You know Kanye West, right?
Well, before Ye was a rapper and all-around fashion icon, he was a producer. He's been involved in some of the most iconic tracks of our time – something we're learning all about it in the new Netflix documentary Jeen-Yuhs.
But while we wait for the third part of the trilogy to drop, here's a list of my favourite tracks Kanye was involved in creating.
1. Drake – "Find Your Love"
Released 5th May 2010.
Fun Fact: Kanye originally wrote the melody for Rihanna.
2. Twista – "Overnight Celebrity"
Released 27th January 2004.
Fun Fact: The uncredited violinist Miri Ben-Ari, also played on Kanye's "Jesus Walks."
3. Keyshia Cole – "I Changed My Mind"
Released 4th November 2010.
Fun Fact: This song samples "The Chronic (intro)" by Dr. Dre ft Snoop Dogg.
4. Alicia Keys – "You Don't Know My Name"
Released 18th November 2003.
Fun Fact: This song has been sampled 13 times, one of which being "Comfortable" by Lil Wayne, which Kanye also produced.
5. Lil Wayne ft Babyface – "Comfortable"
Released 10th June 2008.
Fun Fact: Lil Wayne interpolates Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" in the first verse.
6. Foxy Brown – "My Life"
Released 26th January 1999.
Fun Fact: This song samples "California Dreamin" by George Benson which was on the LP White Rabbit, which served as George's first-ever Grammy nomination.
7. Common – "Go!"
Released 14th June 2004.
Fun Fact: The backing vocals on this song are by John Mayer.
8. Rihanna – "Bitch Better Have My Money"
Released March 26th 2015.
Fun Fact: The title comes from a scene in the 1988 film I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.
9. Jay - Z – "Encore"
Released 14th November 2003.
Fun Fact: The song samples "I Will" by John Holt.
10. Kid Cudi ft Kanye West, Common – "Make Her Say"
Released 9th June 2009.
Fun Fact: It's clearly inspired by Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," but she remains uncredited as additional vocals.
11. Slum Village ft John Legend, Kanye West – "Selfish"
Released 16th March 2004.
Fun Fact: This song samples "Call Me" by Aretha Franklin.
12. Drake – "Feel No Ways"
Released 26th April 2016.
Fun Fact: "Feel No Ways" was certified platinum by RIAA in June 2018, despite not getting a single release.
13. The Weeknd – "Tell Your Friends"
Released 24th August 2015.
Fun Fact: The original track that was made for Kanye was released on Soundcloud in October, 2015
14. Teyana Taylor – "Gonna Love Me"
Released 22nd June 2018.
Fun Fact: This song samples Michael Jackson's "Ain't No Sunshine" – a cover of Bill Withers' classic.
15. Big Sean – "I Don't Fuck With You"
Released 12th September 2014.
Fun Fact: DJ Mustard had initially sent this beat to Justin Bieber to use.
16. Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow – "Industry Baby"
Released 23rd July 2021.
Fun Fact: The song was originally supposed to feature Nicki Minaj, but Lil Nas X didn't get a response from her.
17. Justin Bieber – "Runaway Love" (Remix)
Released 14th February 2011.
Fun Fact: Justin Bieber wasn't actually present for this remix.
18. Beyoncé ft Andre 3000 – "Party"
Released 30th August 2011.
Fun Fact: This song samples Keith Sweat's "Right and a Wrong Way."
19. Janet Jackson – "I Want You"
Released 5th April 2004.
Fun Fact: Despite only peaking at 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song received a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
20. Jagged Edge ft Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri – "Let's Get Married" (Reception Remix)
Released 25th June 2001.
Fun Fact: The song was performed in an episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown at the wedding of Theodore Long and Kristal Marshall.
21. Jay-Z ft Beyoncé– "03' Bonnie and Clyde"
Released 10th October 2002.
Fun Fact: This was the first official collaboration between Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
What's your favourite Kanye production?
Additional thumbnail credits: Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam / Westbury Road / Roc Nation