1. The College Dropout (2004)
Standout Tracks: “We Don’t Care”, “Jesus Walks”, “Through the Wire”, “Slow Jamz”, “All Falls Down”, “Never Let Me Down”, “Get ‘Em High”, “School Spirit”, “Family Business”, “Last Call”, “Spaceships”, “Two Words”, “Breathe In Breathe Out”
I’m pretty sure y’all saw this coming. Cliche, I know, having the debut as the top pick, but this album truly defined Kanye West as an artist and gave us numerous classic songs and hit radio singles (“Jesus Walks”, “Through the Wire”, “Slow Jamz”, “All Falls Down”, etc). Filled with smooth soul samples, but also beats that you could easily bump through car speakers, this album held the heart and soul of its time and future to come.
Along with features from great rappers (Jay Z, Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, etc.), Kanye held his own and even more throughout his debut album and challenged the then trending Hip-Hop gangsta persona at the time. Ye gave us honest lyrics about his own personal struggles with insecurity and provided themes about family, religion, and the meaning of wealth. Featuring skits performed, again, DeRay Davis, this album is a fun and bright listen, but can also be very touching and emotional with its themes.
The release and success of this album throughout its year, and the year leading up to his follow-up Late Registration, The College Dropout was an album that changed the hip hop scene and gave birth to one of this most influential artist of this generation who overcame all those who doubted him, proving that the underdog truly does come out on top at the end. That is why The College Dropout is Kanye’s number one.