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Relentlessly pushing the boundaries of creativity, Kanye West has become one of the most innovative artists of our time. When people thought he was "just" a dope producer, he proved he was also a rapper. And when people thought he was "just" a producer/rapper, he flipped the script again.
When Kanye dropped 808s & Heartbreak, he changed the sound of hip-hop. These days a whole lot of rappers like to sing their own hooks, but back in 2008 it was a radical move for an MC to make an album that featured almost no rapping.
But if you've been listening as closely as we have, you know that Kanye's never been afraid to bust out with a sing-song chorus. Just to prove the point—after already ranking his 100 Best Songs and listing his history of guest verses—we assembled this history of Kanye's singing moments.
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"We Don't Care" (2004)
Album: The College Dropout
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
On the opening track of what became known as a classic album, Kanye spun a catchy chorus as he defied those who thought his crew wouldn't make it past 25 years of age.
"Spaceship" (2004)
Album: The College Dropout
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
The dropout laments the struggles of working a retail gig while dreaming of bigger accomplishments. "I've been on the graveshift and I ain't made shit," he sings. That's the the struggle for real.
"The New Workout Plan" (2004)
Album: The College Dropout
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Lots of singing on this one. Ye Tudda spits some sing-songy verses but really starts hitting them notes on the hook. Hey, if Kanye can hit them extra notes no reason you can't run them extra laps, girl.
"Family Business" (2004)
Album: The College Dropout
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
In his soulful tribute to an incarcerated family member and family in general, Kanye sings nearly an entire verse. "I woke up early this mornin' with a new state of mind/
A creative way to rhyme"—which turns out to be not rhyming but singing, and it turns out beautifully.
"Last Call" (2004)
Album: The College Dropout
Producer: Kanye West/Evidence/Porse
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Before wrapping up his classic debut album, Kanye fools around with a melody and offers a little "La la la" before launching into one of the best come-up stories ever put to a beat.
"Apologize" (2004)
Album: Freshmen Adjustment
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
Maybe 'Ye thought singing to a woman might help them forgive men for constantly trying to get into their pants. He sure tried, making this tune a mea culpa for the wrongs of men toward women.
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" (2004)
Album: Freshmen Adjustment
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
In between his commentary on just how gorgeous a woman can be, 'Ye belts out "murder she wrote" with his voice approaching falsetto range.
"I Need To Know" (2004)
Album: Freshmen Adjustment
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
It isn't much, but 'Ye just couldn't resist trying to hit the high notes as he ends the chorus here trying to sound like Alicia Keys.
"Self Conscious" (2004)
Album: Freshmen Adjustment
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
Even in the early days, Kanye had a knack for crooning. The MC sings "Everybody say yeah!" before getting into his verses.
Dilated Peoples' "This Way" (2004)
Album: Neighborhood Watch
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Capitol
Kayne did a whole lot of rapping and a little bit of singing as he turned this Dilated Peoples track into a smash.
Usher's "Confessions Pt. 2 (Remix)" (2004)
Album: Confessions
Producer: Jermaine Dupri
Label: LaFace/Arista
Wrapping up a verse about a rich friend who gets trapped by a scheming gold-digger, Kanye raps, "Every time a nigga's sitting on pay stacks/Things come up from way, way, way back." That last part gets the "I'm trying to sing, but not really trying" treatment.
Consequence's "Getting Out Of The Game" (2004)
Album: Take 'Em To The Cleaners
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Sure Shot Recordings
Teaming up with Consequence, 'Ye used a sing-songy flow to lament the struggles of settling down with just one woman.
Melbeatz's "Oh Oh" (2004)
Album: Rapper's Delight
Producer: Melbeatz & Kool Savas
Label: Optik Records
Ye sang the chorus (and handled the verses) on this track geared toward trying to find a happy medium between a wife and a groupie.
Chamillionaire's "Call Some Hoes" (2004)
Album: The Mixtape Messiah
Producer: Chamillionaire/O.G. Ron C
Label: Chamillitary
Kanye used the same hook from Melbeatz "Oh Oh," but it's OK cause his singing just sounds so right on the chorus.
