The Best Albums of the Decade, Ranked

Published on January 29, 2020 By Mathew Cohen

1. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, (2010)

While Kanye’s previous three albums may have been mainstream rap successes, this masterpiece stemmed from the heartbreak and retrospection that went through Kanye’s mind following his VMA meltdown and the decline of his public image. In fact, this album was recorded during this troubled artist’s self-imposed exile to Hawaii, where he collaborated with the likes of Bon Iver, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, John Legend, and Nicki Minaj.

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This album explored themes such as escapism, excess, romance, and self-doubt, while at the same time exhibiting Kanye’s regret over continuously doing wrong by himself and those around him. Even today, this album is effective in conveying the haunted rapper’s pain, while at the same time bringing closure.