Late Registration

Late Registration is the second of Kanye West's planned four education-themed studio albums, following the major success of his 2004 debut The College Dropout.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=121}}{{cite magazine|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/late-registration-20050825|title=Late Registration|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=August 25, 2005|access-date=April 20, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620210112/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/late-registration-20050825|archive-date=June 20, 2012}} The album showcased his signature production style of using sped-up vocal samples from soul records, known as "chipmunk soul".{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=121}} However, because of its success, other hip-hop artists widely imitated this sampling style. In response to this, and fearing his own dependence on the technique, West decided to find a new sound and progress in both songwriting and stylistic range.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=121}} West enlisted the film score composer and record producer Jon Brion for Late Registration, resulting in Brion serving as co-executive producer for several tracks. The rapper heard and liked Brion's score while watching the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and also listened to songs he had produced for the singer-songwriter Fiona Apple's second album, When the Pawn... (1999).{{sfn|Brown|2006|pp=121—122}} Apple was another one of West's favorite acts and sources of musical inspiration for Late Registration,Perez, Rodrigo (August 12, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20051105015432/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml "Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration"] MTV. . Retrieved March 2, 2006.{{sfn|Brown|2006|pp=121—122}} whose direction West described as "that Coldplay, Portishead, Fiona Apple style". Portishead's 1994 album Dummy was another reference point for West's direction with the album.{{sfn|Brown|2006|pp=121—122}}

Brion was inexperienced in creating hip-hop records when initially collaborating with West, yet the two were able to productively work together after only one afternoon in the studio when they discovered that neither confined his musical knowledge and vision to any specific genre.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=124}} Discussing Late Registration differing in direction from standard hip-hop, Brion said, "There are colors and ideas that make [the album] different from average hip-hop, but Kanye is already different from the average hip-hop guy. He's got this sense of pop record-making which is really solid, and he likes tracks with a lot of things going on in them – which is not necessarily common for hip-hop. He was already barking up that tree."

File:CAM 4037 (175437630) (cropped).jpg composer Jon Brion (shown in 2006) assisted with the album's production.]]

West spent approximately two million USD to produce Late Registration, recording it in slightly over a year.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=120}} The majority of the recording sessions for the album took place at Sony Music Studios in New York City and the Record Plant in Hollywood, California; further sessions were held at other Hollywood locations Chalice Recording Studios and Grandmaster Recording Studios. In June 2004, the rapper made plans to begin recording material after finishing his support of R&B singer Usher's Truth Tour.Reid, Shaheem (June 22, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20040702152659/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488612/20040622/west_kanye.jhtml?headlines=true "Kanye West's Videos: 'Jesus Walks' ... And Walks ... And Walks"] MTV. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025115745/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488612/jesus-walks-three-times-new-kanye-videos.jhtml |date=October 25, 2012 }}. Retrieved January 7, 2009. By November, West had completed around 75 percent of the album.Moss, Cory (November 18, 2004) [https://web.archive.org/web/20041121044320/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493950/20041118/west_kanye.jhtml "Kanye West And John Mayer Collaborate But Won't Elaborate"] MTV. . Retrieved August 25, 2007. However, he felt unsatisfied with the outcome and this led to Brion becoming involved in March 2005, which drastically altered the project's direction.

The album's recording sessions between West and Brion were largely exploratory, as the pair experimented with a broad spectrum of sounds. West would construct a song's basic structure, bringing in a sample, drum beat programming, and occasionally unfinished rap verses.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=121}} After thinking through what musical direction to take, he would then select from a variety of unique instruments that Brion both provided and played, including drums and strings. With the instruments, West attempted to incorporate a distinctive sound into the song's texture.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=123}} West envisioned the recording as the creation of a film: visualizing the songs as scenes, outlining each in such a way that they efficiently conveyed their respective social or introspective context, and ensuring all were synchronized within the fabric of the complete set.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=121}} This sentiment was shared by Brion who said, "He thinks in frequency ranges. I can recognize when someone sees music architecturally, which is how I work. I see it as a spatial thing: left to right, front to back, up and down. It's animated and it's moving in real time. Kanye has that. He tries things out until it fits, until it sits where it is supposed to sit and everything has the correct emotional function."{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=123}}

For Late Registration, West also collaborated with guest artists, whom he selected based on the effect each of their voices had on him upon hearing them. He cited the serene vocals of pop rock band Maroon 5's lead vocalist Adam Levine, the trademark voice of Brandy, the rap skill of his frequent collaborator Jay-Z, and the lyricism of fellow rapper Paul Wall as primary examples.{{cite news |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1511372/10122005/west_kanye.jhtml |title=Kanye West: Greatness, Perfection, Gucci |publisher=VH1 |date=October 12, 2005 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027222703/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1511372/10122005/west_kanye.jhtml |archive-date=October 27, 2005 }} Levine is featured on the album's opening track, "Heard 'Em Say". The two had previously collaborated on a remix for "This Love" (2004) that Maroon 5 commissioned West to work on and later became good friends when sitting together on a flight to Rome for the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards.Moss, Cory (October 20, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20051217123112/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511892/20051020/west_kanye.jhtml?headlines=true "Kanye, Kids Run Amok In Surreal Macy's For New Clip"] MTV. . Retrieved January 6, 2009. While playing songs from his second album via his iPod for him on the flight, West presented the demo for "Heard 'Em Say", to which Levine added a hook he had recently written and thought was an ideal fit. The song was recorded quickly because the singer only had a couple of hours free for studio time, and Brion was able to effectively work with the composition and Levine's vocal track in a few hours.

West originally produced and recorded "Gold Digger" at Ludacris's home in Atlanta, Georgia, for fellow rapper Shawnna's 2004 debut album Worth tha Weight. He had written the chorus from a female first-person viewpoint, though Shawnna ultimately passed the song on to him. West then rewrote the two verses from his own point of view and shortly before the release of "Gold Digger" in 2005, he penned a third verse; the final recording and mastering was done at Sony Music Studios in a week. After he saw singer Jamie Foxx's portrayal of singer-songwriter Ray Charles when watching the 2004 film Ray with his friend John Mayer, West decided to have him sing an interpolation of Charles' song "I Got a Woman". Once the track was in place, it was layered with additional instruments that Brion contributed.Reid, Shaheem (February 1, 2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20060206031529/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1522995/20060201/story.jhtml "Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Kanye West's 'Gold Digger'"] MTV. . Retrieved August 22, 2007.

Wall appears alongside West and his GOOD Music labelmate GLC on "Drive Slow". It was recorded in Los Angeles after the two had formed a friendship while posing for a photo shoot for an August 2005 issue of King, in a spread titled "Coming Kings".Reid, Shaheem (September 9, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071223082222/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509248/20050909/wall_paul.jhtml "Paul Wall Puts His Album Aside To Help Hurricane Survivors"] MTV. . Retrieved June 17, 2006. West had originally wanted British-Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. to appear on the track, but she opted out of the appearance due to a busy schedule.{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Hattie|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/kanye-west/7752|title=Kanye West : Late Registration|website=NME|date=September 5, 2005|access-date=December 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001060145/http://www.nme.com/reviews/kanye-west/7752|archive-date=October 1, 2005}}{{cite magazine |last=Ahmed |first=Isanul |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kanye-west-late-registration/ |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Kanye West's 'Late Registration' |website=Complex |date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012256/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kanye-west-late-registration/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-status=live }} "My Way Home" is performed solely by West's GOOD Music associate and fellow rapper Common, whose sixth studio album Be was being produced and recorded by West alongside Late Registration. Certain tracks originally produced by West for the former turned into beats for his own work.{{cite magazine|author=Cohen, Jonathan|title=West Shows Off 'Diamonds' With Jay-Z|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63168/west-shows-off-diamonds-with-jay-z|magazine=Billboard|date=April 22, 2005|access-date=June 17, 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723054411/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/63168/west-shows-off-diamonds-with-jay-z|archive-date=July 23, 2013}} 107 tracks were recorded during a Pro Tools session for "Bring Me Down"—48 of which were solely sung by Brandy— and the editing process for the tracks lasted one day.{{cite web|last=Baeur|first=Craig|title=Recording & Mixing Kanye West|website=Sound on Sound|date=February 2006|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-mixing-kanye-west|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217082520/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-mixing-kanye-west|archive-date=February 17, 2018|url-status=live}}

West first crafted "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" as a song about his friendship with his crew, until he learned of the civil war in Sierra Leone financed by conflict diamonds and re-recorded it.{{cite news |last1=Boyd |first1=Brian |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/taking-the-rap-for-bloody-bling-1.1292800 |title=Taking the rap for bloody bling |access-date=March 14, 2022 |date=March 16, 2007 |newspaper=The Irish Times |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719060919/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/taking-the-rap-for-bloody-bling-1.1292800 |url-status=live }} While the original version of the song featured West as the sole performer, he decided to record a remix with a guest verse provided by Jay-Z. Both the original and remix versions of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" appear on the album, with the former included as a bonus track. The original contains live drums played by Michel Gondry, the director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and later the first music video for "Heard 'Em Say"; he had visited the studio one day when a drum kit was set up by Brion. According to Jay-Z, West mixed "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" about 14 times before he felt comfortable with premiering it.Reid, Shaheem (April 20, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20050423195659/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1500482/20050420/west_kanye.jhtml "Kanye, Jay-Z Give An Early Peek At West's Late Registration"] MTV. . Retrieved June 17, 2006. The recording was further delayed when West and Brion were required to wait two weeks to rent the harpsichord that they used for the percussion.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=129}} West recorded a verse by fellow rapper Nas for the track "We Major", even though the rapper was engaged in a feud with Jay-Z at the time. Despite this, West revealed that the song is regarded by Jay-Z as his favorite on Late Registration.Fleischer, Adam (August 29, 2015). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150830042749/http://www.mtv.com/news/2254609/kanye-west-late-registration-jay-z-nas-beef/ "Kanye West Explains How He Got In The Middle Of The Jay Z And Nas Beef"] MTV. . Retrieved March 14, 2022. "Hey Mama" was first recorded by West as early as 2000.Patel, Joseph (June 5, 2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090504171249/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472302/20030604/index.jhtml?headlines=true "Producer Kanye West's Debut LP Features Jay-Z, ODB, Mos Def"] MTV. . Retrieved April 21, 2009.

Brion experienced difficulty conducting a 20-piece orchestra for "Celebration", as its musicians were distracted when giggling at West's humorous lyrics. West and Brion had some minor discord for "Roses"; Brion initially layered it with keyboard arrangements, only for West to remove his keys along with the beat and completely reconfigure the entire song so that the verses are built around the rhythm of his vocals, while Brion's arrangements arrive during the choruses. Brion later lightheartedly compared the indecision surrounding the construction of the track to that of Prince's well-known last-minute removal of the bassline from "When Doves Cry" (1984). Singer Patti LaBelle recalled having contributed vocals to "Roses": "I was in [West's] studio one night, and he and his mother both asked if I'd just sing something on this song." The singer further stated that she was not credited because the album's liner notes "had already been printed up".{{Cite web|last=Frampton|first=Scott|url=http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Patti-LaBelles-Favorite-Music|title=What's Playing in Patti LaBelle's Ear?|work=O|date=February 2006|access-date=August 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911051640/http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Patti-LaBelles-Favorite-Music|archive-date=September 11, 2016}}

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| quote = West's prize catch, audibly enriching at least half [the] songs, is co-producer Jon Brion ... adding an unprecedented third element to West's proven meld of hitbound soul hooks and rhythm tracks made or played. There's never been hip-hop so complex and subtle musically.

| source = —Robert Christgau{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-08-30/music/growing-by-degrees/|title=Growing by Degrees – Kanye West adds new subtlety, complexity, and Jon Brion to the idea of sophomoric|date=August 30, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025012008/http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-08-30/music/growing-by-degrees/|archive-date=October 25, 2008|website=The Village Voice|access-date=October 6, 2009}}

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The music of Late Registration blends West's primary hip-hop production with Brion's elaborate orchestration and experimentally delves into a wide variety of genres, including pop, R&B, soul, and G-funk. With the presence of Brion, who conducted a 20-piece orchestra and played instruments chosen by West, the album is largely orchestral in nature, featuring string arrangements,{{cite web | author=Cummings, Jozen | title=Kanye West: Late Registration – Music Review | url=https://popmatters.com/music/reviews/w/westkanye-lateregistration2.shtml | work=PopMatters | date=August 29, 2005 | access-date=March 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715094302/http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/w/westkanye-lateregistration2.shtml | archive-date=July 15, 2009 | url-status=dead }} drums, gospel choirs, a 360 digital keyboard, guitars, pianos, and brass,{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Micah|url=https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/30/16040824/a-toast-to-the-best-song-on-kanye-wests-late-registration-b71e30279c8b|title=A Toast to the Best Song on Kanye West's 'Late Registration'|publisher=The Ringer|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203104922/https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/30/16040824/a-toast-to-the-best-song-on-kanye-wests-late-registration-b71e30279c8b|url-status=live}} among other symphonic instrumentation. Brion further incorporated authentic instruments, such as a celesta, Chamberlin,{{cite web|title=Jon Brion|website=Mixonline|date=November 1, 2005|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/jon-brion-365570|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025041/https://www.mixonline.com/recording/jon-brion-365570|archive-date=February 16, 2018|url-status=live}} harpsichord, Chinese bells, and berimbau.

In a piece about Late Registration, Serena Kim of Vibe magazine noted how West uses unconventional styles and sudden musical shifts in song structures, drawing comparisons to the Beatles' experimental era.{{cite news | author= Kim, Serena| title=Kanye West – Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella)| url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/09/kanye_west_late_registration/ | magazine= Vibe| date=September 12, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019070701/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/09/kanye_west_late_registration/|archive-date=October 19, 2006| access-date=April 12, 2007}} Kim observed a heavy difference between the album and West's previous work, stating, "West ambitiously attempts to depart from the street sensibilities of Dropout by giving Late Registration a shiny, quasi-alt-pop finish." Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield concurred with this sentiment, analyzing that West "claims the whole world of music as hip-hop turf", taking on a "mad quest to explode every cliché about hip-hop identity". The album has been described as a work of pop rap by Caleb Wossen of the Dallas Observer.{{cite news|last=Wossen|first=Caleb|date=March 3, 2017|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/tony-williams-is-so-world-famous-it-s-his-nickname-but-you-probably-don-t-know-why-9237272|title=Tony Williams Is So 'World Famous' It's His Nickname, But You Probably Don't Know Why|newspaper=Dallas Observer|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627184924/http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/tony-williams-is-so-world-famous-it-s-his-nickname-but-you-probably-don-t-know-why-9237272|archive-date=June 27, 2018|url-status=live}}

File:West performing.jpg", and "Celebration".|alt=West accompanied by an orchestra]]

The first full track on Late Registration, "Heard 'Em Say" exhibits a cascading piano melody provided by excerpts of "Someone That I Used To Love", as performed by Natalie Cole, embellished over tumbling beats, a bass synthesizer, and brief plucks of acoustic guitar.{{cite web |url=http://www.virginmedia.com/music/reviews/singlereviews/kanyewest_heardemsay.php |title=Kanye West – Heard 'Em Say Review |publisher=Virgin Media |date=December 5, 2005 |access-date=August 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071011082555/http://www.virginmedia.com/music/reviews/singlereviews/kanyewest_heardemsay.php |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=dead }} The song's intricately composed outro features the last vocals fading out as various bells and whistles are incorporated, succeeded by the bass synthesizer. "Touch the Sky" stands as the sole song on the album not to feature production by West. The song was produced by fellow Roc-A-Fella producer Just Blaze, who uses a slowed-down sample of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" (1970), filled with Latin horns.{{cite web | last=Jones | first=Lucy | title=Kanye's 'Yeezus' – Why His Sampling Still Sets Him Apart | url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/kanyes-yeezus-why-his-sampling-still-sets-him-apart-23200 | date=June 17, 2013 | work=NME | access-date=July 7, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102193518/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/kanyes-yeezus-why-his-sampling-still-sets-him-apart-23200 | archive-date=January 2, 2019 | url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-6u53go_Q1oC&pg=PA99 |title=The Man Who Would Be King |magazine=Spin |date=September 2005 |access-date=November 25, 2015 |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |pages=99–100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603190230/https://books.google.com/books?id=-6u53go_Q1oC&pg=PA99 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |via=Google Books}} "Gold Digger" contains an interpolation of "I Got a Woman" by Charles and a bouncy beat that relies on handclaps, accompanied by scratches from West's touring DJ A-Trak. Towards the end, the song employs vintage synthesizers, which are joined by a honking keyboard.{{cite web|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|title=Natural Born Show-off|website=The Guardian|date=August 4, 2005|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/05/kanyewest|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217082908/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/05/kanyewest|archive-date=February 17, 2018|url-status=live}}Frere-Jones, Sasha (August 22, 2005). [https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/08/22/050822crmu_music1?currentPage=all "Overdrive"] The New Yorker. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217223920/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/08/22/050822crmu_music1?currentPage=all |date=December 17, 2013 }}. Retrieved March 23, 2008. West's production approach is simplified for "Drive Slow", a song that contains a looped sample of the alto sax from Hank Crawford's recording of the 1973 track "Wildflower" by Skylark,{{cite web|last=Pettie|first=Andrew|title=Pop CDs of the Week...|website=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=subscription|date=August 13, 2005|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3645780/Pop-CDs-of-the-week-Kanye-West-The-Rakes-Supergrass-and-more.html|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163414/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3645780/Pop-CDs-of-the-week-Kanye-West-The-Rakes-Supergrass-and-more.html|archive-date=April 6, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=McGovern|first1=Kyle|last2=Jenkins|first2=Craig|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/10/eminem-every-song-ranked/|title=All 289 Eminem Songs, Ranked|work=Spin|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2022|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403024129/http://www.spin.com/2014/10/eminem-every-song-ranked/|url-status=live}} before slowing down the sample towards the end, which is antithetical to West's "chipmunk soul"-styled loops.Henderson, Eric (August 31, 2005). [https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kanye-west-late-registration/618 "Review: Late Registration"] Slant Magazine. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210132725/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kanye-west-late-registration/618 |date=February 10, 2011 }}. Retrieved February 5, 2011.

The interlude "My Way Home" contains a sample of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" (1971) by Gil Scott-Heron. "Bring Me Down" has more orchestration than any other track on Late Registration, including string arrangements, violins, and cello. The structure of "Addiction" contains synths, congas, strings, and elements of Etta James's "My Funny Valentine" (1937). All the while, West's vocals go through heavy overdubbing.{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/arts/music/29choi.html?scp=1&sq=a%20producer%20in%20another%20star&st=cse|title=A Producer in Another Star Turn|work=The New York Times|url-access=registration|date=August 29, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820071538/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/arts/music/29choi.html?scp=1&sq=a%20producer%20in%20another%20star&st=cse|archive-date=August 20, 2011|access-date=October 6, 2009}} "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" is built around a sample of Shirley Bassey's theme song for the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, layering it with lush instrumental arrangements that feature drums,Empire, Kitty (August 28, 2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/28/popandrock.shopping1 "West Ends the Wait"] The Observer. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919095125/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/28/popandrock.shopping1 |date=September 19, 2014 }}. Retrieved September 4, 2005. horns, strings, and a harpsichord.{{sfn|Brown|2006|p=129}}

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}}

Late Registration{{'}}s longest track, the seven-minute-long "We Major", implements exuberant, amplified backing vocals and a "splashy disco groove" featuring a bassline, electric piano glissandos, and horns.{{cite book|last=Schaller|first=Robert C. Jr.|title=Kanye West: A Biography|publisher=ABC-Clio|via=Google Books|year=2009|isbn=9780313374616|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmtFCQAAQBAJ&q=kanye+west+we+major+horns&pg=PA62|access-date=February 13, 2018|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930071803/https://books.google.com/books?id=pmtFCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=kanye+west+we+major+horns&source=bl&ots=AbuXwISCF2&sig=TNqZobBRbTWOB-aaaD2XqOx7LjI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwis2cL6iaLZAhVFmuAKHX7yA6w4ChDoATAAegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=kanye%20west%20we%20major%20horns&f=false|url-status=live}} The melody of "Hey Mama" is laced with a looped "La-la-la" vocal sample from the 1972 track "Today Won't Come Again" by Donal Leace, while its beat contains Tin Pan Alley-styled drums. Additionally, the song features vocoder-processed background vocals, a xylophone solo, and a cascading synth outro.{{cite web|last=Fennessey|first=Sean|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8768-late-registration/|title=Kanye West: Late Registration|work=Pitchfork|date=August 25, 2005|access-date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114074156/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/23266-late-registration|archive-date=January 14, 2009}} "Celebration" is a cinematic-styled song that includes contributions from a 20-piece orchestra and contains a sample of the KayGees's "Heavenly Dream" (1979). A columnist for The Guardian described the song as evoking "the lavish 1970s psychedelic soul of Rotary Connection".

Some of the most elaborate orchestral arrangement expressed on the album is contained within its final official track "Gone". The composition begins with a vocal sample of "It's Too Late" (1965) by Otis Redding that develops into a two-chord piano ostinato, followed by a simplistic funk beat. As the song progresses, its structure gradually morphs and experiences growing musicality. The composition later adds a string arrangement from ten violinists, four violists, and four cellists, which initially comes in brief staccato bursts and acts as a counterpoint to the rise and fall of West's voice. After its third verse, the song enters an instrumental passage.

File:Kanye West in Portland.jpg

According to Time magazine's Josh Tyrangiel, Late Registration acts as a demonstration of West's deliberate storytelling mode.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1142059,00.html|title=Best of 2005: Music|magazine=Time|url-access=subscription|last=Tyrangiel|first=Josh|author-link=Josh Tyrangiel|date=December 16, 2005|access-date=March 14, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913022308/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1142059,00.html|archive-date=September 13, 2006}} West stated that his goal for the album was to touch on topics that people from all walks of life could find relatable, while remaining true to himself, intending his rapping to be "just as ill as Jadakiss and just as understandable as Will Smith". University of North Carolina scholar Kevin Pyon sees Late Registration as a continuation from The College Dropout in demonstrating how West's Christian heritage has informed his relationship to the capitalist market economy. In his analysis, the album reaffirms West's "paradoxical articulation of market and religion—that is, his simultaneous sacred critique and secular valorization of capitalism". The scholar elaborated that West being an authentic Christian "does not replace or merge with his market authenticity as a materialistic rapper but co-exists with it in uneasy tension".{{cite journal|last=Pyon|first=Kevin|year=2019|title=Towards an African-American Genealogy of Market and Religion in Rap Music|pages=363–384|journal=Popular Music and Society|volume=42|issue=3|doi=10.1080/03007766.2018.1458275|s2cid=194135145|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007766.2018.1458275?journalCode=rpms20|via=Taylor & Francis Online|access-date=July 24, 2021|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724205203/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007766.2018.1458275?journalCode=rpms20|url-status=live}} West later told Berlin-based artist Tino Sehgal in 2021 that being "under capitalist rule" is "killing us" and declared, "It's time to change that."{{cite news|last=Waite|first=Thom|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/55094/1/kanye-west-talks-capitalism-communes-staging-his-own-funeral-rehearsal-032c|title=Kanye West talks capitalism, communes, and staging his own funeral|work=Dazed|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220113033/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/55094/1/kanye-west-talks-capitalism-communes-staging-his-own-funeral-rehearsal-032c|url-status=live}} Robert Christgau summed up West's lyrical persona to be "mammon in practice, Christ in spirit".

"Heard 'Em Say" is told from the perspective of an afflicted, impoverished American quietly lamenting the fallacies of society and questioning the ways of the world around him. According to rap scholar and author Mickey Hess, West's lyrics contemplate "being honest with yourself in a world that is not".{{sfn|Hess|2007|p=573}} On "Touch the Sky", West expresses wonder about his good fortune, while also admitting that his mistakes helped him with songwriting despite trying to put them right. West speaks about women that drain men of the money in their pockets on "Gold Digger", accompanied by Jamie Foxx's ad libbing. However, another story arises within the third verse, which illustrates a formerly destitute black male who abandons a non-gold digger for a white woman. "Drive Slow" acknowledges car culture and features West reflecting on when he was young, poor, and ambitious. In West's description, "Crack Music" delves into "how crack was placed in the black community". West delivers poetry on "Roses", which sees him criticizing the quality of American health care.

The remix of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" references the deaths of many civilians in diamond mines, as well as reiterating the tension between criticizing consumerism and failing to resist it.Crosley, Hillary (June 14, 2005). [https://archive.today/20130104010139/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504091/20050614/index.jhtml?headlines=true "'Diamonds' Remix: Kanye Raps About Rocks, Jay Raps About Roc"] MTV. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930071802/http://www.mtv.com/news/1504091/diamonds-remix-kanye-raps-about-rocks-jay-raps-about-roc/ |date=September 30, 2020 }}. Retrieved August 20, 2011. Jay-Z appears towards the end of the remix, focusing on his ongoing feud with Dame Dash. The original version is included as a bonus track, featuring West linking Sierra Leone's civil war to the jewellery trade. The extended raps on "We Major" are a spiritual exultation of generational and personal success,{{sfn|Hess|2007|p=573}} followed by Kanye's dedication to his mother Donda West on "Hey Mama". In the latter song, Kanye West recounts his mother being supportive of him even though he was doing the opposite of what she desired. West looks at the idea of abandoning fame on "Gone", thinking about a simpler life.

File:AlphaCabinet.jpg board members at a banquet in Washington, D.C., 2006. West critiques institutions such as historically black colleges on the album for not properly helping African Americans.|alt=Alpha Phi Alpha Board members at Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC. for the centennial banquet.]]

Similarly to The College Dropout, a series of skits are voiced by comedian DeRay Davis throughout Late Registration.{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Killian|title=Ranking: Every Kanye West Album From Worst to Best|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/02/ranking-every-kanye-west-album-from-worst-to-best/5/|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=Consequence|date=February 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427120601/https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/02/ranking-every-kanye-west-album-from-worst-to-best/5/|archive-date=April 27, 2018|url-status=live}} They involve a fictional black fraternity called "Broke Phi Broke", which West's character joins. The members pride themselves in living a life without money or worldly possessions, despite the clear disadvantages such a lifestyle brings.{{sfn|Hess|2007|p=574}} West's character is eventually expelled from the fraternity after the leader discovers that not only has he been making beats for cash on the side, but has also broken some of its rules, such as eating meals everyday, buying new clothes, and taking showers. According to Hess, the skits serve to encapsulate "a contradiction at the core of contemporary American life: the need to belong, to fit in, with your fellow humans versus the Darwinistic mad grab at material things, success in the latter being the very definition of success in our culture".{{sfn|Hess|2007|p=574}} The album's critique of higher education, including historically black colleges and universities, as a useless institution for African Americans is considered by some scholars to be a variation of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's theories connecting education to social and cultural reproduction.{{cite book|page=96|last=Reynolds|first=Pauline J.|year=2014|title=Representing "U": Popular Culture, Media, and Higher Education|publisher=Wiley|isbn=9781118966235}} According to academic journalist Chris Richardson, West advances "a theme critical of institutional education and the broader social distinctions it produces" that is specifically connected to Bourdieu's concept of symbolic violence, which is "defined as the ability to impose meanings while concealing their underlying power relations".{{cite journal|last=Richardson|first=Chris|pages=97–112|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007766.2011.539831|access-date=July 24, 2021|title='Can't Tell Me Nothing': Symbolic Violence, Education, and Kanye West|year=2011|volume=34|issue=1|journal=Popular Music and Violence|doi=10.1080/03007766.2011.539831|s2cid=56118993|via=Taylor & Francis Online|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724224620/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007766.2011.539831|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}

The fraternity theme is revisited towards the end of the album on the UK edition bonus track "We Can Make It Better", featuring guest raps from Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common, and Rhymefest over a sped-up sample of "Make It Easy on Yourself", as covered by the Three Degrees. In his lyrics, West addresses a girl as a tour guide through her first day on a college campus while trying to alleviate her fears of dating black men in the aftermath of an abusive relationship. The guest rappers offer observations on urban threats such as exploitative criminals, drug addicts, and dangerous police officers, concluding with Rhymefest's blame of government tactics in terrorizing African Americans.{{sfn|Beaumont|2015|p=188}} On the Japanese and Australian Tour editions bonus track "Back to Basics", West explores the materialist-conscious rapper contrast.{{cite magazine|last=Greene|first=Jayson|date=July 20, 2006|url=http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/mick-boogie-kanye-west/second-semester-kanye-essentials-2.html|title=Mick Boogie & Kanye West – Second Semester (Kanye Essentials #2) – Review|magazine=Stylus Magazine|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516030705/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/mick-boogie-kanye-west/second-semester-kanye-essentials-2.html|url-status=live}}

Late Registration was originally set to be released on July 12, 2005, but was pushed back to August 16 by West's record labels Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.Cohen, Jonathan (June 15, 2005). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62580/new-kanye-disc-bumped-to-august "New Kanye Disc Bumped To August"] Billboard. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620021129/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62580/new-kanye-disc-bumped-to-august |date=June 20, 2015 }}. Retrieved June 17, 2006. The release date was postponed once more to August 30, 2005, for which over 1,600,000 copies were distributed to stores in preparation because the album was expected to be the best-selling record of the year.{{cite web|last=Tyrangiel|first=Josh|date=August 21, 2005|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html|title=Why You Can't Ignore Kanye|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907051433/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html|archive-date=September 7, 2009|magazine=Time|url-status=dead|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 14, 2006}} On the iTunes Store, it became one of the most pre-ordered titles in history up to September 2005.Rashaun, Alyssa (September 1, 2005). [http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2005/09/run_dmc_kanye_west_camron_itunes/ Run DMC, Kanye West, Cam'Ron All Over iTunes] Vibe. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123113828/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2005/09/run_dmc_kanye_west_camron_itunes/ |date=November 23, 2005 }}. Retrieved August 19, 2011.

