Kanye West’s divisive new album Ye may be much shorter than his past records— and it may have had a far stranger rollout—but in one key aspect, it reflects West’s typical M.O.: get a whole bunch of talented people together in a room and see what happens. Below is an alphabetical list of all the people credited with making the record. Most participated directly, and some only via samples.
070 Shake
James Mbarack Achieng
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Role: Lyrics and composition
Song: “Yikes”
Achieng was a music teacher at the Kenya Conservatoire of music, and a member of Mbarak Achieng and the Black Savage Band, who first recorded the 1976 track “Kothboro,” sampled on “Yikes.” Achieng gets songwriting credit because he came up with the music. A different version of "Kothboro" by Ayub Ogada (see above) provides the melody.
Benny Blanco
Role: Lyrics and composition, producer
Songs: “I Thought About Killing You” (lyrics and composition); “Ghost Town” (producer)
Blanco is a pop producer and songwriter who got his first big break working alongside Dr. Luke on hits like “Teenage Dream” and “TiK ToK.” Since going it alone, he’s been involved with dozens of smash hits by Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and lots more. Also, Kanye West changed his life.
Blanco was so grateful for being a part of the record that he penned Kanye a long, heartfelt public thank you note.
Mike Dean
Reverend W.A. Donaldson
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Role: Lyrics and composition
Song: “Wouldn’t Leave”
Donaldson’s name that should be familiar to Ye obsessives. He presided over a spirited “Baptizing Scene” that was captured on folklorist Alan Lomax’s 1960 compilation Sounds of the South. It’s a favorite sample of Ye’s—it also appears on “Niggas in Paris.” Beyond that, not much is known about Donaldson.
Francis & The Lights/Francis Starlite
Edwin Hawkins
Jeremih
Kid Cudi
Shirley Ann Lee
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Role: Lyrics and composition
Song: “Ghost Town”
Gospel singer Shirley Ann Lee’s “Someday” opens up “Ghost Town.” She was born in Toledo, Ohio and started singing gospel professionally while still an adolescent. Despite a long career, only six tracks, all on the Revival label, were released during her heyday. However, you can hear her in all her glory on a 2012 compilation.
Trade Martin
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Role: Lyrics and composition
Song: “Ghost Town”
Martin is a NYC-based musician, songwriter, and producer who worked on everything from arranging for 1960s girl groups to composing film scores. In 2010, he had a brief moment of infamy when he wrote the Islamophobic rant “We’ve Got to Stop the Mosque at Ground Zero.” Martin wrote the song “Take Me for a Little While,” which is both sampled (in a version by rockers Vanilla Fudge) and interpolated (by Cudi) in “Ghost Town.”
Nicki Minaj
Ayub Ogada
Partynextdoor
Che Pope
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Role: Lyrics and composition, producer
Song: “No Mistakes”
Pope got his start producing alongside Wyclef Jean and the Fugees, and has been a key part of G.O.O.D. Music since 2012. He produced “Bound 2,” executive produced Cruel Summer, and co-EP’d Yeezus.
Slick Rick
Ty Dolla Sign
Valee
Charlie Wilson
