My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West returned from a self-imposed exile in Hawaii to deliver My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, his fifth studio album released on November 22, 2010. Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records dropped this 13-track record after West retreated to Honolulu following the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident. He assembled a rotating crew of musicians at Avex Recording Studio to craft a maximalist sound that blends hip-hop with progressive rock, baroque pop, and symphonic elements.

Lyrically, the project dissects celebrity culture, consumerism, and the darker side of the American Dream. West supported the release through the weekly GOOD Fridays series and four top-40 singles: "Power", "Runaway", "Monster", and "All of the Lights". Critics praised the opulent production and thematic depth, naming it the best album of 2010 by many publications. It won Best Rap Album at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards and topped the US Billboard 200. [edit]