File:Kanye West Portland Vertigo Tour 2005.jpg's Vertigo Tour in late 2005|alt=Kanye West performing for U2's concert.]]

An advertising campaign for Late Registration was directed by Maggie Rogers and Paul Tuersley, while commissioned by Rachel Paley. It was produced by Abby Johnson for Mr & Mrs Smith Design. At the 2006 Cads Music Vision Awards, the campaign received a nomination for Best Music TV Commercial.{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=20272§ioncode=1|title=Video Makers Celebrate at Cads 06|work=Music Week|date=June 6, 2006|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714142922/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=20272§ioncode=1|archive-date=July 14, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2006}} Late Registration was released for online streaming via AOL Music on August 30, 2005.{{cite news|author=Susman, Gary|title=Trend Watch: Streaming Entire Albums|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2005/08/download_this_n.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 30, 2005|access-date=September 4, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018190248/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2005/08/download_this_n.html|archive-date=October 18, 2005}} That same day, West made an in-store appearance at the Tower Records location in New York's Lincoln Center to autograph copies of the album for fans.[https://web.archive.org/web/20071218011309/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1508210/20050823/west_kanye.jhtml "For The Record: Quick News On Kanye West, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Fall Out Boy, Radiohead & More"] MTV. . August 23, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2005 In September 2005, Def Jam announced tour dates across North America from October to December of that year for West's Touch the Sky Tour, titled after the song.Reid, Shaheem (September 14, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20160731135853/http://www.mtv.com/news/1509583/kanye-announces-north-american-tour-dates/ "Kanye Announces North American Tour Dates"] MTV. .Retrieved March 22, 2022 West was supported by Common, Keyshia Cole, and Fantasia on the tour.Reid, Shaheem (October 12, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141207034655/http://www.mtv.com/news/1511361/kanye-west-made-sure-to-touch-the-sky-at-tour-launch/ "Kanye West Made Sure To Touch The Sky At Tour Launch"] MTV. . Retrieved March 22, 2022 Common had cancelled his involvement, until he performed with West for the Touch the Sky Tour's kickoff show at the University of Miami Convocation Center on October 11, 2005. After he finished the tour's first leg, West supported Irish rock band U2 for four dates of their Vertigo Tour at the end of 2005.{{sfn|Beaumont|2015|p=212}} West later performed five UK dates on the Touch the Sky tour in 2006 and during the last show at the NEC Arena in Solihull, two security guards were shot.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/mar/01/kanyewest|title=Two shot at Kanye West gig|website=The Guardian|date=March 1, 2006|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322123214/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/mar/01/kanyewest|url-status=live}} The rapper was then supposed to support U2's Australian concerts on their Vertigo Tour in March 2006, but the shows were postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/kanye-keeps-dates-for-solo-shows-20060310-ge1whu.html|title=Kanye keeps dates for solo shows|website=The Age|date=March 10, 2006|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322123214/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/kanye-keeps-dates-for-solo-shows-20060310-ge1whu.html|url-status=live}}

The art direction and music packaging design for Late Registration were both handled by Brooklyn graphic design studio Morning Breath, Inc, while Louis Marino served as creative director. The photography was done by Sarah A. Friedman and Kris Yiengst, the latter of which also did art coordination. Styling and grooming were handled by Charlene Roxborough and Ibn Jasper, respectively, for the company Partos, while Doug Joswick was responsible for package production. Similar to the cover art of The College Dropout, the artwork features West's "Dropout Bear" mascot, showing it at a child's size and stood in the center of two large wooden doors at Princeton University.{{cite magazine |last1=Pasori |first1=Cesar |last2=McDonald |first2=Leighton |url=https://www.complex.com/style/2013/06/the-design-evolution-of-kanye-wests-album-artwork/late-registration |title=The Design Evolution of Kanye West's Album Artwork |website=Complex |date=June 17, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319093730/https://www.complex.com/style/2013/06/the-design-evolution-of-kanye-wests-album-artwork/late-registration |url-status=live }} The mascot has goggle eyes, perky ears, and a collegian outfit, wearing a blazer with a school insignia.{{cite web|last=Heffernan|first=Virginia|author-link=Virginia Heffernan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/magazine/10wwln-medium-t.html?pagewanted=all|title=Kanye on Keyboards|work=The New York Times|url-access=registration|date=August 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306032603/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/magazine/10wwln-medium-t.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=March 6, 2014|access-date=March 17, 2009|url-status=live}} In the album booklet, Dropout Bear appears in the university, sitting alone in classrooms and reads books before exiting. The booklet includes a banner that reads Tardus Subcriptio, translated as Late Registration. West's vision for the style of the pictures was inspired by the works of American satirical painter John Currin, one of his favorite artists.

In a preview of Late Registration on April 20, 2005, West appeared on New York radio station Hot 97 and premiered "Diamonds from Sierra Leone". The following month, the song was serviced to US mainstream radio stations as the album's lead single by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |title=Available for Airplay |work=FMQB |access-date=March 20, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050502162806/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archive-date=May 2, 2005 }} It charted at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot 100, alongside reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|title=Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/hsi/|access-date=March 20, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082906/https://www.billboard.com/music/kanye-west/chart-history/HSI|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14958/kanye-west/|title=Kanye West {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220235353/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14958/kanye-west/|url-status=live}} "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" has been certified platinum in the US by the RIAA for amassing 1,000,000 certified units, while the BPI has awarded it with a silver certification for sales of 200,000 units.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Diamonds+from+Sierra+Leone&format=Single&type=#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Kanye West – Diamonds from Sierra Leone|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112559/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Diamonds+from+Sierra+Leone&format=Single&type=#search_section|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/15940-997-1|title=Award – Kanye West – Diamonds from Sierra Leone|publisher=BPI|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112556/https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/15940-997-1|url-status=live}} An accompanying music video was debuted on June 15, 2005, in which rough scenes of young children mining for diamonds are juxtaposed with shots of West rapping through the streets of Prague.{{cite web |last1=Rashbaum |first1=Alyssa |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2005/06/kanye_talks_diamonds_remix/ |title=Kanye Gets Conscious on 'Diamonds' Remix |access-date=March 20, 2022 |date=June 15, 2005 |work=Vibe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510102610/https://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2005/06/kanye_talks_diamonds_remix/ |archive-date=May 10, 2008 }}{{cite magazine |last1=Elibert |first1=Mark |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8528219/the-20-best-hype-williams-directed-music-videos |title=Hype Williams' 20 Best Videos: Watch |access-date=March 20, 2022 |date=August 26, 2019 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301171810/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8528219/the-20-best-hype-williams-directed-music-videos |url-status=live }} On July 5, "Gold Digger" was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations as the second single from Late Registration, through West's labels.{{cite journal |title=The best use their best |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-07-01.pdf |page=22 |journal=Radio & Records |date=July 1, 2005 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |via=World Radio History |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309115657/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-07-01.pdf |url-status=live }} The song was a smash hit, topping the Hot 100, ARIA Singles Chart, and NZ Singles Chart.{{cite web| last=Mackie| first=Drew| title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Kanye West's 'Gold Digger,' 10 Years Later| url=https://people.com/celebrity/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kanye-wests-gold-digger-10-years-later/| magazine=People| date=October 14, 2015| access-date=March 20, 2022| archive-date=March 23, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323202638/https://people.com/celebrity/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kanye-wests-gold-digger-10-years-later/| url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/this-week-in-2005|title=This Week In... 2005|publisher=ARIA|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208215126/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/this-week-in-2005|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index?chart=1349|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Official New Zealand Music Chart|date=October 24, 2005|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209194927/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index?chart=1349|url-status=dead}} It experienced similar success on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at the second position. In September 2020, "Gold Digger" received an octuple platinum certification from the RIAA for pushing 8,000,000 certified units in the US, standing as one of the best-selling singles digitally in the country.{{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|access-date=March 20, 2022|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}} The song was later certified triple platinum by the BPI for selling 1,800,000 units in the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/8579-2322-1|title=Award – Kanye West Ft Jamie Foxx – Gold Digger|publisher=BPI|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307012856/https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/8579-2322-1|url-status=live}}

On October 24, 2005, "Heard 'Em Say" was issued on a 12" vinyl as the album's third single by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.{{cite web |title=Kanye West - Heard em say feat. Adam Levine of Maroon 5 - Vinyl 12" - 2005 - US - Original |url=https://www.hhv.de/shop/en/item/kanye-west-heard-em-say-feat-adam-levine-of-maroon-5-46109 |publisher=HHV |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531032856/http://www.hhv.de/shop/en/item/kanye-west-heard-em-say-feat-adam-levine-of-maroon-5-46109 |url-status=live }} The song peaked at numbers 26 and 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, respectively. It has been awarded a platinum certification by the RIAA for shelving 1,000,000 certified units in the US.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Heard+%27Em+Say&format=Single&type=#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Kanye West – Heard 'Em Say|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112557/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Heard+%27Em+Say&format=Single&type=#search_section|url-status=live}} The song's first music video depicts a Christmas world in Macy's flagship New York store, while the second one utilizes animation and shows West taking on the role of a cab driver in an imaginary city.{{cite web|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=December 18, 2005|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/arts/music/18joe.html|title=Kanye West: Rapper and Reanimator|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220094317/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/arts/music/18joe.html?_r=1|archive-date=December 20, 2013|magazine=The New York Times|url-status=live|url-access=registration|access-date=March 20, 2022}} "Touch the Sky" was released on a digital EP in the UK as the fourth single from Late Registration on January 1, 2006, through West's labels.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/touch-the-sky-ep/1445289795 |title=Touch The Sky – EP by Kanye West |publisher=Apple Music (GB) |access-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112557/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/touch-the-sky-ep/1445289795 |url-status=live }} The song reached number 42 on the Hot 100, while it debuted at number six on the UK Singles Chart. "Touch the Sky" has been certified platinum by both the RIAA and BPI in the US and UK, respectively, having amassed 1,000,000 certified units in the former country and pushed 600,000 units in the latter.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Touch+the+Sky&format=Single&type=#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Kanye West – Touch the Sky|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112556/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Touch+the+Sky&format=Single&type=#search_section|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/10777-3267-1|title=Award – Kanye West Ft Lupe Fiasco – Touch the Sky|publisher=BPI|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709093109/https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/10777-3267-1|url-status=live}} The song's music video was debuted in February 2006 and features West portraying the character "Evel Kanyevel", preparing to travel across the Grand Canyon in homage to Evel Knievel's unsuccessful 1974 jump across the Snake River Canyon.{{Cite magazine |last=Ryan |first=Amy |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/02/21/snap_judgment_k-5/ |title=Snap Judgment: Kanye West's 'Touch the Sky' video |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 21, 2006 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112556/https://ew.com/article/2006/02/21/snap_judgment_k-5/ |url-status=live }} On June 6, "Drive Slow" was released on a 12" vinyl as the album's fifth and final single by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam.{{cite AV media notes |year=2006 |title=Drive Slow |type=track listing |publisher=Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam |id=ROC-1201}} The song was later certified gold by the RIAA for shelving 500,000 certified units in the US.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Drive+Slow+%28feat.+Paul+Wall%2C+GLC%29&format=Single&type=#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – Kanye West – Drive Slow|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320112559/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=Drive+Slow+(feat.+Paul+Wall,+GLC)&format=Single&type=#search_section|url-status=live}} An accompanying music video was filmed, featuring cameos from Wall and fellow rapper T.I.{{cite web |last= West |first= Kanye |title= Kanye West >> Drive Slow |publisher=MTV |url=http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/west_kanye/videos/88050/drive_slow |access-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004414/http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/west_kanye/videos/88050/drive_slow |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}

{{Album ratings

| title = Late Registration ratings

| MC = 85/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/late-registration-mw0000344292|title=Late Registration – Kanye West|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=October 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326174106/https://www.allmusic.com/album/late-registration-mw0000344292|archive-date=March 26, 2019|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Blender

| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Weiner|first=Jonah|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=3485|title=Kanye West: Late Registration|magazine=Blender|date=September 2005|access-date=November 4, 2016|page=130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504061306/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=3485|archive-date=May 4, 2006}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B+{{cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/08/29/late-registration/|title=Late Registration|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101035414/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1098308,00.html|archive-date=November 1, 2009}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,11712,1551791,00.html|title=Kanye West, Late Registration|newspaper=The Guardian|date=August 19, 2005|access-date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907054327/http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,11712,1551791,00.html|archive-date=September 7, 2008}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite news|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Hilburn|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-28-ca-kanyereview28-story.html|title=West connects with heart and sophistication|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 25, 2005|access-date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031142040/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/28/entertainment/ca-kanyereview28|archive-date=October 31, 2009}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 8/10

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7score = 9.5/10

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8score = {{rating|5|5}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9score = B+

| rev10 = USA Today

| rev10score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2005-08-29-kanye_x.htm|title=Kanye West's 'Registration' is right on time|newspaper=USA Today|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014031510/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2005-08-29-kanye_x.htm|archive-date=October 14, 2016|url-status=live}}

}}

Late Registration was met with widespread critical acclaim.{{cite web|last=Ruiz|first=Eric M.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna56024182|title=3 Entrepreneurial Lessons to Learn From Kanye West|publisher=NBC News|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727072808/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna56024182|archive-date=July 27, 2022|url-status=dead}} At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 85, based on 31 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/late-registration/kanye-west|title=Reviews for Late Registration by Kanye West|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=March 22, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717035934/http://www.metacritic.com/music/late-registration/kanye-west|archive-date=July 17, 2012}} Reviewers generally regarded it as far superior to The College Dropout.{{cite news|last=Kyles|first=Kyra|date=August 26, 2005|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-26-0508260400-story.html|title=Better with Age|work=RedEye|via=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 25, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214122145/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-26-0508260400-story.html|url-status=live}}

Writing in Rolling Stone, Sheffield deemed Late Registration "an undeniable triumph" throughout, seeing it as expansive enough to make "the debut sound like a rough draft" and adding that West proves he is a real rapper. The Guardian lead critic Alexis Petridis highlighted West's topicality and subversive studio production on the album; he noticed the indication of "an artist effortlessly outstripping his peers: more ideas, better lyrics, bigger hooks, greater depth". Andy Kellman from AllMusic said the rapper "can be tremendous" as a songwriter and noted his production style had gone from unrefined and erratic-tempo samples to "a more traditionally musical touch" contributed by Brion. Sean Fennessey of Pitchfork felt West provided a worthy successor to The College Dropout with an "expansive, imperfect masterpiece" that draws on his enthusiastic, ambitious, and scattered personality.

Late Registration was hailed by some journalists as a pivotal release in hip-hop. Billboard senior editor Gail Mitchell said that with its combination of socially conscious hip-hop, club, and personal reflections, the album "represents a watershed moment in rap music history", while Kitty Empire from The Observer viewed it as an important milestone for the genre, declaring West "the Brian Wilson of hip-hop" and observing that he "plays up the struggle between conscience and covetousness, the pop mainstream", and what is achievable within hip-hop's traditional boundaries. Similarly, Steve Yates from the same publication compared West's aspirations in working with Brion to how Stevie Wonder collaborated in his classic 1970s period, adding that by being "creative, intelligent, funny and daring" he is the only act besides rap group Outkast "to walk the tightrope between pop sensibility, conscious rap and the outright nihilism of your common-or-garden [variety] gangsta".{{cite web|last=Yates|first=Steve|date=July 17, 2005|title=The First Ten: Kanye West, Late Registration|newspaper=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/omm/reviews/story/0,13875,1527815,00.html|access-date=July 25, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112192926/https://www.theguardian.com/observer/omm/reviews/story/0,13875,1527815,00.html|url-status=live}} In the Los Angeles Times, Robert Hilburn compared West's dignified execution of pop crossover to that of the Beatles, Johnny Cash, and Bob Marley. Robert Christgau, writing in The Village Voice, praised the lyrical and musical "exquisite details" of the album, saying that West may be arrogant, "only that's not why he always samples". He concluded that West is as good as he believes himself, calling the rapper "a backpacker at heart who, like many brilliant nerds before him, has accrued precious metal by following his dream".

Some reviewers were more qualified in their praise. In The A.V. Club, Nathan Rabin found Late Registration as ambitious as The College Dropout, albeit "less successful" because of melodramatic lyricism and symphony music without a "strong narrative" to hold the songs together; he finalized that the album "plays like a brilliant first draft, flawed and uneven, but radiating humor and heart".{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|date=September 7, 2005|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/kanye-west-emlate-registrationem-9966|title=Kanye West: Late Registration|newspaper=The A.V. Club|access-date=January 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321032655/http://www.avclub.com/review/kanye-west-emlate-registrationem-9966|archive-date=March 21, 2015}} The New York Times critic Jon Pareles believed West's elevated status undermined the underdog quality that had accentuated his debut, writing that "for much of Late Registration, the striver has turned into a hip-hop V.I.P.", with his "cool arrogance" being prominent on the songs. Hattie Collins of NME was highly impressed by the beats in the music, which she called "pure cranium-crushing boom bap at its best", but lamented the lack of "rubbish lyrics" and clumsy charm that made The College Dropout appeal to West's hardcore fans. In the eyes of Spin magazine's Jon Caramanica, the improved versatility and eccentricity of West's flow still "pales in comparison to his sonic ambition".

File:Pop Conference 2014 - Robert Christgau 02.jpg (pictured in 2014) supervised the 2005 Pazz & Jop critics poll, which Late Registration won. He also named it the best album of the year on his own list.|alt=Robert Christgau wearing an Obama shirt]]

Late Registration appeared on year-end best album lists for 2005 by numerous publications, including being named the best album of the year by Spin,Hermes, Will (December 31, 2005). [https://www.spin.com/2005/12/40-best-albums-2005/?page=0%2C3 "The 40 Best Albums of 2005"] Spin. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710231528/https://www.spin.com/2005/12/40-best-albums-2005/?page=0%2C3 |date=July 10, 2009 }}. Retrieved April 26, 2008. Time, and USA Today.{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2005-12-26-year-in-music_x.htm|title=Kanye leads the way|website=USA Today|last=Franzon|first=Henrik|date=December 26, 2005|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506220126/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2005-12-26-year-in-music_x.htm|archive-date=May 6, 2008}} Rolling Stone also gave the album this accolade, with the staff hailing it as a "sweepingly generous, absurdly virtuosic hip-hop classic".{{cite magazine | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957147/1_kanye_west |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718121740/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957147/1_kanye_west |archive-date=July 18, 2007 |title=1. Kanye West – Late Registration |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |url-status=dead |date=December 15, 2005 |access-date=August 20, 2011 }}{{cite magazine |title=Top 50 Records of 2005 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/special/8952414 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=November 1, 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219083835/http://www.rollingstone.com/special/8952414 |archive-date=December 19, 2005}} In The Village Voice{{'}}s 2005 Pazz & Jop nationwide poll of 795 popular music critics, Late Registration finished at number one with 2,525 points.[https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres05.php "Pazz & Jop 2005: Critics Poll"] The Village Voice. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510013404/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres05.php |date=May 10, 2006 }}. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Robert Christgau. It scored a 107-point lead, standing as the narrowest margin in the poll's history.{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|date=October 4, 2018|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2018/10/04/kanye-west-turns-the-page/|title=Kanye West Turns the Page|newspaper=The Village Voice|access-date=March 24, 2022|archive-date=March 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324105710/https://www.villagevoice.com/2018/10/04/kanye-west-turns-the-page/|url-status=live}} Christgau, the poll's supervisor, also ranked Late Registration first on his own list,{{cite web|date=February 7, 2006|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans05.php|title=Pazz & Jop 2005: Dean's List|newspaper=The Village Voice|access-date=July 24, 2021|via=Robert Christgau|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725031924/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans05.php|url-status=live}} and assigned it an "A+" grade in his "Consumer Guide" column.{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=13006|title=Kanye West: Late Registration|publisher=Robert Christgau|access-date=January 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104082602/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=13006|archive-date=November 4, 2014}} On the Washington City Paper{{'}}s list of the top 20 favourite albums of 2005 calculated from points assigned by the magazine's music writers, the album finished at number four with 43 points, becoming one of the five albums to score over 40 that year.{{Cite magazine |title=Washington City Paper{{'}}s 2005 Top 20 |date=January 5, 2006 |magazine=Washington City Paper |url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/special/2005top20.html |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608224220/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/special/2005top20.html |archive-date=June 8, 2008 |url-status=dead }} Late Registration was West's second consecutive album to be rated "XXL" by XXL, the magazine's highest rank, which had been awarded to only 16 other hip-hop albums by 2005.{{cite journal |date=December 21, 2005|title=Retrospective: XXL Albums |journal= XXL}}