Common's "The Food" (2005)
Album: Be
Producer: Kanye West
Label: GOOD/Geffen
While he sticks to raps on Common's hook, Kanye chooses to sing on the bridge. "You can't front on me," he croons. And he's right.
"Touch The Sky" (2005)
Album: Late Registration
Producer: Just Blaze
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Kanye sneaks in some singing on this uplifting hook. "Now let's take 'em high-eh-igh-uh-ah-igh-la-la-la-la-la." Yup, it's there.
"Addiction" (2005)
Album: Late Registration
Producer: Kanye West/John Brion
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Toward the end of his hypnotic jam, Kanye coos, hoping to get a threesome popping with two choice ladies. "I mean, you, her, and me," he proposes. Two's company; three's a party.
"Hey Mama" (2005)
Album: Late Registration
Producer: Kanye West/John Brion
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
"Hey Mama" is Kanye's ode to his late mother Donda, produced long before it dropped on Late Registration. I just want you to be proud of me," he sings, and we all know she is.
Do or Die's "Higher" (2005)
Album: D.O.D.
Producer: Kanye West
Label: The Legion/Atlantic
Kanye doesn't always need to takeover when he's on the track; he can sit back and set the mood, as well. Mr. West does just that on "Higher" as his sultry sample sets the mood as Do or Die spits. But on the hook, Kanye still throws in his confidence through that aphrodisiac of a beat: "Now when you hear this song you know it's on baby girl." Once again, he's right.
"I Met Oprah" (2005)
Album: Freshmen Adjustment 2
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
Before he gets into what he calls a "freestyle," 'Ye ad-libs over this soulful beat, singing "I'm just a playa, playa." Play on, 'Ye.
"Celebration" (2005)
Album: Late Registration
Producer: Kanye West/John Brion
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Borrowing a phrase made famous by Dave Chappelle, Kanye let the world know "it's a celebration bitches" as he croons the chorus of this feel good hit.
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" (2007)
Album: Graduation
Producer: Kanye West/DJ Toomp
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
On our pick for the best song Kanye's made so far, 'Ye kicks things off by singing the simple yet effective phrase "La, la, la la," setting the rest of the song up for perfection.
"Drunk and Hot Girls" (2007)
Album: Graduation
Producer: Kanye West/John Brion
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Here Kanye swears he's giving up on dealing with tipsy chicks. He's "gone through too much bullshit" to put up with theirs.
"The Glory" (2007)
Album: Graduation
Producer: Kanye West/Gee Robertson/Plain Pat
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
During the opening seconds, Kanye sings along with the voice of Laura Nyro—whom he sampled for "The Glory"—before getting into one of the best songs off of Graduation.
"Young Folks" (2007)
Album: Can't Tell Me Nothing
Producer: Kanye West
Label: N/A
Taking the incredibly infectious hit by Peter Bjorn and John and making it his own, 'Ye stayed on pitch with the whistling in the background to create one of this coolest covers to date.
"We Can Make It Better" (2007)
Album: Late Registration (UK Version)
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
While 'Ye spit a verse on this track—found only on the UK version of Late Registration—he also held down hook duty. His vocals sound silky smooth as he let everyone know "we can make it better."
Alicia Keys' "No One (Remix)" (2007)
Album: As I Am
Producer: Alicia Keys/Dirty Harry/Kerry "Krucial" Brothers
Label: J Records
Kanye puts his own spin on Alicia's "No One" chorus before jumping into his verse on taking another man's woman.
Chris Brown's "Down" (2007)
Album: Exclusive
Producer: Bigg D
Label: Jive/Zomba
Over a hot guitar riff, Kanye lent Breezy his vocals for this big-time collaboration.
Ne-Yo's "Because of You (Remix)" (2007)
Album: Can't Tell Me Nothing
Producer: Stargate
Label: Def Jam
Kanye wasn't going to outdo Ne-Yo on the remix to the R&B singer's hit, but he dusted off his pipes and gave it his best shot.
808s & Heartbreak (2008)
Album:
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Losing his mother and breaking up with his fiance put Kanye in a pretty bad place in 2008. So not even a year after releasing his Graduation album, he got to work on another, this time opting to sing with Auto-Tune as an aid. The result was a sullen, lonely-hearted effort soaked with regrets and pain. Some may question the project's quality, but the passion and heart behind it makes this album a beloved work of art.
Young Jeezy's "Put On" (2008)
Album: The Recession
Producer: Drumma Boy
Label: Corporate Thugz/Def Jam
Right before going dumb with the Auto-Tune, 'Ye coos for the intro to one of Jeezy's best tracks. It's a dope setup for the beating he's about to put down.
Estelle's "American Boy" (2008)
Album: Shine
Producer: will.i.am
Label: Atlantic
Estelle and Kanye harmonize on the second verse to her break-out hit. "Estelle once said to me, cool down down/Don't act a fool now now/I always act a fool oww oww/Ain't nothing new now now."
John Legend's "It's Over" (2008)
Album: Evolver
Producer: Malay & KP/The Neptunes/ Kanye West
Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia
Kanye dropped a bit of Auto-Tune over his voice so he could get his John Legend on during his verse.
Fonzworth Bentley's "Everybody" (2008)
Album: C.O.L.O.U.R.S.
Producer: Sa-Ra
Label: G.O.O.D. Music
No verse for Kanye here, but he did help out by singing on the chorus of this funky tune from the short-lived musical career of Fonzworth Bentley.
Beyonce's "Ego (Remix)" (2009)
Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Producer: Blac Elvis/Beyonce Knowles
Label: Columbia
Kanye uses his arrogance to power his verse on Beyonce's "Ego (Remix)." Halfway through his verse he belts out "That's good for my ego/Me and my ego."
Mr. Hudson's "Supernova" (2009)
Album: Straight No Chaser
Producer: Mr. Hudson/Kanye West
Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Mercury
Joining up with UK crooner Mr. Hudson, Kanye tested out his own pipes on the track.
30 Seconds to Mars' "Hurricane 2.0" (2010)
Album: This is War
Producer: Flood/30 Seconds to Mars
Label: Virgin/EMI
"I need a hearbeat, a heartbeat"" Kanye softly sings in between lead singer Jared Leto's booming vocals.
"Don't Look Down" (2010)
Album: GOOD Fridays
Producer: Swizz Beatz/The Individualz
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Using an effect to make his voice sound like it's being filtered through some sort of mask, Kanye works in a few lines of song within his verse on this track from his G.O.O.D. Friday series. Still, Mos Def Yasiin Bey's singing kinda takes the cake on this track. [Quiet hums "Umi Says."]
"Runaway" (2010)
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Yeezy's tongue-in-cheek single gives props to douchebags and scumbags. The melodies are better than his actual vocals—but we still feel him.
"Hell of a Life" (2010)
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Producer: Kanye West/Mike Caren/No I.D./Mike Dean
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
On this cut, Kanye strips his needs down to two basics, belting out "Pussy and religion is all I need." Noted.
"Blame Game" (2010)
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Producer: Kanye West/DJ Frank E
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Even with John Legend on the cut, Kanye feels like his voice is the best fit toward the end, softly singing, "I can't love you this much" to a soon-to-be ex.
"Lost in the World" (2010)
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Producer: Kanye West
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
Kanye teams up with Bon Iver (and a little bit of Auto-Tune) for this fast-paced track that brings My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy closer to its finale.
"Lift Off" (2011)
Album: Watch The Throne
Producer: Kaney West/Jeff Bhasker/Mike Dean/Q-Tip/Pharrell
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Roc Nation
Beyonce steals the show here with her sultry singing on the chorus, but 'Ye adds a little bit of his signature Auto-Tune-aided vocals throughout his verses.
DJ Khaled's "I Wish You Would" (2012)
Album: Kiss the Ring
Producer: Hit-Boy
Label: WTB/CM/Universal Motown
"One, two, them boys are coming for you," Yeezy eerily raps over the opening notes of DJ Khaled's lead single from his upcoming album, Kiss the Ring. Watch out.
