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Kanye West, the Atlanta-born hip-hop artist, has had a remarkable career, both for his music and his controversial public persona. Here is a chronological list of all Kanye West’s solo studio albums:
- The College Dropout (2004): Kanye’s debut album that put him on the map, featuring collaborations with Jamie Foxx, Ludacris, and JAY-Z. Nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Rap Album at the 2005 Grammys.
- Late Registration (2005): Kanye’s sophomore effort, moving toward a more orchestral sound with collaborations including Fiona Apple and Adam Levine. “Gold Digger” remains one of his most popular songs.
- Graduation (2007): The third album, spawning hit tracks like “Stronger” and “Homecoming,” earned Kanye his third Best Rap Album Grammy win.
- 808s & Heartbreak (2008): A more experimental album dealing with personal struggles, featuring Kid Cudi and Lil Wayne.
- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010): Explored themes around Kanye’s celebrity status, considered one of his best works, and ranked as the best album of the 2010s by various publications.
- Watch the Throne (2011): Kanye’s first collaborative album with JAY-Z, featuring an impressive list of artists like Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, and Kid Cudi.
- Yeezus (2013): Kanye’s most experimental project at the time, incorporating punk and industrial sounds.
- The Life of Pablo (2016): Featured artists include Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone, known for the controversial track “Famous.”
- Ye (2018): Recorded over two weeks, the album delves into introspective themes of mental health and fatherhood.
- Jesus Is King (2019): A significant shift towards Christian themes and sounds, praised for its cohesion and consistency.
- Donda (2021): Kanye’s final album under Def Jam Recordings, reflecting on darker themes, featuring collaborators like Marilyn Manson and Tyler, The Creator. Nominated for Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards.