My Personal Ranking of Every Single Song by Kanye West

I recently watched a video by Afro Media about his ranking of every single Kanye song and was inspired to do my own ranking. According to spotify, about a quarter of all music I listened to last year was by Kanye West, although that actually seems lower than I expected. Regardless I think I have a pretty good grasp of every song that he has released to make this list.

This is going to be based on my own taste, and not how good critically I think the song is. Also same as the video, it will only be on Kanye’s own discography (so no WTT, KSG, Cruel Summer, or any other songs not on his main discography). I’ve also separated songs into 8 different tiers, and I’ll explain those in the list. With that being said, let’s go to the list.

2020/06/16 Update: About time I update this list with all of Kanye songs. So here I've added songs from Watch the Throne, Cruel Summer, Kids See Ghosts, and also a few other misc songs I thought of. This is only gonna cover officially released Kanye songs, cause going into unreleased songs is an entire new can of worms that's gonna be way too difficult to cover. Kanye has a disgusting amount of leaked and demo versions of songs out.

Tier 8: Trash These are songs that I just straight up don’t like, unfortunately a lot of Jesus is King is in here. These songs deserve no description, just not my thing.

152. Water (Jesus is King)

151. Hands On (Jesus is King)

150. Bliss (Cruel Summer)

149. Jesus is Lord (Jesus is King)

148. Creepers (Cruel Summer)

147. Pt. 2 (TLOP)

146. Everything we Need (Jesus is King)

145. Higher (Cruel Summer)

144. That's my Bitch (WTT)

143. I’ll Fly Away (College Dropout)

142. Lift Off (WTT)

141. To The World (Cruel Summer)

Tier 7: Mediocre A couple of these songs are labeled as great Ye songs but just not for me. I would not willingly put these songs on.

140. Paranoid (808s) This instrumental does not sound good to me

139. Barry Bonds (Graduation) Pree much agree w most people here, this is bottom tier Kanye

138. Low Lights (TLOP) Highlights is just much better

137. On God (Jesus is King) Chaotic instrumental, ok flow

136. On Sight (Yeezus) Has a good turn halfway through, but I’m not tryin to listen to 2 minutes of laser sounds

135. Celebration (Late Registration) Feel like the vibe of the song doesn’t fit it’s message, also not a fan of the beat

134. Blame Game (MDBTF) Controversial position here, but the song just doesn’t sound good to me. The storytelling is good but like I wouldn’t listen to it just for the story. Also that Chris Rock call is kinda corny.

133. Closed on Sunday (Jesus is King) Prolly the most complete song on JIK, but there’s so many better Kanye songs

132. See You in my Nightmares (808s) Lil Wayne features in Kanye songs are just not that good lol

131. Welcome to the Jungle (WTT)

This is mostly just Jay Z spitting, nothing crazy but not bad

130. Kids See Ghosts (KSG)

Idk this melody does not really do it for me, it sounds a lil too country for my liking

129. Late (Late Registration) That laughing part in the chorus sounds horrible to me

128. Made in America (WTT)

I feel like I should like a song w Kanye, Jay, and Frank Ocean more but I just don't

127. Fire (KSG)

I think I've just overall not as big of a fan of the psychedelic sound that KSG brings

126. I Am a God (Yeezus) Has some of the most memorable lines ever, but just not at all easy on my ears.

Tier 6: Decent Songs I prolly wouldn’t skip if they came on shuffle. Solid songs but not quite at elite Kanye tier yet.

125. Every Hour (Jesus is King) I wish this entire album used the choir sound to this extent

124. The One (Cruel Summer)

The vocals on the hook aren't my favourite. It also brings out the type of early 2010's that I don't really like as much

123. Fade (TLOP) Always thought this song was kinda bland and it just reminds me of Teanna Taylor in a changeroom

122. Last Call (College Dropout) Great closer to the album, but like for most of the 15 minute runtime of this song it’s Kanye ranting, which is good an all but for entertainment/enjoyment I wouldn’t really listen to it

121. Feel the Love (KSG)

Ok really interesting song we got here, real weird way to open KSG I think. Pusha's verse was good but idk about that ratatata

