Kanye West Revolutionizes Music Industry Through Outstanding Albums

(Photo : Jason Persse) Kanye West performs at The Museum of Modern Art's annual Party in the Garden benefit, New York City, May 10, 2011

While the recent album launches from Kanye West have received their fair share of criticism for rushed production and lack of focus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was quite the opposite. Meticulous execution and long working hours at the studio were at the center of this masterpiece production. Kanye West projected that one of his singles dubbed Power involved 5,000 working hours during production. He claimed to have dedicated the same energy to the other songs in the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

However, this final product was the result of a combined effort. Kanye West brought on board various collaborators to assist in creating this showpiece. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy featured eleven artists such as John Legend, Jay-Z who were lifelong associates. Other upcoming starts in the album included Nicki Minaj, Justin Vernon, and Bon Iver. More vocalists included in the album were Elton John, Drake, Elly Jackson, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Charlie Wilson.

Although they lacked the public acknowledgment, all these stars appeared on All of the Lights. An additional twenty musicians contributed while another four gave handclaps. Q-Tip reported that the project was music by committee. Those who gave their contributions unveiled insights regarding the now famed fourteen-hour studio sessions. Kanye West requested them to put on black suits and display signs asking for complete concentration on the project. There would be no photos, blogging, or tweeting.

Kanye West abided by his rule, and the result was evident. Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, the producer of So Appalled and Dark Fantasy, pointed out that the project's success relied on intense energy. The legend of Wu-Tang Clan admitted that this level of commitment was unique, especially coming from a rapper. Though Kanye West is seen as an egotistical person, his work on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy introduced a new side. It showed his readiness to share concepts and work with others towards a common goal.

Kanye West embraced the idea of sharing the stage with other stars. Other notable moments of the record were captured on the verses done by other great stars. This included Pusha T on Runaway, Nicki Minaj on Monster, and Rick Ross's performance on Devil in a New Dress. When it comes to musical influence, Kanye West believes that My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was not as powerful as Yeezus and 808s & Heartbreak. He believed that these two albums were more advanced. They were a musical compilation of what Kanye West wanted instead of what listeners would prefer to hear.

An album, however, does not become superior because its production was challenging. However, indeed, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy never transformed the hip-hop industry like The College Dropout and 808s & Heartbreak. Nonetheless, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy had a significant impact on how people viewed the world of hip-hop back in 2010. From 2005 to 2009, the Pitchfork list included four hip-hop albums in the top ten albums of the year.

In 2010, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was awarded the Pitchfork Album of the Year. This was the first of its kind to happen in the hip-hop industry. In the years that followed this record release, fifteen hip hop albums joined the top ten Pitchfork list. Some that topped the list were four singles from Kendrick Lamar, including DAMN, Run the Jewels, Good Kid, and To Pimp A Butterfly.

The indisputable mastery expressed in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy saw critics rush to mainstream records to enjoy hip-hop albums. It paved the way for artists such as Tyler, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. In the past decade, only rock bands received that sort of applaud. It is good to note that the second album from Bon Iver topped the 2011 list on Pitchfork. After the launch of the MBDTF album, most of the crucial collaborators struck new grounds.

The debut album from Nicki Minaj, dubbed Pink Friday, was launched on the same day that Kanye West released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Pink Friday attracted significant acclaim and ranked high even on its eleventh week on the Billboard 200. Rappers such as Rick Ross stated that Minaj earned their respect from her performance on Monster. After getting the spotlight on So Appalled and Runaway, Pusha T experienced a rebirth of her musical career. Pusha T frequently collaborated with Kanye West on his record label dubbed G.O.O.D. Music.