Kanye West has created so many legendary songs over his career. With the amount of incredible music he’s put out, there’s no doubt he’s one of the best to ever do it. Today I’m going to present to you my top 5 Kanye West songs, enjoy.

#5: Jesus Walks

Kanye uses the song “Walk With Me” from the ARC choir, he uses the “Manual Of Arms” for the male voice in the background and even John Legend’s voice. The way Ye uses the human voice as instruments is parallel to none.

Forging such booming and chest thumping sounds with gospel sounds is what makes Jesus Walks so great. This song isn’t trying to be preachy or make you christian, he’s talking about his struggles and how he needs Jesus.

The reason I love this song so much and think it’s Kanye’s 5th best song is because of the way he meshes so many moving parts into one. Using human voices as instruments is genius, the energy was high and the rapping was strong as well.

#4: Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)

The instrumental on this song felt eerie yet light at the same time, the sampling in the background was a huge staple which leaves a lasting memory of the track. The keyboard in the back was a nice little touch as well.

This was one of Kanye’s best verses of his career and the fact that it was topped by Jay Z (imo) is absolutely incredible. Two back to back legendary verses over a perfectly constructed instrumental makes this one of my favourites and Kanye’s 4th best song for me.

#3: Runaway

The iconic piano melody is the staple of this track. When he begins, you don’t know where he’s gonna go next which leaves you in suspense. Sampling the great Rick James’ “Look At Ya” in the background of the instrumental was a great extra touch.

The dark layer in the instrumental gives it a nearly “eerie” feeling which adds to the emotions. He also samples another legend, James Brown on this track.

Explaining this track is pretty much impossible to do, you have to feel it and allow yourself to explain it. Kanye tries to apologize for everything he’s done, all the scrutiny and backlash he’s received. This is pretty much his most vulnerable and emotional point of his career.

The track is filled with emotions in this messy/distorted way but also accepting your faults and mistakes. Ye understands who he is and there’s no reason to change it, he stays himself even if people don’t like it or it gets him in trouble.

Kanye’s first verse might seem corny but when you look at it, it’s absolutely beautiful. You can see him admitting his mistakes and how insecure he is but he doesn’t use that as a fault. Pusha comes in with the exact opposite to clash with Ye’s honesty.

You see Push more “in your face” and relentless after Ye’s vulnerable verse. The part I love so much about this track is the actual “Runaway” part. You can literally take this in so many ways, runaway from the struggles, the pain, a relationship, issues and problems etc.

Runaway is the literal epitome of the title “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” so many beautiful thoughts, yet matched with twisted and dark ones in a track where everything is just released for the whole world to witness. This song is pretty much perfection.

#2: Devil In A New Dress

This nice, slow and basically soothing production is filled to the brim with perfectly tailored samples. The main one is Smokey Robinson’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” The drums and cymbal over the guitar provide a beautiful & rich sound.

Kanye provides us with a top notch verse and then we hear a great guitar solo after his verse. Rick Ross one ups Ye with one of the greatest verses ever. This slow, soul burning track is hip hop excellence and Kanye’s 2nd best song for me.

#1: No More Parties In LA

The iconic “La da di da” is from Johnny Guitar Watson’s “Give Me My Love.” “Suzie Thundertussy” by Junie Morrison and “Mighty Healthy” by Ghostface Killah are also sampled on the track.

Then fast paced beat is perfectly suited for Kendrick and we also see Kanye rapping the whole track. Kendrick gives us one of his best feature verses ever but Kanye West’s 2nd verse is one of the best verses I’ve heard in hip hop history.

My feelings when listening to NMPILA are unexplainable, sometimes I find myself stopping whatever I’m doing and just zoning out for 6 minutes and 15 seconds. Hearing my two favourite artists on the same track and both performing and an incredibly high level is phenomenal.

Kanye’s 2nd verse was reassurance that when he wants to, he can out-rap the best of the best lyricists. Listening to Ye rap out of his mind for 3 whole minutes without stopping is so incredible, damn near magical. The samples, production and perfect verses are what make this #1.

That’s the end of my list. Hope you enjoyed, Kanye (and Kendrick) is my favourite artist ever and it’s really fun to dive into his art. Thank you for reading.