120. Sin City (Cruel Summer)

This is like baby Travis vibes and it's interesting to see how he molded elements of this song to his current sound

119. Heard em Say (Late Registration) Also controversial but I never really liked the Adam Lavine feature here

118. Breathe in Breathe out (College Dropout) Decent bars, everything else lacks character

117. Freeee/Ghost Town Pt2 (KSG)

Don't hate me for having this so low but it I am also not the biggest fan of pt1

116. FourFiveSeconds (Misc)

The baby sounds are an interesting artistic choice to say the least

115. Yikes (Ye) Don’t really like the chorus, but a solid song and tackles his bipolar condition well

114. New Day (WTT)

Like the concept of this song, but it feels shallow compared to his later looks into fatherhood

113. 30 Hours (TLOP) Again I just find this song a little boring, but also good bars

112. Selah (Jesus is King) After hearing the original Selah w the way more aggressive flow this really cannot compare

111. Bad News (808s) Very average song, good in most aspects but nothing stands out

110.We Don’t Care (College Dropout) Very very thematically cohesive as the second track of College Dropout, but unfortunately falls victim to the same type of production as Celebration

109. Waves (TLOP) Chris Brown sounds good here, but song overall is pretty corny

108. Champions (Misc)

This is like the song equivalent to the all star game. It's a clusterfuck of talent with little identity

107. Love Lockdown (808s) Again controversial to put it this low, but his singing here is kinda bland and it feels repetitive

106. Who Gon Stop Me (WTT)

Ok sample, decent bars but this type of song is literally done better by several songs off the same album

105. God Is (Jesus is King) The singing is interesting but not bad, I like where this song is going but feels unfinished as does all of Jesus is King

Tier 5: Good I enjoy all of these songs and will put em on occasionally. These songs all stand out slightly in some way

104. My Way Home (Late Registration) Even though this is basically just Common, he puts some solid bars on this track

103. Cudi Montage (KSG)

This got that super country sound but Cudi's vocals here sound nice so, I guess I'll put it here

102. Guilt Trip (Yeezus) One of the weaker tracks on Yeezus but maintains structure and serves well as the introspective turn in the album

101. Feedback (TLOP) I like how he goes back the the Wake Up Mr. West line and it sets up low lights and highlights well

100. Lift Yourself (Misc)

This gotta be one of the greatest diss tracks of all time

99. Robocop (808s) Most people hate this song but I think it’s prolly one of the best Kanye has sounded singing.

98. Addiction (Late Registration)

Good not great Kanye, it's kinda catchy tho

97. Why I Love You (WTT)

Quite a few of these WTT songs are fading into each other where it's just Jay and Ye trading bars over a synth-y male vocal

96. I Thought About Killing You (Ye) I remember when I first listened to Ye and this song came on first and I was like man am I in for a different kind of album this time

95. We Major (Late Registration) Not as high on this song as others, the instrumental is so insanely lush but idk man the verses don’t do it as much for me

94. Follow God (Jesus is King) Good song where he actually lays some good bars, prolly the only track in this album that has good bars tbh

93. Real Friends (TLOP) Why is Ty Dolla Sign so good on features, enjoyable song with some great introspective bars

92. Drive Slow (Late Registration) Literally makes me feel like driving, I guess if a song called Drive Slow makes me wanna do that then I gotta give it props

91. Highlights (TLOP) Super fun track, “I think me and Ray J could be friends” is enough to seal the deal

90. Don't Like (Cruel Winter)

This is basically don't like with a Kanye verse and I'm not mad at that

89. XTCY (Misc)

This is one of the weirdest beats I've ever heard and it still blends into the lyrics, gotta give him props for that one

88. I’m in it (Yeezus) No fucking way this song should work nearly as well as it does, this song is so chaotic but idk why I’m into it

87. Coldest Winter (808s) Saddest song on 808s which is saying something, an amazing ode to his mom’s death

86. Reborn (KSG)

This song is highkey therapeutic, this is like peak KSG sound for me I think

85. Drunk and Hot Girls (Graduation) Yo this song gets way too much hate this is Kanye having some fun and I think it’s pree catchy. Did not expect Mos Def to feature but overall I actually like this song

