10 entries, with sources
A Tribe Called Quest·1993
West named this track as the specific creative catalyst that made him want to pursue hip-hop production and try to redefine the genre's sound.
On his 2004 Apple iTunes Celebrity Playlist, West wrote: 'OK, this is what takes me back to the reason that I wanted to do music or I wanted to bring back to the game and I finally got a chance.'
Thom Yorke·2006
West said he listened to Radiohead and Thom Yorke's solo work more than anything else during this period, and directly channeled that influence into the emotional tone of 808s & Heartbreak, once describing 'Love Lockdown' as 'Thom Yorke in the strip club.'
In a 2008 interview with 103.5 KTU, West stated: 'I listen to Radiohead more than anything else. Like, twice as much as anything else. I listen to Thom Yorke and Radiohead.' He also sampled the title track for his group Child Rebel Soldier.
Lauryn Hill·2002
West cited this MTV Unplugged track as a melodic and lyrical benchmark, and its live vocal became the basis for his breakout single 'All Falls Down' after Hill declined to clear the original master.
West wrote on his iTunes playlist: 'The melody is really dope, she was really snapping on the raps... Aww man, like the way she was lyrically so past people.' When Hill would not clear the sample, West had Syleena Johnson re-sing the hook for 'All Falls Down.'
Lenny Williams·1978
West traced the origin of 'Slow Jamz' directly to this song, describing hearing it used by Steve Harvey in 'Kings of Comedy' as the spark, and later reused it as the sample for Twista's follow-up single 'Overnight Celebrity.'
West wrote in his iTunes playlist notes: 'This is the song that made me do "Slow Jamz." Steve Harvey was playing it in the "Kings of Comedy" talking bout, there's no good rap, there's no good music anymore... It's also ironic that I used it for Twista's next single after "Slow Jamz," "Overnight Celebrity."'
Fiona Apple·1996
West said he tried to replicate the drum sound and production of this track, admitting his own attempts fell short, and his admiration for the album's producer led him to bring Jon Brion onto Late Registration.
West commented on his iTunes playlist: 'The production on this album is top notch. The drums, the sound of it... I've tried to make sh*t like this, and when you fall short of that you get like a song like "Two Words."'
The Strokes·2003
West admitted he tried to push his own album's mix toward this track's guitar-forward sound until Common talked him out of burying the drums and vocals.
West wrote in his iTunes playlist notes: 'I love this song so much that I almost f*cked up the mix down on my album because you can barely hear the lyrics. I went in the mix on my album trying to make the guitar louder, trying to make it sound like The Strokes, and Common was like, "Come on man, that don't sound like hip-hop. Come on man, turn them drums up."'
Marvin Gaye·1973
West said this specific Marvin Gaye track was the direct inspiration behind his own production for 'Spaceship.'
West noted on his iTunes playlist: 'You just can't explain why you like any Marvin Gaye song, but this one inspired the track for "Spaceship."'
Vanessa Carlton·2002
West singled out the string arrangement on this track, crediting arranger Ron Fair specifically for the sound he admired.
Writing for his iTunes playlist, West explained: 'I love the string arrangements. Ron Fair is really up on the strings.'
Red Hot Chili Peppers·1999
West called the Red Hot Chili Peppers his favorite group and pointed to the lyric 'broken jaw' on this track as resonating with him after his own near-fatal car accident.
In his iTunes playlist, West declared: 'Red Hot Chili Peppers is my favorite group of all times, he says "broken jaw" on it too so you know I like that.'
The White Stripes·2003
West acknowledged the choice was an obvious, even 'cliche' pick, but singled out his appreciation for Jack White's combined singer-songwriter-producer role.
West included the track on his iTunes playlist, noting: 'Everybody loves The White Stripes so it's kind of cliche, but it's really dope and I love the singer/songwriter/producer thing so...'