Vinyl pressings
by Kanye West · 2004
The College Dropout was first pressed on vinyl in 2004. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 2004, the album's first year, in 2 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
B0002030-01/006249817410-LP01-A ⓤRunout side A, etched
B0002030-01/006249817410-LP01-B-2 ⓤRunout side B, etched
B0002030-01/0062049817410 LP02-A ⓤRunout side C, etched
B0002030-01/0062049817410-LP02-B ⓤRunout side D, etched
B0002030-01 LP I ARunout side A, etched
B0002030-01 LP I BRunout side B, etched
B0002030-01 LP2 A x NiP63Runout side C, etched
B0002030-01 LP2 B xRunout side D, etched
DEFF 160211 A X1
DEFF 160211 B X1
DEFF 160221 A X1
DEFF 160221 B X1
986 - 174 - 2 A JA ORA-Side Runout
986 - 174 - 2 B NATS + JAMIE ORB-Side Runout
986 - 174 - 3 A JA ORC-Side Runout
986 - 174 - 3 B NATS + JAMIE ORD-Side Runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records KWTTW01LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2004 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records DEFF 16021-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 2004 | Europe | Mercury 9861741 / Roc-A-Fella Records 9861741First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2004 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2004 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2004 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2005 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records 9861741LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records 9861741 / Hustle. 9861741LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | Germany | Roc-A-Fella Records 9861741LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Mercury 9861741 / Roc-A-Fella Records 9861741LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01LP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| ? | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01 / Hustle. B0002030-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of The College Dropout are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 2004 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 2004, in US, Europe. One of them is Roc-A-Fella Records B0002030-01, released February 10, 2004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use B0002030-01, DEFF 16021-1, 9861741) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B0002030-01/006249817410-LP01-A ⓤ and B0002030-01/006249817410-LP01-B-2 ⓤ. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
