Kanye West Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Kanye West. An artist who consistently redefines and pushes (musical) boundaries.

His discography is a journey through innovation, controversy, and undeniable artistic vision. But which of his studio albums resonate most with fans?

Today, we're diving into the Kanye West albums ranked, primarily through the lens of fan sentiment. We'll explore what makes each release special to listeners. Later, we'll glance at how these records stack up based on current popularity data, offering another perspective on his impactful work.

Ranking Kanye West's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

Graduation (2007)

Graduation is the third studio album by Kanye West. It marked a notable shift from the soul-based sounds of his earlier work.

Inspired by stadium tours and artists like U2, West aimed for more anthemic compositions. He incorporated layered synthesizers and electronic elements.

The album features guests like T-Pain, Lil Wayne, and Chris Martin. Its iconic cover art was designed by Takashi Murakami.

Graduation debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It earned West his third Grammy for Best Rap Album and is widely regarded as one of his best.

Key tracks:

• Flashing Lights
• I Wonder

Securing the top spot, Graduation clearly holds a special place in the hearts of many Kanye West fans. Its vibrant energy and anthemic soundscapes created a cultural moment.

The album's blend of commercial appeal and artistic growth is often praised. It represents a peak in West's "Dropout Bear" era for many listeners.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is Kanye West's fifth studio album. It emerged from a period of self-imposed exile in Hawaii following public controversy.

The album is known for its maximalist aesthetic and opulent production. It features a wide array of high-profile producers and guest vocalists, including Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Bon Iver.

Lyrically, it explores themes of celebrity, consumer culture, and self-aggrandizement. Critics widely acclaimed it for its ambitious scope and sound.

It won Best Rap Album at the Grammys. Many publications list it among the greatest albums of all time.

Key tracks:

• Runaway
• Devil In A New Dress

Often hailed as a masterpiece, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy sits high in fan rankings for its sheer ambition and flawless execution.

Fans frequently point to its cinematic quality and the depth of its production. It's seen as a monumental artistic statement in West's career.

The College Dropout (2004)

The College Dropout is Kanye West's debut studio album. It arrived after years of West gaining fame as a producer.

The album showcased his signature "chipmunk soul" style, using sped-up soul samples. It diverged from the dominant gangster persona in hip-hop at the time.

Lyrics touch on family, materialism, religion, and education. It features artists like Jay-Z, Mos Def, and Ludacris.

A commercial and critical success, it won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. It's credited with popularizing conscious and chipmunk soul subgenres.

Key tracks:

• All Falls Down
• Through The Wire

Kanye West's debut, The College Dropout, remains a foundational favorite for many. Its relatability and groundbreaking sound captured a generation.

The album's honesty and humor, combined with its soulful beats, established West as a unique voice. It's cherished for launching an incredible career.

808s & Heartbreak (2008)

808s & Heartbreak is Kanye West's fourth studio album. It marked a significant artistic departure, following personal loss and heartbreak.

West predominantly sang using Auto-Tune over minimalist electronic production. The Roland TR-808 drum machine is a key feature of its sound.

Themes of loss, alienation, and heartache dominate the album. It was initially met with mixed reactions but has since become highly influential.

Many see it as pioneering emo rap and experimental R&B. Rolling Stone listed it among "The 40 Most Groundbreaking Albums of All Time."

Key tracks:

• Heartless
• Love Lockdown

The influence of 808s & Heartbreak has grown immensely over time, explaining its strong fan ranking. Its raw emotion and sonic experimentation were ahead of their time.

Many fans appreciate its vulnerability and its impact on subsequent artists. It's often cited as a deeply personal and transformative record for West.

The Life Of Pablo (2016)

The Life Of Pablo is Kanye West's seventh studio album. Its release was unconventional, premiering at a fashion show and undergoing post-release alterations.

The album features a diverse range of guest vocalists. These include Chance the Rapper, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar.

Production is varied, handled by West and a team including Rick Rubin. The album's creation spanned several years and multiple locations.

It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, largely through streaming. Critics noted its fragmented, "living album" nature.

Key tracks:

• Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1
• No More Parties In LA

The Life Of Pablo often sparks debate, but its high fan ranking suggests a deep connection with its sprawling, gospel-tinged chaos and moments of brilliance.

Fans appreciate its eclectic mix of sounds and its raw, unfinished feel. It captured a turbulent yet creative period for Kanye West.

ye (2018)

ye is Kanye West's eighth studio album. It was famously re-recorded in two weeks in Wyoming following controversy.

The album is concise, with seven tracks. It features guest vocals from artists like Ty Dolla Sign, Kid Cudi, and 070 Shake.

ye was part of the "Wyoming Sessions," a series of five weekly albums produced by West. It explores themes of mental health and personal struggles.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This tied Eminem's record for consecutive number-one albums.

Key tracks:

• Violent Crimes
• Ghost Town

The brevity and raw honesty of ye resonate with fans who appreciate its unfiltered glimpse into Kanye West's psyche during a tumultuous time.

Its concise nature makes for a focused listen. Many find its themes of vulnerability and family particularly impactful.

Yeezus (2013)

Yeezus is Kanye West's sixth studio album. It's known for its abrasive, minimalist, and experimental sound.

West worked with producers like Mike Dean, Daft Punk, and Rick Rubin. Rubin notably helped strip down the album's sound shortly before release.

The album draws from industrial, acid house, and punk genres. It features guests such as Frank Ocean and Kid Cudi.

Yeezus received critical acclaim for its bold direction, though public response was divided. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Key tracks:

• Bound 2
• On Sight

Yeezus holds its fan ranking due to its audacious and polarizing nature. It's an album that demands attention and sparks strong reactions.

Fans who champion Yeezus often highlight its raw energy. Its confrontational style and industrial soundscapes are seen as a bold artistic risk.

Donda (2021)

Donda is Kanye West's tenth studio album, named after his late mother. Its release followed multiple delays and stadium listening events.

The album is expansive, featuring a vast array of guest artists. These include The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, and Lil Baby.

It blends hip-hop, gospel, and pop, with minimalist and maximalist elements. Themes explore faith, grief, and West's personal life.

Donda debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It received Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album.

Key tracks:

• Praise God
• Moon

The sprawling and ambitious Donda has a dedicated following. Its themes of faith and family, intertwined with grief, strike a chord with many listeners.

While its length can be divisive, fans often point to its powerful moments. The album's star-studded features also contribute to its appeal.

Late Registration (2005)

Late Registration is Kanye West's second studio album. It saw him collaborate with film composer Jon Brion for a more orchestral sound.

The album departed from the primary soul-sample sound of his debut. It incorporated string arrangements and varied instrumentation.

Features include Adam Levine, Jamie Foxx, Common, and Jay-Z. Lyrically, West tackled themes of institutional racism, education, and the blood diamond trade.

It won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. Late Registration is often viewed as a significant progression from his debut.

Key tracks:

• Gold Digger
• Touch The Sky

Sophomore success Late Registration is lauded by fans for its lush, orchestral production and matured songwriting. It built impressively on his debut's foundation.

Many appreciate its ambitious sonic palette. The collaboration with Jon Brion brought a cinematic quality that many fans still admire.

Watch The Throne (2011)

Watch The Throne is a collaborative studio album by Jay-Z and Kanye West. It evolved from a planned EP into a full-length project.

The album features guest appearances from Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, and Mr Hudson. Production was led by West with contributions from Mike Dean, Swizz Beatz, and The Neptunes.

It explores themes of opulence, fame, and success, alongside socioeconomic critique. The sound incorporates orchestral and progressive rock influences.

Watch The Throne debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It spawned hits like "Niggas in Paris" and "Otis."

Key tracks:

• Ni**as In Paris
• No Church In The Wild

The monumental collaboration Watch The Throne is celebrated by fans for its grandeur and the chemistry between two hip-hop titans, Kanye West and Jay-Z.

Its luxurious sound and iconic tracks make it a memorable entry. For many, it represents a significant cultural moment in music.

KIDS SEE GHOSTS (2018)

KIDS SEE GHOSTS is the debut studio album by the supergroup Kids See Ghosts. This duo consists of Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

Released as part of West's "Wyoming Sessions," the album explores themes of mental health. Both artists had previously struggled with related issues.

The production is stylistically fragmented, fusing psychedelia and hip-hop. Guest contributions include Pusha T and Yasiin Bey.

It received widespread critical acclaim for its chemistry and conciseness. The cover art was designed by Takashi Murakami.

Key tracks:

• 4th Dimension
• Reborn

The collaborative project KIDS SEE GHOSTS is highly regarded by fans for its potent chemistry between Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Its exploration of mental health is also praised.

Its psychedelic sound and concise tracklist make for a compelling listen. Many consider it a standout from the "Wyoming Sessions."

JESUS IS KING (2019)

JESUS IS KING is Kanye West's ninth studio album. It marks a shift to a Christian theme, described by West as "an expression of the gospel."

The album features guests like Clipse, Ty Dolla Sign, and Kenny G. It also includes the Sunday Service Choir, formed by West earlier that year.

Originally announced as Yandhi, the project underwent significant changes. It missed several release dates before its eventual arrival.

JESUS IS KING won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the Grammys. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Key tracks:

• God Is
• Follow God

JESUS IS KING stands out in Kanye West's discography for its explicit gospel focus. Fan reception is often tied to appreciation for this thematic shift or a desire for his older styles.

Those who connect with its message praise its sincerity. The album's unique position in his catalog makes it a distinct listening experience.

VULTURES 1 (2024)

VULTURES 1 is the first studio album from ¥$. This is the collaborative project of Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign. It was released independently.

The album includes guest appearances from West's daughter North, Freddie Gibbs, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott. It addresses West's recent controversies and personal themes.

Recording took place in Italy and Saudi Arabia. The album faced multiple delays and distribution challenges before its release.

Despite mixed critical reviews focusing on its lyrical content, VULTURES 1 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It also topped charts in several other countries.

Key tracks:

• CARNIVAL
• BURN

The first installment of the VULTURES series, this album's fan ranking reflects its initial impact. It arrived amidst significant public discussion.

While opinions vary, its chart performance indicates strong listener interest. Its place here shows it's still finding its long-term standing among fans.

VULTURES 2 (2024)

VULTURES 2 is the second studio album from ¥$. This is the project of Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign.

It was surprise released in August 2024. The album features an extensive list of guest artists, including Don Toliver, Playboi Carti, and Future.

Some tracks had origins dating back several years, with recording finalized in 2024. The album saw numerous delays and was even considered for an exclusive website release.

Musically, it blends hip-hop, R&B, house, and trap. However, it received largely negative reviews, with many critics pointing to an unfinished sound.

Themes include women, money, and redemption, with West often portraying himself as a victim. The cover art features Ty Dolla $ign holding a picture of his incarcerated brother, Big TC.

Key tracks:

• FIELD TRIP
• 530

Positioned here in the fan rankings, VULTURES 2 reflects a project still being processed by many listeners. It followed its predecessor quickly.

The album's "work-in-progress" nature, with post-release updates and a sound often described as raw, contributes to its current standing. Fan opinions are actively forming around this evolving release.

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What's your take? Which Kanye West album stands as your definitive favorite, and what makes it so special to you? Drop your comments above!

Kanye West albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Kanye West's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Quick FAQs about Kanye West's albums

Q: What was a key musical shift on Kanye West's album Graduation?

A: Graduation marked a departure from the ornate, soul-based sound of Kanye West's previous releases. He moved towards more anthemic compositions, incorporating layered synthesizers and influences from house music and indie rock.

Q: Who designed the cover art for Graduation?

A: The distinctive cover art and interior artwork for Graduation were designed by renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. Murakami later also worked on the art for West and Kid Cudi's collaborative album KIDS SEE GHOSTS.

That concludes our journey through Kanye West's albums ranked. A discography this varied always sparks lively discussion.

Fan sentiment offers a unique story, while popularity data provides a current snapshot. Both perspectives are valuable.

Ultimately, the "best" Kanye West album is often deeply personal. It's tied to individual experiences and the impact his music has had on listeners' lives.

Chosen your favorite Kanye West era? Discover Kanye West's complete discography and chart performance on his Artist hub.