The first time I saw Kanye West perform in person was when Talib Kweli brought him onstage in 2003.  Kanye did not have an album yet but was making a name for himself as a producer.  He wanted to be an MC but the gents at Roc-A-Fella thought he was not ready for primetime.   Talib, however, was down to give him some shine.  Talib introduced him as someone to watch out for and Ye began to spit.  He damn near got booed off the stage…My how times have changed.  Witness the evolution of Kanye West:

2001 – Young Yeezy sets the world on fire with his production on The Blueprint but he is secretly yearning to rock the mic:

The Takeover – Jay-Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnGnevKxJE

2004 – Kanye finally gets his chance to go from behind the boards to in the booth and he does not disappoint.  He creates the third gospel rap song to to become a hit in Jesus Walks:

Jesus Walks – Kanye West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYF7H_fpc-g

2005 – Kanye successfully returns with his second solo record but gets his ass kicked on his own song by big brother Jay-Z on Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix):

Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix) – Kanye West ft. Jay-Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do3iJ6DWvpQ

2007 – Kanye simultaneously acknowledges getting shown up by Jay-Z on Diamonds while turning the tables to establish his independence on Big Brother.  This is also the best showcase to date of his storytelling abilities.

Big Brother – Kanye West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQScd1ziHlw

2008 – Kanye shares the mic with the 3 Kings (Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I.) on Swagger Like Us and more than holds his own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiS9-yPvBnY

2009:  Kanyeezy’s Revenge:  The Pupil Strikes Black – Kanye sets the blogosphere on fire by (gasp) besting the G.O.A.T. (Jay-Z) on Jay-Z’s own Run This Town.

Run This Town – Jay-Z ft. Kanye West and Rihanna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVA-xTBeHyM

2010 – Kanye straight MURDERS his verse on his collabo with Rick Ross on what may prove to be the (second) best rap album of the year, Teflon Don.

Live Fast, Die Young – Rick Ross ft. Kanye West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wiOHJNkaU

2010 and beyond?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V24A1ficz4