#58 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West

The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time

2025 Album Rank

58

Total Points

1012

Year Released

2010

Billboard 200 Chart Peak

1

Weeks at #1

3

RIAA Sales Certification

3,000,000 (Multi Platinum)

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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Album Details

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is Kanye West's maximalist magnum opus, created in the aftermath of intense public scrutiny following his 2009 MTV Video Music Awards controversy. Recorded primarily in self-imposed exile in Hawaii, the album fuses hip-hop, progressive rock, R&B, orchestral pop, and electronic music into a lavish, meticulously crafted statement on fame, excess, self-destruction, and redemption. Lyrically, it's both a confession and a celebration, unapologetically grand in scope and deeply personal in detail.

The album is notable for its dense production and expansive guest list, featuring contributions from Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver, Elton John, Kid Cudi, and more. Tracks like Runaway and Power balance emotional vulnerability with bravado, while All of the Lights and Monster push sonic boundaries. Its ambitious blending of genres and high-art aspirations solidified West's reputation as one of the most innovative and polarizing figures in modern music.

Interesting Facts About My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

• Kanye booked multiple studios in Hawaii simultaneously, flying in collaborators from around the world and enforcing a strict dress code of suits and ties during sessions to promote focus and discipline.
• The opening track Dark Fantasy features a spoken-word introduction by rapper and poet Nicki Minaj, channeling an English fairy-tale narrator before launching into the album's lush arrangements.
• Runaway, an epic nine-minute track, is built around a minimalist piano motif and includes a lengthy, distorted vocal outro meant to symbolize the breakdown of communication in relationships.
• Monster is famous for Nicki Minaj's verse, widely regarded as one of the best guest verses in hip-hop history, which reportedly outshone even the main artists on the track.
• The short film Runaway served as a visual companion to the album, incorporating music videos for several tracks and surreal imagery inspired by Fellini and Kubrick.
• The original version of All of the Lights had over 20 credited vocalists, including Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elton John, Drake, and The-Dream. Many appear subtly in the background rather than as featured performers.
• The song Blame Game features an unexpected comedic outro from Chris Rock, improvised in one take after hearing John Legend's vocal performance on the track.
• The cover art by George Condo sparked controversy for its explicit imagery, leading some retailers to request an alternate cover for distribution.
• During mixing, Kanye reportedly made hundreds of micro-adjustments to individual drum hits, vocal phrases, and orchestral swells to achieve the precise sound he wanted.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Tracklist

1. Dark Fantasy
2. Gorgeous
3. Power - Reached #22 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
4. All of the Lights (Interlude)
5. All of the Lights - Reached #18 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
6. Monster - Reached #18 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
7. So Appalled
8. Devil in a New Dress
9. Runaway - Reached #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
10. Hell of a Life
11. Blame Game
12. Lost in the World
13. Who Will Survive in America

All of the Lights Music Video

• Next Album: #57. Back to Back by Amy Winehouse
• Previous Album: #59. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones