Love him or hate him, one thing’s for sure: YE (formerly Kanye West) has an uncanny ability to constantly make headlines for everything he does and says, for better or worse. Arguably one of the most famous and influential artists of our time, the polarizing Chicago-born rapper, music producer, and fashion designer is what many would describe as the ultimate personification of celebrity culture over the past decade or so— and for good reason.
Hailed as a genius by some and regarded as a bigot by others, regardless of what anyone thinks, the Runaway singer’s discography alone is enough to bring everyone to a clear-cut level of consensus: whether he’s behind a keyboard or a mic, his musical talent is undeniable. With chart-topping hits and albums that have stood the test of time, anything Ye does generates excitement — or apprehension— with always more acclaim and controversy swirling around him.
As a rapper, our generation is more than just familiarly acquainted with what the 46-year-old is capable of. Through 10 studio albums— released between 2004 and 2024— the world’s hip-hop community got to witness Ye’s stock rise (and fall) in real-time, especially in the years following the critical success of his debut full-length album, Graduation. But what many of the younger listeners of rap might not know is that, in addition to being a Grammy award-winning rapper, his legacy is equally as impressive as a beat-maker and producer. In fact, before he established himself as a rapper, he made a name for himself by cooking up bangers for other artists.
Some of his most devout followers won’t hesitate to label him as the modern-day version of Mozart. And to be fair, when taking a closer look at Ye’s rich repertoire of songs released as a producer, one might find it hard to argue against the comparison— after all, both of them have left an indelible mark on their respective eras, only with slightly different instruments at their disposal. Having crafted sounds for many of the music industry’s giants— whether they’re rappers or not— Ye has been directly involved in some of the most iconic songs of our time.
With over 500 tracks crediting him as the sonic architect behind the boards, over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of disputes regarding which of those stand out the most. For that reason, we decided to give you a nudge in the right direction by compiling a few of our personal favorites. Below, the ultimate playlist, of what is in our opinion, Ye’s best tracks as a producer for other artists.