<P> Recording sessions took place primarily at Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii, with additional recording at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, and at Electric Lady Studios and Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York City . It was reported that West spent over $3 million in expenses from his record label Def Jam recording the album, making it one of the most expensive albums ever made . He later explained the initial recording process to Noah Callahan - Bever, Complex editor - in - chief and West's confidant at the time, who said that "he'd holed up in Hawaii and was importing his favorite producers and artists to work on and inspire his recording . Rap Camp!" Artists who were reported to have participated in the sessions for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy included Raekwon, RZA, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, Cyhi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz, Dwele, Nicki Minaj, T.I., Drake, Common, Jay - Z, John Legend, Fergie, Rihanna, The - Dream, Ryan Leslie, Elton John, M.I.A., Justin Vernon, Seal, Beyoncé, Kid Cudi, Mos Def, Santigold, Alicia Keys, Elly Jackson, and Tony Williams . Record producers who participated in the sessions with West included Q - Tip, RZA, DJ Premier, Madlib, and Pete Rock . Madlib said he made five beats for the album, while DJ Premier said his beats were ultimately discarded . </P> <P> West, who had previously recorded at Avex for 808s & Heartbreak, block - booked the studio's three session rooms simultaneously for 24 hours a day to work on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy . According to Noah Callahan - Bever, who visited West during the recording sessions, "when he hits a creative wall...he heads to another studio room to make progress on another song". West never slept a full night at the "glass - enclosed mansion" house he had rented, opting instead to take power naps in a studio chair or couch 90 minutes at a time . Engineers worked around the clock, as West bounced from room to room . This assiduous work ethic led to West employing two private chefs, one for hot food, and one for cold food. Before recording in the afternoon, West and most of his crew played games of 21 against locals at the Honolulu YMCA for leisure . Kid Cudi smoked marijuana in preparation and worked out on a treadmill, while RZA worked out in the weight room . West held breakfast each morning at his Diamond Head residence for his crew . </P> <P> Throughout the album's development, West elicited other producers and musicians to weigh in on its music with conversations and contributions at the studio . In observing discussions among them during his visit, Callahan - Bever noted: "Despite the heavyweights assembled, the egos rarely clash; talks are sprawling, enlightening, and productive...we are here to contribute, challenge, and inspire". In an interview with Callahan - Bever, Q - Tip described the process as "music by committee" and elaborated on its significance to the sessions and West's work ethic: </P> <P> He'll go,' Check this out, tell me what you think .' Which speaks volumes about who he is and how he sees and views people . Every person has a voice and an idea, so he's sincerely looking to hear what you have to say--good, bad, or whatever...When he has his beats or his rhymes, he offers them to the committee and we're all invited to dissect, strip, or add on to what he's already started . By the end of the sessions, you see how he integrates and transforms everyone's contributions, so the whole is greater than the sum of its parts . He's a real wizard at it . What he does is alchemy, really . </P>

Kanye west my beautiful dark twisted fantasy interview