84. No More Parties in LA (TLOP) Kanye keeping up bar to bar with Kendrick Lamar, what more could you ask for

83. Only One (Misc)

The harmonies on here are really nice, and it's nice to see him revisit material about his mom

82. Champion (Graduation) Never knew this song was about his dad till recently. Just a solid song that mixes vocal sampling in between electronic sounds well

81. Ye vs the People (Misc)

This is a pree cool thing to do. It details out both sides of the argument well while still sounding decently good

80. School Spirit (College Dropout) The way he makes this sound like a chant at a pep rally or some shit is so cool

79. Get em High (College Dropout) The Talib Kwali transition in this song is really clever

Tier 4: Great I really like all of these songs, a lot of these songs could be top 10 or top 5 songs for most other artists.

78. Heartless (808s) Much better single than Love Lockdown imo, I really liked the great chorus and it had a really memorable animated music video at the time

77. Mercy (Cruel Summer)

Pusha puts in a MEAN verse here but other than that this is just worse Clique for me

76. The Morning (Cruel Summer)

Raekwon starts off this song so strong but the rest of the verses just do not live up

75. Ghost Town (Ye) Some people really really love this song and think it’s up there with Kanye’s best of the best. While there’s a ton goin on in this song and they all work together quite well, I almost think there’s too much goin on. I think the transitions are little lacking for all of it to really stick together.

74. No Mistakes (Ye) The way the instrumental comes back in right before the pre chorus at the end is so damn good

73. Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix (Late Registration) I would rather just listen to the bonus version, I like the Jay transition but overall verses are not as strong as his solo effort

72. Bittersweet Poetry (Graduation Japan)

This is like a super random collab but it's still 2 of my favourite artists

71. The Glory (Graduation) I used to really love this song and although it’s fallen a bit since I still dig the bold lyrics and it’s a fun song to listen to

70. Big Brother (Graduation) Storytelling is amazing here, the last part of the last verse are some of my favorite lines Kanye has ever spit.

69. Gone (Late Registration) Funky and lyrically clever, but I always felt like the features detracted a bit from the song (very unpopular opinion)

68. Clique (Cruel Summer)

This is one of my favourite Jay Z verses. I sometimes forget how quality some of the songs on cruel summer were

67. The New Workout Plan (College Dropout) Wow this song is fucking great and it’s comedy rap at it’s finest. From the bars to the testimonials in the middle to J Cole sampling the end in Work Out, this song is jus real fun.

66. Dark Fantasy (MDBTF) Amazing amazing way to open up his magnum opus album. From the very first taste of the vocal sample it’s right in your face laying out what to expect sonically from the album. Also I love the line “Look like a fat booty Celine Dion, sex is on fire I’m the King of Leon”.

65. Say You Will (808s) Weird that I put this above Dark Fantasy cause I don’t think it’s better as an opening track, but it’s jus so hauntingly beautiful and the alternating 808s grounds it so well

64. Never Let Me Down (College Dropout) One of his most underappreciated songs I think, the verses here are amazing and the 3rd preaching verse works so well. This is classic “Old Kanye”.

63. Frank’s Track (TLOP) If this was actually included as a verse in Wolves I would have transcended my body.

62. Cold (Cruel Summer)

This is just a solid 2 minutes of bars on bars from Kanye I really would love more songs like this from him

61. Good Life (Graduation) Will we ever get Kanye as carefree as he was in this track? T pain on the chorus is a perfect fit.

60. Wouldn’t Leave (Ye) Surprisingly really liked this track, the message behind it is really compelling and although it’s a little corny sometimes (esp the ending monologue) I still enjoy it

59. Everything I Am (Graduation) “Everything I’m not made me everything I am”. Beautiful summary of his ambitions thus far in 2008

58. I Love Kanye (TLOP) Incredibly self aware and willing to entertain the public opinion in a humorous few bars

57. Bring Me Down (Late Registration) Can’t believe Brandy was featured here, how far we’ve come. Wish this was more than just 1 verse.

Tier 3: Amazing I’ve definitely listened to a bunch of these songs on repeat at some point. These are top tier songs in his discography, and all have at least 2 out of 3 of excellent lyrics, production, or context.

56. Gotta Have It (WTT)

Ok the instrumental here is wild. Also how they are bouncing flows off of each other, sometimes multiple times in each verse just sounds great

55. Freestyle 4 (TLOP) Idk what it is about this song but it gets me so amped, this is barely a song and if it can get that kinda reaction outta me it’s gotta be good. This whole fantasy dream whatever context w that instrumental just works so well together

54. Use this Gospel (Jesus is King) Definitely the best song by far off Jesus is King imo. The car door beat actually is lowkey fire, and Clipse gives 2 very solid verses. Again this coulda been so much better if it just ended up as Law of Attractions tho.

53. All of the Lights Interlude /All of the Lights (MDBTF) I put these together cause that’s how they were intended to be listened to and if you don’t then what you doin w yourself. The interlude transition is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever heard. This prolly a lot lower than most people have it but I always thought there are so many better tracks on MDBTF. This is almost too maximalist.

52. Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 (TLOP) The Metro tag, followed by Cudi on the chorus. That’s all that needs to be said about this song.

51. Spaceship (College Dropout) Incredibly inspirational, thoughtful lyrics that really bring it back to a time before all of Kanye’s fame (which wasn’t much before this track). The ooo ooo vocal beat during the second half of verses is really satisfying.

50. Famous (TLOP) This song grew on me a lot since I first heard it. Contextually I like it more than the actual track. It actually has a really memorable second verse but it just leaves a lil something something short of wanting a bit more.

49. New God Flow (Misc)

The line "I believe there's a god above me I'm just the god of everything else" opening this track is enough to just this spot

48. Bound 2 (Yeezus) A very realistic love song, incredibly rich instrumental, perfect way to end off Yeezus. Unfortunately I like both Bound 1 and Bound 3 better…

47. Hell of a Life (MDBTF) Always thought this was a very underappreciated song in MDBTF, lost between so many great songs. The way he compares fame to porn is really clever actually and it also has one of the best lines from Kanye “how could you say they live they life wrong, when you never fucked with the lights on.”

46. All Mine (Ye) Super controversial putting this so high since so many people hate this song, but the bars here are so fucking hard and I appreciate bars more than other critics I think.

45. Amazing (808s) Throwback to NBA Live. This song feels weirdly hypnotic while being really hype too. Jeezy feature was perfect.

44. Murder to Excellence (WTT)

I really really like the excellence part in this song esp Jay has a really unique flow there, but the murder part doesn't stack up as well imo

43. Niggas in Paris (WTT)

This song is hard as fuck period and super addictive

42. Two Words (College Dropout) The way both him and Mos Def maintain the 2 syllable flow in most of their verses is amazing. This is one of the most lyrically cohesive songs I’ve ever heard.

41. Otis (WTT)

I feel like a few WTT songs are getting bunched up around this area of my list and that seems pree indicative of where the highs of this collaborative effort fall

40. Flashing Lights (Graduation) Not as high up on this as others but it’s nonetheless a really beautiful song with some really incredible synths and strings, top notch production quality.

39. Lost in the World (MDBTF) The layering of vocals in this song is second to none. The Woods sample is perfect, it’s haunting as much as it is luxurious. One of the most thematic maximalist efforts and a great way to end MDBTF.

38. Facts (TLOP) As a sneaker enthusiast and Nike fanboy it’s not easy for me to admit there’s a lot of truths here. It’s loud and aggressive and presents a very in your face case for his greatness.

37. Stronger (Graduation) Incredibly innovative at the time sampling daft punk. As much as it’s a radio hit it’s still super catchy and I still enjoy listening to this song to this day.

36. Ultralight Beam (TLOP) What hasn’t been said about this song. It’s angelic and grounded, it’s original and flows incredibly well between the choir and Chance’s verse. This is Kanye’s creativity at it’s best.

35. Gold Digger (Late Registration) Super witty, combines lyrically charming one liners with conscious commentary on money in relationships. Jamie Foxx and the Ray Charles sample goin back and forth on the chorus sounds amazing.

34. Black Skinhead (Yeezus) No other song gets me amped like this song, there’s a demo version where he includes his scream as part of the beat every 4 bars and it’s insanity.

