Kanye West Top 5 Albums Ranked

 

Number 5

Late Registration is the second insert into Kanye West’s discography. Here he built on the foundation laid by his debut album “The College Dropout”. This album continues to show the level of Kanye’s in depth lyrics and production qualities. For this insert he collaborated with composer Jon Brion, by incorporating lush orchestration and intricate arrangements, enhancing the emotional weight of tracks.

Kanye used this album to tackle themes of personal struggles, social issues his ambition as an artist. One standout track on this album is “Diamonds of Sierra Leone” which actually samples the main track from the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever”. This album also Features one of the most well known Hip-Hop songs of the decade “Gold Digger” featuring Jamie Foxx.

The album was critically acclaimed and solidified Kanye’s status as a leading voice in Hip-Hop. Overall, "Late Registration" is not just a sequel, it's a significant step forward that showcases Kanye’s artistic vision, earning its place as one of the best albums of the 2000s.

 

Late Registration 2005

Number 4

My number 4 ranked album is My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, also known as MBDTF (which is what I will refer to it as throughout this article). Kanye made this album at a time where some people may have seen him as an outcast in the music world. He had many previous controversies in the years leading up to this, such as his infamous speech from the 47^th annual Grammys and his outburst on live television towards former president George Bush. This was also around the time where Kanye’s mother Donda West passed away. So Kanye took himself away from the spotlight to Hawaii to produce this masterful album.

 

 Lyrically MBDTF explores themes of fame, self-reflection, and the darker aspects of celebrity culture. The standout from this album for most people will be “Runaway” a track which serves as an apology and introspection into Kanye and his life choices. My personal Favourite from this album is “Hell of a Life” this track utilizes layered synths and rhythmic percussion, blending elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music.

Critically acclaimed, it received universal praise for its ambition and complexity, winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2012. Overall, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" stands as a bold artistic statement, capturing Kanye's genius and leaving an unforgettable mark on music history.

MBDTF 2010

 

Number 3

The college dropout is the landmark debut album from Kanye West. This album redefined Hip-Hop at the time. Instead of glorifying the street life like other rappers at the time, Kanye focused on his own personal struggles and societal issues. This in turn made his music more accessible and relatable to people at the time.

This album has so many great songs that I don’t even know where to start. “Through the Wire” is an excellent track on this insert, Kanye recorded this song while his jaw was wired shut after a near fatal car accident, this song completely exemplifies his resilience and vulnerability which was refreshing at the time. Another great track on this album is “Two Words” featuring Mos Def, this is one of my personal favourites, the gritty beat and samples of Michael Jackson in the chorus and instrumental, give the song a stadium feel and the Mos Def feature is just the icing on the cake.

The College Dropout not only launched Kanye's career but also influenced a generation of artists. It opened the door for introspective and genre-blending hip-hop, paving the way for future artists to explore their own personal narratives within their music.

 

The College Dropout 2004

Number 2

I had to take a long time to decide between these two albums for the top spot, but graduation just missed out on it ever so slightly. The third album in his catalogue showcases a significant shift in sound and style while also embracing elements of electronic and synth production.

This album featured highly innovative production elements at the time and this can be seen through tracks like, “Stronger” which samples Daft Punk’s “Harder ,Better, Faster, Stronger” , while "Good Morning" and "Can't Tell Me Nothing" reflect Kanye’s confidence and determination, while tracks such as "Champion" delve into personal growth and resilience.

I cant put into words how influential and important this album is to modern day music in general not just hip-hop. Its impact is profound and influenced a generation of artists. Overall Graduation cements his legacy as a pioneer in hip-hop, bridging the gap between genres and reshaping the musical landscape.

 

Graduation 2007

Number 1

My top spot for this list of top 5 Kanye West albums is 2016’s The Life of Pable, (I will refer to this as TLOP) Kanye’s approach to this album was notably fluid; he continued to revise and update it even after its release, embracing the idea of music as an evolving art form. So this means the version available on streaming services today is completely different than the original, but for the most part I believe TLOP flourished under the adjustments and changes.

Lyrically this album deals with themes of faith, identity and his personal struggles. “No More Parties in LA” featuring Kendrick Lamar is such an excellent track. Kanye and Kendrick on a track together always meant that something magically had occurred for our ears. Kendricks feature on this track is filled with unorthodox flows and wordplay, Kanye’s additions to the track are also excellent. “30 Hours” is another amazing track on this insert, its another one of my personal favourites, the echoing sample in the background of the instrumental gives the track a simple yet effective atmosphere. The track's title references a long drive he took, symbolizing both physical and emotional journeys.

Once again this album was critically acclaimed and further solidified Kanye as a hip-hop great. It once again influenced contemporary hip-hop and encouraged other artists at the time to experiment with their sounds, embrace the culture and embrace creativity, and that is why I have ranked it as my number one album in Kanye’s discography.

TLOP 2016