How Kanye West Shaped the 2010s 

Try out Dashlane for free for 30 days at dashlane.com/polyphonic. Remember to use the coupon code "polyphonic" for 10% off at check out.

Ye shaped this decade before it began with 808s and Heartbreak

My fav pass time is mixing Kanye into my playlists and telling my mom after she likes it because she hates him

No one man should have all that power

imagine dropping the album of the decade right at the start of the decade

At least you didn’t give MBDTF a 6.

Kanye is still Kanye, we'll probably see him change a few more times.

We’re coming to the end of another era. Eventually we’ll look back at this decade with rose tinted glasses. Damn, time flew by...

*"Name One Genius That Ain't Crazy"*

Nobody talks about Lost in the World enough and it makes me sad.

Runaway is the bohemian rhapsody of hip hop.

Tfw you have to say “near-universal” appraise because Fantano gave MBDTF a 6

The fact that Kanye had promised the beat for Lift Yourself to Drake, then got mad at Drake, and randomly put out the Poop Diddy Scoop version to waste it so no one could use it 😂.... and no one knew why except Drake.... and legit everyone thought he fully went insane when they heard it.... is one of my favorite things ever to have happened. Just everything about it is so perfect. So Kanye lol. I love picturing Drake seeing the new song pop up and being like “Hmm what’s this....”

everytime i listen to devil in a new dress i replay rick ross’s verse at least 2 times that was arguably his career best “im making love with the angel of death catching feelings never stumble retracing my steps”

Saint pablo is the most underrated Kanye song

Ye on Polyphonic and Middle 8 today YAY

I CAN'T BELIEVE you talked about "Kanye's influence on the 2010s" and didn't even mention 808s. I know it's a 2008 album but it's arguably his most sonically influential album.

Artists who are influenced by third favorite rapper, Kanye West: - 21 Savage - 24KGoldn - A Boogie wit da Hoodie - Adele - AJR - Amir Obe - Angel Haze - Arctic Monkeys - AudioDamn! - Avenue - B.A.P. - Bebe Rexha - Ben Jayne - Big Sean - BigTril - Bishop Nehru - Blessed - Blxst - Bradley Soileau - BTS - Casey Veggies - Chance the Rapper - Charles Hamilton - Charli XCX - Childish Gambino - Christine and the Queens - CJ Flemings - D/C - DaBaby - Dane Rumble - Daniel Caesar - Daniel Lopatin - DeeWain - Deonis "Pumah" Cook - Diggy Simmons - Donovan Wolfington - Drake - Dux Jones - Earl Sweatshirt - Elle Varner - Ellie Goulding - Estelle (paired with him in "American Boy") - Face - Fall Out Boy - Far East Movement - Frank Ocean - Fun. - Future (Rapper) - G-Dragon - G-Eazy - Guapdad 4000 - Halsey - Hare Squead - Isaiah Rashad - J Balvin - J. Cole - Jaden Smith - James Blake - Jez Dior - Juice WRLD - Kari Faux - Kasabian - Kendrick Lamar - Kid Cudi - Kid Sister - Kidz in the Hall - Lil Baby - Lil Bibby - Lil Uzi Vert - Lily Allen - Lion Babe - LMFBO (stands for Laughing My Freaking Butt Off) - Logan Henderson - Logic - Lorde - Lupe Fiasco - Macklemore - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Master Shortie - MGMT - Michete - Migos - Miguel (Singer) - Monte Booker - Nawas - Nenebi - Nicki Minaj - Niykee Heaton - Pabllo Vittar - Pell - Pi'erre Bourne - Post Malone - Quavo - Quinn XCII - Rae Sremmurd - Rakeem Miles - Rationale - Raury - Rayne Storm - Redfoo - Rico Nasty - River Tiber - RMR (Singer) - Rod Wave - Roddy Ricch - Rosalia - Saba - Sam Lao - Shawn Hook - Shawn Mendes - Silento - Smino - Soulja Boy - Southside (Record Producer) - Sumner - Sylvan LaCue - Taeyang - Terence Ryan - Tim Hecker - Tommy Cash - Travis Mills - Travis Scott - Tre Coast - Tunji Ige - Tyke T - Tyler, the Creator - Vic Mensa - Wale - The Weeknd - Wiz Khalifa - X Lovers - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Young Dylan - Young Thug - Youth of the Apocalypse - Yungblud - Zelo

Kanye is a titan in musical history. One of the greatest sonic innovators ever, no one can ever take that away from him...

It’s funny how they tried to cancel him after 808’s and heartbreak and it became such an influential album, then they tried to cancel him after the Taylor Swift incident and came back with one of the best albums then again after they tried to cancel him after Trump support and he came back by producing 5 albums with one of them getting a Grammy nomination and now he’s still going strong

Gorgeous barely get any respect like that’s Cudi hook is Godly. Definitely my favorite song by Ye. Them 3 Verses are better than most niggas careers

"All of The Lights" could be Kanye's best song, but damn every song on MBDTF was amazingly well crafted. It's a masterpiece.

It’s quite interesting to see how most people that hate on Kanye in the comments have never actually genuinely listened to his works. Many people say that he is what’s wrong with modern music but the only thing that has always has been wrong with music is how intolerant and close minded people are towards other artists. People judge artists by one song or one lyric and then go on to continuously hate on them and this isn’t just related it Kanye. Kanye has undoubtedly been one of the most influential figures in music throughout the last 19 years and he has produced projects that will or already have gone down in history most notably My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. You don’t have to like his music but denying it’s influence or importance to hip hop is just ignorant and just proves that most people actually don’t really properly listen to most artists. This is the same when people hate on Taylor Swift or any other artist. Do you have to like her? Of course not but her influence is extremely significant. People should start listening to music with an open mind and stop ignoring someone’s success based on “liking” or “not liking” someone’s music. That in itself is a bad way of interpreting and analysing music.

Runaway. My favourite song of all time.

I still love the theory that Nicki's outro on Ye signified the end of the twisted fantasy

6:19 This is luxury rap i write my curses in cursive The exact moment i went holy crap i like Kanye now

"Kid Cudi, an artist Kanye had been trying to collaborate with for more than a decade" you do realise that Cudi is all over 808's, MBDTF and TLOP???

Polyphonic, Middle 8, and Most Unruly are blessing us with the Ye videos today

Hate him or love him. But he still made mbdtf, the best record of 2010.

Kanye had meme-worthy stuff even back in the college dropout - the new workout plan as prime example, and the bear in general

This makes me want to get all of these albums. I never really realized how good his music and stuff is over my own ignorance of him.

808's and heartbreak paved the way for modern "sad rap" so all you Uzi vert and lol peep fans can thank him for that, but every album he's made changes hip hops current state, and the clothes everyone wears are because of kanye. Hate him all you want for you keyboard shooters but without kanye west hip hop would not have shifted like it did.

At least u mentioned Death Grips, other people be skippin over them like they weren’t extremely influential for Kanye even makin the sound of Yeezus

I would add his collaborations with Paul McCartney. In my opinion Only One is one of his greatest songs. Excellent video, as always.

Every Kanye album sounds different, he takes risks on most albums unlike other artists. He doesn’t play it safe. MBDTF was a platform put emerging artists on the map, Nicki, Cyhi. Cruel summer put Travis on the map.

The only rapper compared to Michael

How can you not mention Daft Punk when you talk about Yeezus?

Last time I was this early, George Martin was the Max Martin of music.

Learned a lot about this artist, thanks for a great video as always.

I looooved this video, it's a great overview of Kanye's decade, but sadly it's not an analysis of how Kanye shaped the 2010s.

It's sad how "Lift Yourself" got memed to death. The beginning is actually pretty nice.

Kanye shifted the landscape of early 2010 hip hop with his 808 album. He may not be the best rapper or a lyricist but he certainly is one of the most gifted producer, as well as one of the most artistic hip hop minds in the industry.

Polyphonic confirmed wavy 🌊

Man, what a beautifully well put video. All those late nights trying to write the script and overall video were worth it.

I like drake a lot but 808’s birthed my mans

That was the slickest transition to an ad, I’m impressed

Artists who my third favorite rapper, Kanye West is influenced by: - 8Ball & MJG - A Tribe Called Quest - Aphex Twin - Boogie Down Productions - Busta Rhymes - Cam'ron - Cher - Common - Daft Punk (from his song, "Stronger") - David Bowie - Dead Prez - Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - Digable Planets - DJ Premier - Dr. Dre - The Egyptian Lover - Eminem - The Fugees - George Clinton - George Michael - Gil-Scott Heron - Goodie Mob - Ice Cube - J Dilla - Jadakiss - Jay-Z - Jermaine Dupri - John Mayer - The Killers - Lauryn Hill - LL Cool J - Madonna - Mase - Michael Jackson - Miles Davis - Missy Elliott - Modest Mouse - Mos Def - Nas - The Notorious B.I.G. - N.W.A. - The Pharcyde - Phil Collins - Portishead - Prince Paul - Radiohead - Raekwon - Run-DMC - RZA - Sade - Sean Combs (nicknames "Puff Daddy" and "P. Diddy") - Slick Rick - Snoop Dogg - Stevie Wonder - Talib Kweli - Timbaland - Trick Daddy - Tupac Shakur (2Pac) - Will Smith - Wu-Tang Clan

Wait people really discredit Kanye like that? I might not like him the person, especially his political views but no one should argue what Kanye has done as an artist & producer.

Best video you've done by far! And they're all good. The amount of effort you put into this can be perceived easily. Thanks for such a good recap of KW's decade, this video is an artpiece within itself!

I’m convinced Poly could convince me any musical artist ever is amazing

That album Ye is the most underrated and most slept on album

Idk how you keep making this so fast but please don’t stop.

Kids See Ghosts is a masterpiece.

Dec 3 2019 Rolling Stone & Billboard just named My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as the #1 album of the decade!!!!!

Great video, but this isnt really about how he "shaped the 2010s". I'd like to have heard about how Ye's music actually impacted on other music in the decade.

The difference between drake & Kanye’s singing-rap is that at least Kanye makes you actually feel his tragic loss of his mother and breaking off with his then long time girlfriend (in 808, donda for eg). The problem with Drake is that he only makes music for women to listen whilst driving to work and hit the clubs. Once weeks go by no one remembers drakes songs. He neither live his music or even experienced any hard ships. Kanye’s albums on the other hand makes you still cry after 15 years. That’s why drake won’t be equal to Kanye’s or MJ level. Because these guys did change the life-game as much as they did changed music-game.

Witnessing history is insane!! Living legends! I know have experience a decade of art, music and magic. Looking back and rewatching changes the experience and view of it all!!! Thanks for the video!

My relationship with Kanye is very polarizing (over the last few years) but I try to keep the focus on the music - which has been a soundtrack to my life. MBDTF remains arguably the best album of the 10's and Life of Pablo and Yeezus along with mbdtf truly shaped a whole decade and culture. Unfortunately Jesus is king doesn't hit home at all - both lyrically and production wise (beyond a few highlights). The erratic, narcissistic genius always had a lot to unpack and likely always will - but the current album is far from Kanye the genius and innovator. Despite everything, you may hate him or love him (or like me struggle with this "new Kanye") you can't deny his role in music and culture - everyone has their eyes peeled on his every step, every album and every production. And even if its all downhill from here - we still got some of the best albums, music and collaborations this century (00's) thanks to Ye.

Honestly I used to laugh and still at times meme kanye, however when I take a step back his whole timeline and arc is just astonishing.