33. Monster (MDBTF) Jay’s verse aside, this is one hell of a collaborative effort. Nicki’s verse is still her best to this day and it’s not even close. Also that “have you ever had sex with a pharaoh” line is iconic.

32. Crack Music (Late Registration) Incredibly real comparison of hip hop to drugs and the effect they have on the black community in America. Conscious Kanye was on some next level writing back then. Also that testimonial rhyme scheme at the end is unreal.

31. Slow Jamz (College Dropout) Idk why I love this song so much. The fact that it’s almost a parody of love songs is great, and that transition to Twista in the middle is also really witty. Twista’s verse here has insane repeat-ability.

Tier 2: Classics I consider these to be some of my favorite songs and sounds I’ve ever heard. They’re all classics to me and at least some of these songs are ones I pree much listen to on a daily basis.

30. Send it Up (Yeezus) Was deciding if this belonged in T2 or T3, but in the end I love this instrumental too much. That alarm just gets me hyped esp when it changes pitch halfway through the verse. If King Louie had a better verse this would be higher.

29. FML (TLOP) A vulnerable and introspective look into both his confidence and ability, and how it will ultimately also be his downfall. Weeknd on the chorus fit perfectly.

28. Violent Crimes (Ye) This song makes me feel like I have kids, which is crazy. It may not be the most apologetic ode to his newfound fatherly responsibilities, but I still think it’s one of the most personal verses I’ve ever heard him spit.

27. Street Lights (808s) This was my favourite off 808s when I listened to the CD back in 08 so there’s a strong nostalgia factor here. When I listen to this track it’s a very visual experience and I can picture this dimly lit and desolate snowy street.

26. 4th Dimension (KSG)

Not gonna lie this ended up a lot higher than I thought, but like holy moly that Ye verse is one of my favourites from his. I think that alone pushed it this high

25. Wolves (TLOP) The main melody of the instrumental is just something else man, listening to this song feels transcendent. I love that all of Kanye’s songs about Kim are super non traditional love songs.

24. White Dress (Misc)

I remember first listening to this song and thinking holy shit when is he gonna end his verse. The story telling on this song is unreal. My second thought was how have I not heard this song before

23. Roses (Late Registration) One of the most personal songs Kanye has ever made, I would say up there with Hey Mama. The flow at the beginning of the second verse is so unique and sounds amazing.

22. No Church in the Wild (WTT)

This opening track is bold fucking statement for your album. I am really into it tho the braggadocios nature of this album is immediately slapped into your face while they are literally talking about heading a new religion. Also that line "2 tattoos one read no apologies, the other said love is cursed by monogamy" is truly excellent.

21. Family Business (College Dropout) This is the most nostalgic sounding song I’ve ever heard. It just gives me that feeling of family gatherings from a simpler time.

20. Hold My Liquor (Yeezus) Man this song is a whole experience. It’s really good at giving the essence of drinking and falling deeper into a hypnotic state with the electric guitar and Justin Vernon’s distorted voice layered over each other. One of the best outros ever made.

> real 20. All Day (Misc) Man I can’t believe I forgot to rank this song. This song is fire literally the way he brought it out at the brit awards w the flamethrowers and everything. The flow here is fucking mesmerizing and idk I don’t appreciate album art enough but the biblical symbol he used for this just fits so well somehow w the whole so help me god phase he had.

19. Can’t Tell Me Nothing (Graduation) This song is big dick energy. One of the best opening lines of any song of any genre.

18. Touch the Sky (Late Registration) The horns in this song are so fucking strong. Packed with 3 excellent verses from Kanye and Lupe. Just a super funky track that has insanely high repeat-ability.

17. Devil in a New Dress (MDBTF) This song is the complete package: dense and rich instrumental packed with multiple instruments, variable percussion, and vocals. Smooth verses from Kanye and an absolutely monster verse from Rick Ross after the guitar solo buildup. This song is truly a work of art.

16. Through the Wire (College Dropout) This is the most inspirational song of all time to me. To realize what he had gone through to lay down the bars on this track that would become his foundation for how far he has come, it will never be topped.

