Reviewed By: Malik the Villain

The 5th studio album or some would say the Magnus Opus by Kanye West and universally appraised as one of the best albums the 2010s, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is a story of a man whose dealing with the price of fame along with his tumultuous lifestyle, being an egomaniac, and a toxic relationship like no other. After his notorious on stage rant following Taylor Swifts VMA win, Kanye was faced with a lot of backlash which caused him to retreat and lock in to do what he’s good at, making music.

An concept album with themes of Lust, Love, Greed, Fame, Materialism, Heartbreak, and an atmospheric orb that’s sinister with an orchestral sound that tells a dark story in a beautifully twisted way (no pun intended) and makes this one of the high points of Kanye’s career. As you listen to album you began to peel back the layers of the character Kanye portray as selfish and sinful person who tells you the flaws of himself and doesn’t tries to hide it. Every track is detailed with all these themes which all climax at the end of the album in a tragic ending caused by the sins that all comes with the luxurious-destructive lifestyle and by one’s own ego.

When talking about the production I would say it’s probably Kanye’s best produce albums. Like I can’t even tell you how much I love and adore this production. It doesn’t in any sense fall short in no way having the elements of Orchestra, Electronica, Progressive Rock, R&B in combination with hard hitting drums, guitars, violins, cholos, basses, high hats, and samples you just can’t ignore. Starting off you have Dark Fantasy produced by RZA of the Wu Tang Clan and a spoken word poem by Nicki Minaj kicking the album off telling us this is not a happy story but a tragedy.

POWER is hype track that still stands this day. Built around two samples “21st Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson, “Afromerica” by Continent Number 6, and “It’s Your Thing” by Cold Grits and surrounded by heavy hitting drums that you can’t help but to bob your head too. All of The Lights probably one the most well known song from the album, featuring Rihanna as lead vocalist and Kid Cudi but also some other notable singers like Alicia Keys, Fergie, Charlie Wilson, John Legend, Drake and The Dream as well as other notable singers for background vocals. Not only that but a piano solo by Elton John to start things off.

Both Monster and So Appalled are posse cuts that have this dark and gritty sound matched with the verses of Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, CyHi The Prynce, and RZA. The last half of the album goes into Runaway probably Kanye’s most iconic song. It starts with a slow repeated one note piano build up that goes into a heavy bass, and drums. Kanye having a heartfelt verse telling his girlfriend to get away from him because of his self destructive behavior and Infidelity while Pusha T acts as a Inter dark personally within him berating in his rude treatment towards her with Blame Game leading up to a piano composition with lyrics of anger, accountability, hurt, confusion, regret and reflection. Lost In The World tribal drums and distortion of Kanye’s voice makes for a fitting but sad ending as he says he is lost but has accepted who he is as a person. Going into the next song, Who Will Survive In America has Gail Scott Heron telling us how America has went from milk and honey to blood and tears. A reflection of what Kanye’s luxurious and promiscuous lifestyle has become in the end, an facade.

In Conclusion, I see this as more than an album but a work art that was created by Kanye using the talents of other amazing artists who contribute the visual representation of an incredible dark story of tragedy, love, addiction, greed, fame, doubt, and personal struggle. The passion that was put into this project was worth while as it has become a staple in not only the world of hip-hop but pop culture in general with the iconic opening of Runaway, Rick Ross verses on Monster and Devil In A New Dress, the visuals and addictive hook of POWER. Most if the songs you hear on this album in some shake or form, has become their own entity that goes to show you of an impact it has had.

Till this day, many including myself sees this as Kanye’s best album and one the greatest albums ever made because of the artistic and creative details that were woven into it but not only that but seeing It’s a story of true honesty, a tale of Man vs Self that doesn’t hide the emotions from the listeners. This is must listen for all music lovers and hip-hop fans alike. If you never listened to an hip-hop album or even of your not a fan, this album should be listened to at least once in your life. A true undisputed classic made by one of hip-hop’s most talented and gifted artists to ever bless the genre.

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (10/10)