Album of the Decade – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

When Kanye West stormed the stage at the 2009 VMA’s to interrupt Taylor Swifts’ acceptance speech, he sent shockwaves across the music industry. When he exiled himself in Hawaii to work on his upcoming album, many wondered what music would result from all of this drama. The answer, of course, is the best album of this generation. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” is the “magnum opus” for Kanye West, and signifies the changing of the guard from the “Old Kanye” of the early 2000’s to the “New Kanye” of the 2010s. This album works so well because it is completely Kanye. It is unapologetic, and at times abrasive, but always sonically incredible. Nearly every song includes an anthemic chorus that still is used in pop culture today, as well as verses from Kanye that are some of his best lyrical work. The features on the album make up a “who’s who” of hip hop figures, including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Rick Ross, and John Legend. By the end of the album, the listener has not only just listened to the best album of the decade, but they have travelled right through the middle of Kanye’s thoughts and emotions from one of the most tumultuous times of his life.

Stream the album here.