Despite varying responses from listeners, the album received positive reviews from most music critics, who generally commended West's experimentation, and was named one of 2008's best records in several year-end lists. West's lyrics on the album explore themes of loss, alienated fame, and heartache, inspired by the breakup with his fiancée, his struggles with pop stardom, and the death of his mother.Ĩ08s & Heartbreak debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling just over 450,000 copies in its first week. The production also abandons conventional hip hop sounds in favor of a minimalist sonic palette, with prominent use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. Dominating its production, West was assisted by fellow producers No I.D., Plain Pat, Jeff Bhasker, and Mr Hudson, while also utilizing guest vocalists for some tracks, including Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, and Lil Wayne.Ĭonceived in the wake of several distressing personal events for West, 808s & Heartbreak marked a major musical departure from his previous rap records, instead featuring a sparse, electronic sound and vocals sung through an Auto-Tune processor. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 24, 2008, having been recorded earlier that year in September and October at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hell Of A Life Co-producer – Mike Caren, Mike Dean, No I.D.808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kanye West. Runaway Backing Vocals – Tony Williams (3) Co-producer – Emile (2), Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean Featuring – Pusha T Vocals – The-Dream So Appalled Co-producer – Mike Dean Featuring – Prince Cy Hi*, Jay-Z, Pusha T, The RZA*, Swizz Beatz Producer – No I.D.ĭevil In A New Dress Featuring – Rick Ross Producer – Bink! Producer – Mike Dean Monster Featuring – Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross Producer – Mike Dean, Plain Pat

Power Handclaps – Chris Soper, Ian Allan*, Uri Djemal, Wilson Christopher Producer – S1* Producer – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean Vocals – Dwele Vocals – Alvin Fields, Ken LewisĪll Of The Lights Co-producer – Jeff Bhasker Piano – Elton John Vocals – Alicia Keys, Alvin Fields, Charlie Wilson, Drake, Elly Jackson, Elton John, Fergie (2), John Legend, Ken Lewis, Kid CuDi, Rihanna, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams (3) Gorgeous Backing Vocals – Tony Williams (3) Featuring – Kid Cudi, Raekwon Producer – Mike Dean, No I.D.

Dark Fantasy Backing Vocals – Justin Vernon, Nicki Minaj Producer – No I.D., The RZA* Producer – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean Vocals – Amber Rose (3), Teyana Taylor

Kanye west dark fantasy soundcloud