Top 10 Kanye West Collaborations
Kanye West is having a rough 2016. A few weeks ago, he checked himself into rehab following an odd performance (if you could even call it that) in Sacramento. But things seem to be looking up for Kanye West. I never thought I’d cite this source, but E! Is reporting West was spotted in New York City earlier today. Yay! Maybe he’s better! I want to keep the positive vibes going by sharing my favorite Kanye West collabs.
Kanye has a long and rich history of collaborative work. From Chi-town homies like Common and Twista to icons like Nas and Jay-Z, Kanye has worked with the best of them. So culling a list is no easy task. In order to convey his vibrant and eclectic range of work, I’ve done my best to pick song from distinct periods in his career.
You may now recognize some of these while others may be brand new to you. Either way, I hope you enjoy them.
HONORABLE MENTION
“So Appalled” Kanye West ft: Jay-Z, CyHi Da Prince, Swizz Beats, The RZA, Pusha T
Great song, but has one too many guest stars makes it difficult to pinpoint standout verses. Too much of a good thing.
“Touch The Sky” Kanye West ft. Lupe Fiasco
The mainstream’s introduction to Skateboard Lu! When I was making this list no less than 5 people told me that this is a MUST. Well if it’s a must, then maybe I’ll save a spot for a track you haven’t heard. Yes, I just did that.
“Never Let Me Down” Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, J. Ivy
In an album with social commentary, Kanye and Hova’s linkup fails to make this list through no fault of it’s own.
TOP 10 KANYE WEST COLLABS
“Get By” Remix Talib Kweli ft: Jay Z, Mos Def, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes
It’s hard to believe that in this 2003 track, Kanye was the unknown up and comer. You could hear it in his voice, as he seems to run out of breath at times, trying to keep up with rap heavyweights like Kweli, Mos Def and Hova. It’s rare that a remix supersedes the impact of an original, especially when “Get By” was phenomenal, but Jay Z, Mos and co drop street knowledge on Kanye’s beat and flip the meaning of this track. Many a time this approach fails, but not here.
“Spaceship” Kanye West ft: Consequence, GLC
A singing Kanye West? Sounds like the seeds for what would become 808s and Heartbreaks were planted here. Kanye raps about working and being fired from The Gap, while future label mates GLC and Consequence recite their tales of being up and comers. In an album filled with social commentary (“All Falls Down”, “Jesus Walks”) and bravado (“Two Words”) “Spaceship” falls somewhere in the middle as the closest thing to a street anthem from Kanye’s freshman effort.
“Selfish” Slum Village ft: Kanye West
Chicago, Detroit, Lions and Bears oh my! J. Dilla inspired Slum Village and Kanye hook up to deliver a groovy track featuring the Kon Man’s signature soul sound.
“This Way” Dilated Peoples ft: Kanye West
After some Detroit Deli, Kanye linked up with LA based Dilated Peoples to deliver a powerful ode to personal change. This song gets a special nod for having my favorite Kanye line of all time. “I wasn’t really spitting game, I was scrimmaging.” Great message, fun track.
“Gone” Kanye West ft: Cam’ron, Consequence
Cam’ron has long been one of Kanye’s favorite rappers. So following Kanye’s appearance on Cam’ron’s Purple Haze, Killa returned the favor and hopped on Kanye’s sophomore effort Late Registration. Former GOOD Music Alum Consequence rounds out the trifecta. The result? One of the standout tracks from Kanye’s second classic album.
“Southside” Common ft: Kanye West
Common and Kanye have a long collaborative history. Picking one from their rich catalog was hard enough. But “Southside” gets the mention because it won a Grammy and was the Super Bowl anthem a few years back.
“Put On” Young Jeezy ft: Kanye West
This 2008 track was the first piece of work that Kanye had released since his mother’s unfortunate passing in November of 2007. You could hear his anger, bravado and gusto on this Jeezy track. It’s the perfect street anthem and we get to hear a different, visceral part of Kanye that we wouldn’t hear again until the infamous 2009 VMA Incident.
“GOOD Friday” Kanye West ft: KiD CuDi, Big Sean, Charlie Wilson, Common, Pusha T
Whenever I’m feeling sad, confused, or anything really, I put this on. Everything about this song is perfect. Even Big Sean manages to have a decent outing on this go. It’s my favorite track off of Kanye ‘s 2010 GOOD Friday Series. If you haven’t heard it yet, do it now. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood once you hear this track.
“Devil In a New Dress” Kanye West ft: Rick Ross
Technically, an abbreviated version of this song also appeared as a GOOD Friday track. However, the final version that would appear on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy features a guitar solo and a Rick Ross verse. I was concerned that the additions would ruin an otherwise great song, but The Boss and the guitar took this song from great to perfect. I feel like I’m watching a movie every-time I hear Kanye croon on the track.
“Hold My Liquor” Kanye West ft: Justin Vernon, Chief Keef
Only Kanye West would think “hey you know who would go great together? Justin Vernon and Chief Keef.” And you know what? It works. I have no idea what Justin Vernon is saying on half of his tracks but all I know is that I love his sound. I want him to record my voicemail message. Even if he’s just mumbling inaudible sounds (like here) it will still sound angelic. Keef on the other hand serves a counterbalance to Kanye’s vulnerability. He may only be 18, but on “Hold My Liquor” he sounds like he’s about to take on a street gang by himself. I hope to buy him a shot when he turns 21.
Before his debut album, Kanye had made several uncredited guest appearances. He sang the hook on both Scarface’s “Guess Who’s Back” and Talib Kweli’s “Guerilla Monsoon Rap.” His first big verses, even if uncredited, was in 2002, on Jay Z’s “The Bounce.”
Collabing with established artists, many of whose tracks West produced, helped him establish his name as a rapper. In time, Kanye would become the successful artist we’ve all come to know. And in a way, he’s been paying it forward by working with unknown or up and coming rappers. He had Lupe Fiasco on 2005’s Late Registration, a young KiD CuDi appeared across 2008’s 808s and Heartbreak and most recently, he gave Desiigner center stage on The Life of Pablo.
Say what you will about his ego and his outbursts (he’s usually right) but it’s clear Kanye has pushed hip-hop forward, by giving young upstarts their big shot and/or by putting Kweli on songs with Jay Z. Really, any Kanye featuring track could have gone on here. But there is only so much space! As such, I’ve compiled a master list of my favorite Yeezy collaborations.
Let me know what your favorites are, I’m sure I’ve missed some. After all, it’s been a rough 2016.
Eric M. Ruiz is a NYC based writer from Modesto, CA. He helped launch Waze Ads in Latin America and now spends his time combing through rap forums in hope of finding unreleased Kanye West songs.
