Kanye West says he is “flattered” that his debut record has been named album of the decade by a US magazine.

Entertainment Weekly selected 2004's 'The College Dropout' ahead of Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' and 'Kid A' by Radiohead.

In his first personal blogspot in months, West praised the people who had helped him create the album.

Although the rapper, who caused controversy at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, also acknowledged that he had endured some “ups and downs” over the last ten years.

“Just seeing this cover takes me back to that time of my life. I remember how much pain and love went into this album,” West wrote.

“No one saw it coming. This project wasn't about me, it was about a time in peoples lives where people force opinions on you and you have to make choices for yourself.

“We loved 50 Cent but we wanted to be the yang. We wanted to wear pink polos and rap about being hurt instead being invincible.”

Among the individuals that West thanked was his mother, Donda, who died in 2007.

“I was most inspired by 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' and I listened to that album everyday while working on my debut,” he said.

West, who also produced 'The Blueprint', also revealed that two of his favourite albums from the decade were 'The Love Below' by Outkast and 50 Cent's 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin''.

“They both equally deserved the number one spot in my eyes but there can only be one number one!!!," he added.

(by Jason Gregory)