15. Good Morning (Graduation) A bit of nostalgia attack again but this is my favourite opener to any album. Also another super underappreciated track from his discography imo.

14. So Appalled (MDBTF) This track is just 5 pure minutes of bars on bars on bars. Jay and Pusha have 2 of the meanest back to back verses I’ve ever heard. The way they explore fame and celebrity status here is also very humane.

13. Homecoming (Graduation) One of my favourite songs to rap along to. It baffles me that he let this original song slip all the way down to Graduation to release but I guess Kanye got a plan for everything.

12. Jesus Walks (College Dropout) One of the most memorable beats of all time. The way he layers vocals together to create a melody and percussion is insanely catchy. Also has one of my favourite lines from him “ain’t going nowhere but got suits and cases.”

11. Saint Pablo (TLOP) I don’t even know how to describe this song. It’s deeply personal and vulnerable and tackles social and family issues that he grounds in harsh reality. Sampha on the chorus is euphoric. This is a song I can almost go line by line and appreciate every single bar he raps. I can’t think of a better way to end an album like TLOP.

Tier 1: Transcendent There are no touching these songs in my landscape of hip hop and music in general. These songs are the definition of why I think Kanye will always be the greatest artist of all time.

10. Blood of the Leaves (Yeezus) When the horns kick in on this track it’s over. The pacing of this song is perfection, from the Nina Simone sample, the way it builds momentum, the incredibly aggressive verse, how it breaks back to piano. This song is production perfection.

9. Welcome to Heartbreak (808s) Cudi on the chorus can never do wrong. This entire track is so simple and hypnotically addicting.

8. New Slaves (Yeezus) Maybe my singular favourite Kanye verse. The message behind this song is the definition of that meme that says “why would you say something so controversial yet so brave” taken in stride with his entry into the fashion industry.

7. All Falls Down (College Dropout) Classic classic old school Kanye. Chipmunk vocal samples, female singer on the hook, clever and sometimes humorous lyrics. If someone asks for old Kanye this is the go to song for me.

6. Hey Mama (Late Registration) The most personal track he has ever made imo. This also hits me on a very personal level and it’s one of the most bittersweet things I’ll ever listen to.

5. Diamonds from Sierra Leone Bonus (Late Registration) Prolly the most addictive bars I’ve ever heard Kanye spit. I repeat this song over and over and over again. That Bond sample frames his verses in a very luxurious manor to truly make that electric second verse feel like the “Hermes of verses”.

4. Power (MDBTF) I think this single gets overlooked a lot now and maybe to other people hasn’t aged as well as some of the other tracks on this album, but fuck I love this song just as much every time I listen. The way he lays out the concept of holding power in the public eye, and how much power is too much power is very introspective. The main tribal sample from Afromerica is captivating. The music video he created with his entire mythical spread with himself under the Sword of Damocles is perfect for the song.

3. Runaway (MDBTF) What more needs to be said about this song. This song makes me feel shit no other song makes me feel. That haunting piano melody is forever ingrained into my brain. Pusha’s verse could not have been better and that outro is one of the most unique things I can ever stand to interpret as beautiful music. This song is truly like no other hip hop song ever made and is on another level.

2. I Wonder (Graduation) Prolly most surprising is having this at number 2, when most Kanye stans wouldn’t even have this in their top 50. I’m not sure what it is about this song that makes me go back to it over and over again. It’s inspirational and interpretive, it embraces struggle while imbuing self confidence. It has one of the best uses of vocal sampling I’ve ever heard. It also has prolly my favourite Kanye line of all time in “you could still be who you wish you is, it ain’t happen yet and that’s what intuition is.”

1. Gorgeous (MDBTF) Kanye at his lyrical best, Cudi on the hook, cold as fuck electric guitar riff as the main melody, it does not get better for me than this song right here. The fact that he lines this up as track 2 right after Dark Fantasy shows you how much he is not fucking around on MDBTF. Also Raekwon is top 2 Wu Tang for me and puts in a mean as hell verse to end it off. I will never skip this song when it comes on, and I’ve listened to it on repeat more times than I can count. Again I think I emphasize bars more than other listeners so there could not be a more perfect fit for my top spot.