Kanye West, a man whose voice and vision bend the very air of hip hop, has named his favorites in the genre. Already a legend for reshaping music with works like '808s & Heartbreak' and 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', he has now selected the artists he considers worthy of hip hop’s Mt. Rushmore, declaring in effect who truly deserves immortality.

Kanye West revealed his personal Mt. Rushmore of rap during a leaked extended version of his 2025 interview with Justin LaBoy, by a channel named Auorabao. Outside of naming himself as one of the candidates, he selected Future, Drake, Young Thug, and Kendrick Lamar to round out the iconic quartet.

"Oh, new GOAT, Carti," Kanye West added, referring to Playboy Carti as the standout of the next generation. He praised Carti’s innovation, energy, and influence, emphasizing how the new wave of rap continues to reshape the culture.

"I exist in every generation," Kanye West emphasized, underlining his ongoing presence and relevance across eras in the leaked extended interview. He positioned himself as a bridge between established legends and emerging stars, blending legacy with contemporary impact.

Kanye West was on point in many ways, particularly his claim to reign over three generations of rap.

How Kanye West has reigned over 3 rap generations

Kanye West has dominated hip hop across three generations by constantly reshaping the genre’s sound and pushing creative boundaries. In the mid-2000s, he broke away from gangsta rap with 'The College Dropout', introducing soulful samples, introspective lyrics, and hits that resonated widely.

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, West pioneered emotional, autotune-driven music with '808s & Heartbreak'. Albums like 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' and 'Yeezus' pushed experimental production, influencing artists such as Drake, Kid Cudi, and Juice WRLD while maintaining mainstream dominance.

From the late 2010s into the 2020s, the rapper adapted to new trends, producing for younger stars like Travis Scott and exploring gospel and experimental styles on albums like 'Donda'. He continues to achieve chart-topping hits, confirming his relevance across decades.

Innovation, mentorship, and risk-taking define his reign. By shaping trends, guiding new talent, and refusing to stay in a single lane, Kanye West secures his place in hip hop’s past, present, and future.

What do you think of Kanye West's version of Mt. Rushmore? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra