susan Linss{{spaced ndash}} executive producer
• Yfat Neev{{spaced ndash}} executive producer
• Amelia Torabi{{spaced ndash}} post supervisor
• Vico Sharabani{{spaced ndash}} post-production, visual effects
• Natasha Saenko{{spaced ndash}} CG director, project leader
• Brian DiNoto{{spaced ndash}} model
• Bogdan Mihajlovic{{spaced ndash}} model
• Chris DiFiore{{spaced ndash}} composing artist
• Nitant Karnik{{spaced ndash}} composing artist
• Rodrigo De La Parra{{spaced ndash}} composing artist
• Ivan Guerrero{{spaced ndash}} lighting
• Jasmine Katatikarn{{spaced ndash}} lighting
• Aditi Kapoor{{spaced ndash}} lighting
• Neo Afan{{spaced ndash}} digital artist
• Walter Lubinski{{spaced ndash}} animator
• Ian Brauner{{spaced ndash}} animator
• John Budion{{spaced ndash}} inferno artist
• Niklaus Schlumpf{{spaced ndash}} inferno artist
• Julie Mai{{spaced ndash}} inferno artist
• Barry Furlano{{spaced ndash}} inferno assistant
• Sal Randazzo{{spaced ndash}} roto and smoke animation
• Camille Geier{{spaced ndash}} senior VP of production
• Rick Wagonheim{{spaced ndash}} managing director and partner

{{Div col end}}

File:Soulja Boy Tell 'Em on YouTube Live.jpg on YouTube Live in 2007|The song took the top spot of the US Billboard Hot 100 from "Crank That (Soulja Boy)", although the single knocked it off this position after one week.]]

"Stronger" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 47 upon its single release, marking the highest debut of the week.{{cite web |last=Crosley |first=Hillary |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN06357865/ |title='Graduation' day nears for Kanye West |publisher=Reuters |date=August 9, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2024 }} It later reached number five on the chart issue date of September 1, 2007.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-01 |title=Music: Top 100 Songs - September 1, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140806/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-01/ |url-status=live }} A week later, the song climbed to number three on the Hot 100 with 135,000 downloads.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-08 |title=Music: Top 100 Songs - September 8, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407114952/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-08/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fergie-scores-third-solo-no-1-on-hot-100-1049612/ |title=Fergie Scores Third Solo No. 1 On Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 30, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410052524/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fergie-scores-third-solo-no-1-on-hot-100-1049612/ |url-status=live }} It spent the following two weeks at number two on the chart and then rose to the top position, marking West's third number-one single in the US after "Gold Digger" in 2005.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-22 |title=Music: Top 100 Songs - September 22, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140807/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-09-22/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Bronson |first=Fred |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-111-1049138/ |title=Kanye West, Pink, Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys |magazine=Billboard |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428104801/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-111-1049138/ |url-status=live }} The song dethroned fellow rapper Soulja Boy's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" for number one, receiving 205,000 digital downloads.{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/west-has-hot-100-chart-150639/ |title=West has Hot 100 chart topper |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 21, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428104804/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/west-has-hot-100-chart-150639/ |url-status=live }} However, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" regained the top position from "Stronger" within a week.{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/soulja-boy-tops-hot-100-151208/ |title=Soulja Boy tops Hot 100 chart |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428104803/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/soulja-boy-tops-hot-100-151208/ |url-status=live }} On the year-end chart for 2007, the song placed at number 27. Overall, it spent 27 weeks on the Hot 100. By 2009, the song stood as the chart's 14th most successful single to be released by the Island Def Jam Music Group.{{cite magazine |title=Island Def Jam's Best |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BHvp8mcJfAoC&q=ISLAND+DEF+JAMS+BEST+AN+EXCLUSIVE&pg=PA36 |magazine=Billboard |page=36 |via=Google Books |access-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208210801/https://books.google.com/books?id=BHvp8mcJfAoC&q=ISLAND+DEF+JAMS+BEST+AN+EXCLUSIVE&pg=PA36&redir_esc=y |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |date=June 6, 2009 |url-status=live}} For the 2000s decade, it as the 91st most popular song on the Hot 100. As of May 31, 2018, the song stands as West's third biggest hit of all time in the US.{{cite magazine|last1=Zellner|first1=Xander|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7825442/kanye-west-biggest-billboard-hot-100-hits|title=Kanye West's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=October 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015134902/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7825442/kanye-west-biggest-billboard-hot-100-hits|url-status=live}}

The song debuted at number 38 on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and entered the top 20 at number 17 on the issue dated September 8, 2007.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/2007-08-11/ |title=Music: Pop Airplay Top 40 - August 11, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429123728/https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/2007-08-11/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/2007-09-08/ |title=Music: Pop Airplay Top 40 - September 8, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812150640/https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/2007-09-08/ |url-status=live }} "Stronger" later reached the chart's top position on October 27, spending three weeks there out of its 25 charting weeks. The song became West's second chart-topper on the Mainstream Top 40, making him one of the rap acts to notably achieve success at pop radio.{{cite web|last=DeVille|first=Chris|title=Pop Radio's Love Affair With White Rappers Continues Apace|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1985819/pop-radios-love-affair-with-white-rappers-continues-apace/columns/the-week-in-pop/|access-date=April 29, 2024|work=Stereogum|date=March 8, 2018|archive-date=April 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429123728/https://www.stereogum.com/1985819/pop-radios-love-affair-with-white-rappers-continues-apace/columns/the-week-in-pop/|url-status=live}} It also reached number one on the US Pop 100, while charting at number three on both the Hot Rap Songs and Rhythmic charts. By March 2013, the track had surpassed five million digital sales in the US.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-10-2013-songs-record-setter-220555683.html|title=Week Ending March 10, 2013. Songs: The Record-Setter That Isn't #1|last=Grein|first=Paul|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=March 13, 2013|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316113206/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-10-2013-songs-record-setter-220555683.html|archive-date=March 16, 2013|url-status=live}} On October 6, 2021, "Stronger" was awarded a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shelving 10 million certified units in the US. It became the 64th single to receive the certification from the RIAA and West's first.{{cite web|last=Ahlgrim|first=Callie|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/every-diamond-certified-song-ever-riaa#64-stronger-by-kanye-west-64|title=Every Song in History That's Been Certified Diamond|website=Business Insider|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=April 22, 2024|archive-date=April 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422163858/https://www.businessinsider.com/every-diamond-certified-song-ever-riaa#64-stronger-by-kanye-west-64|url-status=live}} The song was later certified 11 times platinum by the RIAA on December 6, 2024, standing among the best-selling digital singles in the country by certification.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?advance_search=1&tab_active=awards_by_album&awardal=&formatal=Single&typeal=DI&type_optional=ST#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Digital singles|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017195852/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?advance_search=1&tab_active=awards_by_album&awardal=&formatal=Single&typeal=DI&type_optional=ST#search_section|url-status=live}} In Canada, the track entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number five and rose to number one after seven weeks to become West's first chart-topper.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2007-08-18 |title=Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs - August 18, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140808/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2007-08-18/ |url-status=live }} The track spent 40 weeks on the chart, logging three weeks at the top position. It was the second best-selling digital song of 2007 in Canada, registering 94,000 sales.{{cite web |title=Nielsen Music 2007 Year End Music Industry Report For Canada |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080104005604/en/Nielsen-Music-2007-Year-Music-Industry-Report |publisher=Business Wire |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220021451/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080104005604/en/Nielsen-Music-2007-Year-Music-Industry-Report |archive-date=20 February 2020 |date=4 January 2008 |url-status=live}} By December 28, 2008, the track totalled 152,000 digital sales in the country. It further reached number five on Mexico's Top 20 Inglés chart.

"Stronger" debuted at number 20 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, reaching number 17 after three weeks and then jumping to the second position. The track peaked at number one on the chart, becoming West's second chart-topper in New Zealand. It was dethroned from the top spot by 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology", spending the following two weeks at number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/16150/50-Cent-tops-Kanye-West-on-NZ-charts|title=50 Cent tops Kanye West on NZ charts|publisher=Stuff|url-access=limited|date=January 31, 2009|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140808/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/16150/50-Cent-tops-Kanye-West-on-NZ-charts|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/4807/Forget-50-Kanye-Blunt-takes-top-spot|title=Forget 50, Kanye - Blunt takes top spot|publisher=Stuff|url-access=limited|date=January 31, 2009|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=April 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429123728/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/4807/Forget-50-Kanye-Blunt-takes-top-spot|url-status=live}} The track lasted for 19 weeks on the chart. On November 18, 2007, it received a gold certification from Recorded Music NZ for selling over 7,500 units in New Zealand. In Australia, the track entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number eight and peaked at number two a week later.{{cite news|last=West|first=Dave|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/australian-singles-chart/a75130/fergie-holds-top-spot-in-australia/|title=Fergie holds top spot in Australia|publisher=Digital Spy|date=September 5, 2007|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518140811/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/australian-singles-chart/a75130/fergie-holds-top-spot-in-australia/|url-status=live}} It was blocked from the top spot by Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry", which sold more physical copies despite "Stronger" ranking as the number-one digital track.{{cite web | url= http://www.aria.com.au/issue913.pdf| archive-url= https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/aest/20071020000000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20071020-0000/issue913.pdf| url-status= dead| archive-date= 2007-06-16|title= The ARIA Report, Week commencing 3 September 2007, Chart# 913, p. 14. |access-date= April 29, 2024 |publisher= Australian Recording Industry Association}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On the year-end chart of 2007, the track ranked as the 19th most popular single. As of September 19, 2017, it has spent 522 consecutive weeks in the top 500, standing as the longest charting single in Australia.{{cite magazine |last=Jolly |first=Nathan |title=These 20 songs have been in the ARIA Top 500 the longest |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/these-20-songs-have-been-on-the-aria-chart-the-longest/ |magazine=The Music Network |access-date=April 29, 2024 |date=September 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429123729/https://themusicnetwork.com/these-20-songs-have-been-on-the-aria-chart-the-longest/ |url-status=live }} On August 24, 2020, the track was certified octuple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipping 560,000 units in Australia.

In the United Kingdom, "Stronger" debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart for the issue dated August 12, 2007.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20070812/7501/ |title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201333/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20070812/7501/ |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |url-status=live }} The song ended the one-week run of Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat" at the top position a week later, becoming West's first number-one single on the chart.{{cite news|last=Copsey|first=Rob|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6954002.stm|title=Kanye claims first UK number one|publisher=BBC News|date=August 19, 2007|access-date=April 29, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421091544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6954002.stm|url-status=live}} On the next chart issue, it remained at number one for a second week.{{cite news|last=West|first=Dave|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/uk-singles-chart/a74134/kanye-west-holds-on-at-top-with-stronger/|title=Kanye West holds on at top with 'Stronger'|publisher=Digital Spy|date=August 28, 2007|access-date=April 29, 2024}} For the 2007 year-end chart, the song ranked as the 19th most successful single, while it stood as the sixth most downloaded track in the UK.{{cite web | title=Top 40 Singles of the Year 2007 | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles2007.shtml | publisher=BBC Radio 1 | access-date=December 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102061610/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles2007.shtml |archive-date=January 2, 2008 }}{{cite news |last=Cleland |first=Gary |title=Amy Winehouse tops year end iTunes chart |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1572296/Amy-Winehouse-tops-year-end-iTunes-chart.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207120927/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1572296/Amy-Winehouse-tops-year-end-iTunes-chart.html |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |date=12 December 2007}} The song lasted for 39 weeks on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14958/kanye-west/ |title=Kanye West {{!}} full Official Chart History |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162655/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14958/kanye-west/ |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |url-status=live }} It ranks as the 24th biggest hip-hop song of all time in the UK up to April 17, 2017.{{cite news|last=Copsey|first=Rob|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-100-biggest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time__18789/|title=The Official Top 100 biggest Hip-Hop Songs of all time|publisher=Official Charts|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419053839/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-100-biggest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time__18789/|archive-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=live}} As of August 5, 2021, the song is West's second most successful single in the country behind only "Gold Digger", despite the latter not having reached number one.{{cite news|last=White|first=Jack|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kanye-wests-official-top-40-biggest-songs-in-the-uk__27335/|title=Kanye West's Official Top 40 biggest songs in the UK|publisher=Official Charts|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119224317/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kanye-wests-official-top-40-biggest-songs-in-the-uk__27335/|archive-date=November 19, 2023|url-status=live}} On January 28, 2022, "Stronger" was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shelving 1,800,000 units in the UK. It also reached number one in Turkey. The track peaked at number two in both Ireland and the Netherlands, ranking as the 20th most popular song of 2007 in the former country. Similarly, it charted at number three in the territories of Norway and Scotland. The track reached number eight on the Billboard European Hot 100 Singles, while attaining top 20 positions in Finland, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Denmark. "Stronger" was certified double platinum by IFPI Danmark for 180,000 shipments in Denmark on February 15, 2022, a year before it was awarded a quintuple gold certification from the Bundesverband Musikindustrie for shelving 750,000 units in Germany. On October 20, 2019, the track received a double platinum certification from Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana for selling 100,000 copies in Italy. "Stronger" ranked at number six on Apple Music's list of the best-selling songs on iTunes in 2007, while it placed at number 16 on the retailer's most downloaded songs of all time up to November 2010.{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |title=Fergie, Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse Are iTunes' Most Artists of 2007 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1576187/fergie-maroon-5-amy-winehouse-are-itunes-most-downloaded-artists-of-2007/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112046/http://www.mtv.com/news/1576187/fergie-maroon-5-amy-winehouse-are-itunes-most-downloaded-artists-of-2007/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |date=10 December 2007}}{{cite web |title=Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga Top iTunes All-Time Most Downloaded Songs |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1631774/black-eyed-peas-lady-gaga-top-itunes-all-time-most-downloaded-songs/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184817/http://www.mtv.com/news/1631774/black-eyed-peas-lady-gaga-top-itunes-all-time-most-downloaded-songs/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2018 |date=11 February 2010}}

In June 2010, rapper Vincent Peters sued West, arguing "Stronger" was an illegitimate copy of a song of the same name he recorded in 2006. Peters argued that he provided a copy of the song to West's business manager John Monopoly, who, according to him, gave it to the rapper.{{cite magazine | last=Cooper | first=Roman | title=Kanye West Sued For Stealing 'Stronger' | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.11573/title.kanye-west-sued-for-stealing-stronger | magazine=HipHopDX | date=June 26, 2010 | access-date=May 10, 2024 | archive-date=May 10, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510091918/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.11573/title.kanye-west-sued-for-stealing-stronger | url-status=live }} Both songs share the title, make reference to Moss, and feature chorus lyrics that rhyme with "wronger" and "longer". The lawsuit also requested for West and his record labels to be prohibited from selling, distributing, and performing "Stronger", as well as to destroy all their single copies. A federal judge dismissed the claim, finding no substantial similarity, although Peters went to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. West's attorney Carrie Hall asserted the theft allegations would set a standard much too low for copyright infringement over common usage of words and that both songs derive their respective chorus lyrics from Nietzsche's dictum, "What does not kill him, makes him stronger."{{cite magazine| author=Eriq Gardner| title=Kanye West Cites Nietzsche in Copyright Battle Over 'Stronger'| url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1159560/kanye-west-cites-nietzsche-in-copyright-battle-over-stronger| magazine=Billboard| date=November 23, 2011| access-date=October 2, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104114131/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1159560/kanye-west-cites-nietzsche-in-copyright-battle-over-stronger| archive-date=November 4, 2014| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}} The attorney elaborated that the similarities are not enough to support infringement, as the plaintiff needs to allege sufficient facts and a judge is in a suitable position to determine this. It was also pointed out that Peters' lawsuit against West came three years after the song's release in 2007, appearing "to coincide with his attempts to publicize his new album".{{cite magazine |title=Kanye West Says He Stole 'Stronger' From Nietzsche, Not Random Songwriter |url=https://www.spin.com/2011/11/kanye-west-says-he-stole-stronger-nietzsche-not-random-songwriter/ |magazine=Spin |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=November 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510091916/https://www.spin.com/2011/11/kanye-west-says-he-stole-stronger-nietzsche-not-random-songwriter/ |url-status=live }}

In 2012, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the lawsuit in West's favor, ordering dismissal. Diane Wood, the presiding judge, offered the full context that Nietzsche's dictum had been employed in popular works for decades, including Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", a hit single at the time. Wood addressed the lyrical similarities of the chorus, stating they do not "rise to the level of copyright infringement".{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Grouchy Greg|url=https://allhiphop.com/mobile/kanye-emerges-victorious-in-lawsuit-over-stronger/|title=Kanye Emerges Victorious In Lawsuit Over 'Stronger'|publisher=AllHipHop|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510091916/https://allhiphop.com/mobile/kanye-emerges-victorious-in-lawsuit-over-stronger/|url-status=live}} The judge also acknowledged the allegations in the reference to Moss; he noted "analogizing to models as a shorthand for beauty" is, regardless of one's feelings, commonplace in music.{{cite magazine| last=Gardner| first=Eriq| title=Hollywood Docket: Kanye West Is 'Stronger' in Appeals Court Win| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-docket-kanye-west-is-364277| magazine=The Hollywood Reporter| date=August 21, 2012| access-date=October 2, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004033359/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-docket-kanye-west-is-364277| archive-date=October 4, 2014| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}}

File:Kanye doesn't glow3 (2588679098).jpg in Manchester, Tennessee during the Glow in the Dark Tour.]]

West performed "Stronger" live at the Concert for Diana in London on July 1, 2007.{{cite magazine |author=Devin |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2007/07/01/kanye-west-performs-at-concert-for-diana/ |title=Concert For Diana Performances |access-date=April 26, 2024 |date=July 1, 2007 |magazine=Rap-Up }} He performed the song for his concert at the Live Earth event on July 7, accompanied by a string section which included female members with exotic face paint.{{Cite magazine |author=Cohen, Jonathan|title= The Police, West, Mayer Close Out Live Earth New York|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1051059/the-police-west-mayer-close-out-live-earth-new-york|magazine=Billboard|date=July 7, 2007|access-date=April 26, 2024}} West performed the song at global festivals during 2007, including Canada's Cisco Systems Bluesfest, Sweden's Way Out West, and the British V and Manchester International festivals.{{cite web| last=Cooper| first=Leonie| title=Kanye West; Carling Apollo, Manchester, Monday July 2| url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-lethal-bizzle-8817-343974| work=NME| date=June 16, 2007| access-date=April 26, 2024| archive-date=February 3, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203225550/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-lethal-bizzle-8817-343974| url-status=live}} He performed a medley for his in-studio appearance at MTV's Total Request Live on August 10, consisting of fellow Graduation single "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and the song.{{Cite magazine |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan |last2=Grimes |first2=Taylor |title=Beyonce, Timberlake Lead MTV VMA Nominations|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1050107/beyonce-timberlake-lead-mtv-vma-nominations|magazine=Billboard|date=August 7, 2007|access-date=April 26, 2024}} West performed it at the 2007 MTV VMAs, appearing in a fantasy suite at Palms' Hugh Hefner Sky Villa.{{cite magazine|last=Mansky|first=Jackie|title=MTV VMAs: A Kanye West Retrospective (Video)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/mtv-vmas-a-kanye-west-613671/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 25, 2013|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/mtv-vmas-a-kanye-west-613671/|url-status=live}} The rapper insisted that he dreamt of opening the VMAs with "a real power performance" when making the song, yet the organizers wanted him in this suite rather than the main stage.{{cite news|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Kanye West Loses It Again, Says He'll 'Never Return To MTV': Report|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/0aqhpt/kanye-west-loses-it-again-says-hell-never-return-to-mtv-report|publisher=MTV|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=March 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304160918/https://www.mtv.com/news/0aqhpt/kanye-west-loses-it-again-says-hell-never-return-to-mtv-report|url-status=dead}} He criticized MTV for exploiting him and the opening act Britney Spears, who he complained was chosen when "Stronger" was "one of the No. 1 songs".{{cite news|title=Kanye: Britney And I Were Exploited|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kanye-britney-and-i-were-exploited/|publisher=CBS News|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180326/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kanye-britney-and-i-were-exploited/|url-status=live}} West performed a medley of the song with fellow album single "Good Life" at the premiere for season 33 of Saturday Night Live on September 28, 2007.{{cite magazine |author=Devin |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2007/09/30/video-kanye-west-on-saturday-night-live/ |title=Video: Kanye West on 'Saturday Night Live' |magazine=Rap-Up |date=September 30, 2007 |accessdate=April 12, 2024 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208085532/https://www.rap-up.com/2007/09/30/video-kanye-west-on-saturday-night-live/ |url-status=live }} During the launch party of the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX at Griffith Park in L.A. on October 17, West made a surprise appearance that included him performing the song.{{cite magazine| last=Halperin| first=Shirley| title=Things We Saw (and Heard) at the Kanye West T-Mobile Party| url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/10/17/things-we-saw-a/| date=October 17, 2007| magazine=Entertainment Weekly| access-date=April 26, 2024| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723042000/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/10/17/things-we-saw-a/| archive-date=July 23, 2012}}

West brought out Daft Punk as a surprise to perform a reworked version of the song for the 50th Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in L.A. on February 10, 2008, marking the duo's first televised live performance.{{cite web | title=Daft Punk Make Surprise Grammy Appearance With Kanye West | url=https://www.nme.com/news/daft-punk/34231 | work=NME | date=February 11, 2008 | access-date=February 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103101210/http://www.nme.com/news/daft-punk/34231 |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }} Daft Punk were accompanied by touchscreens and a pyramid inspired by Tron (1982), which was illuminated red to reveal them in an attire of this color and West rocked his shutter shades as he was backed by ultraviolet flames.{{cite web|last=Mojica|first=Frank|title=YouTube Live: Kanye West and Daft Punk get 'Stronger' at the Grammys|url=https://consequence.net/2010/11/youtube-live-kanye-west-and-daft-punk-get-stronger-at-the-grammys/|website=Consequence|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=April 26, 2024}} At the opening of Murakami's Brooklyn Museum exhibit on April 4, 2008, West performed the song with backing from strobe lights.{{cite magazine |last= Checkoway |first= Laura |title= Kanye West Gets the Art Crowd High at Intimate Brooklyn Gig |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/04/04/kanye-west-gets-the-art-crowd-high-at-intimate-brooklyn-gig/|date=April 4, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407235616/https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/04/04/kanye-west-gets-the-art-crowd-high-at-intimate-brooklyn-gig/ |archive-date=April 7, 2008}} From 2007 to 2008, West incorporated the song into setlists for his Glow in the Dark Tour. West performed the song an hour into his set at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee for the tour, ending the set early after negative crowd reactions.{{cite magazine |last=Millard |first=Drew |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/kanye-west-is-returning-to-bonnaroo-so-he-can-conquer-it-once-and-for-all/ |title=Kanye West Is Returning to Bonnaroo So He Can Conquer It Once and for All |access-date=April 26, 2024 |date=June 11, 2014 |magazine=Vice |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://www.vice.com/en/article/r3mg5r/kanye-west-is-returning-to-bonnaroo-so-he-can-conquer-it-once-and-for-all |url-status=live }} The rapper posted that he was heartbroken to not deliver the song's "greatest form" with an apology for lacking the ability to perform, admitting he sometimes spends two to three sleepless days improvising performances and saying: "I have to ice my knees after every show and they hurt when I walk through the airport."{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Kanye West Nearly Destroys Computer Blaming Bonnaroo, Pearl Jam For 4:30 A.M. Show|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/q5st74/kanye-west-nearly-destroys-computer-blaming-bonnaroo-pearl-jam-for-430-am-show|publisher=MTV|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://www.mtv.com/news/q5st74/kanye-west-nearly-destroys-computer-blaming-bonnaroo-pearl-jam-for-430-am-show|url-status=dead}} Dressed in an all red outfit, West performed "Stronger" at Z100's the Jingle Ball concert at NYC's Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2008.{{cite web| last=Dombal| first=Ryan| title=Live: Teenage Girls Run Z100's Jingle Ball| url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2008/12/live_teenage_gi.php| work=The Village Voice| date=December 15, 2008| access-date=April 7, 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421031609/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2008/12/live_teenage_gi.php| archive-date=April 21, 2009}}

West performed the song with an intro in February 2009 for the closing number of his live album VH1 Storytellers (2010), delivering a stripped-down version. The version largely omitted the Daft Punk sample and featured accompaniment from drummers at its breakdown, with lighting in the background.{{cite web|title=Video: Kanye West, 'Stronger' (Live on Vh1's Storytellers)|url=https://www.thefader.com/2009/02/25/video-kanye-west-stronger-live-on-vh1-s-storytellers|work=The Fader|date=February 25, 2009|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=May 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501111128/https://www.thefader.com/2009/02/25/video-kanye-west-stronger-live-on-vh1-s-storytellers|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Zoladz|first=Lindsay|title=Kanye West: VH1 Storytellers|url=http://cokemachineglow.com/records/kanyewest-vh1storytellers-2010/|work=Cokemachineglow|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180325/http://cokemachineglow.com/records/kanyewest-vh1storytellers-2010/|url-status=live}} West performed the song on Ellen DeGeneres' Bigger, Longer & Wider Show, which aired via TBS on June 27, 2009.{{Cite news |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2009/06/kanye-west-performs-stronger-live-on-ellens-bigger-longer-and-wider-show/ |title=Kanye West Performs 'Stronger' Live On Ellen's Bigger, Longer And Wider Show |author=Navjosh |date=June 28, 2009 |website=HipHop-N-More |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2009/06/kanye-west-performs-stronger-live-on-ellens-bigger-longer-and-wider-show/ |url-status=live }} The rapper closed his set at the 2009 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London with the song, wearing his shades and a black suit jacket. He appeared on elevated section of the stage while surrounded by four topless dancers that wore tiaras and body paint, bowing to the audience and declaring he loved them after the performance.{{cite web| title=Kanye West Closes Wireless Festival With Crystal-themed Show| url=https://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/45861| work=NME| date=July 6, 2009| access-date=December 28, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709072754/http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/45861| archive-date=July 9, 2009| url-status=live}} On August 6, 2009, West closed Casio G-Shock's the World event at Cipriani's on Wall Street with the song, afront a shifting digital display screen that counted down the time he was onstage.{{cite web| last=Reid |first=Shaheem | title=Kanye West Plays Intense, Brooding Set At New York G-Shock Party| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1617721/kanye-west-plays-intense-brooding-set-at-new-york-g-shock-party/| publisher=MTV| date=August 6, 2009| access-date=April 26, 2024| archive-date=January 20, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120144929/http://www.mtv.com/news/1617721/kanye-west-plays-intense-brooding-set-at-new-york-g-shock-party/| url-status=dead}} West performed the song at the Coachella Festival in 2011, after his earlier promise following performances of singles, "The hits ain't over yet. We just keep goin' and goin'."{{cite news|last=DiMeglio|first=Mary J|title=Kanye West Slays Coachella Festival's Last Night|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/bk6rsf/coachella-festival-kanye-west|publisher=MTV|date=April 15, 2011|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=February 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229133931/https://www.mtv.com/news/bk6rsf/coachella-festival-kanye-west|url-status=dead}} West altered lyrics about how he would "do anything for a blonde dyke" in the second verse of the track to be in the past tense, aimed at his ex-lover Amber Rose.{{cite news | last=Lilah | first=Rose | title=Kanye West Throws Subliminal Shots at Amber Rose | url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-throws-subliminal-shots-at-amber-rose-news.549.html | work=HotNewHipHop | date=April 20, 2011 | access-date=January 3, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401093532/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-throws-subliminal-shots-at-amber-rose-news.549.html | archive-date=April 1, 2019 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} Afterwards, rumors sprang of a backstage confrontation of Rose's then-boyfriend and rapper Wiz Khalifa with West at the festival. The rapper dismissed the rumors as made up, although he considered West's line "a low thing" where he would try not to become involved.{{cite magazine| last=Horowitz | first=Steven | title=Wiz Khalifa Dispels Rumors Of Kanye West Coachella Confrontation | url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.14914/title.wiz-khalifa-dispels-rumors-of-kanye-west-coachella-confrontation | magazine=HipHopDX | date=May 2, 2011 | access-date=January 3, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401134115/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.14914/title.wiz-khalifa-dispels-rumors-of-kanye-west-coachella-confrontation | archive-date=April 1, 2019 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} West opened his set for the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Lexington Avenue Armory in NYC with the song, wearing a Versace for H&M jacket, black leather pants, and Nike Air Yeezy 2s.{{cite magazine |last=Carpini Jr. |first=Gregory Delli |title=Kanye West, Jay-Z Rock The Runway At Victoria's Secret Fashion Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/465214/kanye-west-jay-z-rock-the-runway-at-victorias-secret-fashion-show |magazine=Billboard |access-date=30 November 2019 |date=10 November 2011 |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121043505/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/465214/kanye-west-jay-z-rock-the-runway-at-victorias-secret-fashion-show |url-status=live }} His introduction mentioned he cancelled a 2007 performance of it at the show after his mother's death, detailing that she went from his superhero to his "super-angel".{{cite news |last=Battan |first=Carrie |title=Watch Kanye, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj Perform on 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44756-watch-kanye-jay-z-nicki-minaj-perform-on-victorias-secret-fashion-show/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=April 26, 2024 |date=November 30, 2011 |archive-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218004414/https://pitchfork.com/news/44756-watch-kanye-jay-z-nicki-minaj-perform-on-victorias-secret-fashion-show/ |url-status=live }}

West included a shortened version of "Stronger" in a medley of over 10 songs for 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012, while rocking a Pyrex hoodie and leather kilt.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481422/12-12-12-concert-for-sandy-relief-setlist |title=12–12–12 Concert for Sandy Relief Setlist |access-date=August 10, 2021 |date=December 13, 2012 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923002634/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481422/12-12-12-concert-for-sandy-relief-setlist |archive-date=September 23, 2018}}{{cite magazine |last1=Pederson |first1=Erik |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-sandy-relief-concert-review-401440/ |title=The Concert for Sandy Relief: Concert Review |access-date=August 10, 2021 |date=December 12, 2012 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810080942/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-sandy-relief-concert-review-401440/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2012/12/12/video-kanye-west-and-alicia-keys-perform-at-12-12-12-the-concert-for-sandy-relief/ |title=Kanye West and Alicia Keys Perform at '12.12.12: The Concert for Sandy Relief' |access-date=August 10, 2021 |date=December 12, 2012 |magazine=Rap-Up |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810080942/https://www.rap-up.com/2012/12/12/video-kanye-west-and-alicia-keys-perform-at-12-12-12-the-concert-for-sandy-relief/ |url-status=live }} He delivered a performance of the song at the 2013 Governors Ball, backed by a modest DJ setup.{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Stacey |title=Kanye West Performs 'Yeezus' Songs at Governors Ball |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-performs-yeezus-songs-at-governors-ball-114131/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=April 28, 2021 |date=June 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428093802/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-performs-yeezus-songs-at-governors-ball-114131/ |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |url-status=dead }} West performed the song on The Yeezus Tour (2013–14), including a stripped-down version at a Brooklyn stop on November 21, 2013.{{cite web|title=Kanye West's Yeezus tour features 27-song setlist, giant mountain, Jesus Christ look-alike|url=https://consequence.net/2013/10/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-opener-featured-27-song-setlist-giant-mountain-jesus-christ-look-alike/|website=Consequence|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=April 28, 2024|archive-date=March 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301135350/https://consequence.net/2013/10/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-opener-featured-27-song-setlist-giant-mountain-jesus-christ-look-alike/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last=Catucci |first=Nick |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/11/24/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-madison-square-garden/ |title=On the scene: Kanye West's 'Yeezus' tour hits Madison Square Garden |access-date=April 28, 2024 |date=November 24, 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404173020/https://ew.com/article/2013/11/24/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-madison-square-garden/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Millard |first=Drew |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/yeezus-review-brooklyn/ |title=I Went to the Yeezus Tour Two Nights in a Row and It Took Me Into the Twilight Zone |access-date=April 28, 2024 |date=November 21, 2013 |magazine=Vice }} On February 25, 2014, West performed a five-minute medley of his greatest hits in chronological order by album on Late Night with Seth Meyers, including "Stronger".{{cite web | last1=Moorhouse | first1=Drusilla | title=Kanye West electrifies 'Late Night' with greatest hits medley | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/kanye-west-electrifies-late-night-greatest-hits-medley-2D12172324 | work=Today | date=February 26, 2014 | access-date=April 27, 2021 | archive-date=April 27, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427174641/https://www.today.com/popculture/kanye-west-electrifies-late-night-greatest-hits-medley-2D12172324 | url-status=live }} Despite the negative reactions to West's appearance at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festival, he appeared at the event again in 2014 and performed "Stronger".{{cite magazine |last=Paulson |first=Dave |title=Kanye West returns to Bonnaroo on his own terms |url=https://tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2014/06/14/kanye-west-returns-bonnaroo-terms/10512939/ |newspaper=The Tennessean |access-date=April 26, 2024 |date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240426085836/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2014/06/14/kanye-west-returns-bonnaroo-terms/10512939/ |archive-date=April 26, 2024 }} West stopped the song abruptly to ask the audience to "make some noise" for their enjoyment, questioning how many traveled long distances to attend and "don't give a fuck what the press says". He specified that his maximum effort was being delivered and his self-belief allows others to appreciate themselves, calling out the media trying to make him look crazy despite him performing for 90,000 people and comparing himself to renowned musicians Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Jim Morrison. West resumed the song and indicated that previous festival criticisms would be silenced, receiving a mixed crowd reaction after his speech.{{cite news|title=Kanye Returns To Bonnaroo -- But Second Coming Of Yeezus Divides Festival|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/z53o0h/kanye-west-bonnaroo-fans-divided|publisher=MTV|date=June 14, 2014|access-date=April 26, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426181827/https://www.mtv.com/news/z53o0h/kanye-west-bonnaroo-fans-divided|url-status=dead}} The rapper performed the song in L.A. for the final night of the Made in America Festival on August 31, 2014.{{cite magazine |last=Nostro |first=Lauren |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/lauren-nostro/kanye-west-made-in-america-day-two-los-angeles-performance |title=Watch Kanye West Perform at Los Angeles' 'Made in America' Festival |access-date=April 26, 2024 |date=September 1, 2014 |magazine=Complex |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://www.complex.com/music/a/lauren-nostro/kanye-west-made-in-america-day-two-los-angeles-performance |url-status=live }} On December 1, West performed "Stronger" at a concert on World AIDS Day, telling the DJ to end the instrumental when he left it playing past the full length.{{cite web |last=Golden |first=Zach |title=Watch Kanye West's Performance At The World AIDS Day Concert In Times Square |url=https://www.thefader.com/2014/12/01/livestream-world-aids-concert-times-square-kanye-west |website=The Fader |accessdate=January 21, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107002404/https://www.thefader.com/2014/12/01/livestream-world-aids-concert-times-square-kanye-west |archivedate=January 7, 2015 |date=December 2, 2014}} The rapper opened his headlining set at the 2015 Glastonbury Festival with the song, appearing a metre below several rows of lights.{{cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |title=I disrupted Kanye West's Glastonbury set for Taylor Swift, says Lee Nelson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/kanye-west-glastonbury-gig-interrupted-lee-nelson-stage-invasion |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 28, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714060538/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/kanye-west-glastonbury-gig-interrupted-lee-nelson-stage-invasion |url-status=live }} The crowd chanted along to the song despite the petitions against West's appearance gaining traction, while he wore a paint-covered denim jacket and jeans and walked around the stage twirling his microphone stand.{{cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |title=Kanye West at Glastonbury 2015 review – out on his own |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/kanye-west-at-glastonbury-2015-review-out-on-his-own |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 28, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150439/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/kanye-west-at-glastonbury-2015-review-out-on-his-own |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last1=Goodacre|first1=Kate|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/glastonbury-festival/a655359/kanye-west-brings-drama-to-glastonburys-pyramid-stage-you-are-watching-the-greatest-living-rock-star-on-the-planet/|title=Kanye West brings drama to Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage: 'You are watching the greatest living rock star on the planet'|publisher=Digital Spy|date=June 27, 2015|access-date=December 24, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427174641/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/glastonbury-festival/a655359/kanye-west-brings-drama-to-glastonburys-pyramid-stage-you-are-watching-the-greatest-living-rock-star-on-the-planet/|url-status=live}} West opened his set at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Pan American Games with the song, wearing his denim jeans and a blue jumper as he performed to around 30,000 people. The rapper then clapped his hands, laid down, and jumped around the stage, requesting the lights to be turned on for the "400 million people watching" worldwide.{{cite news |last=Powell |first=Emma |title=Kanye West storms off stage midway through Toronto Pan Am Games |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/kanye-west-storms-off-stage-midway-through-toronto-pan-am-games-10418006.html |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180326/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/kanye-west-storms-off-stage-midway-through-toronto-pan-am-games-10418006.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Bliss |first=Karen |title=Kanye West Throws Mic, Walks Off But Still Impresses at Pan Am Games Closing Ceremony |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-throws-mic-walks-off-but-still-impresses-at-pan-am-6642110/ |magazine=Billboard |date=July 26, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426180323/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-throws-mic-walks-off-but-still-impresses-at-pan-am-6642110/ |url-status=live }} West performed the song throughout his 2016 Saint Pablo Tour, including an L.A. stop where Canadian musician Drake danced as he rapped along on October 26.{{cite news |last=Doherty |first=Mike |title=Kanye West tour review – Saint Pablo's floating stage takes Yeezy to new heights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/01/kanye-west-saint-pablo-tour-review |newspaper=The Guardian |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714091559/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/01/kanye-west-saint-pablo-tour-review |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Olivier |first=Bobby |title=Kanye West plays it straight at (surprisingly) focused NYC concert |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2016/09/kanye_west_msg_nyc_concert_2016_review_photos_vide.html |publisher=NJ.com |date=September 5, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428104802/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2016/09/kanye_west_msg_nyc_concert_2016_review_photos_vide.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Roth|first=Madeline|title=Drake Went To Kanye's Saint Pablo Tour And Danced Like No One Was Watching|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2o899q/drake-danced-kanye-saint-pablo-tour|access-date=April 28, 2024|publisher=MTV|date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428104801/https://www.mtv.com/news/2o899q/drake-danced-kanye-saint-pablo-tour|url-status=dead}}

File:Allison Williams on Inauguration Day, January 21, 2013 (1).jpg at Barack Obama's 2013 inauguration|Allison Williams, acting as the character Marnie, performs the song as a slower and stripped down love ballad in the 2013 TV series Girls, after she had rapped it during her rehearsals.]]

Rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars delivered a cover of "Stronger" in their genre for Jo Whiley's edition of the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge in September 2007; they won the Ultimate Live Lounge Cover for their version and presenter Fearne Cotton gave them a clay trophy for winning.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Colin |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/another-sell-out-show-for-30-seconds-to-mars-1-711339/ |title=Another sell-out show for 30 Seconds to Mars |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |date=January 31, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150633/https://prebid-server.rubiconproject.com/setuid?bidder=amx&uid=64796614-05f9-4314-b09b-a4986c346644&do=www.edp24.co.uk |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2007/09/jared_leto_more_daft_than_punk.html |title=Jared Leto More Daft Than Punk |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |date=September 18, 2007 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133425/https://www.vulture.com/2007/09/jared_leto_more_daft_than_punk.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p013wz1c/p013wz6p|title=Panic sets in as Jared Leto's leg wobbles - Fearne Cotton - Fearne's Live Lounge trophy challenge|publisher=BBC Radio 1|access-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107093132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p013wz1c/p013wz6p|archive-date=November 7, 2016|url-status=live}} Thirty Seconds to Mars said that covering the song for the radio station "helped change our lives" by gathering a wider audience to their pleasure and it was also included on the bonus disc of the band's 2009 album This Is War, alongside the West collaboration "Hurricane 2.0".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/31VCDKMZD8TSgCZH09j1dYM/thirty-seconds-to-mars-just-performed-the-most-magical-mash-up-of-all-time-in-the-live-lounge|title=Radio 1's Live Lounge - Thirty Seconds to Mars just performed the most magical mash-up of all time in the Live Lounge|publisher=BBC Radio 1|access-date=May 8, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150519/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/31VCDKMZD8TSgCZH09j1dYM/thirty-seconds-to-mars-just-performed-the-most-magical-mash-up-of-all-time-in-the-live-lounge|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=K. |first=Simon |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/80395/Thirty-Seconds-to-Mars-This-Is-War/ |title=Review: Thirty Seconds to Mars - This Is War |website=Sputnikmusic |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150455/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/80395/Thirty-Seconds-to-Mars-This-Is-War/ |url-status=live }} On January 25, 2012, BadBadNotGood released a bluegrass cover of the song with a music video that offers an anti-bullying message.{{cite magazine |last=Martin |first=Andrew |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrew-martin/video-string-trio-performs-bluegrass-cover-of-kanye-wests-stronger |title=Video: String Trio Performs Bluegrass Cover of Kanye West's 'Stronger' |access-date=May 8, 2024 |date=January 25, 2012 |magazine=Complex |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133425/https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrew-martin/video-string-trio-performs-bluegrass-cover-of-kanye-wests-stronger |url-status=live }} In a March 2013 episode of the HBO show Girls, actress Allison Williams performs the song as a slow, stripped down love ballad as Marnie at the birthday party of the character's ex-boyfriend Charlie.{{cite news|last=Kathiya|first=Henna|title=Kanye West's 'Stronger' Covered On HBO's 'Girls'|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/fde4h5/kanye-west-stronger-covered-on-hbo-girls|access-date=May 8, 2024|publisher=MTV|date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.mtv.com/news/fde4h5/kanye-west-stronger-covered-on-hbo-girls|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Allison Williams Talks About Performing Kanye West's 'Stronger' For 'Girls' On 'Late Night' (Video) |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/allison-williams-kanye-stronger-girls-video_n_2865900 |newspaper=HuffPost |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518152450/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/allison-williams-kanye-stronger-girls-video_n_2865900 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Cruz|first=Gilbert|title=Watch Marnie Sing a Mortifying Cover of Kanye West's 'Stronger' From Last Night's Girls|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/03/watch-allison-williams-sing-a-kanye-west-cover.html?mid=twitter_vulture|access-date=March 11, 2013|work=Vulture|url-access=limited|date=August 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313225124/http://www.vulture.com/2013/03/watch-allison-williams-sing-a-kanye-west-cover.html?mid=twitter_vulture|archive-date=March 13, 2013}} Williams imparted that despite rapping the song when rehearsing her script, she was told by Lena Dunham it would instead be a ballad for the episode. On February 12, 2017, the actress admitted that she has not been able to watch the performance in full, admitting that she was relieved during a HBO playback session when the song's part in the episode was not shown.{{cite web |last=Harnick |first=Chris |title=Allison Williams Reveals the Girls Moment She's Afraid to Relive |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/828350/allison-williams-reveals-the-girls-moment-she-s-afraid-to-relive |website=E! News |date=February 12, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518152451/https://www.eonline.com/news/828350/allison-williams-reveals-the-girls-moment-she-s-afraid-to-relive |url-status=live }}

On August 27, 2007, A-Trak premiered his remix of the song, altering the Daft Punk sample and adding a new beat with synths.{{cite web|title=Audio: Kanye West, 'Stronger (A-Trak Remix)'|url=https://www.thefader.com/2024/05/17/new-music-friday-stream-new-projects-from-beth-gibbons-draag-lip-critic-and-more|work=The Fader|date=August 27, 2007|access-date=May 18, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518152451/https://www.thefader.com/2024/05/17/new-music-friday-stream-new-projects-from-beth-gibbons-draag-lip-critic-and-more|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=New Kanye West – 'Stronger (A-Trak Remix)'|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.stereogum.com/6254/new_kanye_west_stronger_atrak_remix/news/|work=Stereogum|date=August 28, 2007|access-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729135630/https://www.stereogum.com/6254/new_kanye_west_stronger_atrak_remix/news/|archive-date=July 29, 2017}} "Stronger" was used for the trailer of the 2007 film The Kingdom.{{cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Cynthia |url=https://www.popmatters.com/the-kingdom-2496208852.html |title=The Kingdom |website=PopMatters |date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518152955/https://www.popmatters.com/the-kingdom-2496208852.html |url-status=live }} Katie Holmes played the song for her 10-hour weekly workouts to prepare for the year's NYC Marathon, during which she listened to it repeatedly in the last six miles.{{cite news |title=Holmes takes New York |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/01/15/holmes-takes-new-york/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=January 15, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508084929/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/01/15/holmes-takes-new-york/ |archive-date=May 8, 2024 }}{{cite magazine |last=Tucker |first=Alexa |title=15 Celebrities Who've Finished the New York City Marathon |url=https://www.self.com/gallery/celebrities-who-finished-the-new-york-city-marathon |magazine=Self |access-date=May 8, 2024 |date=November 6, 2017 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.self.com/gallery/celebrities-who-finished-the-new-york-city-marathon |url-status=live }} On November 19, 2007, the song was included on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 68.{{cite web | title=Now That's What I Call Music! 68 [UK] – Various Artists | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/now-thats-what-i-call-music%21-68-uk--mw0002397411 | publisher=AllMusic | access-date=May 9, 2024 | archive-date=May 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509160126/https://www.allmusic.com/album/now-thats-what-i-call-music!-68-uk--mw0002397411 | url-status=live }} The New York Giants made their entrance to the song at Super Bowl XLII, before their game against the New England Patriots that they won.{{cite news | last=Landoli | first=Kathy | title=Kanye West's 'Stronger' Named Greatest Workout Song Of All Time | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/chpweb/kanye-wests-stronger-named-greatest-workout-song-of-all-time | publisher=MTV | date=April 11, 2011 | access-date=May 8, 2024 | archive-date=May 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518152956/https://www.mtv.com/news/chpweb/kanye-wests-stronger-named-greatest-workout-song-of-all-time | url-status=dead }} It appears in an action scene of Never Back Down, a 2008 film about high school mixed martial artists. The Jabbawockeez danced to the song to celebrate being crowned champions of the first season finale of America's Best Dance Crew on April 4, 2008.{{cite news |last=Natividad |first=Tim |url=https://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/article/89844 |title=News Bites |publisher=UCLA International Institute |date=April 4, 2008 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/article/89844 |url-status=live }} At the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the New York Rangers made their entrance to the song.{{cite web |last=Hauner |first=Thomas |url=https://www.popmatters.com/activity-placement-why-kanye-needs-us-and-we-need-him-2496140694.html |title=Activity Placement: Why Kanye Needs Us and We Need Him |website=PopMatters |date=July 13, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.popmatters.com/activity-placement-why-kanye-needs-us-and-we-need-him-2496140694.html |url-status=live }} On January 21, 2009, it was featured in a promotional video for Animal Planet's new show Jockeys.{{cite magazine |title=This week in Music Licensing |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/this-week-in-mu-4/ |magazine=BrooklynVegan |access-date=May 8, 2024 |date=January 21, 2009 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508134927/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/this-week-in-mu-4/ |url-status=live }}

