Shortly after, 'Ye began his epic run as a solo artist, producing the large majority of his own material. It's from that catalog that we've witnessed many of Kanye's best productions, including era-defining instrumentals like "Stronger" and "All of the Lights." But 'Ye has still always found time to cook up a banger for another artist. The same process that put him on the map helps keep him relevant as one of hip-hop's best beatsmiths.
With Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Cruel Summer, officially out tomorrow, it's a good time to consider all of the work he's put in to get here. We're taking a look back at the days when he was a producer for hire, working with artists like Beanie Sigel, Monica, and Nas. Of course, 'Ye produced a bunch of hits after his superstar status was cemented, too. We've taken it all into account.
These are Kanye West's 50 best beats for other artists.
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50. Lupe Fiasco "The Cool" (2006)
Label: 1st & 15th, Atlantic
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This blend of Dexter Wansel's "Life on Mars" and James Brown's "Funky Drummer" makes for this dreary instrumental, perfect for Lupe's song about a dead man walking.
49. Lil Wayne "Let The Beat Build" (2008)
Label: Cash Money, Universal Motown
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Had Weezy's Tha Carter III album not boasted so many bangers, this Kanye soul joint, sampling Eddie Kendrick's "Day by Day," surely would have gotten more shine. True to its title, the song grows from repetitive coos to a swirl of claps, kicks, and thumping bass. "Now that's how you let the beat build, bitch," Wayne says before sharing his gratitude to the producer: "I'd like to thank Kanye." Wayne's comfort with 'Ye beats had been evident since "Comfortable" and "Did It Before" leaked the year prior, but "Let The Beat Build" shows their chemistry on another level.
48. Common f/ Lily Allen "Drivin' Me Wild" (2007)
Label: G.O.O.D. Music, Geffen
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Artfully looping the piano and the chorus from Rotary Connection's "Love Has Fallen on Me," 'Ye put together a sultry beat that fit Lily Allen's crooned chorus to a T. As Common gently scolds women for trying too hard to look perfect, the piano in the background matches up beautifully with the subject matter.
47. Alicia Keys "You Don't Know My Name" (2003)
Label: J
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Nine years ago Kanye was mostly known as a hip-hop producer. He expanded his resume with this slow jam for Alicia Keys, sampling "Let Me Prove My Love to You" by The Main Ingredient. The result was a No. 3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
46. Consequence f/ Kanye West "Getting Out The Game" (2004)
Label: Sure Shot Recordings
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Kanye laced his erstwhile signee with a methodical, string-heavy beat that allowed the two MCs to contemplate whether messing with all these crazy women is really worth it.
45. Do or Die f/ Kanye West "Higher" (2004)
Label: Atlantic, The Legion
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Teddy Pendergrass was one smooth dude, so when Kanye sampled his "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration," for this track, you knew it would be a soulful affair. Do or Die let their rapid-fire rhymes flow as Kanye handled the chorus.
44. T.I. "Doin My Job" (2003)
Label: Grand Hustle, Atlantic
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In the prime of his "speeding up soul samples" phase, Kanye accelerated a snippet of Bloodstone's "I'm Just Doing My Job." The result was a hard-hitting track perfectly suited to T.I.'s Southern drawl.
43. John Legend "Used To Love U" (2004)
Label: Sony Music
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A little bass, a little piano and some uptempo drums provided the background for John Legend to croon about his fading love for his current woman. Legend's other single at the time, "Number One," also featured a dope Kanye beat, but it still couldn't match the irresistible bump of "Used To Love U."
42. Freeway "Hear The Song" (2003)
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Putting Chic's "Will You Cry" into hyperdrive and emphasizing the strings, Kanye built a beat that was perfectly suited to Freeway's gruff flow. Two years later, L.E.S. used the same sample for the Nas track "Just A Moment."
41. Jay-Z "Some People Hate" (2002)
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Click Here to Listen
Kanye's eerie looping of "A Word Called Love" by Brian & Brenda Russell repurposes its sullen message and speeds it up for Jay to talk about the hate that his come-up has earned him.
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