For a man known for his ego, Kanye West has always done a remarkably good job of drawing the best out of other people and giving them space to shine. In fact it was very hard to narrow this list down to just five. But with apologies to Nas on “We Major”, Taleb Kweli on “Get Em High”, Kendrick Lamar on “No Parties in LA”, and Jay-Z, Cyhi the Prynce, and Pusha-T on “So Appalled” here are the best guest verses from Kanye West songs (tracks from his solo albums only):
5.) Rick Ross - “Devil in a New Dress”
What really elevates this isn’t even so much the lyrics themselves, but Rick Ross’ delivery of them. Kayne uses Ross’ deep baritone voice and crisp articulation like a another instrument in the song. And he deploys it to perfection. The transition from Ross’ voice at end of “Devil in a New Dress” to the single spare piano note that starts “Runaway” is hands down my favorite moment on a Kanye West album.
What really elevates this isn’t even so much the lyrics themselves, but Rick Ross’ delivery of them. Kayne uses Ross’ deep baritone voice and crisp articulation like a another instrument in the song. And he deploys it to perfection. The transition from Ross’ voice at end of “Devil in a New Dress” to the single spare piano note that starts “Runaway” is hands down my favorite moment on a Kanye West album.
4.) Chance the Rapper - “Ultralight Beam”
As is already being talked about all over the internet, this feels like a star making verse. Kanye letting Chance steal the song from him almost feels like Eminem stealing “Renegade” from Jay-Z. And the expression of joy Kanye had on his face while watching Chance spit the verse on SNL is the same expression I have whenever I listen to it. It’s a good verse lyrically, but its real greatness is in its energy. Excited to see where Chance goes from here.
As is already being talked about all over the internet, this feels like a star making verse. Kanye letting Chance steal the song from him almost feels like Eminem stealing “Renegade” from Jay-Z. And the expression of joy Kanye had on his face while watching Chance spit the verse on SNL is the same expression I have whenever I listen to it. It’s a good verse lyrically, but its real greatness is in its energy. Excited to see where Chance goes from here.
3.) Pusha T - “Runaway”
Kanye famously made Pusha-T keep rewriting this because it kept not feeling brutally honest enough. Thank goodness he did. It’s now the best part of the best song on Kanye’s best album. The lesson, as always, is never question Kanye.
Kanye famously made Pusha-T keep rewriting this because it kept not feeling brutally honest enough. Thank goodness he did. It’s now the best part of the best song on Kanye’s best album. The lesson, as always, is never question Kanye.
2.) Jay-Z - “Diamonds From Sierra Leone (remix)”
“I’m not a businessman I’m a business, man”
“I’m not a businessman I’m a business, man”
Most people forget, but one of the most iconic lines in rap history, and perhaps the most famous line of Jay-Z’s career was actually from a guest verse on a Kanye song.
1.) Nicki Minaj - “Monster”
As if #1 would be anything other than the ne plus ultra of guest verses. Nicki owes her entire career to this verse. It will never be topped.
As if #1 would be anything other than the ne plus ultra of guest verses. Nicki owes her entire career to this verse. It will never be topped.
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