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. The band's 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. The song was played on BET's 106 & Park upon the album's release, while West briefly considered issuing it as a single. 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.

"Champion" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who frequently commended the sample of "Kid Charlemagne". Some praised Kanye West's rapping skills, while a few critics highlighted 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 at Adolfo Camarillo High School based on the Olympic Games. West performed a medley of the song and "Everything I Am" during the premiere for season 33 of Saturday Night Live in September 2007, a year before performing it on the US leg of his Glow in the Dark Tour. In February 2008, the former was covered by K-os for Triple J's Like a Version.