MSN Music selected the album as the seventh best album of the 2000s decade; the staff praised West's work with Brion for expanding his genre range.{{cite web |title=Inside Music: Photo Gallery – Best Albums of the Decade |url=http://music.msn.com/best-albums-of-the-decade/photo-gallery/feature/?photoidx=9 |website=MSN Music |access-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105022902/http://music.msn.com/best-albums-of-the-decade/photo-gallery/feature/?photoidx=9 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=dead }} PopMatters ranked Late Registration as the 15th best album of the 2000s,{{cite web |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s: 20–1 |url=https://www.popmatters.com/186499-the-100-best-albums-of-the-00s-20-1-2495607673.html?rebelltitem=1 |website=PopMatters |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101030753/https://www.popmatters.com/186499-the-100-best-albums-of-the-00s-20-1-2495607673.html?rebelltitem=1 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=dead}} while Pitchfork named it the decade's 18th best album.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7710-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-20-1/?page=10|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s|website=Pitchfork|date=October 2, 2009|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926195012/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7710-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-20-1/?page=10|archive-date=September 26, 2020}} Observer Music Monthly listed the album as the 19th best of the decade, and the staff noted that West reached his ambition to be "bigger than hip-hop".{{cite web|title=OMM's Top 50 Albums of the Decade|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/29/albums-of-the-decade|website=The Guardian|date=November 21, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818093659/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/29/albums-of-the-decade|archive-date=August 18, 2017}} Consequence named Late Registration the 26th best album of the 2000s,{{cite web |title=CoS Top of the Decade: The Albums |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-albums/full-post/ |website=Consequence |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116161733/https://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-albums/full-post/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |date=November 17, 2009}} whereas La Vanguardia picked it as the 36th best of the decade.{{cite web |last=Massot |first=Josep |title='La Vanguardia' elige los álbumes de la década |url=http://www.lavanguardia.es/cultura/noticias/20091227/53854202399/la-vanguardia-elige-los-albumes-de-la-decada-bob-dylan-lou-reed-myspace-devendra-banhart-billie-holi.html |website=La Vanguardia |access-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405060802/http://www.lavanguardia.es/cultura/noticias/20091227/53854202399/la-vanguardia-elige-los-albumes-de-la-decada-bob-dylan-lou-reed-myspace-devendra-banhart-billie-holi.html |archive-date=April 5, 2010 |language=es |trans-title='La Vanguardia' chooses the albums of the decade |date=December 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}} The album finished at number 40 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the best albums of the 2000s, with the staff highlighting West's decision to work with Brion.

In 2012, Rolling Stone placed Late Registration at number 118 on their revised list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".{{cite magazine |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/?list_page=8 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331104419/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/?list_page=8 |archive-date=March 31, 2019}} The album was the highest entry among both recent albums and the three West releases to appear on the list.{{cite news|last=Collett-White|first=Mike|date=April 27, 2012|url=http://entertainment.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/27/11430886-kanye-west-gets-3-albums-on-rolling-stones-revised-500-greatest-list?lite|title=Kanye West gets 3 albums on Rolling Stone{{'}}s revised 500 greatest list|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=March 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429075548/http://entertainment.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/27/11430886-kanye-west-gets-3-albums-on-rolling-stones-revised-500-greatest-list?lite|archive-date=April 29, 2012|url-status=dead}} On a 2013 list published by Vibe of the 50 best albums since 1993, it was positioned 16th.{{cite magazine|date=April 18, 2013|url=https://www.vibe.com/gallery/greatest-50-albums-since-93/|title=The Greatest 50 Albums Since '93|magazine=Vibe|access-date=March 24, 2022|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004155045/https://www.vibe.com/gallery/greatest-50-albums-since-93/|url-status=live}} In 2012, Late Registration was placed at number 100 on Spin{{'}}s list of the 125 best albums of the past 25 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/02/125-best-albums-past-25-years/6/|title=125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years|website=Spin|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608170626/https://www.spin.com/2012/02/125-best-albums-past-25-years/6/|archive-date=June 8, 2015|url-status=live}} Three years later, the magazine ranked the album at number 104 on its list of the 300 best albums of the past 30 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-300-best-albums-of-the-past-30-years-1985-2014/4/|title=The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)|website=Spin|date=May 11, 2015|access-date=January 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101252/https://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-300-best-albums-of-the-past-30-years-1985-2014/4/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}} Late Registration was later listed at number 117 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s 2020 edition of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/kanye-west-late-registration-3-1063116/|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200922183659/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/led-zeppelin-led-zeppelin-2-1063132/|archive-date=September 22, 2020|url-status=live}}

File:Kanye West at the Brit Awards 2006.jpg, where he received a nomination for International Album.|alt=West performing a song medley at the 26th Brit Awards]]

Late Registration was a contender for numerous industry awards. In December 2005, prior to the nominations being announced for the 2006 Grammy Awards, West complained that he would have a problem with not winning the Album of the Year award.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-kanye-west-on-his-8-grammy-nominations-72474/|title=Q&A: Kanye West on His 8 Grammy Nominations and 'Late Registration'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Scaggs|first=Austin|date=February 9, 2006|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411072305/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-kanye-west-on-his-8-grammy-nominations-72474/|archive-date=April 11, 2020|url-status=live}} Late Registration received a nomination for the award at the ceremony, and West recalled himself and Brion saying in the studio, "We're making the Album of the Year!"{{cite web|title=Kanye West {{!}} Artist|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/kanye-west|publisher=Grammy|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208103043/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/kanye-west|archive-date=December 8, 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1517699/mariah-carey-kanye-west-john-legend-lead-grammy-nominees/|title=Mariah Carey, Kanye West, John Legend Lead Grammy Nominees|publisher=MTV|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=December 8, 2005|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027224100/http://www.mtv.com/news/1517699/mariah-carey-kanye-west-john-legend-lead-grammy-nominees/|archive-date=October 27, 2017}} At the 2006 Grammys, the album won the award of Best Rap Album, becoming West's second consecutive album to do so and he delivered an acceptance speech that night.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/kanye-west-late-registration-grammy-infographic|title=The Grammy's Created an Awesome Infographic About Kanye West's 'Late Registration'|website=Complex|last=Ahmed|first=Insanul|date=August 28, 2015|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306151405/https://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/kanye-west-late-registration-grammy-infographic|archive-date=March 6, 2016}} "Gold Digger" and "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" were winners of the awards for Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song, respectively, at the same ceremony, while the former was also nominated for Record of the Year. West's nominations for the album were six of the eight awards that he contended for at the 2006 Grammys, tying with Mariah Carey and John Legend for the show's most nominations. Despite West having stating he would have a problem with not winning, he was happy with eight nominations. However, Late Registration won the Best Album award at the 2006 MP3.com Awards.

In its first week of release, Late Registration debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 860,000 copies, selling over 600,000 more copies than Tony Yayo's album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon at number two. This stood as West's first chart-topping album in the United States and gave him first-week sales nearly double those of The College Dropout.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61537/west-registers-no-1-album-debut "West 'Registers' No. 1 Album Debut"] Billboard. September 7, 2005. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613062642/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61537/west-registers-no-1-album-debut |date=June 13, 2018 }} Retrieved August 19, 2011. The album had the highest-selling first week sales in the US for two years, until West's next album Graduation suprassed it in September 2007 by selling 957,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1570015/kanye-west-50-cent-leave-competition-in-the-dust-on-albums-chart/|title=Kanye West, 50 Cent Leave Competition in the Dust On Albums Chart|publisher=MTV|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=September 19, 2007|access-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329002544/http://www.mtv.com/news/1570015/kanye-west-50-cent-leave-competition-in-the-dust-on-albums-chart/|archive-date=March 29, 2019|url-status=dead}} The former's first-week sales also ranked as the seventh largest for a rap album up to March 3, 2020.{{cite web|last=Seabrook III|first=Robby|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/biggest-first-week-hip-hop-album-sales/|title=20 of the Biggest First-Week Hip-Hop Album Sales|website=XXL|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322123716/https://www.xxlmag.com/biggest-first-week-hip-hop-album-sales/|url-status=live}} In Late Registration{{'}}s second week, it remained atop the Billboard 200 and sold an additional 283,000 copies, resulting in more than 1,140,000 copies sold within the first two weeks on the chart.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61462/kanye-50-hold-stones-from-chart-top "Kanye, 50 Hold Stones From Chart Top"] Billboard. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918061953/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61462/kanye-50-hold-stones-from-chart-top |date=September 18, 2014 }} September 14, 2005. Retrieved December 11, 2019. In early 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the album a triple platinum certification, indicating sales of 3,000,000 copies in the US.{{cite magazine|page=591|last=Wilson|first=H.W.|magazine=Current Biography Yearbook|year=2006|title=Kanye West, Hip-hop artist and record producer}} In June 2013, Late Registration reached 3,100,000 copies sold in the US.{{cite magazine|last=Wete|first=Brad|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566931/kanye-west-how-the-rapper-grew-from-dropout-to-yeezus|title=Kanye West: How the Rapper Grew From 'Dropout' to 'Yeezus'|magazine=Billboard|date=June 14, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617214400/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566931/kanye-west-how-the-rapper-grew-from-dropout-to-yeezus|archive-date=June 17, 2013}} On July 21, 2022, it was certified five-times platinum by the RIAA for sales of 5,000,000 album-equivalent units in the country.

Late Registration also debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart. On February 14, 2006, it was certified double platinum by Music Canada (MC) for shipments of 200,000 copies in Canada. In the United Kingdom, the album entered the UK Albums Chart at number two for the issue date of September 5, 2005, being prevented from topping the chart by McFly's album Wonderland.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61563/gorillaz-mcfly-lead-uk-charts "Gorillaz, McFly Lead U.K. Charts"] Billboard. September 5, 2005. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920131806/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61563/gorillaz-mcfly-lead-uk-charts |date=September 20, 2014 }}. Retrieved September 5, 2005. The former was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 900,000 units in the UK on March 12, 2022. As of May 2018, Late Registration is the 12th highest-selling rap album in the UK in the 21st century.{{cite news |last=White |first=Jack |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-40-biggest-rap-albums-of-the-millennium-revealed__22808/ |title=The UK's Official Top 40 biggest rap albums of the Millennium revealed |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=May 4, 2018 |access-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906012015/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-40-biggest-rap-albums-of-the-millennium-revealed__22808/ |archive-date=September 6, 2018}} By November of that year, the album had sold 852,000 copies in the UK, ranking as West's highest selling album in the country. Late Registration reached numbers two and three on the Irish Albums Chart and Scottish Albums Chart, respectively, while it received a double platinum certification from the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) by the end of 2005 for pushing 30,000 units in Ireland. The album also charted within the top 10 in Norway, Greece, Switzerland, and Japan, as well as entering the European Top 100 Albums chart at number six. In 2021, Vibe reported that Late Registration became one of the rap albums released before 2010 to have been streamed one billion times through Spotify.{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Preezy|date=June 29, 2021|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/lil-waynes-tha-carter-iii-one-billion-streams-spotify-1234622306/|title=Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter III' Surpasses One Billion Streams On Spotify|magazine=Vibe|access-date=July 25, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712051639/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/lil-waynes-tha-carter-iii-one-billion-streams-spotify-1234622306/|url-status=live}}

{{Quote box

| quote = I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a Black family, it says, "They're looting." You see a white family, it says, "They're looking for food.' ... George Bush doesn't care about Black people.

| source = —Kanye West (A Concert for Hurricane Relief, 2005)

| quoted = true

| bgcolor = #FFFFF0

| width = 25em

| salign = right

| align = right

| border = 1px

| fontsize = 89%

}}

With the album's commercial success, West established himself as a recording artist in his own right outside of his earlier success with hip-hop productions for other rappers. By surpassing the sales and acclaim of The College Dropout, Late Registration proved that "the Kanye West experiment was no longer an experiment, it was a business model", according to author Shea Serrano. He explained, "It helped revitalize sampling soul music, it stitched together pop music themes generally attributable to the easily ignorable 'conscious rap' quadrant ('Gold Digger' is secretly a clever examination of the effects money has on relationships), and it created a precedent for the larger-scale gazing he'd go on to do. Rap followed along right behind him."{{cite book|last=Serrano|first=Shea|authorlink=Shea Serrano|year=2005|title=The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979, Discussed, Debated, and Deconstructed|publisher=ABRAMS|isbn=9781613128190|chapter='Gold Digger' Kanye West, featuring Jamie Foxx}} As The Ringer's Logan Murdock chronicles, Late Registration proved his unprecedented artistry and relentless ambition with "a story to tell, an underdog tale that the masses related to", particularly the black community. The journalist relates his own experience connecting with the music, recalling having been a fan of West at 12 years old in Oakland, California, recognizing "the same struggles [he] spoke about plaguing my own environment. Like West, I had educated parents and a stable home life, but was aware of the world around me. Like West, I struggled to get acceptance, living a double life."{{cite web|last=Murdock|first=Logan|date=August 27, 2020|url=https://www.theringer.com/2020/8/27/21404010/kanye-west-late-registration-anniversary-hurricane-katrina-telethon-mike-myers|title=Nothing's Ever Promised Tomorrow Today: Revisiting 'Late Registration' and Kanye's Telethon Moment, 15 Years Later|publisher=The Ringer|access-date=July 24, 2021|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724194424/https://www.theringer.com/2020/8/27/21404010/kanye-west-late-registration-anniversary-hurricane-katrina-telethon-mike-myers|url-status=live}}

Released in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destructive landfall on the US Gulf Coast, Late Registration was followed a few days later by West's appearance on the live telethon A Concert for Hurricane Relief. In a segment alongside actor Mike Myers, he made harsh remarks that were critical of the US government's response to the storm, and of the media for lacking empathy toward the disproportionately impacted black people. According to Murdock, West's remarks were in line with both the criticism then-President George W. Bush would receive for his handling of Hurricane Katrina and "with the defiance that Late Registration displayed" through its insight into the "systematic racism faced by those in the water". A few weeks later, West performed tracks from the album at Abbey Road Studios in London for a live record entitled Late Orchestration, which was released in April 2006 and also includes accompanying music videos on the home video edition.{{cite web | author=Southern, Nathan | title=Kanye West: Late Orchestration | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/299805/moviemain.jhtml | publisher=MTV | date=July 28, 2006 | access-date=November 4, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102033511/http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/299805/moviemain.jhtml | archive-date=November 2, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}

In retrospect, Highsnobiety writer Shahzaib Hussain recognized Late Registration in West's opening trilogy of highly successful albums that "cemented his role as a progressive rap progenitor".{{cite web|last=Hussain|first=Shahzaib|date=November 23, 2018|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-808s-heartbreak-10th-anniversary/|title=Renegade Man: The Legacy of Kanye West's '808s & Heartbreak'|website=Highsnobiety|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220311030632/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-808s-heartbreak-10th-anniversary/|url-status=live}} Similarly, the staff of XXL felt satisfied with the album as the second work of West's education-themed trilogy and noted that a sophomore slump was avoided. The staff commented that it "relied on his production savvy to craft some of the most stellar beats of his career", which they felt were equaled by West's lyricism.{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/college-students-listen-kanye-west-late-registration-album-first-time/|title=College Kids Listen to Kanye's Late Registration for First Time|website=XXL|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829051010/https://www.xxlmag.com/college-students-listen-kanye-west-late-registration-album-first-time/|archive-date=August 29, 2020|url-status=live}} According to Jay Willis of GQ, Late Registration marked the last great album by "the old Kanye"; he remembered it being the soundtrack to many of his life activities.{{cite web|last=Willis|first=Jay|url=https://www.gq.com/story/late-registration-anniversary|title='Late Registration' Was the Last Great Album by the Old Kanye|website=GQ|date=August 30, 2017|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223725/https://www.gq.com/story/late-registration-anniversary|url-status=live}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Late Registration standard edition

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Wake Up Mr. West

| writer1 = {{hlist|Michael Masser|Gerry Goffin}}

| length1 = 0:41

| title2 = Heard 'Em Say

| note2 = featuring Adam Levine

| writer2 = {{hlist|Kanye West|Adam Levine|Masser|Goffin}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|West|Jon Brion}}

| length2 = 3:23

| title3 = Touch the Sky

| note3 = featuring Lupe Fiasco

| writer3 = {{hlist|West|Justin Smith|Wasalu Jaco|Curtis Mayfield}}

| extra3 = Just Blaze

| length3 = 3:56

| title4 = Gold Digger

| note4 = featuring Jamie Foxx

| writer4 = {{hlist|West|Ray Charles|Renald Richard}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length4 = 3:27

| title5 = Skit No. 1

| length5 = 0:33

| title6 = Drive Slow

| note6 = featuring Paul Wall and GLC

| writer6 = {{hlist|West|Paul Slayton|Leonard Harris}}

| extra6 = West

| length6 = 4:32

| title7 = My Way Home

| note7 = performed by Common

| writer7 = {{hlist|West|Lonnie Lynn|Gil Scott-Heron}}

| extra7 = West

| length7 = 1:43

| title8 = Crack Music

| note8 = featuring The Game

| writer8 = {{hlist|West|Willard Meeks|Jayceon Taylor}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length8 = 4:31

| title9 = Roses

| writer9 = {{hlist|West|Bill Withers}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length9 = 4:05

| title10 = Bring Me Down

| note10 = featuring Brandy

| writer10 = {{hlist|West|Antony Williams}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length10 = 3:19

| title11 = Addiction

| writer11 = {{hlist|West|Richard Rodgers|Lorenz Hart}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length11 = 4:27

| title12 = Skit No. 2

| length12 = 0:31

| title13 = Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)

| note13 = featuring Jay-Z

| writer13 = {{hlist|West|Devon Harris|John Barry|Don Black}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|West|Devo Springsteen|Brion}}

| length13 = 3:53

| title14 = We Major

| note14 = featuring Nas and Really Doe

| writer14 = {{hlist|West|Warren Trotter|Nasir Jones|Williams|Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell|Russell Simmons|Larry Smith|Maureen Reid}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|West|Baby Dubb|Brion}}

| length14 = 7:28

| title15 = Skit No. 3

| length15 = 0:24

| title16 = Hey Mama

| writer16 = {{hlist|West|Donal Leace}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length16 = 5:05

| title17 = Celebration

| writer17 = West

| extra17 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length17 = 3:18

| title18 = Skit No. 4

| length18 = 1:18

| title19 = Gone

| note19 = featuring Consequence and Cam'ron

| writer19 = {{hlist|West|Dexter Mills|Cameron Giles|Chuck Willis}}

| extra19 = West

| length19 = 5:33

| title20 = Diamonds from Sierra Leone

| note20 = bonus track

| writer20 = {{hlist|West|Harris|Barry|Black}}

| extra20 = {{hlist|West|Devo Springsteen|Brion}}

| length20 = 3:58

| title21 = Late

| note21 = hidden track

| writer21 = {{hlist|West|George Kerr|Sylvia Robinson}}

| extra21 = West

| length21 = 3:50

| total_length = 70:25

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK edition{{cite web|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=333760|title=Kanye West Late Registration UK CD album (CDLP) (333760)|publisher=Mercury Records|access-date=March 18, 2022|year=2005|via=Eil.com|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109225658/https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=333760|url-status=live}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title21 = We Can Make It Better

| note21 = featuring Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common and Rhymefest

| writer21 = {{hlist|West|Lynn|Kamaal Fareed|Talib Kweli Greene|Che Smith|Burt Bacharach|Hal David}}

| extra21 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length21 = 3:52

| title22 = Late

| note22 = hidden track

| writer22 = {{hlist|West|Kerr|Robinson}}

| extra22 = West

| length22 = 3:50

| total_length = 74:17

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese and Australian Tour editions{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Registration-Japanese-Kanye-West/dp/B000XTGU5M|title=Late Registration [Japanese Import]|publisher=Amazon UK|access-date=March 18, 2022|asin=B000XTGU5M|archive-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907073336/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Registration-Japanese-Kanye-West/dp/B000XTGU5M|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Registration-Kanye-West/dp/B000ERVGX4|title=Late Registration|publisher=Amazon UK|access-date=March 18, 2022|asin=B000ERVGX4|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318105129/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Registration-Kanye-West/dp/B000ERVGX4|url-status=live}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title21 = Back to Basics

| note21 = with Common

| writer21 = {{hlist|West|Lynn|Duke Ellington|Irving Mills|Manny Kurt}}

| extra21 = West

| length21 = 1:39

| title22 = We Can Make It Better

| note22 = featuring Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Common and Rhymefest

| writer22 = {{hlist|West|Lynn|Fareed|Greene|Smith|Bacharach|David}}

| extra22 = {{hlist|West|Brion}}

| length22 = 3:52

| title23 = Late

| note23 = hidden track

| writer23 = {{hlist|West|Kerr|Robinson}}

| extra23 = West

| length23 = 3:50

| total_length = 75:56

}}

Sample credits

• "Wake Up Mr. West" and "Heard 'Em Say" both contain excerpts of "Someone That I Used to Love" as performed by Natalie Cole.
• "Touch the Sky" contains samples of "Move On Up" as performed by Curtis Mayfield.
• "Gold Digger" contains samples of "I Got a Woman" as performed by Ray Charles.
• "Drive Slow" contains samples of "Wildflower" as performed by Hank Crawford.
• "My Way Home" contains samples of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" as performed by Gil Scott-Heron.
• "Crack Music" contains samples of "Since You Came in My Life" as performed by New York Community Choir and "It's Your Thing" as performed by Cold Grits.
• "Roses" contains samples of "Rosie" as performed by Bill Withers.
• "Addiction" contains elements of "My Funny Valentine" as performed by Etta James.
• "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" contains samples of "Diamonds Are Forever" as performed by Shirley Bassey.
• "We Major" contains samples of "Action" as performed by Orange Krush.
• "Hey Mama" contains samples of "Today Won't Come Again" as performed by Donal Leace.
• "Celebration" contains samples of "Heavenly Dream" as performed by The Kay-Gees.
• "Gone" contains samples of "It's Too Late" as performed by Otis Redding.
• "Late" contains samples of "I'll Erase Away Your Pain" by The Whatnauts.
• "We Can Make It Better" contains a sample of "Make It Easy on Yourself" as performed by The Three Degrees.{{sfn|Beaumont|2015|p=188}}

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Late Registration |year=2005 |publisher=Roc-A-Fella Records}}

{{div col}}

• Eric Gorfain – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Daphne Chen – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Victoria Lanier – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Julie Rogers – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Alyssa Park – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Audrey Solomon – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Terry Glenny – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Susan Chatman – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Marisa Kuney – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Amy Wickman – violin (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Marda Todd – viola (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Piotr Jandule – viola (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Tom Tally – viola (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• David Sage – viola (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Richard Dodd – cello (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Matt Cooker – cello (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Armen Ksadjikian – cello (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Victor Lawrence – cello (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Jason Torreano – contrabass (tracks 10, 17)
• Francis Senger – contrabass (tracks 10, 17)
• Denise Briese – contrabass (tracks 10, 17)
• Gary Grant – trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 10, 17)
• Dan Fornero – trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 10, 17)
• Andrew Martin – trombone (tracks 10, 17)
• Stephen Holtman – trombone (tracks 10, 17)
• Bruce Otto – bass trombone (tracks 10, 17)
• Rick Todd – French horn (tracks 10, 17)
• Brad Warnaar – French horn (tracks 10, 17)
• Ervin "EP" Pope – keyboards (tracks 9, 17)
• Keenan "Keynote" Holloway – bass (tracks 9, 17)
• Tom Craskey – keyboards (tracks 13, 20)
• Dave Tozer – guitar (tracks 13, 20)
• Michel Gondry – live drums (tracks 13, 20)
• A-Trak – scratches (track 4)
• Tony "Penafire" Williams – additional vocals (tracks 2, 6, 8, 9, 14)
• John Legend – additional vocals (tracks 16, 17)
• DeRay Davis – additional vocals (track 1)
• Plain Pat – additional vocals (track 4)
• Don C. – additional vocals (track 4)
• Keyshia Cole – additional vocals (track 8)
• Charlie Wilson – additional vocals (track 8)
• Patti LaBelle – additional vocals (track 9){{efn|Patti LaBelle's vocals on the track are uncredited.}}
• Strings – additional vocals (track 11)

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Anthony Kilhoffer – recording (tracks 3, 4, 6, 8–14, 16, 17, 19, 20)
• Andrew Dawson – recording (tracks 2–4, 6–8, 16, 17, 21), mixing (tracks 8, 16, 17, 19)
• Tom Biller – recording (tracks 2, 4, 11–14, 16, 17), strings recording (tracks 10, 17, 19, 20)
• Brian Sumner – recording (tracks 8, 9, 21)
• Richard Reitz – recording (track 6)
• Mike Dean – mixing (tracks 2–4, 6, 7)
• Craig Bauer – mixing (tracks 9–12)
• Manny Marroquin – mixing (tracks 13, 20)
• Nate Connelly – assistant engineering (tracks 2–4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 21)
• Mike Mo – assistant engineering (tracks 2–4, 6, 10, 14)
• Matt Green – assistant engineering (tracks 3, 4, 8, 10, 16, 17)
• Taylor Dow – assistant engineering (tracks 2, 7, 16, 17, 19)
• James Auwarter – assistant engineering (tracks 9–12)
• Ryan Neuschafer – assistant engineering (tracks 9–12)
• Jon Brion – string arrangement (tracks 10, 17, 19), brass arrangement (tracks 10, 17)
• Eric Gorfain – strings orchestration (tracks 10, 17, 19)
• Vlado Meller – mastering

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Louis Marino – creative direction
• Morning Breath, Inc. – art direction, design
• Sarah A. Friedman – photography
• Kris Yiengst – photography, art coordination
• Charlene Roxborough – styling
• Ibn Jasper – grooming

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Late Registration}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2006|access-date=September 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Platinum|number=2|refname="MC"|relyear=2005|certyear=2006|access-date=September 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|number=2|certyear=2023|id=13171|access-date=November 23, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Platinum|number=2|refname="irma"|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|certmonth=09|access-date=September 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|certmonth=9|access-date=September 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|id=2006-03-10|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2006}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|refname="bpi"|salesamount=852,000|id=3745-2991-2|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pop-feuds-what-if-they-were-settled-on-chart-success__24605/|title=Pop feuds: What if they were settled on chart success?|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=November 3, 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012532/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pop-feuds-what-if-they-were-settled-on-chart-success__24605/|archive-date=November 5, 2018|url-status=live}}|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2005|discount=true|access-date=March 12, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2005|certyear=2022|refname="riaa"|access-date=July 22, 2022|salesamount=3,100,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Late Registration|artist=Kanye West|type=album|award=Platinum|certyear=2008|access-date=April 10, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true}}

• 2005 in hip-hop
• List of most expensive albums
• List of albums containing a hidden track: W
• List of best-selling albums in the United States of the Nielsen SoundScan era
• List of number-one albums of 2005 (Canada)
• List of UK top-ten albums in 2005
• List of UK R&B Albums Chart number ones of 2005
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2005
• List of number-one rap albums of 2005 (U.S.)
• List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2005

Notes

{{notelist}}

Citations

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Brown |first=Jake |title=Kanye West in the Studio: Beats Down! Money Up! (2000–2006) |publisher=Colossus Books |year=2006 |isbn=0-9767735-6-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/kanyewestinstudi00brow |url-access=registration }}
• {{cite book |title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture |last=Hess |first=Mickey |year=2007 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-313-33904-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/iconsofhiphopenc0000unse |url-access=registration }}
• {{cite book|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Beaumont (journalist)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-y3aBwAAQBAJ|access-date=July 24, 2021|via=Google Books|year=2015|title=Kanye West: God & Monster|publisher=Overlook Omnibus|isbn=9781783233946}}

{{Refend}}

• {{cite book|ref=none|editor-last=Bailey|editor-first=Julius|year=2014|title=The Cultural Impact of Kanye West|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=9781137591258}}
• {{cite web|ref=none|last=Brown|first=Preezy|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/best-hip-hop-sequels-rap-series.html|year=2020|title=The 21 Best Hip-Hop Sequels of All Time|publisher=Okayplayer|access-date=July 25, 2021}}

• {{Discogs master|type=album|7087|name=Late Registration}}

• [https://www.myspace.com/kanyewest/music/albums/late-registration-explicit-5124 Late Registration (Explicit)] (Adobe Flash) at Myspace (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Kanye West}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards for Late Registration

| titlestyle = background: lightblue

| list1 =

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 albums

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Category:Albums produced by Devo Springsteen

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Category:Albums recorded at Record Plant (Los Angeles)

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