"Power" | ||||
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Single by Kanye West featuring Dwele | ||||
from the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | ||||
Released | May 28, 2010 | |||
Format | CD single, digital download, 12" vinyl | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Alternative Hip Hop, Rap Rock | |||
Length |
4:52 (album version) 1:34 (video version) |
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Label | Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam | |||
Writer(s) | Kanye West, Larry Griffin Jr., Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Andwele Gardner, Ken Lewis, Francois Bernheim, Jean-Pierre Lang, Boris Bergman, Robert Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald, Billy Carter, Harold Cowart, Jimmy O'Rourke, Ron Ziegler | |||
Producer(s) | S1, Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Andrew Dawson,Happy Perez | |||
Kanye West featuring Dwele singles chronology | ||||
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4:52 (album version)
"Power" (often stylized as "POWER") is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, released as the lead single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song features additional vocals by soul singer Dwele and is co-produced by West and Symbolyc One. It is built around samples of "21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson, "Afromerica" by Continent Number 6, and "It's Your Thing" by Cold Grits. After having recorded it in Hawaii, West reported that he spent 5000 hours composing "Power". In its lyrics, West comments about the United States and his critics. Its chorus features an abrasive vocal-riff.
"POWER" was West's comeback single following his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak and his controversial incident with Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. The song received acclaim from music critics and it was listed as the best track of 2010 by several publications, including Time, Pitchfork Media, Spin, and Rolling Stone. Critics described it as a return to form for West, praising its intricate production, lyrical merit, and scope. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 53rd Grammy Awards.