What is Kanye West? An asshole, a genius, a victim of the Kardashian curse — probably all of the above. I put on a random workout mix the other day and there were so many throwback Yeezy songs. It was fantastic and I started thinking about all the hits Yeezy has that I still love.

The Ultimate I Miss Kanye Playlist

“Through the Wire” — The College Dropout (2003)

I cannot start an I miss (the old) Kanye playlist without the song that started it all. Do not forget ‘Ye recorded the original version while his mouth was still wired shut. In comparison, I don’t want to move when I have a headache.

Favorite Lines: Good dude, bad night, right place, wrong time
In the blink of a eye, his whole life changed
If you could feel how my face felt, you would know how Mase felt
Thank God I ain’t too cool for the safe belt!

“Flashing Lights” — Album: Graduation (2007)

Favorite Lines:In my past, you on the other side of the glass
Of my memory’s museum
I’m just saying, Hey Mona Lisa
Come home you know you can’t Rome without Caesar

“Can’t Tell me Nothing” —  Album: Graduation (2007)

I pretty much know this entire song by heart and when I stroll into anything late I’m basically humming the line: Class started 2 hours ago, oh am I late?

Favorite Lines:Man it’s so hard not to act reckless
To whom much is given, much is tested

“The New Workout Plan” — Album: The College Dropout (2004)

Kanye is funny or he can be when he wants to and this song is testament to that.

Favorite Lines: Ooh girl your breath is harsh!
Cover your mouth up like you got SARS
Off them tracks yea I bought them cars

“Otis” — Album: Watch the Throne (2011)

This sample of Otis Redding?! IS. EVERYTHING.

Favorite Lines:Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive

“Jesus Walks” — Album: The College Dropout (2004)

C’mon, this video was everything (both versions). I specifically remember ‘Ye preforming this at the BET Awards with Yolanda Adams.

Favorite Line:I ain’t here to argue about his facial features
Or here to convert atheists into believers
I’m just tryna say the way school need teachers
The way Kathy Lee needed Regis, that’s the way I need Jesus

“Gold Digger” —  Album: Late Registration (2005)

This song broke all kinds of chart records and it most importantly it still rocks when it comes on at a party. It’s like the real response to No Scrubs. If you’re about to comment about the tragedy that is called No Pigeons, please exit immediately.

Favorite Lines: You will see him on TV any given Sunday
Win the Superbowl and drive off in a Hyundai

“Stronger” — Album: Graduation (2007)

Did you have a pair of those damn shutter shades? I had like seven pairs, but trends come an go.

Favorite Lines: Bow in the presence of greatness
‘Cause right now thou hast forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit

“All Of the Lights” — Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

Did you know that  14 artists lent their voices as background vocals to this song: Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, Elly Jackson, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, and Rihanna. This was basically the Golden State Warriors all-star championship team.

Favorite Lines:Restraining order
Can’t see my daughter
Her mother, brother, Grandmother hate me in that order

“Monster” — Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

Not going to lie Nicki Minaj stole this for me, but still speaks to Ye’s genius. I mean how else do you get Bon Iver, Jay Z, Rick Ross and Nicki on one track.

Favorite Lines:  Please see Nicki’s whole verse.

“Touch The Sky” — Album: Late Registration (2005)

The horns — a sample from Curtis Mayfield’s Move On Up — are a standout.

Favorite Lines:Now let’s go, take ’em back to the plan
Me and my momma hopped in that U-Haul van
Any pessimists, I ain’t talk to them
Plus I ain’t have no phone in my apart-a-ment

 

“All Falls Down” — The College Dropout (2004)

R.I.P. Stacy Dash. I know she’s still alive, but this her appearance in this video one of the last times the black delegation claimed her.

Favorite Lines: The prettiest people do the ugliest things

For the road to riches and the diamond rings

“Heartless” — Album: 808s & Heartbreak (2008)

Ok, there are a lot of people who hated 808s and Heartbreak. I was not one of the those people.

Favorite Lines: Talk and talk and talk and talk
Baby, let’s just knock it off
They don’t know what we been through
They don’t know about me and you

“Hey Mama” — Album: Late Registration

If you didn’t cry or feel something after Ye performed this song at the Grammys in 2008 aftter Donda passed, you have no soul.

Favorite Lines: As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy I’mma love you till you don’t hurt no more
And when I’m older, you ain’t gotta work no more
And I’mma get you that mansion that we couldn’t afford

“N****s in Paris” — Album: Watch the Throne (2011)

I basically put this next because we need a spirit lifter after “Hey Mama”.  Plus, it gets the people going. 🙂

She said ‘Ye can we get married at the mall?
I said look you need to crawl ‘fore you ball

“Runaway” — My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

 

Favorite Lines: Never was much of a romantic
I could never take the intimacy
And I know I did damage
Cause the look in your eyes is killing me

https://open.spotify.com/user/palmsinatl/playlist/3Lah4VdnA5Fji4NXu886w8

I know I’m missing a few (Heard ‘Em Say with Adam Levine). What are your favorite old Kanye songs? Let me know in the comments below!