Champion (Kanye West song)

"Champion" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song includes additional vocals from Tony "Penafire" Williams and Connie Mitchell. West wrote a letter to Steely Dan requesting to sample their work, which persuaded the band to approve of this. Band members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were credited as co-writers with West on the song due to their work being sampled, while the rapper produced it with Brian "AllDay" Miller. A hip hop, electro, and R&B number that samples Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne", it was described by West as a theme song for the people. Lyrically, the song sees Kanye focusing on his fatherly relationship with Ray West.

Not to be confused with "Champions", another Kanye West song with his label GOOD Music or "Champions", a song by West featured on the Paid in Full soundtrack.

"Champion" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who frequently highlighted the sample of "Kid Charlemagne". Some praised Kanye West's rapping skills, while a few critics commended the production. Though not released as a single, the song reached number 99 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was certified platinum and silver in the United States and the United Kingdom by the Recording Industry Association of America and British Phonographic Industry, respectively. An accompanying music video was released in August 2008, following the participation of a hand puppet version of West in an event based on the Olympic Games at Adolfo Camarillo High School. West performed a medley of the song and "Everything I Am" during the premiere for season 33 of Saturday Night Live in September 2007. In February 2008, the former was covered by K-os for Triple J's Like a Version.