Leo Flynn produced a Rockabye Baby! CD that consisted of instrumental lullaby renditions of West's tracks and was released on May 18, 2010, including "Stronger" as the third track.{{cite web|last=Young|first=Alex|title=Kanye West's music turned into baby lullabies|url=https://consequence.net/2010/04/kanye-wests-music-turned-into-baby-lullabies/|work=Consequence|date=April 16, 2010|access-date=April 8, 2024|archive-date=April 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408112952/https://consequence.net/2010/04/kanye-wests-music-turned-into-baby-lullabies/|url-status=live}}{{cite web| title=Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West| url=http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/lullaby-renditions-of-kanye-west-2140.html| publisher=Rockabye Baby!| access-date=May 20, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628062233/http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/lullaby-renditions-of-kanye-west-2140.html| archive-date=June 28, 2016| url-status=dead}} In 2011, the song was used in the tennis video game Top Spin 4.{{cite web | last=Manuel | first=José | title=cultura sampleada en la babel contemporánea. | url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/7337701.pdf | publisher=Universidad de La Rioja | language=Spanish | date=2020 | access-date=May 8, 2024 | archive-date=May 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/7337701.pdf | url-status=live }} It is featured in a slow motion scene of the wolfpack boarding an airplane to Thailand in the 2011 film The Hangover Part II, marking the second instance of West's music being used in all three installments of The Hangover.{{cite web|last1=Mason|first1=Aiden|title=The Five Best Uses of Kanye West Songs In Movies|url=https://www.tvovermind.com/five-best-uses-kanye-west-songs-movies/|website=TVOM|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2024|archive-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124231907/https://tvovermind.com/five-best-uses-kanye-west-songs-movies/|url-status=live}} On April 2, 2012, fellow rapper Moses Stone performed a mashup of "Stronger" with West's 2010 single "Power" for the second season of The Voice.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/voice-recap-send-clowns-134530083.html|title=The Voice Recap: Send in the...Clowns|last=Slezak|first=Michael|publisher=Yahoo! Entertainment|date=April 3, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=May 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509160126/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/voice-recap-send-clowns-134530083.html|url-status=live}} The rapper sang the song's hook in the style of a gospel ballad, moving into a rap for the first verse where he censored the profanity.{{cite web|url=https://popcrush.com/moses-stone-stronger-power-the-voice/|title=Moses Stone Is 'Stronger' and Shows His 'Power' on 'The Voice'|last=Sager|first=Jessica|work=PopCrush|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=May 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509160127/https://popcrush.com/moses-stone-stronger-power-the-voice/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Berkowitz |first1=Joe |title='The Voice' Recap: Go Nuts, Go Apebits |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/the-voice-recap-go-nuts-go-apebits-51214/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=May 9, 2024 |date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610135733/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/the-voice-recap-go-nuts-go-apebits-51214/ |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |url-status=live }} He was backed by dancers, including an acrobat that handspringed his way off the stage at the top of the performance.

File:Mayor John Tory at the podium (18973642014).jpg on stage in 2015|John Tory used the song to soundtrack a parody video about West in 2015, set on the Toronto subway.]]

In 2014, pop rap artist G-Eazy closely interpolated lyrics from the song on his track "Let's Get's Lost" that features Devon Baldwin.{{cite news | last=Fu | first=Eddie | title=G-Eazy's New Song 'Charles Brown' Interpolates Kanye West's 'Heard 'Em Say' | url=https://genius.com/a/g-eazy-s-new-song-charles-brown-interpolates-kanye-west-s-heard-em-say | publisher=Genius | date=December 17, 2017 | access-date=May 9, 2024 | archive-date=October 27, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027115052/https://genius.com/a/g-eazy-s-new-song-charles-brown-interpolates-kanye-west-s-heard-em-say | url-status=live }} After mistakenly calling West a Canadian rapper when he was asked about him performing at the 2015 Pan American Games, Toronto mayor John Tory used "Stronger" in a parody video. The mayor grooved to the song when waiting on a platform of the Toronto subway and found a story about West's then-wife Kim Kardashian when he read Rolling Stone on the train; the video was taken down by the copyright holder, despite Tory's office insisting it was made for fun.{{cite news | title=Kanye West parody video starring John Tory 'withheld' over copyright | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kanye-west-parody-video-starring-john-tory-withheld-over-copyright-1.3157389 | publisher=CBC News | date=July 17, 2015 | access-date=May 8, 2024 | archive-date=May 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133413/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kanye-west-parody-video-starring-john-tory-withheld-over-copyright-1.3157389 | url-status=live }} In November 2016, the song was featured in a commercial for the video game Watch Dogs 2.{{cite web |title=Lo spot televisivo di Watch Dogs 2 |trans-title=The Watch Dogs 2 TV commercial |url=https://it.ign.com/watch-dogs-2/118232/trailer/lo-spot-televisivo-di-watch-dogs-2 |website=IGN Italy |language=Italian |date=November 7, 2016 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508133425/https://it.ign.com/watch-dogs-2/118232/trailer/lo-spot-televisivo-di-watch-dogs-2 |url-status=live }}

File:Daft Punk 2007.jpg performing on Alive 2007|The sample of Daft Punk was seen as a key part in the song's electronica influence across hip hop, and sales of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" rose after its release and the duo's Alive 2007 album tour (pictured).]]

Considered one of West's most radio-friendly songs,{{cite magazine| title=Readers' Poll: The Ten Best Kanye West Songs| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-ten-best-kanye-west-songs-20130626/8-stronger-0486998| magazine=Rolling Stone| date=June 26, 2013| access-date=October 2, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010122021/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-ten-best-kanye-west-songs-20130626/8-stronger-0486998| archive-date=October 10, 2014| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}} "Stronger" has been credited with not only influencing hip hop artists to incorporate electronica elements into their music,{{cite magazine|last=Frere-Jones|first=Sasha|title=Back To Earth|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/05/27/back-to-earth|magazine=The New Yorker|url-access=limited|date=May 20, 2013|access-date=May 12, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513193457/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/05/27/back-to-earth|url-status=live}} but also with playing a part in the revival of disco-infused music in the late 2000s. The song was looked at as a turning point in how the talents of West were viewed in his career and it brought him more commercial success.{{cite web| last=Britton| first=Luke Morgan| title='Stronger' at 10 – how the Daft Punk-sampling track was the turning point in Kanye West's career| url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/kanye-west-stronger-10-anniversary-2119541| work=NME| date=August 1, 2017| access-date=January 3, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103161303/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/kanye-west-stronger-10-anniversary-2119541| archive-date=January 3, 2019| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}}{{cite web| last=Fletcher| first=Harry|title=Top 10 Kanye West songs ever – we rank Ye's hottest tracks in order| url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/top-10-kanye-west-songs-ever-we-rank-ye-s-hottest-tracks-in-order-a3853411.html| work=Evening Standard| date=June 1, 2018| access-date=January 3, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103211747/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/top-10-kanye-west-songs-ever-we-rank-ye-s-hottest-tracks-in-order-a3853411.html| archive-date=January 3, 2019| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}} In a piece for NME, Luke Morgan Britton saw the song as the transition between the rapper's self-declared "'Old Kanye' and the more avant-garde, era-defining and zeitgeist-defining music" he later moved towards. Britton elaborated that West diversified his influences for Graduation by taking on electronic and indie music from across the world, noting the former genre on the song particularly changed hip hop's sound and demonstrated his "Midas-like touch" by epitomizing an era with his production, attributing this to the Daft Punk sample. Breihan noted for Stereogum that the song represented the biggest and most successful example of West moving towards "theme songs for people", which were set for sing-alongs and sounding anthemic after his stadium tours. The song helped bring Daft Punk to prominence in the US; Rolling Stone staff gave credit for "the beginning of the group's path to mainstream success". Following its release and Daft Punk's Alive 2007 tour, sales of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" went from 1,000 per week to between 5,000 and 7,000.{{cite web |last=Vontz |first=Andrew |title=Entertainers of the Year: Daft Punk |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/01/entertainers-year-daft-punk/ |magazine=Spin |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204031451/https://www.spin.com/2008/01/entertainers-year-daft-punk/ |archive-date=4 February 2020 |date=2 January 2008 |url-status=live}}

Following the song's music video in 2007, West's shutter shades became popular across the world, particularly in the hip hop community. The shades were sold on the Glow in the Dark Tour and also worn by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon, and Paris Hilton, while imitation copies were on sale for $5 at shopping malls and gas stations. West received a phone call requesting for a jacket like his one in the visual from Michael Jackson, who was an idol to him. He re-uses the "I need you right now" refrain of the song on the outro to "On Sight", a track from 2013's Yeezus.{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/kanye-west-yeezus-1798177119|title=Kanye West: Yeezus|last=Rytlewski|first=Evan|newspaper=The A.V. Club|date=June 17, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202718/https://music.avclub.com/kanye-west-yeezus-1798177119|archive-date=December 10, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} On August 3, "Stronger" was used in the BBC Radio 1Xtra episode "10 Moments That Made Kanye West".{{cite web |title=1Xtra's Rewind, 10 Moments That Made Kanye West |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0379kpk |publisher=BBC Radio 1 Xtra |access-date=May 22, 2019 |date=August 3, 2013 |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101232645/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0379kpk |url-status=live }}

