Kanye West: Where was ‘The Life of Pablo’ recorded at?
By Ryan Brennan
Kanye West recorded ‘The Life of Pablo’ in a variety of different studios across the world — including Italy!
When Kanye West dropped The Life of Pablo last year, the hip hop world stopped what they were doing immediately to listen. As a result, the album hit Platinum status just two months after being released.
Hitting the market on February 14th, The Life of Pablo featured a long list of artists and producers including (but not limited to) Rick Rubin, Mike Deans, Metro Boomin, Swizz Beatz, Chance the Rapper, Young Thug, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla $ign and Desiigner.
Since going Platinum, Kanye West has been everywhere without being anywhere. Staying low key since cancelling his Saint Pablo tour and mental breakdown, Kanye has since dropped his first ever jewelry line, a kids clothing line with Kim Kardashian and began working on his new album in Wyoming.
With all eight of Kanye’s albums going Platinum so far, I’m sure to expect the same from his new album.
After releasing the full album credits for TLOP, Kanye also released a full list of locations that he recorded the album at. The list includes studios across the world, but mainly in California and New York.
It’s quite an interesting lineup and explains the different types of sounds that are heard on the album.
Let’s go through all the locations, starting with one of the more odd ones out.
No Name Studios
Florence, Italy
Not much info was given on where Kanye recorded in Florence, but it was likely a hotel or rented condo ordeal due to the ‘no name studios.’
It’s important to note that Florence, Italy was where Kanye West and Kim Kardashian got married in May 2014.
Moving on to another ‘no name studios’ and unique location compared to the rest of the locations.
No Name Studios
Punta Mita, Mexico
Once again, not much info was given as far as the name of a studio — meaning it likely wasn’t recorded at a studio. There is a common interest with the Italy location and Mexico location: Kanye and Kim’s marriage.
The two got married on May 24, 2014 and spent the next two weeks in Ireland and Prague. For Kanye West‘s 37th birthday (June 8, 2014), the couple continued their post-wedding trip and stayed in Punta Mita, Mexico.
They stayed at a private residence during their stay and named it their ‘official honeymoon’ according to a US Weekly source three years ago.
It was also around the time speculation began of Kim having another baby soon. Saint West (their second child) was born on December 5, 2015. The speculation was a little early, but the second baby did come.
It’s clear that Kanye West had a lot of inspiration from these two locations, finally marrying the girl of his dreams and growing his family.
Noble Street Studios
Toronto, Canada
Opening their doors in 2011, Noble Street Studios was designed by Athos Zaghi and Robert Kastelic, and was engineered by Terry Medwedyk. It has seen its fair share of talent walk through those doors ever since — including Kanye West.
Inside are two recording spaces that each include Solid State Logic consoles, as well as a variety of other professional equipment. Noble Street Studios won a Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence award in 2013 and was even nominated for a CMAA award in 2015 for Best Recording Studio, so you know it’s legit.
On their website, their clients include: Drake, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Usher, The Weeknd, Will Smith, Yo Gotti, A$AP Rocky, Three Days Grace, Jeremih, Tyga, Waka Flocka Flame and Billy Talent.
Kanye West was quite the name to add to that list last year.
Germano Studios
New York City
If you think Noble Street Studios had a good client list, wait until you see what Germano Studios has lined up. Clients include Kanye West, Frank Ocean (Blonde), J. Cole (4 Your Eyez Only), Kygo (Cloud Nine), Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Bon Jovi, Adele, Lorde and even Kendrick Lamar (DAMN.) — and that’s just the past two years.
Scrolling through their website, Kanye West also recorded parts of Yeezus and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy at this location. Oh, I forgot, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, One Direction and John Legend are also clients.
Included are two studios with state of the art equipment. The building was founded on May 12, 2008 and quickly emerged as one of New York City’s top studios. The owner is Troy Germano.
Dean’s List House of Hits
Soho, New York
This studio is run by none other than Mike Dean — a Grammy Award winning producer, mixer, engineer, remixer and DJ. According to his site, he was known for “pioneering the Dirty South sound in the 1990’s.”
Dean is heavily invested in Kanye West‘s success, working alongside the icon with Late Registration, Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch the Throne. In addition to all of that, he helped produces ‘Mercy’ and ‘Higher’ off GOOD Music’s Cruel Summer album.
Mike Dean has a strong list of clients, including: A$AP Rocky (Long.Live.A$AP), Pimp C, Slim Thug, UGK, Mike Jones, Bun B, Scarface, The Game and even worked with Kanye on his 2004 single ‘Through the Wire.’
Mike Dean is a legend.
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Jungle City Studios
New York City
A studio that definitely creates the perfect atmosphere for creative thinking and inspiration, Jungle City Studios is one of the best in New York. Sitting on top of an 11-story building, the views add to the excellent recording space.
With a nice selection of vintage and modern equipment, the possibilities are endless once you enter Jungle City.
Clients include: Justin Timberlake, Puff Daddy, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Miguel, Nas, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, Usher, Meek Mill, J. Cole, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, Michael Jackson and Jay-Z.
What a lineup, right?
The Weeknd’s Crib
Trump Tower, NYC
It is known that The Weeknd stays in the Trump Tower and has even raved about it on social media, calling it the perfect place for “endless inspiration.”
The Weeknd appears on ‘FML’ and displays his soft voice that makes everyone go crazy. I’m not sure if he was credited on any other songs, but it’s likely that most of ‘FML’ was recorded at The Weeknd’s crib.
Can you imagine all of the hits that must’ve come from that spot?
Kanye spent a lot of time in New York, as you can see, but he spent even more time in California working on The Life of Pablo, which makes sense since he lives there.
Windmark Studios
Santa Monica, CA
The Huffington Post interviewed the studio manager for Windmark Studios. According to the interview, the studio is changing the culture:
"“I want Windmark to continue to grow— to welcome a wide range of talent, while still keeping this a safe place for artists to do what they love and create music. The creative process is such that it requires a specific atmosphere, environment, and experience—and I want Windmark to be just that place.”"
Artists like Kanye, Coldplay, YG, Jeezy and J. Cole have recorded here.
Larrabee Studios
North Hollywood, CA
Clients include: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Will Smith, K’naan, Common, Frank Ocean, Rae Sremmurd, Tyga, Lil Yachty, Famie Foxx, R. Kelly, Limp Bizkit, Miley Cyrus, T.I., Wale, Push T, Childish Gambino, Wiz Kid, John Mayer, Usher, B.o.B. and Kanye West.
Ameryacana Studios
California
A part of Paramount Recording — along with Encore, TrackRecord, Wilder Bros, Enterprise and Paramount — this recording giant’s clients list includes: Bruno Mars, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Left Brain, Tony Yayo, Hodgy Beats, Swizz Beatz, Drake, Cool and Kendrick Lamar.
The Ameryacana Studio has two studios, one is available for $1,250 per day and another one is $1,650 per day.
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Sound EQ Studios
California
Also a recording location for Yeezus and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Watch the Throne, Graduation, 808’s & Heartbreak, Late Registration, College Dropout and Cruel Summer.
Clients include: Kanye West, Third Eye Blind, Childish Gambino, Big Sean, Lil’ Wayne, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Chamillionaire, T.I. Rick Ross, Common, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, The Notorious B.I.G., John Legend, Paul Wall, Nas, The Game, UGK.
Home Studio
Calabasas, CA
Not much info was given about this location, but it’s believed to be a recording spot in Kris Jenner’s spot in Calabasas.
There were also several other home studios that weren’t specified. These could include studios in artist’s homes, like “2 Chainz, The-Dream, French Montana and Puff Daddy,” according to Complex.
Next: Kanye West working on new album in Wyoming
Have you heard of any of these studios before? Let us know in the comments section below!