The 2008 Kanye West single that reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 is “Heartless.”
“Heartless” was released as the second single from West’s fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. It debuted at number four on the Hot 100 in November 2008 and later climbed to number two, where it was blocked from the top position by Eminem’s “Crack a Bottle.”
The song marked a major stylistic turn for West. Its sparse, electronic production, synthesizers and heavily processed vocals reflected the emotional isolation at the center of 808s & Heartbreak. The lyrics are commonly associated with the end of West’s engagement to Alexis Phifer, giving the track a personal heartbreak narrative rather than a straightforward rap-bragging theme.
The song is sometimes mixed up with “Love Lockdown,” another 808s & Heartbreak single that debuted at number three. “Heartless” nevertheless became the album’s larger Hot 100 success, while also topping the US Hot Rap Songs and Rhythmic charts.