In 2011, "Stronger" was voted the greatest workout song of all time after topping the nationwide "March Music Madness" poll of Gold's Gym.{{cite web |title=Kanye West's 'Stronger' Crowned Greatest Workout Song of All Time |work=Gold's Gym |url=http://www.goldsgym.com/press_release/kanye-wests-stronger-crowned-greatest-workout-song-of-all-time-in-golds-gyms-march-music-madness/ |publisher=Gold's Gym |access-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805163011/http://www.goldsgym.com/press_release/kanye-wests-stronger-crowned-greatest-workout-song-of-all-time-in-golds-gyms-march-music-madness/ |archive-date=5 August 2017 |date=7 April 2011}} The song was ranked as the third best feel-good record from a black musical act by The Boombox in 2011, while it was named as the 25th best hip hop workout song of all time by Men's Health in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/20-feel-good-songs-by-great-black-artists/|title=20 Best Feel-Good Songs by Great Black Artist|work=The Boombox|date=June 7, 2011|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518153606/https://theboombox.com/20-feel-good-songs-by-great-black-artists/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=The 50 Best Hip-Hop Workout Songs of All Time |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28675233/the-50-best-hip-hop-workout-songs-of-all-time/ |magazine=Men's Health |access-date=May 13, 2024 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513193457/https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28675233/the-50-best-hip-hop-workout-songs-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, Time crowned the song as the 31st best workout record of all time and uDiscoverMusic placed it at number one on their list, with Louis Chilton hailing the influence on pop and hip hop.{{cite magazine |last=Bruner |first=Raisa |title=The 50 of the Best Workout Songs to Motivate You |url=https://time.com/5502429/best-workout-songs/ |magazine=Time |access-date=May 13, 2024 |date=January 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729124330/https://time.com/5502429/best-workout-songs/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Chilton |first=Louis |title=Best Workout Songs: 20 Tracks To Help You Get In Shape |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-workout-songs/ |website=uDiscoverMusic |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214155109/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-workout-songs/ |archive-date=14 February 2020 |date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live}} The song was ranked by as the 28th best Hot 100 number-one of the 2000s decade by Cleveland.com in 2021, whose author Troy L. Smith felt that West was the only rap act able to masterfully sample Daft Punk and produce a hip hop song "this centered on EDM". In 2024, Time Out selected it as their 13th best running song.{{cite magazine |last1=Kryza |first1=Andy |last2=Wetheimer |first2=Kate |title=33 best running songs |url=https://www.timeout.com/music/best-running-songs |magazine=Time Out |access-date=May 9, 2024 |date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509160126/https://www.timeout.com/music/best-running-songs |url-status=live }}

The track is included in the 2015 edition of Robert Dimery's book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book |last1=Dimery |first1=Robert |title=1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die |publisher= Cassell Illustrated |date=October 1, 2015 |isbn=978-1844038800}} "Stronger" was named as the sixth most popular workout song on Spotify in 2021, based on the data of appearances on playlists for working out.{{cite magazine |last=Cooper |first=Edward |title=These Are The 20 Most Popular Workout and Exercise Tracks |url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/lifestyle/a36142847/spotify-workout-songs-pure-gym-study/ |magazine=Men's Health |access-date=April 24, 2024 |date=April 16, 2021 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424132217/https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/lifestyle/a36142847/spotify-workout-songs-pure-gym-study/ |url-status=live }} It was named as the platform's sixth most popular workout in 2021, based on the data of appearances on playlists for working out. As of December 25, 2023, the song has reached 1.3 billion streams on the platform, standing as the most streamed release from Graduation.{{cite news | last=Alexandria | first=Lavender | title=Kanye West's 'Graduation' Reaches 5 Billion Total Spotify Streams | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/748029-kanye-west-graduation-5-billion-streams-hip-hop-news | work=HotNewHipHop | date=December 25, 2023 | access-date=April 29, 2024 | archive-date=April 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429123727/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/748029-kanye-west-graduation-5-billion-streams-hip-hop-news | url-status=live }} In a 2024 analysis of appearances on motivational playlists of Spotify and Apple Music, "Stronger" was ranked as the most motivational song.{{cite news |last=Knight |first=Rob |title=Top 10 most motivational songs - from Kanye West hit to Eye Of The Tiger |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/going-out/music/top-10-most-motivational-songs-31918668 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=April 24, 2024 |date=January 19, 2024 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424130715/https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/going-out/music/top-10-most-motivational-songs-31918668 |url-status=live }}

European CD single

1. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Album Version)
2. "Stronger" (Album Version)

CD single

1. "Stronger" (Album Version) – 5:15
2. "Stronger" (Instrumental) – 5:15
3. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Album Version) – 4:32
4. "Stronger" (Video)

Digital download{{cite web |title=Stronger / Can't Tell Me Nothing - Single by Kanye West |url=https://music.apple.com/pl/album/stronger-cant-tell-me-nothing-single/1444441489 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510091917/https://music.apple.com/pl/album/stronger-cant-tell-me-nothing-single/1444441489 |url-status=live }}

1. "Stronger" – 5:12
2. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" – 4:32

Information taken from Graduation liner notes.

Recording

• Recorded at Ape Sounds (Tokyo, Japan), Sony Music Studios (NYC) and The Record Plant (Hollywood, CA)
• Mixed at Larrabee North Studios (Universal City, CA) and Battery Studios (NYC)

Personnel

{{Div col|colwidth=21em}}

• Kanye West{{spaced en dash}} songwriter, production
• Thomas Bangalter{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
• Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
• Edwin Birdsong{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
• Mike Dean{{spaced en dash}} keyboards, guitars, extended outro
• Timbaland{{spaced en dash}} additional programming, drum programming, sound design the drums
• Seiji Sekine{{spaced en dash}} recording
• Andrew Dawson{{spaced en dash}} recording
• Anthony Kilhoffer{{spaced en dash}} recording
• Manny Marroquin{{spaced en dash}} mix engineer
• Kengo Sakura{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• Bram Tobey{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• Jason Agel{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• Nate Hertweck{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• Jared Robbins{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• La Mar "Mars" Edwards{{spaced en dash}} keyboards
• Andy Chatterley{{spaced en dash}} keyboards

{{Div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Stronger"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Platinum|number=8|refname="octuple"|relyear=2007|certyear=2020|access-date=April 24, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Kanye West|title=Stronger|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|access-date=March 10, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|nocert=true|salesamount=152,000|note=Digital downloads|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/07/idUS228425+07-Jan-2009+BW20090107|title=The Nielsen Company 2008 Canadian Music Industry Report|date=January 7, 2009|access-date=October 23, 2021|publisher=Reuters|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114200459/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/07/idUS228425%2B07-Jan-2009%2BBW20090107|archive-date=November 14, 2012}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Kanye West|title=Stronger|award=Platinum|refname="Ifpi"|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2022|id=11039|access-date=February 15, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Kanye West|title=Stronger|type=single|award=Gold|refname="GGold"|number=5|relyear=2007|certyear=2023|access-date=May 4, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|refname="Italy"|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2007|certyear=2019|access-date=October 21, 2019|id=7241}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Gold|refname="Radios"|relyear=2007|relmonth=7|certyear=2007|certmonth=11|source=archive}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Platinum|refname="SpainCert"|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|access-date=November 19, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2007|certyear=2025|refname="Bpi"|id=6343-997-1|access-date=March 28, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Stronger|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Platinum|number=11|refname="diamond"|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Stronger|note=Mastertone|artist=Kanye West|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|digital=true|certref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

• Akira (1988 film)
• Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
• List of best-selling singles in Australia
• List of best-selling singles in the United States
• List of Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles of 2007
• List of number-one singles from the 2000s (New Zealand)
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 2000s
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2007
• List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of 2007
• Yeezus

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090308031632/http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/west_kanye/stronger/19668572/lyrics.jhtml "Stronger" lyrics] at MTV
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011053718/http://music.yahoo.com/Kanye-West/Stronger/lyrics/47359630 "Stronger" lyrics] at Yahoo! Music

{{Kanye West songs}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2007 singles

Category:2007 songs

Category:Alternative hip-hop songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Electronica songs

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance

Category:Kanye West songs

Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Roc-A-Fella Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Timbaland

Category:Song recordings produced by Kanye West

Category:Songs about robots

Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies

Category:Songs written by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo

Category:Songs written by Kanye West

Category:Songs written by Mike Dean (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Thomas Bangalter

Category:Songs written by Timbaland

Category:Thirty Seconds to Mars songs

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles