Waves (Kanye West song)

"Waves" is a song by the American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song includes guest vocals from singer Chris Brown and fellow rapper Kid Cudi. It was the first beat conceived by West with Charlie Heat, which was set to be scrapped until a few weeks before release and Chance the Rapper persuaded West to keep the song on the album. An art pop number with gospel elements, the song samples Fantastic Freaks's "Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie" and features choral synths. It mostly features vocals from Brown, who sings about the symbolism of waves crashing at sea. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised Brown's appearance. Some highlighted the musicality, while a few critics picked it as a highlight of the album.

Despite not being released as a single, "Waves" charted in the United States, reaching number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also entered charts in Canada, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It was certified triple platinum and gold in the US and UK by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and British Phonographic Industry (BPI), respectively. A music video was shot for the song in the Isle of Skye during April 2016, with Hype Williams serving as director. West first performed the song at the Paradise International Music Festival in 2016, later performing it on his Saint Pablo Tour that same year. A demo version had been recorded by Chance the Rapper with a sample of Engima's work and choral vocals, which he shared in May 2016. The rapper performed the demo at the 2017 Governors Ball Music Festival.