Pitchfork

UPDATE: Word is that's the real, actual, bona fide album cover to the left there.

Kanye West has revealed the tracklist to his forthcoming third album, Graduation, via the iTunes store, where it is currently available for pre-order.

We've created a little checklist to see how Graduation stacks up to Kanye's previous albums in the tracklist department, so let's see what we've got:

1) Bear on the cover: Yes.
2) Introduction featuring Bernie Mac: No!
3) Second track = collaboration with sorta lame smooth-singing white guy: Yes.
4) At least five skits (including intro): No.
5) 20 tracks or more: No.

Based on this very scientific test, it seems Graduation could be a bit of a departure for Mr. West (as if the new songs and Japanese art fixation weren't already enough evidence of that). It's also easy on the guest spots, though Mos Def appears twice, and there are two Chris Martins on it (one of whom is aka DJ Premier).

Kanye has also pushed Graduation's release date up to September 11, aka the same date as the release of 50 Cent's forthcoming Curtis, which some people are making a little fuss about. According to an Allhiphop.com report, the two rappers will even engage in a Presidential-style debate this Friday, August 10, on BET's "106 & Park", which is actually pretty cool. 

UPDATE: Kanye just appeared on MTV to discuss the announcement of the MTV Video Music Awards nominations. He said he will not debate 50 Cent: "What am I going to debate about? I'm going to go in the studio and make music. When I heard that thing about the debate, I thought that was the stupidest thing." He added, "When my albums drops and 50's album drops, you're gonna get a lot of good music at the same time."

But putting aside questions of whether an "event" release date like this is good or bad for the music industry, the choice between these two records is a top five candidate on a list of Easiest Decisions Ever Made.

While on MTV, Kanye also spoke about the fact that his "Stronger" clip is up against-- whoa!-- Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." for Video of the Year. (Since when did MTV get a clue?) He referred to his legendary outburst at last year's MTV Europe Music Awards, when his "Touch the Sky" clip lost out to Justice Vs. Simian's "We Are Your Friends" for Video of the Year.

West said, "I would feel better to lose to this video right here, because this video is completely genius... but if anybody goes to YouTube and sees the video I lost to, you would see that I was robbed. It's a shame because I think there's never been a black artist that has won that award right there, a rap artist, and with 'Touch the Sky' I did that video that deserved it, and so that's why when I went onstage I said, 'Listen, no disrespect to y'all.'

"But as far as these award shows go, when you get real artists that really connect with fans in a different way, it's not just a pop thing, don't have me come sit down at your award show and then say, 'Aww, whatever.' I still feel that way about it, go and see the other Justice video, 'Touch the Sky' was better than that video. This new Justice video is genius. Maybe 'Stronger' could lose to that. I will respect that."

Regardless of whether "Stronger" (which samples Daft Punk and features the robots in the video) or "D.A.N.C.E." goes home with the moon man, French house wins!

Finally, Kanye still has a handful of tour dates this month (and one in October), beginning August 11 with his Swedish festival performance with Peter Bjorn & John.

Graduation:

01 Good Morning
02 Homecoming [ft. Chris Martin]
03 Stronger
04 Champion
05 Good Life [ft. T-Pain]
06 I Wonder
07 Even More Broke Phi Broke (Skit)
08 Can't Tell Me Nothing
09 Drunk and Hot Girls [ft. Mos Def]
10 Evrything I Am [scratches by DJ Premier]
11 Good Night [ft. Mos Def & Al Be]
12 Big Brother
13 Graduation (Skit)
14 The Glory
15 CRS [ft. Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell] [pre-order only]

Dates:

08-11 Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival (with Peter Bjorn & John)
08-12 Leuven, Belgium - Marktrock Festival
08-14 Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall
08-16 Edinburgh, Scotland - Edinburgh Corn Exchange (T on the Fringe)
08-18 Chelmsford, England - Hylands Park (V Festival)
08-19 Staffordshire, England - Weston Park (V Festival)
08-24 Chicago, IL - House of Blues (Kanye West Foundation benefit)
10-26 Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Dubai Country Club