From a production standpoint, nothing here tops recent conquests like Alicia Keys' 'You Don't Know My Name' or Talib Kweli's 'Get By,' but he's consistently potent and tempers his familiar characteristics - high-pitched soul samples, gospel elements - by tweaking them and not using them as a crutch. All of this momentum keeps rolling through The College Dropout, an album that's nearly as phenomenal as the boastful West has led everyone to believe.

Heartbreaking and hysterical ('There's been an accident like Geico/They thought I was burnt up like Pepsi did Michael'), and wrapped around the helium chirp of the pitched-up chorus from Chaka Khan's 'Through the Fire,' the song and accompanying video couldn't have forged his dual status as underdog and champion any better. The week The College Dropout came out, three singles featuring his handiwork were in the Top 20, including his own 'Through the Wire.' A daring way to introduce himself to the masses as an MC, the enterprising West recorded the song during his recovery from a car wreck that nearly took his life - while his jaw was wired shut. Producer Kanye West's highlight reels were stacking up exponentially when his solo debut for Roc-a-Fella was released, after numerous delays and a handful of suspense-building underground mixes. Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.