You forgot to mention real friends from the album, the life of Pablo. One of the best songs in that album

Kanye is the MOST influential musical artist of the last decade. Other breaking news: water is wet

Greatest artist of all time. And I’m not joking. People are only going to truly appreciate him when he’s gone, which is very sad but not uncommon.

*The Wall:* approaching 40th anniversary *Polyphonic:* I’m gonna pretend I didn’t see that

yoooo the way that you edited this video is so fucking dope!! this is my first video of yours ive seen. dope shit man

polyphonic confirmed wavy 🌊🌊🌊🌊

"MBDTF was met with *_near_* universal praise" fantano: nervous sweating

Man the work put into this is amazing.

I never saw the Kanye West work from those lens. It is good to be challenged. Thanks for expand my perception of the world of music, now and always Polyphonic.

awesome as always

y'all have no idea how pumped i am for k. dot's video

Polyphonic and Middle 8 both dropping Kanye analysis on the same day? Niiiice

I can get chills from hearing 3 seconds of Ultralight Beam

Kanye deserves the status that people give to eminem or even higher

Lift urself is a top 10 diss track

i might just be really high but great job man. this video will be seen in 60 years from people. probably uploaded on a different site, and they will appreciate it so much. what your doing here is history frfr 🙌

I only got three hours of sleep so I think that’s a contributor but this made me cry because I love Kanye so much and you put into words exactly why he is a GOAT

I haven't yet finished watching^ but i can already state that this video is more mindchanging than your last one about Taylor. Thank you!

10:36 Am I the only one who thinks the artwork is iconic as fuck and a masterpiece? It’s so simple yet has so much meaning

Brilliantly edited. great work

Kanye changed the game. Whoever is saying anything else just doesn’t know music.

His next album will be called "The Art School Reject"

Yeezus was filled with electronic music. Almost every song was Co produced by a electronic producer.

I’m so glad mbdtf is getting the recognition it deserves even years later

That outro/sponsor transition absolutely killed the video for me.

He was my first hip hop concert. Saw him in San Jose in 2016. The first of the three nights he performed before canceling the rest of the tour...I'm not a huge hip hop fan, with heavy metal being my preferred music, but Kanye is an incredible artist! Very misunderstood and wickedly talented and that is part of his appeal!!! Much respect to Ye!!!

As complete packages: MBDTF, Watch, and Yeezus are among my very favorite albums of all time across all genres. MBDTF easily in my top 10 and while Yeezus isn't, it instantly hooked me, and it took me almost 2 years to really come around to Watch.

Amazing video, now I have to go listen to the entirety of this 2010's discography again. All classics.

Before he read Mein Kampf….

1:29 kinda funny how my two favorite artists rn have been beefing for a full DECADE🗿

He's also been one of the most prominent designers of the last decade. From the Air Yeezy to the 350s to whatever the hell he's doing now, the man can't stop making headlines. And everyone owns Yeezys now it's crazy

Gr8 video very well produced I look forward to more.

That transition at the end was smooth

this video has to get big

Kanye is the Micheal Jackson of our generation, will only be truly appreciated when theyre gone

I totally agree with him reshaping the 2010s, I also think that he allowed hip-hop to really flourish to the mainstream in the 2000s. When you listen to the hip-hop of those years, all his beats have kept their freshness.

no doubt, this is the best kanye west video essay i have ever seen. good job!

When you can make Taylor Swift as bitter as Kanye did, You know you’ve got power.

yeah ive always been conflicted about Kanye because I can't deny his music is incredible but as a public figure all I ever seem to hear is bad things. But it is impossible to deny his impact on society - for better or for worse he's made a profound mark

thanks for this video, I've always wondered why Kanye gets the press that he does and this gave me a guideline to understanding why some people enjoy his music. I'll give it a listen

Nice video, but are any of y’all gonna talk about Polyphonic’s transition to his sponsor? That shit was so smooth