My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
by Kanye West
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 22, 2010
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 3765 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,245 out of 3765
  2. Mixed: 72 out of 3765
  3. Negative: 448 out of 3765
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  1. TheGorilla
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    I love this album. Kanye West once again showed us that he's one of the best musicians in music right now. MBDTF has many highlights: Dark fantasy, Blame game, Lost in the world, Runaway, All of the lights etc. I enjoyed the album. It's Kanye's heart served on a plate.
  2. fistofan0077
    Apr 26, 2011
    10
    This album is phenomenal from start to finish. Most of the negative reviews are probably only negative because they feel the album has been over hyped for being so good. From the well flowing Dark Fantasy to the explosive finale of Lost in the World and Who Will Survive in America (I consider them one song to give the album the proper finale), It's hit after hit. The lyrics are so personalThis album is phenomenal from start to finish. Most of the negative reviews are probably only negative because they feel the album has been over hyped for being so good. From the well flowing Dark Fantasy to the explosive finale of Lost in the World and Who Will Survive in America (I consider them one song to give the album the proper finale), It's hit after hit. The lyrics are so personal and catchy, and even if Kanye isn't the best Rapper on earth, he's one of the best musicians in general, especially with the phenomenal production throughout the album. All the guest acts bring their A-game (Hey, I didn't entirely hate Fergie in All of the Lights), and not a single song on the album is forgettable. The only thing I have a complaint about is Chirs Rocks' inclusion on "Blame Game". While I get why it's there and what it means to the whole song, It runs a little too long, and doesn't exactly fit in with simple listening sessions.… Expand
  3. OscarPicks2010
    Dec 11, 2010
    8
    Some of the songs in here weren't as great, but the whole album overall really satifies fans of Kayne West. Runaway, Power, and a lot others received great ratings and are very rock and roll songs. Kayne is one of the artist of the year, even with the Taylor Swift episode.
  4. D-Blak
    Nov 30, 2010
    8
    I will say right off the bat that I am not a big fan Mr. West. He's arrogant, needlessly **** self-absorbed and the definition of a douche bag. But this album (production wise), is simply amazing. 9/10ths of the album are songs that you are going to rewind and listen to over and over again. Only a few select tracks are less than memorable. Lyrically...almost every track is nothing butI will say right off the bat that I am not a big fan Mr. West. He's arrogant, needlessly **** self-absorbed and the definition of a douche bag. But this album (production wise), is simply amazing. 9/10ths of the album are songs that you are going to rewind and listen to over and over again. Only a few select tracks are less than memorable. Lyrically...almost every track is nothing but nonsense. It's purely expletives and an extreme lack of effort (yes even from Jay-Z). Don't Expect any soul searching, in-depth knowledge/insight or even catchy punchlines. It's is literally just an album that sounds good but doesn't say anything. If your looking for something that literally just sounds good to listen to on the ride home from work, or if you need to just veg out on a Sunday afternoon, this album should be at the top of your list.… Expand
  5. Wired4Sound
    Dec 1, 2010
    8
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is one of Kanye Westâ
  6. vinnie_nine
    Dec 3, 2010
    9
    I was surprised by the universal praise for a new Kanye West album, haven't picked up any of his music since his debut . This genre has been dead for quite a while now, at least commercially, and I'd completely written him off along with the rest of it.

    It's not instantly appealing, like all the best things and builds with each listen, rather than deteriorating into a spiral of radio    I was surprised by the universal praise for a new Kanye West album, haven't picked up any of his music since his debut . This genre has been dead for quite a while now, at least commercially, and I'd completely written him off along with the rest of it.

    It's not instantly appealing, like all the best things and builds with each listen, rather than deteriorating into a spiral of radio punching hatred. The lyrics are clever, but he's not trying to be too clever with them, he seems to have been influenced by song writing from sources outside of rap (unusual in hip-hop), and the music has benefited.

    It's amazing how something can sound or look when the creator has talent and really cares about the product, and not only the profit (although it's unlikely he worries about finances now; Surprisingly, he does seem to refrain from reminding the listener of this fact. Again, unusual in hip-hop.) He's made actual music here, one of the best albums of the year. Maybe the genre can all get together in a room and call it a day now, most of the rest seem incapable of creating anything anywhere near this level.    … Expand
  7. Khalid24
    Dec 8, 2010
    9
    After an artist goes through a rough time in his or her career, it usually takes that artist a fairly long amount of time to redeem himself or herself, and also takes the artist a while to regain his or her fans, for example, after Eminem released Encore, he took a five year hiatus, then released Relapse, which was generally a poor attempt for Eminem to redeem himself, but the year afterAfter an artist goes through a rough time in his or her career, it usually takes that artist a fairly long amount of time to redeem himself or herself, and also takes the artist a while to regain his or her fans, for example, after Eminem released Encore, he took a five year hiatus, then released Relapse, which was generally a poor attempt for Eminem to redeem himself, but the year after that, Eminem managed to redeem himself, and get more fans with Recovery, a second example is 50 Cent, who after released Curtis, managed to redeem his skills, but not his fanbase with 'Before I Self Destruct', and the third, and most obvious example is Kanye West, who made a living joke out of himself with '808s and Heartbreak', and now trying to redeem himself with the release of 'My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy'. 'My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy' has a generally good background, mainly because it indicates Kanye's return to the rap world, meaning that with this album, Kanye plans to redeem himself by rapping again, and returning to his old musical style. This Kanye album starts with 'Dark Fantasy' which starts slow for the first minutes and a half, but after that amount of time, Kanye brings in one of his best beats, smoothest rhythm, and some of his best lyrics in Kanye's career, the second track 'Gorgeous' was a strongly lyrical song, with a rock-style beat, and a strongly written chorus by Kid Cudi, so it was how I expected it, which was extremely entertaining, the third track, 'Power', which was the first single of the album, and was the best track of the album, because it has symbolic lyrics, and a very complex and powerful rhythm. Other than those three tracks, other great tracks include 'All The Lights' which has a great chorus by Rihanna, and some great rhymes be Kanye, 'Monster' was a track where Rick Ross, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj all delivered great flows and rhymes as guest stars, and Kanye does an as good or even a better job as the lead artist, and the track 'Hell of a Life' was strongly energies, due to its fast paced beat and rhythm, and Kanye's strong rhyming skills. The album does have some negative tracks, like 'Runaway' which lasted too long, had a very poor and corny chorus, and had a rhythm which was generally just plain boring, another bad track was 'Blame Game', due to its length, slow rhythm, and poorly written chorus, it barely sounds like a Kanye West song, and the third bad track is 'Lost in the World' which is mostly repetitive, and takes a really long time for Kanye to actually rap. 'My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy' was generally a strongly redeeming album, it has strong lyrics, many great beats, and mostly energizing and entertaining rhythms, which was honestly what I wanted from a Kanye West album, however, there were some errors in the album, such as some tracks' long length, and weak rhythm, but other than that, I think that this album generally states and proves that Kanye West if finally back.… Expand
  8. mmasonhauser
    Dec 10, 2010
    8
    i just finished listening to the majority of it a few minutes ago. it literally made me want to find a review site so i can say this: amazing. i'm seriously not into rap or hip-hop, or whatever you want to call it. and i'm not a fan of Kanye as a person, but i can not deny that he is an amazing artist.
  9. AndrewCarroll
    Dec 14, 2010
    9
    This is Kanye's "Purple Rain". A true statement from a true artist. Plus it's "LOL" funny and you can dance to it. The fact that Kanye tempers his anger with humor and backs up his bravado with absolute killer hooks makes him the real deal.
  10. Aliciaaxx
    Dec 17, 2010
    8
    This album is great and can only be described as a brand new and original approach to hip hop. Although some songs are quite boring, the mostly brilliant tracks - to name a few examples: Gorgeous, All Of The Lights, Devil In A New Dress and Monster. Power was a great first single from the album which had me hooked for a long time and runaway was great.
  11. MrThistle
    Dec 19, 2010
    10
    I used to like rap at the end of the '80's and early '90's, like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Ice Cube. But that was eternity ago. This right here? I don't get. Maybe I gotta listen a few more times, but I'm really wondering if these rappers are ever gonna stop with the N and F words all the time. Just sounds all the same to me.
  12. Heino
    Dec 27, 2010
    9
    http://heinverstappen.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-favoriete-albums-van-2010-en-de.html http://heinverstappen.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-favoriete-albums-van-2010-en-de.html http://heinverstappen.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-favoriete-albums-van-2010-en-de.html 9.0
  13. n00ne
    Dec 31, 2010
    8
    I like this album. A whole lot. It's brimming with creativity and humor without ever trying too hard. Or at least it doesn't seem to try too hard from my vantage point. But a 93? Really? The highest rated new release of 2010? REALLY? I rarely use the term "overrated". I don't like the word. But if this album isn't overrated I don't know what is. The two best hooks on the album, in myI like this album. A whole lot. It's brimming with creativity and humor without ever trying too hard. Or at least it doesn't seem to try too hard from my vantage point. But a 93? Really? The highest rated new release of 2010? REALLY? I rarely use the term "overrated". I don't like the word. But if this album isn't overrated I don't know what is. The two best hooks on the album, in my opinion, are lifted from Black Sabbath and King Crimson. And my favorite single musical moment? The opening of "Lost in the World", a Bon Iver sample. I understand that's part of hip hop. But surely original compositions are and should be more respected. On a different note, I didn't know what the fuss about Nicki Minaj was about until I heard "Monster". Jay-Z was great on that track as well.

    Finally, after listening to the album and thinking about it's content I was left with this thought, am I the only one who thinks the person who is overreacting to the "Taylor Swift incident" more than ANYONE is Kanye?    … Expand
  14. YZJay
    Feb 1, 2011
    8
    The sound of the album is EPIC. I think it would take 3 to 4 years for another artist to top this. The only bad thing would be the lyrics and it being VERY unorthodox,
  15. afrhrhcpts
    Mar 14, 2011
    7
    Like all his previous efforts critics and hip hop fans build up Kanye West's ego to convince themselves that he is their messiah. He is not but this album is his best for a few reasons. Nicki Minaj has a few noteworthy cameos and Chris Rock has a funny part. Jay-Z is boring in his two spots. For the most part the guests do not shine like Minaj. Everyone wants to say the albumLike all his previous efforts critics and hip hop fans build up Kanye West's ego to convince themselves that he is their messiah. He is not but this album is his best for a few reasons. Nicki Minaj has a few noteworthy cameos and Chris Rock has a funny part. Jay-Z is boring in his two spots. For the most part the guests do not shine like Minaj. Everyone wants to say the album transcends genre because the songs a little longer than average and it is a sonic marvel. Length does not make it any better and sonically it is mediocre. It seems the piano interlude is impressing everyone despite it not being above average playing. What makes the album noteworthy is Kanye's ability to rap and Minaj's guest parts. Not great but worth one listen.… Expand
  16. cantsellit
    Apr 7, 2011
    9
    I did a blog entry on this album on tv.com in December; no one read it/ perhaps that was the wrong venue. I'm glad to talk about it again, particularly after five months of listening. Let me start with, it's a great album. I am a big fan of Yeezy; none of his albums have been completely disappointing. But I was blown away by Fantasy when it was released; I thought Mr. West had a misstepI did a blog entry on this album on tv.com in December; no one read it/ perhaps that was the wrong venue. I'm glad to talk about it again, particularly after five months of listening. Let me start with, it's a great album. I am a big fan of Yeezy; none of his albums have been completely disappointing. But I was blown away by Fantasy when it was released; I thought Mr. West had a misstep or two on the releases following The College Dropout. I liked all the songs on Fantasy, but of course, there wer those I liked better than others. My favorites are "Gorgeous", "So Appalled", and "Hell of a Life" - not the ones chosen by most critics. As stated earlier, there's not a really bad song in the bunch, with the exception of the ending to "The Blame Game", featuring the comedian, Chris Rock. I will end by saying, Kanye's back. But he still hasn't topped, The College Dropout, which in my opinion will become a classic, and is already, in my book. But that's a different review, isn't it.… Expand
  17. finulanu
    Jul 22, 2011
    9
    Just when I was ready to count Kanye out of the game - let's face it, it's a long fall from The College Dropout to 808s and Heartbreak - he delivers this, probably the strangest and most unpredictable album mainstream hip hop has ever seen. If any album can be called "art rap," it's this one - you certainly wouldn't hear a four-minute guitar solo on a Lil Wayne song, now would you?
  18. gmonaco1124
    Apr 26, 2011
    10
    â
  19. Nimarprit
    May 1, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In a world where celebrities hide from the paparazzi to disguise their "pop" lives in order to gain "relateability", Kanye West is really doing the opposite: His beautiful dark twisted fantasy about marrying a pornstar and divorcing her by the end of the night (Hell of a Life) doesn't really seem like a fantasy because for West it might easily happen - yet he manages to create a story that says otherwise, because his Id, his feelings as a sexual/normal individual are always stronger than his boastfull self that knows fame and fortune. That is what makes My Beautiful Dark Twisted..."Fan"tasty": Kanye West is able to portray his life as a public superstar figure (honestly) and still be a character that everybody can relate to.… Expand
  20. lovemusic
    May 8, 2011
    8
    too damn hyped. too damn long. too damn personal. too damn great. too damn popular. but i liked it though. most of the songs were good. some songs were corny and overly long. but it wasnt a bad album. i liked the creative mind he has.
  21. d_nasty
    May 13, 2011
    8
    There are a lot of great tracks on here, "Monster", "Devil in a New Dress" and "Lost in the World" are the best tracks. I could see this years from now still being a good listen but it's not perfect. Tracks "Blame Game" and "Power" are incredibly listenable but are definitely the weakest tracks.
  22. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    8
    Feels a little overrated, a litte overambitous, but overall probably his best work. Kanye is a very talented artist and all his talents shin on this album. It took me a couple of listens before I got hooked.
  23. SidSharma95
    Aug 23, 2011
    10
    One of my favourite albums of all time, Kanye West will never cease to rid us of his creative genius. Like his previous albums he's used samples brilliantly and tastefully on almost every track on the album, but does it in a way that it's not blatantly apparent to the listener but still pays homage to the original. I have yet to find a single low point on the album as each song is uniqueOne of my favourite albums of all time, Kanye West will never cease to rid us of his creative genius. Like his previous albums he's used samples brilliantly and tastefully on almost every track on the album, but does it in a way that it's not blatantly apparent to the listener but still pays homage to the original. I have yet to find a single low point on the album as each song is unique in it's own way. Not a song to be skipped on this album purely due to the fact that West has mastered each track to it's peak of perfection. My personal favourites are 'Dark Fantasy' due to it's ostentatious yet elegant nature and to how well it sets the general tone of the album, 'Power' due to how efficaciously it lives up to it's title, 'All of the Lights' because of how well it was put together, 'Monster' for making me feel guilty yet humoured and amazed when listening to it, 'Runaway' for showing us how effective simplicity is (with a few drops of genius) and 'Lost in the World' because not everyone can turn a slow and calming Indie sample into an upbeat and hard hitting piece that ends an opus with a BANG. That being said, every song on the album is worth multiple listens. Kanye has exceedingly fulfilled his primary objective; out-doing himself… Expand
  24. robguy222
    Sep 4, 2011
    8
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has one of my favorite songs! All of the Lights rocks! (reached #18) I hope he makes songs like All of the Lights again!
  25. mvatcher35
    Sep 6, 2011
    9
    A veritable explosion of creativity--maybe too much creativity (some songs run too long/seem overwrought & over-saturated). The best album of 2010 nonetheless.
  26. Ricko
    Jul 16, 2014
    8
    "Graduation" has more of my favourite Kanye songs, but as an album, this here is probably his finest hour. It has some standout tracks but works best as an album with the collective parts coming together perfectly. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is not only bursting with creativity but with epic tunes and melodies as well. Lyrically, Kanye is on top form and matches the quality of the"Graduation" has more of my favourite Kanye songs, but as an album, this here is probably his finest hour. It has some standout tracks but works best as an album with the collective parts coming together perfectly. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is not only bursting with creativity but with epic tunes and melodies as well. Lyrically, Kanye is on top form and matches the quality of the music. You have to take your hat off to the man when you listen to this - its pure brilliance.… Expand
  27. dadukee
    Oct 15, 2011
    9
    This album makes my relize that Yeezy will never make a classics like Late Registration or College Dropout but pretty dam good albums like graduation was. This album is more like a peice of art so it's hard to pick out weak and strong tracks. It's a solid listen but some of the tracks just don't glisten like that others. Hip hop has changed so it's only naturally that the biggest starsThis album makes my relize that Yeezy will never make a classics like Late Registration or College Dropout but pretty dam good albums like graduation was. This album is more like a peice of art so it's hard to pick out weak and strong tracks. It's a solid listen but some of the tracks just don't glisten like that others. Hip hop has changed so it's only naturally that the biggest stars will too. Not a bad album...a solid one but i just wish Kanye could get back into his old stlye but that will probably never happen. While this album was being recorded, Kanye came up with Good Fridays where he would realese new records Every friday and he did untill a month beofre his album was to be realsed and then he released Christmas in Harlem before the album dropped. Some of the tracks from Friday (Chain Heavy, Don't Stop (The seconed Child rebel soldier (Lupe, Pharell and Kanye) song), Christmas In Harlem, Lord Lord Lord) SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE ALBUM. The Joy, another great Friday track was realesd as a bonus track many months after November 22nd. But MBDTF is still a strong album some of my top picks are (Devil in a new dress, Power, Monster, See Me Now, and Gorgeus). So go pick this up if you havn't heard it, it's very inspiring and shows a new Kanye West… Expand
  28. stock22
    Nov 17, 2011
    8
    I'm a huge kanye west fan, but this album does not deserve anything above an 8. Yes it has brilliant beats, fantastic features from the likes of Rick Ross and even the unexpected bon iver. But a classic implies that every single song was perfect, you can't honestly tell me that songs like hell of a life are perfect. You can't give me a reason why "who will survive in america" is good orI'm a huge kanye west fan, but this album does not deserve anything above an 8. Yes it has brilliant beats, fantastic features from the likes of Rick Ross and even the unexpected bon iver. But a classic implies that every single song was perfect, you can't honestly tell me that songs like hell of a life are perfect. You can't give me a reason why "who will survive in america" is good or interesting, or what even the purpose of it is? If you overlook kanye's lyricism, or lack thereof on this particular record then maybe its a 10, but for me its just a very good album that has been overrated.… Expand
  29. Zegilgamesh
    Jan 6, 2012
    9
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy crawls into Kanye's psyche and shows his deepest emotions through beautiful soul, well-executed rap, and most importantly killer production.
  30. keanex
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    MBDTF is just a dynamite album from start to finish. Typical ridiculous raps by Kanye sprinkled in with political points and whatever else is going on in Yeezy's head. Beats are phenomenal, and lots of great samples. **** Yeezy yeezy yeezy, it's yo boy Mark and this is a fire album.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2010
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2010
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Uncut
    Sep 19, 2012
    80
    West is far from rap's deftest lyricist but his neurotic grandstanding is compelling and often pretty funny to boot. [Feb 2011, p.84]
  2. Consequence
    Sep 17, 2012
    100
    There is no question that this album is a game changer. It's Kanye West's greatest work.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    Apr 20, 2011
    100
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is genuinely a great record. [Feb. 2011, p. 108]
See all critic reviews »