It’s easy for music from yesteryear to slip listeners’ minds in a climate where countless tracks drop per day. That’s why it’s sometimes best to set your iPods to shuffle and let the good times roll.
In doing so, a few forgotten tracks featuring Kanye West graced my ear for the first time in years. The only logical step was to revisit a gang of the Grammy Award winner’s guest appearances, some of which get lost in a shuffle of tracks filled with star-studded collaborations, especially in recent years.
Following a nostalgic West verse that appears on a track from Theophilus London’s upcoming LP previewed today, this list of solid groove is the best way to go. Hit the jump to listen.
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Photo: Shannon McCollum / WENN
White Boy ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “You Know”
West blessed the fellow Chicagoan with a beat dripping soul, but he couldn’t let the moment pass without waxing his own set of poetics.
Jadakiss ft. Kanye West – “Gettin It In”
This track released post-College Dropout, when West was still known as a backpack rapper. Needless to say that Hip-Hop heads were interested to hear how well he and Kiss would blend on a track.
Kanye West, Ludacris & The Game – “Where You At? (The Whole City Behind Us)”
Boost Mobile were smart for commissioning West and some quality company to create the soundtrack for their 2004 ad campaign.
Consequence & Kanye West – “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly”
We miss the days when West and Cons frequently traded bars.
Teriyaki Boyz ft. Kanye West – “I Still Love H.E.R.”
West has always been a risk taker when collaborating. With the track and visual, the rapper-producer had a chance to work with creative equals in this Japanese group.
88-Keys ft. Kanye West – “Stay Up”
West and 88-Keys are longtime friends, so it’s no wonder that the two linked up to create this fun track. But don’t get it confused. The two MCs were clearly competitive when delivering their rhymes.
Q-Tip ft. Kanye West & Consequence – “We Fight, We Love (Remix)”
Many (read: I) prefer this version to the one that appeared on Tip’s The Renaissance LP. West plays a major part in that. No love lost, Raphael Saadiq.
Talib Kweli ft. Kanye West – “In The Mood”
Not only did West provide Kweli with that bounce, but he kicked one of his best ever guest verses.
Rick Ross ft. Kanye West – “Live Fast”
This 2010 track gets unjustly omitted from conversations, when mentioning Ross’s best tracks. Press play above to remind you of its greatness.
