the biography of kanye west

Kanye West is an outspoken Grammy Award-winning rapper, record producer and fashion designer.

Who Is Kanye West?

Kanye Omari West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977. His father, Ray, was a photojournalist for the Atlanta Journal newspaper and was also politically active in the Black Panthers; he later became a Christian counselor. West's mother, Donda, was a teacher who became a professor of English at Chicago State University, and eventually, her son's manager before she died at the age of 58 from heart disease after cosmetic surgery in 2007. Her passing would profoundly affect West musically as well as personally.

Ray and Donda divorced amicably when West was three. After that he was raised on Chicago's middle-class South Shore neighborhood by his mother, and spent summers with his father. At the age of 10, West moved for a year with Donda to China, where she taught as part of a university-exchange program; he was the only foreigner in his class. After returning to Chicago, West was drawn to the South Side's hip-hop scene, and he befriended the DJ and producer No I.D., who became his mentor. West graduated from Polaris High School and won a scholarship to study at Chicago's American Academy of Art — but dropped out of college altogether to pursue music, an act that would inform the title of his first solo album years later.

Music Producer

After spending time producing for local artists, West developed a signature style, dubbed "chipmunk soul," characterized by sped-up soul samples. He then moved to New York in 2001. Here he got his big break handling the production for the Jay-Z track "This Can't Be Life," which appeared on the 2000 album Dynasty: Roc La Familia . The following year he cemented his burgeoning reputation by producing four songs on Jay Z's The Blueprint , widely regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of all time. From there, West went on to produce for other stellar talents, including the rappers Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Ludacris , and the singers Alicia Keys and Beyoncé .

But West was not content to be a backroom player. He wanted to be the headline act but initially struggled to be taken seriously as a rapper. He pleaded with Roc-A-Fella records to let him rap, but as co-founder Jay-Z later told Time magazine, "We all grew up street guys who had to do whatever we had to do to get by. Then there's Kanye, who to my knowledge has never hustled a day in his life. I didn't see how it could work." West got a similar response from other labels. "I'd leave meetings crying all the time," he recalled.

With reluctance, Damon Dash signed West to Roc-A-Fella in 2002, but he did so mostly to retain him as a producer. That October, as West was driving home from a recording session in a California studio, he was involved in a head-on car collision that left him with a shattered jaw. He wrote and recorded a song about the experience, "Through the Wire," with his jaw still wired shut following reconstructive surgery. He then wrote much of the rest of his debut album while recuperating in L.A. But once the album was complete, it was leaked online. In response, West decided to make it better: he revised and rewrote songs and refined the production, adding stronger drums, gospel choirs and strings (he paid for orchestras out of his own pocket).

'The College Dropout'

The album was finally released in February 2004 — it sold 2.6 million copies and made West a star. Titled The College Dropout , it broke the gangsta-rap mold, with themes including consumerism (he was critical of it back then), racism, higher education and his religious beliefs. On the single "Jesus Walks" he rapped, "They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus /That means guns, sex, lies, videotapes/But if I talk about God, my record won't get played." The College Dropout peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, and West received 10 Grammy nominations, winning three awards including Best Rap Song for "Jesus Walks" and Best Rap Album. Shortly after the album was released, West founded his record label, GOOD music — an acronym for Getting Out Our Dreams — in conjunction with Sony BMG. He would put out music by John Legend , Big Sean, Common , Pusha-T and more.

'Late Registration'

West spent a year and $2 million on his sophomore album, hiring an orchestra and working with the composer Jon Brion, who had never worked with a rapper before. West, the restless bourgeois-creative, wanted to "see how far he could expand" hip hop, he told the New York Times. The results were spectacular, yielding another three Grammy wins — Best Rap Album again, plus Best Rap Song for "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gold Digger." Late Registration debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 — a feat West would repeat with every subsequent solo album release.

"On Late Registration , the Louis Vuitton Don doesn't just set out to create pop music — he wants to be pop music," wrote Rob Sheffield in Rolling Stone's five-star review of the album. "So he steps up his lyrical game, shows off his epic production skills, reaches higher, pushes harder, and claims the whole world of music as hip hop turf."

In September 2005, a month after Late Registration 's release, West appeared on an NBC broadcast to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He caused a national media storm — his first, but by no means his last — when he opined live on air that " George Bush doesn't care about Black people," articulating widespread criticism of the president for not visiting the devastated city of New Orleans right away. Bush was deeply stung by West's comment, later calling it a "disgusting moment."

'Graduation'

After touring with U2 in 2005-2006, West was inspired to make hip hop more anthemic, to be performed in stadiums and arenas. He began to draw influence from both rock 'n' roll (the Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Killers) and house music (which originated in his hometown of Chicago). This led to his third album, Graduation , on September 11, 2007. It dropped the same day as 50 Cent 's album Curtis , in what was hyped as a battle for hip-hop's soul — the erudite showman versus the bullet-scarred street thug. But with Graduation 's groundbreaking (for hip-hop) palette of layered electronic synthesizers, and sloganeering wordplay — "I'm like the fly Malcolm X /Buy any jeans necessary," he smirked on "Good Morning" — there could only be one winner. West's album sold 957,000 copies in its first six days, going straight to No. 1.

With the music industry beginning to wring its hands about the effect of the internet on its profit margins, West simply embraced the change with his video for the single "Can't Tell Me Nothing," for which he hired the comedian Zach Galifianakis to lip-sync along to the lyrics on an alternate version, creating a viral sensation on YouTube.

Mother's Death

West was on top of the world, hailed as the artist who had killed gangsta rap. And then, in November 2007, tragedy struck. His beloved mother, Donda, died from a heart attack following cosmetic surgery. During his first concert following the funeral, he dedicated a performance of "Hey Mama" to her. Months later, West broke up with his fiancée, Alexis Phifer. His next album, 808s & Heartbreak , released 12 months after his mom died, was shot through with grief, pain and alienation. West even abandoned rapping altogether, preferring to sing through an Auto-Tune vocal processor, which lent his voice a robotic tone — a technique now ubiquitous in hip hop. He classified the new album as "pop art" (not to be confused with the visual art movement) and announced: "Hip hop is over for me." (It wasn't — he won two Grammys for guest raps he made that year, on Estelle's "American Boy" and TI's "Swagga Like Us.")

Taylor Swift VMA Diss and Feud

The fragility of West's state of mind was called into question at the MTV Video Music Awards the following year. At the ceremony in Radio City Music Hall in New York, he invaded the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for the Best Female Video award (for "You Belong to Me") to protest that Beyoncé should have won instead.

The reverberations from that moment are still being felt. West apologized, then retracted his apology in a New York Times interview in 2013. By 2015 they had become friends and were even spotted at dinner together. Then in 2016 Kanye rapped on his song "Famous": "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/Why? I made that b**** famous." Swift hit back from the stage at the 2016 Grammy Awards — this time uninterrupted — with the words: "I want to say to all the young women out there: There will be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments... Don't let those people sidetrack you."

READ MORE: Taylor Swift and Kanye West: A Timeline of the Musicians' Decade-Long Feud

After the Swift debacle, West took a break from music to focus on fashion. He had already been collaborating with labels including A Bathing Ape and Nike on limited-edition sneakers since 2006. He even reportedly interned at Gap in 2009, and later Fendi, to gain experience. He launched his first collection in Paris in 2011 — but it was widely panned. "You can't just dump some fox fur on a runway and call it luxury," sniffed Long Nguyen, style director of Flaunt magazine. West gave a wounded-sounding speech at the show's after-party. "Please be easy," he said. "Please give me a chance to grow." After his second collection a year later received a lukewarm reception, West announced he would no longer be showing in Paris.

He collaborated with the French label APC on a capsule collection in 2013 and signed a $10 million deal with Adidas, launching his first apparel collection Yeezy Season 1, with the brand in October 2015. The line has had a mixed reception — although his Season 5 collection in February 2017 won praise from Anna Wintour . "I liked it a lot," she told the New York Post. "A little bit more focus than sometimes we've seen from him."

'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'

West returned to music in November 2010 with his fifth album — with paranoid celebrity and rampant consumption the dominant themes: it was a bombastic and towering monument to self-aggrandizement that sounded "like an instant greatest hits" according to Pitchfork. It was the best and worst of Kanye West rolled into one: a magnum opus that bordered on the delusional. It yielded four singles, including "Monster," on which West, Jay Z and Rick Ross were memorably battered into runners-up spots by a blistering guest verse from Nicki Minaj . West and his old sparring partner Jay Z then released a collaborative album, Watch the Throne in 2011 — it yielded seven singles including "Otis" and "Niggas in Paris"; and added three more Grammy wins to West's and Jay Z's respective hauls.

Marriage to Kim Kardashian and Children

In 2012 West released a compilation album, Cruel Summer , showcasing artists on his GOOD Music label. But that year the headlines were more concerned over his relationship with the reality-TV star Kim Kardashian, which began in April. They got engaged in October 21, 2013, after West proposed at the AT&T baseball stadium in San Francisco, and they married on May 24, 2014, in the historic Fort di Belvedere in Italy. Andrea Bocelli sang as Kardashian walked down the aisle, in front of guests that included the designer Rachel Roy, the tennis champion Serena Williams , the film director Steve McQueen and music stars Legend, Q-Tip, Rick Rubin, Tyga and Lana Del Rey . The couple have three children: daughter North (born June 15, 2013) son Saint (born December 5, 2015) and another daughter (born via surrogate January 15, 2018). The couple welcomed their fourth child, son Psalm, via surrogate in May 2019.

In February 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce from West.

Anyone listening to West's sixth album, Yeezus , which came out in June 2013, would hear little evidence that the rapper was living an idyllic existence. Sonically the album was abrasive, raw and almost entirely melody-free — West had enlisted the producer Rick Rubin to make wholesale changes just days before the release. Lyrically, West sounded paranoid and narcissistic to the point of bathos, especially on "I Am a God," which contained the immortal line "Hurry up with my damn croissants."

West claimed the album was an "attack on the commercial," and certainly it contained little that was radio-friendly — barring the magnificent glam-rock-inspired single, "Black Skinhead" (the first of only two singles from the album). Yeezus remains the only West album to have sold fewer than 1 million copies in the US. Yet it was critically well received — not least by the rock legend Lou Reed, who told Rolling Stone that "Each track is like making a movie... The guy really, really, really is talented."

Jimmy Kimmel Beef

A Twitter spat erupted that September with West and Jimmy Kimmel , after the talk-show host mocked an interview West had given to the BBC in the UK. Kimmel hired child actors to recite some of West's more bombastic quotes on his show. But West was far from amused. "Jimmy Kimmel is out of line to try and spoof in any way the first piece of honest media in years," read one of a series of angry tweets. Kimmel gleefully read out West's tweets during his next show — sparking more opprobrium from the rapper, who shared a link to a Slate article titled: "Kanye was right."

The following month West appeared in person on Jimmy Kimmel Live — the interview lasted most of the episode, and featured several free-flowing Kanye monologues, covering everything from his career to his thoughts on the paparazzi, Steve Jobs and Jesus. "I don't know if you know this, but a lot of people think you're a jerk," joked Kimmel, although he went on to praise West's character. It turned out the two had known each other prior to the spat, which was why West had been hurt by Kimmel's portrayal of him. Kimmel admitted that considering a celebrity's feelings was "not something that comes to mind when I'm cooking up a comedy sketch." By the end of the show they had cleared the air.

Collaboration with Paul McCartney, Rihanna and More Public Outbursts

At the start of 2015 West became the only rapper in history to record with Paul McCartney , releasing a single, "Four Five Seconds," with the Beatles legend and Rihanna . But a month later came another award-show disruption, this time at the Grammys, where West objected to Beck winning the Best Album award. "Beck needs to respect artistry, and he should have given his award to Beyoncé," West said after the ceremony. Months later he retracted his statement in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper in England. "I was inaccurate with the concept of a gentleman who plays 14 instruments not respecting artistry," he said.

In March, West was announced as a co-owner of the music-streaming service Tidal, along with various other artists including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Rihanna, Madonna , Chris Martin and Nicki Minaj. In June he headlined the Glastonbury festival in the UK, despite a petition of 135,000 signatures asking for him to be removed from the bill.

'The Life of Pablo'

There was more controversy in the run-up to his seventh album, The Life of Pablo . Before its release on February 14, 2016, West hit the headlines for a series of controversial tweets - including one that proclaimed Bill Cosby , on trial for drugging and raping women, to be innocent. He started a beef with the rapper Wiz Khalifa , whom he mistakenly believed to have criticized his wife, Kim Kardashian ("I am your OG and I will be respected as such," West tweeted.). He also apologized to Michael Jordan for appearing to diss the basketball legend in his lyrics. And then the day after his album came out, West bizarrely urged his followers to lobby Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to invest $1 billion into West's "ideas." He also claimed to be $53 million in debt.

The album itself was another change of direction, and another triumph. It covered a much broader sonic sweep than Yeezus , incorporating a vast array of sounds, styles and influences, from trap to gospel to Auto-Tune crooning, to avant-pop, classic soul and dancehall. Guest vocalists included Frank Ocean , Chance the Rapper , Rihanna, Desiigner and Kid Cudi. It became West's sixth solo album in succession to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Tour Cancellation and Return to the Spotlight

On November 20, 2016, while on his Saint Pablo Tour, West stopped a concert in Sacramento to embark on a garbled rant about radio playlists, MTV, Barack Obama , Donald Trump , Beyoncé and Jay Z ("Jay Z, call me, bruh... I know you got killers. Please don't send them at my head..."). It was the second time within a week that he had ranted onstage and voiced support for Trump, and this time it sounded like a public breakdown — he did not complete the show. The following day he canceled the remaining 21 dates of his tour citing exhaustion, subsequently spending eight days hospitalized at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In February 2017, the GOOD music president, Pusha T, said in an interview that West was working on a new album. Rumors surrounding the album's development continued to surface, with some reports saying the award-winning artist had retreated to the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for creative inspiration.

West began working his way back into the news cycle in April 2018 with the announcement that he was writing a philosophy-themed book, Break the Simulation . Days later, he confirmed the rumors about new material in a rapid-fire series of tweets, declaring he would drop two albums within a week of one another in June, the second one involving longtime collaborator Kid Cudi.

The artist then caused a stir when his tweets veered toward his support for President Trump, calling him "my brother" and noting how they shared "dragon energy," even posting a selfie in which he wears Trump's "Make America Great Again" hat. West later sought to clarify things by saying he loved Hillary Clinton too and didn't agree with everything the president said. "I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself," he wrote.

In an early May interview with TMZ, West revealed that he had been addicted to opioids prior to his November 2016 onstage meltdown and hospitalization, which he began taking after undergoing liposuction because "I didn’t want y'all to call me fat." He also raised eyebrows by describing the history of African American enslavement in the U.S. as a "choice," his words again inflaming social media outrage and prompting another attempt at a clarifying explanation later.

Topping the Charts with 'Ye'

On May 31, West held an exclusive listening party in Jackson Hole for industry insiders and select celebrities, like Chris Rock and Jonah Hill , to debut his new studio effort, Ye . The seven-track album, which included contributions from Kid Cudi and Minaj, touched on issues ranging from the sexual assault accusations facing Russell Simmons , to the Tristan Thompson - Khloé Kardashian cheating saga, to the rapper's own controversial comments about slavery and being bipolar.

West expanded on the bipolar topic in a subsequent interview, confirming that he had recently been diagnosed. Echoing his track's lyrics about how it is his "superpower," he insisted that the condition fueled his creativity, but also admitted that it led to unfortunate consequences. "Think about people who have mental issues that are not Kanye West ... think about somebody that does exactly what I did at TMZ but they just do it at work," he said. "Then Tuesday morning they come back and they lost their job."

On June 12, it was revealed that Ye had debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; it marked West's eighth consecutive chart-topping album, matching the record held by the Beatles and Eminem . Additionally, all seven tracks from Ye had cracked the Top 40, with "Yikes" charting highest, at No. 8.

Sunday Service Sessions

In early 2019, West debuted his Sunday Service sessions — performances of the rapper and associates singing gospel versions of his hit songs from various locations. Little was known about these invite-only sessions, with the public getting glimpses via social media clips.

West then brought a larger-scale version of his new project to Coachella in April for a special Easter Sunday show, in which he and a large contingent of singers and dancers, dressed in matching mauve robes, performed atop a man-made mountain.

'Jesus Is King,' 'Jesus Is Born,' 'Emmanuel' and Operas

Meanwhile, the artist continued working on a new album. Titled Yandhi , with a planned release date of September 29, 2018, the album was pushed back to November 23, before being delayed indefinitely. In August 2019, it was announced that another studio project, Jesus Is King , would be released on September 27, though that date also passed with no sign of the promised album. The gospel-tinged Jesus Is King was finally unveiled on October 25, the same day as a 35-minute IMAX film of the same title that documented one of the artist's Sunday Service sessions.

At the Hollywood Bowl in November, West debuted Nebuchadnezzar , an opera featuring Sunday Service-style choir singing with its creator reading Bible passages from off to the side of the stage. He followed with Mary , an opera based on the nativity story, before releasing the 19-track gospel album Jesus Is Born on Christmas Day.

West dropped the five-track Emmanuel on Christmas Day 2020, consisting of “ancient and Latin inspired new music,” according to the press release .

2020 Presidential Run

On July 4, 2020, West tweeted that he is running for president: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States."

West held his first campaign rally on July 19, 2020, in Charleston, South Carolina. With "2020" shaved into his head, he spoke about Planned Parenthood, marijuana and slavery, among other subjects, in his speech that lasted over an hour.

On October 12, he dropped his first campaign video urging voters to write his in on their ballots.

West eventually conceded and alluded to a presidential run in 2024.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1977
• Birth date: June 8, 1977
• Birth State: Georgia
• Birth City: Atlanta
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Kanye West is an outspoken Grammy Award-winning rapper, record producer and fashion designer.
• Astrological Sign: Gemini
• Chicago State University
• Polaris High School
• Interesting Facts
• Kanye is one of the most successful artists in Grammy Awards history. As of 2017 he has won a total of 24 Grammys.
• As of 2015 Kanye's net worth is around $147 million.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

• I am Warhol. I am the No. 1 most impactful artist of our generation. I am Shakespeare in the flesh.
• I liberate minds with my music. That's more important than liberating a few people from apartheid or whatever.
• Fashion breaks my heart.

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Kanye West Biography

Birthday: June 8 , 1977 ( Gemini )

Born In: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, fashion designer, and record producer. He was raised in the middle-class background of Chicago city by his highly educated mother Donda West. He had a knack for creativity and poetry from a very young age. He started rapping at the age of seven and soon confessed to his mother that he wanted to take recording music more formally. When he was twenty, he decided to drop out of college and pursue music professionally. His mother supported him in his endeavors. He started as a small-time producer until he met Jay-Z and produced The Blueprint for him. From that time onwards, Kanye West started getting recognition and worked with talented people like Ludacris, Janet Jackson, and Alicia Keys. But West’s main aspiration was to become a rapper and it was not until the early 2000s that he was given his first opportunity to record his solo album. From then onwards there was no looking back for West and he gave to the entertainment industry good hip-hop music in the form of The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , and many more along the line. His music has always been appreciated by music critics for its innovation and the risk that he takes with his creativity. Kanye West has always been in the news, whether it is for the numerous awards he has won or for the controversies that he has caused over the years.

Recommended For You

Girlfriend: Alexis Phifer (Ex), Amber Rose (Ex)

Also Known As: Kanye Omari West, Ye

Age: 47 Years , 47 Year Old Males

Spouse/Ex-: Kim Kardashian (m. 2014), Kim Kardashian

father: Ray West

mother: Donda West

children: Chicago West , North West , Saint West

Born Country: United States

Rappers Hip Hop Singers

Height: 5'8" (173 cm ), 5'8" Males

City: Atlanta, Georgia

Notable Alumni: Chicago State University

U.S. State: Georgia

Founder/Co-Founder: Kanye West Foundation

education: Chicago State University

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Kanye West was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to Dr. Donda C. Williams West and Ray West. His father was one of the former Black Panthers and the first ever black photojournalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . His mother was an English Professor at Clark Atlanta University and also the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University. His parents divorced when he was only 3 years old and he moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois.

West was raised in a humble way and belonged to a middle-class background. He did his schooling at Polaris High School in Illinois. He shifted to Nanjing, China at the age of ten when his mother was asked to teach at Nanjing University as part of an exchange program. He was creative from an early age. He wrote his first poetry at the age of 5. Around the same time, he started to rap and had composed his own music by the time he was in the seventh grade.

Kanye West started to get more and more involved in the hip-hop scene of Chicago and when he was thirteen, he wrote a rap song called Green Eggs and Ham . He persuaded his mother to pay him money so that he can start recording in a studio. Although his mother did not want this for him, she started accompanying him to a small basement studio in the city. There, West met The Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop, No I.D who soon became West’s mentor.

In 1997, West was offered a scholarship from Chicago’s American Academy of Art and he took upon it to learn the art of painting and then took the transfer to the Chicago State University to pursue English literature. At the age of twenty, he decided to drop out of college to pursue his dream of becoming a rapper and musician.

From the mid-90s until the early 2000s, Kanye West was involved in small-time music production projects. He made music for local artists and was also a ghost producer for Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie. West got the much-awaited opportunity in 2000 when he became the producer for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records. He produced hit singles for famous singers like Common, Ludacris, Cam’Ron, etc. In 2001, world-renowned rapper and entertainment business tycoon  Jay-Z  asked West to produce many tracks of his hit album The Blueprint.

Around this time, he continued to produce tracks for singers and rappers like Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson. Subsequently, he became a successful producer but his true desire was to become a rapper. It became a very challenging situation for him to get acceptance as a rapper and crack a record deal. In 2002, Kanye got the breakthrough that he was looking for in an unusual fashion. He met with an accident while coming back from a long recording session in L.A., as he fell asleep at the wheels. While he was in the hospital, he wrote down the song Through the Wire , which was recorded at Record Plant Studios. The song later became a part of his debut album, The College Dropout .

In 2004, Kanye West released his first album, The College Dropout , which became an instant hit among music lovers. It sold 441,000 copies in its first week. It secured the number two position on Billboard 200. The number called Slow Jamz in the album featured Twista and Jamie Foxx alongside West. It was voted the top album of the year by two big music publications. Another track from the album called Jesus Walks showcased West’s emotions about faith and Christianity.

In 2005, West collaborated with American film composer Jon Brion, who co-executively produced many tracks on the album, to work on West’s new album Late Registration . He hired a string orchestra for the album and afforded the cost with the money he had made from The College Dropout . It sold 2.3 million copies in the United States. In the same year, West announced that he will release his Pastelle Clothing line in 2006, but it was canceled in 2009.

In 2007, Kanye West released his third studio album Graduation . He released it at the same time 50 Cent’s Curtis came out. But Graduation outsold Curtis by a huge margin and secured the number one position on the US Billboard 200. It sold about 957,000 copies in its very first week. A track called Stronger became a huge hit.

In 2008, West released his fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak . The album topped the Billboard charts and sold 450,000 copies during its first few weeks. The inspiration for this album came from the sad demise of West’s mother Donda West and the break-up with his fiancée Alexis Phifer. The album is said to have encouraged hip-hop music and other rappers to take more creative risks with their productions. In the same year, West announced that he would open 10 Fatburger restaurants in Chicago. The first one was opened in Orland Park in 2008.

In 2009, West teamed up with Nike to release his own shoes. He named them Air Yeezys and released another version of it in the year 2012. Also in 2009, he came out with his new shoe line for Louis Vuitton and released it during Paris Fashion Week. Kanye West also designed shoes for Bape and Giuseppe Zanotti.

In 2010, West’s fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was released and it topped the Billboard charts in its first few weeks. It was considered a genius work by music critics. It got rave reviews from all over the world and included hits like All of the Lights , Power , Monster, Runaway , and such. This album went platinum in the United States.

In 2013, West came up with his sixth album Yeezus and took a more non-commercial approach to make it. He incorporated genres like Chicago Drill, Dancehall, Acid House, and Industrial Music in the making of this album. The album was released in the month of June and has received rave reviews from music critics.

On February 14, 2016, Kanye West released his seventh album titled The Life of Pablo.

He came up with his eighth album Ye on June 1, 2018. In August 2018, he released the non-album single XTCY .

In January 2019, Kanye West started his weekly Sunday Service orchestration. It includes soul variations, West's songs, and songs by other celebrities. In January 2022, he announced the release of his eleventh studio album, Donda 2. While the album received a mixed response from critics, it topped several music charts across the globe including the ‘US Billboard 200,’ ‘UK R&B Albums Chart,’ ‘UK Albums Chart,’ ‘Canadian Albums Chart,’ and the ‘Australian Albums Chart.’

In August 2023, reports came out that his eleventh album was in the works. In October, Billboard announced that Kanye West had finished recording his collaborative album with ‘Ty Dolla Sign’ and would soon be released.

For his album,  The College Dropout, West grabbed 10 Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album . He won a Grammy for the Best Rap Album category. His album was certified triple platinum in the United States.

In November 2007, Kanye West’s mother Donda West died of heart disease right after she underwent a plastic surgery procedure. She was 58 years old at the time. This left West in turmoil, as he was extremely close to his mother; she had released her memoir before her death called Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar.

Kanye West was in an on-and-off relationship with designer Alexis Phifer for four years before getting engaged to her in August 2006. The engagement lasted 18 months before the pair called it quits in 2008.

He was in a relationship with model Amber Rose from 2008 to 2010.

In April 2012, West began dating Kim Kardashian. They got engaged in October 2013 and got married on May 24, 2014, at Fort di Belvedere in Florence, Italy.

West and Kim Kardashian have four children: daughters North West (born June 2013) and Chicago West (born January 2018 via surrogate) and sons Saint West (born December 2015) and Psalm West (born May 2019 via surrogate).

In February 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce from West. In 2022, West began dating actress Julia Fox before breaking up with her in less than two months. In January 2023, reports came out that West had married architectural designer Bianca Censori in an unofficial ceremony. Later, Bianca’s sister, Angelina Censori, confirmed the reports of the marriage.

In August 2021, he filed a request to change his legal name from ‘Kanye Omari West ’ to ‘Ye .’ A month later in October, his request was finalized, and he officially adopted his new name.

See the events in life of Kanye West in Chronological Order

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One of the most critically acclaimed and controversial American rappers and producers of the 21st century.

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About Kanye West

The ubiquitous Kanye West —from his famous quip, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” to interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech, to marrying Kim Kardashian (and later divorcing with her), to announcing that he’s running for President , to admitting his love for President Trump , to proclaiming that there were admirable things about Hitler —it’s obvious that he’s a staple of the tabloids and the entertainment world, industry-wide.

That certainly doesn’t take anything away from his music; as a matter of fact, it only seems to add to his fortuitous career. For instance, his 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , was universally praised by fans and critics alike; it was recorded smack dab in the middle of the backlash received from his Swift interruption and his break-up with then-girlfriend Amber Rose .

He has scored countless well-known hits, as well, from each of his previous studio albums—such as “Stronger,” “Heartless,” and “Gold Digger.” Each of his albums have been massive critical and commercial successes, including his collaboration album with JAY-Z , Watch the Throne . As of 2022, West has won an astounding 24 GRAMMYs , as the most decorated hip-hop artist in Grammy history, he splits this title with his big brother JAY-Z, who has won 24 GRAMMYs too. And yet he doesn’t have seem to take too much pride in this fact.

Kanye’s sixth solo album, Yeezus , polarized his fan base and the general public but was heaped with rave reviews by music critics for its experimental production. In 2016, West released his seventh and most delayed body of work, The Life of Pablo , which was illegally downloaded over 500,000 times, frustrating fans after its TIDAL-exclusive release. West notably updated the album multiple times on TIDAL after its release.

Quite possibly West’s most surprising contribution to the music industry was his production streak during the summer of 2018, in which he produced five albums. Among these was a collaborative project with Kid Cudi , titled KIDS SEE GHOSTS ; along with his eighth studio album, ye , which tied Eminem and The Beatles for eight consecutive chart-topping releases .

The public’s love for Kanye West has been apparent from the get-go, and each of his solo albums, barring his 2004 debut, The College Dropout , has peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Album Chart. Another major standout, 2008’s 808s & Heartbreak , is largely credited with influencing the next generation of rappers; from the emphasis on heavy beats and melodic instrumentals to its heavy usage of auto-tune.

His ninth studio album, Yandhi , was originally scheduled to be released on September 29, 2018, and then again on November 26, 2018. However, West rescheduled the album release, because he felt it wasn’t finished yet, and eventually seemed to completely scrap and recycle its components into a new album. Songs from Yandhi have been reused in later Kanye albums such as Donda and Jesus is King as well as Travis Scott’s Utopia.

On August 29, 2019, Kim Kardashian-West teased a new Kanye album tracklist via Twitter , with the title Jesus is King . Kanye seemed to confirm this by clearing his official website and posting the same image of the tracklist with the expected drop date at the bottom, September 27, 2019; almost a year after Yandhi was supposed to be released. However, the release was delayed to October 25, 2019, to release along with his accompanying documentary.

Furthermore, after years of claiming he would run for President, he finally announced so on Twitter which was met with much controversy, many claiming it was merely a publicity stunt for his forthcoming album, Donda .

On August 24, 2021, West applied to have his name changed from Kanye Omari West to Ye, he cited “personal reasons” for the change, and on October 18, 2021, the request was granted. West had been alluding to this wish to change his name since 2018, and had used Ye as a nickname for several years prior. In a June 2018 interview , he explained:

I believe ‘ye’ is the most commonly used word in the Bible. In the Bible it means you. So, I’m you. I’m us. It’s us. It went from being Kanye, which means the only one, to just Ye. Just being a reflection of our good, our bad, our confused – everything. It’s more of a reflection of who we are [as] beings.

Following the overwhelming release of Donda , the album was further introduced to a sequel, which was further campaigned publicly on January 27, 2022. The album was met with an unfamiliar approach — only being supported on his Stem Player device — after his departure from Def Jam. It was debuted at a concert, which showcased the incomplete album, and then left as it was.

Donda (Deluxe)

The Life of Pablo

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DISCOGRAPHY

Being the son of a photojournalist and an English teacher, Kanye Omari West was properly raised in Chicago after his birth on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was probably due to the influence of his parents, Ray and Donda West, that he gradually showed interest in poetry as well as visual arts. As he discovered a new attraction to music in his early teens, the boy started to spend most of the time harmonizing his rhyming skills with experimental beats produced through his keyboard. Under the guidance of the renowned Chicago producer, NO I.D., he afterwards uniquely created his own style which relies on the use of sped up vocal loops and sweeping strings. A promising chance to break into music industry approached in 1998 when Jermaine Dupri used one of Kanye’s beats on his album entitled “Life in 1472.” The unusual rhythm satisfyingly caught the attention of the hip-hop community, marking his initial success.

Looking upon his early attainment, Kanye decided to quit his study at Columbia College with the desire to pursue career as a music producer. Throughout 1999 and 2000, he had been involved in the album productions of some well-known singers, such as Trina & Tamara, Harlem World, The Madd Rapper and Lil’ Kim. However, it was not until the following year that he came into popularity as he took part in Jay-Z’s album, “The Blueprint.” Inserting his beat-making style which has become his trademark in the hit tracks like “Takeover”, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Never Change”, he instantly became one of the most wanted producers when the album reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 200. This huge achievement apparently did not satisfy him for he then looked forward to develop another career as a performer. Nevertheless, the process was not easy since he had to face rejection from many record companies due to his appearance and overall style.

Supported by Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua and G. Roberson who were the heads of a production and management company named Hip-Hop Since 1978, Kanye finally was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella as a recording artist. Unfortunately, before he could move further to complete the materials for his debut album, a tragic incident happened to him on October 23, 2002. Almost losing his life in a car crash, he was brought to the hospital with a broken jaw. Since it was fractured in three places, his mouth had to be wired shut for a period of time. Despite sinking in deep trauma, he utilized the awful experience as the inspiration for “Through the Wire”. Featuring a sample of Chaka Khan’s classic track “Through The Fire” (1984), this song was put together with other 20 tracks which formed “The College Dropout.” In the meantime, he kept giving contribution as a producer in Talib Kweli’s “Get By”, Ludacris’ “Stand Up”, Jay-Z’s ” ’03 Bonnie & Clyde”, and Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name”.

After a frequent delay, “The College Dropout” made its way to touch the market on February 10, 2004. The result was beyond Kanye’s expectation as this first album sold for 440,000 copies in its first week, garnering two times Platinum plus huge praise from both critics and fans. Furthermore, it quickly went to the second rank of Billboard 200 while its three singles, namely “Through The Wire”, “Jesus Walks” and “All Falls Down” gloriously entered the top 20 of Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement led him to collect 10 nominations at the 47th annual Grammy Awards held in early 2005. He later won three of them in the category of Best Rap Album for “The College Dropout”, Best Rap Song for “Jesus Walks”, and Best R&B Song in the songwriting credit on Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name.” Still in the same year, he also scored another success through his collaboration with Twista and Jamie Foxx in “Slow Jamz.” The single became a huge hit across the country, rocketing to the top spot of Billboard Hot 100.

On August 30, 2005, Kanye returned with “Late Registration.” Selling more than 900,000 copies a week after its launch, this sophomore album featured an impressive list of celebrated artists, including Brandy, The Game, Jay-Z and Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Reuniting with Foxx, he teamed up with the actor in the track “Gold Digger” which effortlessly reached number one on Billboard Hot 100 while the album itself gained the same position on Billboard 200.

Extremely popular and adored as either a music producer or rapper, he was also known to be the owner of an apparel line called Pastel Clothing and a record label, G.O.O.D Music, which had already signed some artists, like Common, Keisha Cole, Farnsworth Bentley, GLC, and Consequence. Additionally, the company was the one that released “Get Lifted”, the Platinum selling debut album of John Legend.

Besides his involvement in music, Kanye has been noticed for his acrid criticisms, especially those he made during the year of 2005. When he showed up on the Philadelphia bill of Live 8 held on July 2, 2005, this African American rapper revealed his opinion of the cause of AIDS. He commented AIDS was created by the U.S. government with the purpose to exterminate Africans in Africa while slammed the politicians for “riding home in their Benzs and Bentleys while poor Africans starve.” Moreover, during one of MTV interviews, he also expressed his tolerance on homosexuality, saying that America, including hip-hop community, has put discrimination toward the homosexuals.

Much to everyone’s shock, he caused more controversy through his statement at a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief aired by NBC on September 2. Not only did he criticize the U.S. government’s handling of the looters concerning the disaster, but he also accused George W. Bush of being ignorant to black people. Although it was later censored, his utterance managed to spread across the East Coast. After some pro and contra, Kanye ultimately explained his action several days later. “I wasn’t trying to particularly diss anybody like that,” he said in earnest.

Aside from the controversy he had driven, the Chicago rapper kept scoring great in some prestigious music events, nabbing nominations while also brought home particular awards. Walking away with Best Rapper award, he got from the 3rd annual VIBE Awards held November 2005. He went on joining Shakira, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and Fall Out Boy as the lineup for MTV’s 14th annual New Year’s Eve broadcast. At the beginning of 2006, he nabbed double nominations at BRIT Awards and earned four nominations, including Best Song and Album categories, at the 37th annual NAACP Image Awards. Also becoming one of the many nominees for the 2006 Soul Train Awards, he was later nominated for 8 Grammys before winning three of them; Best Rap Solo Performance for “Gold Digger”, Best Rap Song for “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”, and Best Rap Album for “Late Registration,” at the 48th annual Grammy Awards held February 8, 2006.

Not wanting to get the awards without further achievement, Kanye prepared his third major release which is titled “Graduation” in 2007. The album which was released on September 11, 2007 was said by his mother Donda West to be his “best album ever-musically as well as lyrically.” For this record he had opened his hands for the collaboration from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, John Mayer, Jessica Simpson and Beyonce Knowles . Due to the release date that was in coincidence to 50 Cent’s “Curtis”, a chart battle was generated with both singers “really up for it.” Kanye enjoyed the success of his second single titled “Stronger” that sampled on Daft Punk’s “Harder Better Faster Stronger”. It peaked at #5 in Billboard Hot 100 and made it into #1 in U.K. Singles chart.

However, Kanye was not so lucky at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards since he lost in all the five categories he was nominated in. He suggested that his race had to do with his being overlooked for opening the show in favor of Britney Spears. However, he won four Grammys later that year, including Best Rap Album for “Graduation” and Best Rap Solo Performance for “Stronger” from “Graduation”.

In November 2007, Kanye experienced a low in his life with the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West, due to complications from cosmetic surgery involving a tummy tuck and breast reduction procedure. While the authorities were investigating Dr. Jan Adams, the doctor who performed surgery on Donda, many mainstream stations started to play his hit single “Hey Mama,” taken from album “Late Registration,” which was meant as a tribute to his mother. Kanye channeled his grief on the studio, writing for his next album.

Kanye debuted new song “Love Lockdown” at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, introducing it as the lead single of his album “808s & Heartbreak”. The album, released in November 2008, was also supported by “Heartless”. Upon its release, “808s & Heartbreak” entered at number one, selling more than 450,000 copies in the first week.

Known as a hot head and his personal dissatisfaction of MTV, Kanye hurt another artist’s feeling during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift was accepting her award for Best Female Video for “You Belong with Me” when Kanye went on stage and grabbed the microphone to proclaim that Beyonce Knowles’ video for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, nominated for the same award, was “one of the best videos of all time.” Kanye received many criticisms for this including from Beyonce. He later issued an apology to Swift, saying he did not realize the extend of his actions.

Kanye began recording his fifth studio album in the first half of 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was released on November 22, 2010, featuring such hits as “Power”, “Runway” and “Monsters”. Although still occupied with the promotional efforts for the album, Kanye took the time to collaborate with one of the biggest rappers at that time, Jay-Z, for another full album, “Watch the Throne”, which was released via Def Jam in August 2011. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 436,000 copies in the U.S. With the album, Kanye and Jay-Z embarked “Watch the Throne Tour” between October 2011 and June 2012.

Kanye made another collaborative album, this time with G.O.O.D Music artists such as Big Sean, Common, Kid Cudi, John Legend and Pusha T. The album was titled “Cruel Summer” and was released on September 14, 2012 with singles like “Mercy”, “Cold” and “Clique”. The compilation album debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 205,000 copies in its first week.

In the following year, he returned with a solo album titled “Yeezus”. Sessions for the LP started earlier in the year. It eventually arrived in June 2013 to rave reviews from critics. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200, giving him his sixth consecutive No. 1 album on the list despite posting his lowest first-week sales.

In late 2013, Kanye stated that he had started working on and recording his next studio album that he originally planned to release in mid-2014. However his own new music didn’t come out until December 2014, when he dropped the Paul McCartney-assisted “Only One”. In early 2015, he reunited with the former The Beatles and Rihanna for “FourFiveSeconds” that was later reported would lead Rihanna’s own new album.

That year, Kanye also released “All Day” and “Wolves” but the promised album, which he’d announced as “So Help Me God” before retitling it to “Swish”, never arrived.

In January 2016, he said that the album was finally done and he’d release it on February 11. According to a tracklist he shared on Twitter, “Wolves” featuring Vic Mensa and Sia Furler was the only song he shared in 2015 that would appear on the record. Around the same time, he changed the album’s title again to “Waves”. The title caused a feud with Wiz Khalifa and their mutual ex, Amber Rose. After they squashed their beef, Kanye said just days before the album was slated to hit the stores that he’d no longer call it “Waves”. In fact, he hadn’t decided a new name for it.

After changing the title of the album to “The Life of Pablo”, Kanye finally released the album exclusively on Tidal on February 14. The effort debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from music critics. “The Life of Pablo” became the first streaming-only album to go platinum in addition to being named one of the best albums in 2016 by multiple publications.

Kanye released the lead single off the effort, “Famous”, in April 2016. The song caused some controversies though, as it featured a reference to his interruption of Taylor’s 2009 VMA acceptance speech. After Kanye stated that he had obtained Taylor’s approval over the lyric, she denied the claim and denounced the lyric as “misogynistic” in a statement. A music video for the track was released in June.

In support of the album, Kanye embarked on a North American tour in August. He had to postpone several dates of his shows in October after his wife, Kim Kardashian , was robbed during Paris Fashion Week. The rapper then canceled the remaining 21 dates of his tour following an onstage meltdown in November. He was later admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after he reportedly started behaving “erratically.” He was released a week after that. Following this episode, Kanye took an eleven-month break from the public.

Kanye came back to social media months after welcoming his third child with Kim , Chicago West, in January 2018. Since then, he had been making headlines. In addition to revealing his plan to write a philosophy book entitled “Break the Simulation”, he announced that he would release two new albums, a seven-track solo album entitled “Love Everyone” and a collaborative album with Kid Cudi . Both albums are going to be released in June.

After that, he released two songs entitled “Lift Yourself” and “Ye vs. the People” featuring T.I . Kanye then revealed on April 28 that the cover of his solo album would feature Jan Adams, the surgeon that performed a surgery that led to his late mother’s death. Besides working on his own album, Kanye lent his voice for Travis Scott (II)’s track “Watch” off the latter’s forthcoming album “Astroworld”.

But Kanye didn’t only make good headlines after his social media return. He faced backlash after showing his support for Donald Trump as well as saying that “slavery was a choice.” Responding to the backlash surrounding his slavery comments, Kanye wrote on Twitter, “Once again I am being attacked for presenting new ideas.”

Ignoring all the backlash over his controversial comments, Kanye continued working on his eighth studio album “Ye” and several other albums that he produced, including Pusha T’s “Daytona”. The release of “Daytona” was met with controversy since Kanye paid $85,000 to use a photograph of the late Whitney Houston’s bathroom for the album’s artwork. Despite the controversy, the album was well-received by critics.

In the following week, on June 1, Kanye released “Ye” before following it up with his collaborative album with Kid Cudi, “Kids See Ghosts”. While his solo album debuted atop Billboard 200, his joint effort launched at No. 2 on the weekly chart. The rapper didn’t stop producing music after the release of the efforts, unveiling a Lil Pump collaboration titled “I Love It” at the 2018 Pornhub Awards, which he directed. Arriving at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, the track was later included on Pump’s second studio album “Harverd Dropout”.

Later in September, Kanye announced that he would be releasing a new album titled “Yandhi”. The album was supposed to make its way out on September 29, but he decided to postpone its release and went to Uganda to re-produce the album in a dome-shaped studio. Kanye then announced that the album would be released on November 23, but once again, he postponed the album with no new release date set.

Instead, Kanye started his own Sunday Service that included soul variations of songs performed by him and other musicians. The service initially was only held in Los Angeles, but as time went on, he started taking the service to other cities, and even brought it all the way to South Africa. As Kanye was busy with the weekly service, he also recorded his ninth studio album “Jesus Is King”. The record was initially set to be released on September 29, but it eventually hit the stores on October 21 following a couple of postponements. Accompanying the release of the album was an experimental concert short film of the same name.

“Jesus Is King” received mixed reviews from music critics, but it still debuted atop Billboard 200. This gave Kanye his ninth consecutive album to debut atop the chart, tying him with a record held by fellow rapper Eminem.

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• World Biography

Kanye West Biography

Rap musician and record producer

Born Kayne Omari West, June 8, 1977; son of Ray (a marriage counselor) and Donda (a professor) West. Education: Attended The American Academy of Art and Chicago State University.

Addresses: Record company —Roc-A-Fella Records, 825 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10019. Website —http://www.kanyewest.com.

Producer for Chicago rappers; began producing for national hip-hop acts by contributing to Jermaine Dupri's album Life In 1472, 1998; produced five tracks on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, 2001; produced number-one hits "Stand Up" by Ludacris and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, 2004; released The College Dropout, 2004; released Late Registration, 2005.

Awards: Grammy Award for best rap album, Recording Academy, for The College Dropout, 2005; Grammy Award for best rap song, Recording Academy, for "Jesus Walks," 2005; Grammy Award for best R&B song, Recording Academy, for "You Don't Know My Name," 2005; BET Award for best male hip-hop artist, 2005; BET Award for video of the Year, 2005; MTV Video Music Award for best male video, for "Jesus Walks," 2005.

Kanye West began his career in music as a producer for top hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, but he wanted more: he wanted to rap, too. Though his middle-class background and preppy dress made him seem ill-fitted for a hip-hop scene dominated by gangsta personalities, West's talent and determination led to his massive success. His debut album, The College Dropout, rewrote the rules of hip-hop, reviving socially conscious lyrics and mixing them with cutting-edge commercial party beats. By the time he released his second album, Late Registration, in August of 2005, West had become one of hiphop's biggest stars.

West was born on June 8, 1977, to Ray, a former Black Panther who went on to become an award-winning photographer and then a marriage counselor, and Donda, an English professor. (His name, pronounced kahn-yay, means "the only one" in Swahili.) His parents divorced when he was three years old; he mostly lived with his mother, but often spent summers with his father. He lived in China for a year at the age of ten while his mother was teaching English at a university there; he would make money entertaining people by break dancing on the streets. His father taught him to be race-conscious, while his mother helped him develop a wide vocabulary through word games. "I was taught to think on my own," he told Jim Farber of the New York Daily News. "That's what a lot of black kids don't get."

In high school, West became friends with producer No I.D., who was working with the rapper Common before he became a star. Inspired, West got a sampling keyboard at 15, and spent a lot of time rapping and beatmaking in his bedroom. He attended Chicago's The American Academy of Art for a year on a scholarship, then transferred to Chicago State University to pursue a degree in English. But he dropped out to pursue a career in music, thwarting his mother's hopes that he would earn several degrees. "It was drummed into my head that college is the ticket to a good life," Donda West told the Chicago Tribune 's Greg Kot. "but some career goals don't require college. For Kanye to make an album called College Dropout, it was more about having the guts to embrace who you are, rather than following the path society has carved out for you. And that's what Kanye did."

Instead, West started producing songs for Chicago rappers. In 1998, he contributed to Atlanta producer and recording star Jermaine Dupri's album Life in 1472. He moved from Chicago to Newark, New Jersey, and then to Hoboken in that same state, close to New York City. His big breakthrough came when he composed five songs on Jay-Z's 2001 album The Blueprint. The songs established a key part of West's production style: he sampled classic songs and sped them up so they turned high-pitched. Usually the songs were soul music, such as the Jackson 5 and the Temptations, though he also sampled '60s rockers The Doors. West has admitted getting the idea from The RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, but at a time when sampling had fallen out of fashion in hiphop, it was still unusual enough to impress. He began working with other top hip-hop artists on Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella label. Since then, West has produced songs for more than 40 artists, including Scarface, Foxy Brown, and DMX.

West was convinced he could rap as well as produce. He started working on his own album in 2001. But when he first asked Roc-A-Fella executives to let him record his own hip-hop album, they were not receptive, because he did not have the tough background or image that had become almost required of hip-hop stars. "Kanye wore a pink shirt with the collar sticking up and Gucci loafers," Damon Dash, then-CEO of Roc-A-Fella, told Josh Tyrangiel of Time. "We all grew up street guys who had to do whatever we had to do to get by," Jay-Z told Tyrangiel. "Then there's Kanye, who to my knowledge has never hustled a day in his life. I didn't see how it could work."

"I was mad because I was not being taken seriously as a rapper for a long time," West told Kot of the Chicago Tribune. "Whether it was because I didn't have a larger-than-life persona, or I was perceived as the guy who made beats, I was disrespected as a rapper." A near-tragedy ended up giving West the creative inspiration for his project. He fell asleep at the wheel of a car in Los Angeles in October of 2002 and got in a car accident that nearly killed him. He called Roc-A-Fella's CEO from the hospital, asked for a drum machine, and created the song "Through the Wire" about his accident. He recorded the mumbled vocals three weeks after the crash, while his jaw was wired shut. The song was built on a sample from Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire." It helped convince Roc-A-Fella to let him record an album. West used the song as his calling card, passing it around on mix tapes he created to show he could rap as well as produce. "Death is the best thing that can ever happen to a rapper," West quipped to Tyrangiel in Time. "Almost dying isn't bad either."

While working on his album, West also produced a string of hits. His triumph came in early 2004. First, two songs he produced hit number one: "Stand Up" by Ludacris and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys. Others, including "Slow Jamz," a collaboration with Chicago rapper Twista, and Jay-Z's "Encore," also became hit singles. Then, West's album The College Dropout appeared and quickly became both a critical and commercial success. It sold 440,000 copies in its first week of release, and almost three million within a year and a half. "Through the Wire" became a top-rated video on MTV and MTV2.

Critics and peers fixated on West's mix of popular party music with intelligent, socially aware lyrics. Admirers, including actor/singer Jamie Foxx (who appears on "Slow Jamz") and Darryl McDaniels of the classic rap group Run-D.M.C., declared that The College Dropout had restored their faith in hip-hop. The New York Daily News ' Farber called the album "one of the most informed and political rap records since the heyday of Public Enemy and the Jungle Brothers." The song "All Falls Down" questioned materialism in the black community, while "Jesus Walks," which Village Voice critic Hua Hsu called "a desperate masterpiece," stunned listeners with its redemptive message embracing even drug dealers, its ambivalence ("I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid 'cause we ain't spoke in so long," West raps), and its explicit defiance of the conventional wisdom that a song about God would not get played on commercial radio.

West eagerly admitted he was mixing two sides of hip-hop: the commercial side, dominated by gangsta rap, and politically aware rappers (who were less numerous and popular at the time than in early hip-hop). "My whole theory of music is message and melody," West told Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly. While other political artists are "like cod-liver oil," West said, he promised "cough medicine mixed with Kool-Aid." The New York Daily News ' Farber noted a lack of "gangsta clichés" in West's work. "I never killed anybody, so I don't rap about it," he told Farber. "Every song [of mine] is an inspirational song, to make you feel good." To Spin 's Chris Ryan, he explained, "I'm one of the only rappers who has both his parents and all his grandparents still alive. My father was a Black Panther. My grandparents were involved in civil-rights marches. So I have a responsibility to reflect them."

Kelefa Sanneh of the New York Times called The College Dropout "2004's first great hip-hop album" and "a concept album about quitting school, a playful collection of party songs, and a 76-minute orgy of nose-thumbing." Sanneh wrote that West "taunts everyone who didn't believe in him: teachers, record executives, police officers, even his former boss at the Gap."

West's huge ego, which gave him the confidence to defy hip-hop stereotypes and record the album, became a huge part of his public personality. "I do music for the sake of showing off," he told Ryan of Spin, explaining that he shows off through music like some people flaunt their cars. He complained to interviewers about one review that gave his album a grade of B+. "My CD is so good, people will have to buy second and third copies because other people will be stealing them," he bragged to the New York Daily News ' Farber. Sometimes, West's arrogance has alienated people, especially after he walked out of the American Music Awards, furious that he lost the award for Best New Artist to country star Gretchen Wilson.

In early 2005, West won three Grammy awards: Best Rap Album for The College Dropout, Best Rap Song for "Jesus Walks," and Best R&B Song for co-writing Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name." After Dropout 's success, West started his own record label called Getting Out Our Dreams (G.O.O.D.), a fashion line named Pastel Clothing, and the Kanye West Foundation, which promotes music education in schools.

West reportedly spent $2 million putting his second album together, breaking his production budget. He surprised many by working with producer Jon Brion, whose previous work had been mostly with alternative singer-songwriters such as Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann. West aimed to have more musicianship on the new album: 40-piece string sets and 30-piece horn sections grace some tracks. Guests on the album included Jay-Z, Foxx, R&B singer Brandy, Adam Levine of the band Maroon 5, and the rapper Nas.

The album, Late Registration, was released in late August of 2005. Distributors shipped 1.6 million copies of it to stores for its release week. It was greeted with rave reviews. Rolling Stone 's Rob Sheffield gave it five stars, declaring it "an undeniable triumph, packed front to back, so expansive it makes the debut sound like a rough draft." Time dubbed him "the smartest man in pop music" on its cover.

On the album, the song "Gone" is built on an Otis Redding sample and a simple piano melody. The track "Diamonds From Sierra Leone," built on a sample of Shirley Bassey's theme song from the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, protests the sale of "blood diamonds" that profit from conflicts in Africa. "Gold Digger" encourages women to stick with working-class men who are mopping floors and serving French fries. His duet with Nas, "We Major," was considered a highlight, both for the interplay between the two rappers and an exciting moment where the music fades and West starts it up again, convinced the song is so good, it can go on past seven minutes.

Again, music writers noticed a lot of contrast and mixed inspiration in West's work, and he freely admitted it. "I'm pretty calculating," he told Tyrangiel in Time, while standing in a church in Prague, where he was filming the "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" video. "I take stuff that I know appeals to people's bad sides and match it up with stuff that appeals to their good sides." He mentioned lyrics in "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" about a woman that he admitted were "crass," then the lyrics that follow it, about his father baptizing him. "He's trying to change this genre, and in order to do that he's got to get people to listen to his music," Run-D.M.C.'s McDaniels told Time 's Tyrangiel. "They've gotten so used to hardness, to stupidity, that if he has to engage in a little of that to be relevant, so be it."

West also displayed his political passions with two benefit performances in the summer of 2005. First, he performed at the Live 8 concert, meant to raise awareness about poverty and debt in the Third World. Then, after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States in late August, West joined the benefit A Concert For Hurricane Relief. It was broadcast on NBC-TV four days after the storm, when the country was still watching terrifying news footage of evacuees stranded and even dying in downtown New Orleans. West criticized the federal government's response to the crisis in remarks carried live on national television. "George Bush doesn't care about black people," he charged, according to the Associated Press, adding that the country is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible."

As fall of 2005 arrived, critics were writing that West seemed to be trying to personally embody pop music. Clearly eager to break more stereotypes and musical boundaries, West announced he planned to go on tour with rock band U2 and possibly also Coldplay.

Selected discography

The College Dropout, Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam Records, 2004.

Late Registration, Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam Records, 2005.

Periodicals

Associated Press, September 3, 2005.

Chicago Tribune, February 11, 2004.

Detroit Free Press, August 28, 2005, p. 2E.

Entertainment Weekly, February 27, 2004, pp. 64-65.

New York Daily News, January 27, 2004.

New York Times, February 9, 2004.

Rolling Stone, September 8, 2005, pp. 109-10.

Spin, February 9, 2004.

Time, August 29, 2005, pp. 54-61.

Village Voice, April 7, 2004.

"Kanye West, Biography," All Music Guide, http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MIW040509052203&sql=11:0mz1z 81a1yv6~T1 (August 21, 2005).

"Roc-A-Fella Records Artist Kanye West," Roc-AFella Records, http://www.rocafella.com/Artist.aspx?v=bio&key=7 (August 21, 2005).

— Erick Trickey

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Kanye West: Biography, Success Story, American Rapper

Kanye West’s biography is a captivating journey through the life and career of one of the most influential figures in modern music. West’s life story illustrates talent, creativity, and perseverance from his early days as a producer to his groundbreaking albums, The College Dropout and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy . Enjoy reading captivating Kanye West’s success story.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Ye, born Kanye Omari West, is a multifaceted American artist renowned for his music, fashion, and cultural contributions. Born June 8, 1977, West has made an indelible mark as a rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. With an impressive 160 million records sold, he is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. West’s musical prowess is evident in his 24 Grammy Awards, highlighting his creative genius and influence in the hip-hop genre, jointly holding the record with Jay-Z for the most Grammy wins among hip-hop artists.

West’s musical journey is adorned with critically acclaimed albums such as  The College Dropout  (2004),  Late Registration  (2005),  Graduation  (2007),  808s & Heartbreak  (2008),  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy  (2010), and  Yeezus  (2013), all of which have left an indelible mark on the music landscape. His collaborative ventures, including  Watch the Throne  with Jay-Z and  Kids See Ghosts  with Kid Cudi, further showcase his versatility and creativity as an artist.

Beyond music, West’s influence extends to the fashion world, where he has collaborated with renowned brands such as Nike , Louis Vuitton, Gap, and Adidas through his iconic Yeezy line. However, West’s outspoken views and controversial statements have garnered significant media attention, reflecting his complex persona and the intersections of art, culture, and societal discourse. Despite the controversies, West’s artistic contributions resonate globally, solidifying his status as a cultural icon and a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.

Kanye Omari West, a renowned figure in the music and fashion industries, was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia. Pivotal events marked his upbringing, notably his parents’ divorce when he was just three years old. Following this, he relocated with his mother, Donda C. West, to Chicago, Illinois, leaving behind his father, Ray West, a former Black Panther and a prominent photojournalist.

Growing up in a middle-class environment, West attended the Polaris School for Individual Education in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois, after initially residing in Chicago. However, at age 10, his life took an unexpected turn when he moved to Nanjing, China, with his mother, a Fulbright scholar teaching at Nanjing University. Despite being the only foreigner in his class, West quickly adapted and even became proficient in the language, although he later admitted to forgetting most of it.

Kanye West was strongly inclined towards the arts from an early age. At age five, he delved into poetry writing and started rapping by the third grade. His musical journey took a severe turn in the seventh grade when he began creating his musical compositions, which he eventually sold to other artists. During this time, he crossed paths with producer No I.D., who played a pivotal role as a friend and mentor to West.

After completing high school, West received a scholarship to the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 1997, where he pursued painting classes. However, his passion for music was insatiable, leading him to transfer to Chicago State University to study English. Despite his academic pursuits, West’s focus shifted decisively towards his musical ambitions, prompting him to drop out of college at the age of 20, much to the initial dismay of his mother, a professor at Chicago State University.

These early experiences and challenges laid the groundwork for Kanye West’s meteoric rise in the music industry as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His unique blend of artistic talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless determination would later see him make significant contributions to the fashion world, solidifying his status as a multifaceted and influential figure in popular culture.

1996–2002: Early Work in Musical Career

Kanye West’s musical journey began in the vibrant Chicago music scene of the mid-1990s. At the tender age of nineteen, he garnered his first production credits on Down to Earth , the 1996 debut album of Grav, an emerging rapper from the local underground scene. This early success set the stage for West’s burgeoning career as a producer, catching the attention of industry stalwarts.

By 1998, West’s talent was recognized by Hip Hop Since 1978, a management-production company founded by Gee Roberson and Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua. Despite facing initial hurdles, including serving as a ghost producer for Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, West’s prowess in music production became increasingly evident. Alongside his endeavors, he formed the Go-Getters, a collective comprising himself and fellow Chicago artists, releasing their debut studio album, World Record Holders , in 1999 under West’s Konman Productions label.

West’s ascent continued as he transitioned to Roc-A-Fella Records in 2000, where he became an in-house producer. His collaboration with Jay-Z on The Blueprint marked a significant turning point in his career, earning widespread acclaim and cementing his reputation as a visionary producer. Despite facing skepticism from mainstream record labels due to his unconventional style and refusal to conform to the gangsta rap archetype, West’s artistic vision remained unwavering.

However, West’s journey was fraught with challenges, including a life-altering car accident in 2002 that left him with a shattered jaw. Undeterred by adversity, West channeled his resilience and determination into music, recording “Through the Wire” just two weeks after the accident while his jaw remained wired shut. This experience showcased West’s indomitable spirit and laid the foundation for his debut mixtape, Get Well Soon… , released later that year.

Amidst adversity, West announced his ambitious debut album, The College Dropout , signaling a departure from conventional hip-hop tropes. Rooted in themes of self-expression and individuality, the album aimed to challenge societal norms and empower listeners to make their own choices. West’s journey from a budding producer in Chicago to a groundbreaking artist on the brink of stardom exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and artistic integrity in the face of adversity.

2003–2006:  The College Dropout  and  Late Registration

From 2003 to 2006, West released two critically acclaimed albums that solidified his position as a visionary in the music industry: The College Dropout and Late Registration .

After recovering from a life-threatening car accident, West poured his energy into completing The College Dropout . Despite the album’s initial setbacks, including leaks and postponements, West meticulously revised and enhanced it with new elements such as gospel choirs, string arrangements, and revamped beats. The album’s debut single, “Through the Wire,” which West recorded while his jaw was wired shut, captured audiences with its raw honesty and unique production style. “Slow Jamz,” featuring Twista and Jamie Foxx, also became a massive hit, showcasing West’s versatility and ability to craft chart-topping tracks.

One of the standout songs from The College Dropout was “Jesus Walks,” a bold declaration of faith that defied industry expectations and climbed the charts. This song demonstrated West’s willingness to push boundaries and tackle meaningful themes in his music. The album’s critical and commercial success, earning triple platinum certification and multiple Grammy nominations, catapulted West into the spotlight as a formidable artist and producer.

Building on the momentum of his debut album, West embarked on creating Late Registration , a project that further showcased his musical evolution and ambition. Inspired by live orchestration and collaboration with acclaimed producers like Jon Brion, West crafted a rich, layered sound that seamlessly blended hip-hop with classical elements. Tracks like “Touch the Sky” and “Gold Digger” featuring Jamie Foxx showcased West’s knack for creating catchy yet substantive songs that resonated with audiences worldwide.

While West’s artistic achievements were undeniable, he also faced controversies, such as his passionate outburst at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards. However, his ability to reflect, apologize, and even poke fun at himself, as seen in his later appearances on Saturday Night Live, highlighted his growth as an artist and a public figure.

In summary, the period from 2003 to 2006 was transformative for Kanye West. He navigated challenges, embraced creativity, and left an indelible mark on the music landscape with his innovative albums and groundbreaking approach to hip-hop.

2007–2009:  Graduation ,  808s & Heartbreak , and VMAs incident

Between 2007 and 2009, Kanye West’s life story reached new heights and encountered notable controversies. The era began with the release of his third studio album, Graduation , which showcased West’s prowess in the music industry. The album’s debut marked a significant milestone as it surpassed the sales of rapper 50 Cent’s Curtis , solidifying West’s position with a number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and selling a staggering 957,000 copies in its first week. The lead single “Stronger” not only topped the charts but also influenced a wave of experimentation, encouraging artists to blend hip-hop with house and electronica elements, thus contributing to the revival of disco-infused music.

During this period, West faced personal challenges with the loss of his mother in November 2007 and the end of his engagement, which profoundly impacted him. Despite these setbacks, West continued to innovate and surprise the music industry. He announced his fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak , at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, introducing a distinctive production style featuring Auto-Tune. The album’s lead single, “Love Lockdown,” and follow-up, “Heartless,” achieved significant chart success, solidifying West’s ability to take creative risks and influence the direction of hip-hop music.

However, it was also during this time that West was involved in a highly publicized incident at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. While Taylor Swift was receiving her award, West interrupted her speech, sparking widespread criticism and controversies. His actions led to his removal from the show and criticism from various celebrities, including a notable comment from President Barack Obama . Despite initial apologies, West’s reflections on the incident in later interviews added layers to the ongoing dialogue surrounding his public persona and actions.

Overall, 2007 to 2009 was a period of immense musical success and tumultuous public moments for Kanye West, which showcased his multifaceted talents and complex relationship with fame and public perception.

2010–2012:  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy ,  Watch the Throne , and  Cruel Summer

West refocused on music and fashion after a tumultuous period, including a controversial incident at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. In a retreat to Hawaii, he delved into the creation of his magnum opus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , which hit the shelves in November 2010.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was a sonic and thematic departure from West’s previous works. Critics hailed it as his finest work, blending maximalist production with introspective lyrics that explored themes of fame, excess, and personal struggles. Tracks like “All of the Lights,” “Power,” “Monster,” and “Runaway” not only dominated the charts but also showcased West’s artistic evolution and willingness to take creative risks.

West went on a festival tour in 2011, including iconic performances at SWU Music & Arts, Coachella, and Lollapalooza in tandem with his album release. These live shows were lauded as groundbreaking and cemented West’s reputation as a dynamic and innovative performer in the hip-hop genre.

2011 also witnessed West’s collaborative genius with Jay-Z on the album Watch the Throne , which dropped in August. This album was a masterclass in rap excellence, blending their distinct styles seamlessly. “Niggas in Paris” became an anthem, and the Watch the Throne Tour that followed was a spectacle of hip-hop prowess, captivating audiences globally.

In 2012, West continued his creative endeavors by releasing the compilation album Cruel Summer , featuring tracks from artists under his GOOD Music label. During this period, he showcased West’s versatility, collaborative spirit, and ongoing impact on the hip-hop and music scene.

2013–2015:  Yeezus  and the  Yeezus Tour

The genesis of his sixth solo album, Yeezus , began to take shape in early 2013 in a Paris hotel loft. West gathered his trusted collaborators to embark on a sonic exploration that aimed to defy commercial norms. Drawing inspiration from diverse influences, including Chicago drill, dancehall, acid house, and industrial music, West’s vision for Yeezus was revolutionary in the hip-hop landscape.

With meticulous attention to detail and a penchant for perfection, West’s artistic process for Yeezus was challenging and groundbreaking. His collaboration with producer Rick Rubin, initiated just fifteen days before the album’s deadline, led to a minimalist approach that stripped down the sound to its raw essence. The album’s release in June 2013 was met with critical acclaim, solidifying West’s reputation as an innovative force in music.

Not content with releasing an album, West embarked on The Yeezus Tour in September 2013, marking his first solo tour in half a decade. Joined by the talented Kendrick Lamar as a supporting act, the tour was more than just a musical journey—it was a visual spectacle that pushed the boundaries of live performance. Critics hailed the tour as “crazily entertaining” and “emotionally affecting,” showcasing West’s ability to create immersive and thought-provoking experiences for his audience.

During this period, West’s creative output extended beyond his projects. Collaborations with musical legends like Paul McCartney and Rihanna resulted in hit singles that further showcased West’s versatility and artistic range. Moreover, his plans for his next studio album, initially known as Yeezus II and later tentatively titled So Help Me God , hinted at a continued evolution in his sound and approach to music.

In May 2015, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded West an honorary doctorate for his multifaceted contributions to music, fashion, and popular culture. This accolade underscored West’s impact as a musician and a cultural icon whose influence extended far beyond the confines of traditional genres.

He remained steadfast despite facing challenges and controversies, such as petitions against his performances at major events, West’s artistic vision, and unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries. The period between 2013 and 2015 highlights West’s enduring legacy as one of contemporary music’s most influential and innovative figures.

2016–2017:  The Life of Pablo  and Tour Cancellation

In 2016 and 2017, Kanye West’s success story in the music industry continued, with triumphs and challenges that reflected his dynamic and complex career.

In January 2016, West announced the imminent release of his album SWISH on February 11. Leading up to this, he dropped new tracks like “Real Friends” and a snippet of “No More Parties in LA” featuring Kendrick Lamar. However, West is known for his creative spontaneity, and on January 26, 2016, he renamed the album from SWISH to Waves . Amidst this anticipation, West was embroiled in Twitter controversies, adding a layer of buzz to the album’s forthcoming release.

West changed the album’s title again as the release date approached, this time to The Life of Pablo . The album premiered at Madison Square Garden as part of his Yeezy Season 3 presentation. Later, he modified the tracklist and released it exclusively on Tidal on February 14, 2016. West’s continuous tinkering with the album’s mixes and his declaration of the end of the traditional album format added intrigue to the album’s reception.

Amid this musical venture, West announced plans for another summer 2016 album tentatively titled Turbo Grafx 16 . Additionally, he collaborated on the lead single “Champions” from the Cruel Winter album. Not one to shy away from controversy, West released the video for “Famous,” featuring wax figures of prominent figures in a shared bed, sparking conversation and debate.

In August 2016, West embarked on the Saint Pablo Tour , characterized by its innovative mobile stage suspended from the ceiling. However, the tour faced setbacks when West postponed several dates due to personal reasons, including the robbery of his wife, Kim Kardashian , in Paris. These challenges culminated in West canceling the remaining tour dates in November 2016 and seeking psychiatric observation at UCLA Medical Center due to sleep deprivation and dehydration-induced temporary psychosis.

West’s hiatus from public life following this incident highlighted the toll of fame and artistic pressure, marking a reflective period in his career as he regrouped and focused on his well-being before resuming his creative endeavors.

2017–2019:  Ye  and the Wyoming Sessions

In May 2017, reports emerged of West working on new music in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, collaborating with diverse artists. This period set the stage for a prolific era for West’s music career.

By April 2018, West expanded his creative pursuits beyond music. He announced plans for a philosophy book titled Break the Simulation , which he shared “in real time” on Twitter, offering insights that resonated with themes of life coaching.

In the same month, West unveiled ambitious plans for new albums. He announced a solo album and a collaborative project with Kid Cudi under the moniker Kids See Ghosts . These albums were set to release in June, alongside production work on albums by fellow artists from his label GOOD Music.

The rollout of these projects was swift. Pusha T’s Daytona arrived to critical acclaim in May, followed closely by West’s eighth studio album, Ye , which West reportedly re-recorded within a month, indicating a rapid and intense creative process. This period also saw the release of the collaborative album Kids See Ghosts with Kid Cudi, showcasing a dynamic partnership between the two artists.

West’s production work extended to Nas ‘ Nasir and Teyana Taylor’s K.T.S.E. , rounding off a productive and influential stretch for West as an artist and producer.

The latter part of this phase saw shifts in West’s planned releases. He initially teased his ninth studio album Yandhi and a collaboration with Chance the Rapper titled Good Ass Job . However, Yandhi ‘s release faced multiple delays and was eventually scrapped. Instead, West shifted to a new project titled Jesus Is King, which was announced by his wife, Kim Kardashian.

West’s artistic evolution remained evident despite setbacks and leaks of unreleased music. His ability to navigate plan changes and embrace new creative directions showcased his resilience and continued impact on the music landscape.

2019–2022:  Jesus Is King ,  Donda , and  Donda 2

On January 6, 2019, Kanye West launched his weekly “Sunday Service” events, which featured soulful renditions of his and others’ songs. These gatherings became star-studded affairs, attracting celebrities like the Kardashians, Charlie Wilson, and Kid Cudi. At Coachella 2019, West unveiled a new track, “Water,” during one of these Sunday Service performances, offering a glimpse into his forthcoming album Jesus Is King , which hit the airwaves on October 25, 2019. This album made history by topping Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums, and Top Gospel Albums charts.

Just in time for Christmas in 2019, West and Sunday Service gifted fans with Jesus Is Born , which features 19 songs, including reimagined versions of some of West’s classic hits.

Moving into 2020, West released the single “Wash Us in the Blood” on June 30, featuring Travis Scott. This track was slated to lead his tenth studio album, Donda . However, West later announced a pause in his music releases until he fulfilled his contractual obligations with Sony and Universal. Nevertheless, he surprised fans with the single “Nah Nah Nah” on October 16, 2020.

West spent the summer of 2021 immersed in completing Donda, holding listening parties at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite some delays and disputes over the album’s release, It finally dropped on August 29, 2021, followed by a deluxe edition with five new tracks in November.

In a notable reconciliation, West and Drake confirmed plans for the “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert in December 2021, marking a significant moment in their relationship.

As 2022 began, West was announced as one of the headliners for Coachella and released the first single for Donda 2 , “Eazy,” featuring The Game. Future executives produced this album and showcased it at a Miami listening event. However, West’s presence at various events became sporadic as he withdrew from headlining commitments at Coachella and Rolling Loud.

By December 2022, West was embroiled in controversy due to controversial statements. Yet, he continued to express himself through music, dropping the introspective track “Someday We’ll All Be Free” on his Instagram.

2023–present:  Vultures  trilogy and  Y3

Since 2023, Kanye West has been actively working on his musical ventures, leading up to the release of his Vultures trilogy and his upcoming solo album Y3 .

In August 2023, reports surfaced about West gearing up for his eleventh studio album. The anticipation grew further in October when news broke that he had wrapped up a collaborative effort with Ty Dolla Sign. Although the album was initially slated for an immediate release, it was delayed for unspecified reasons, building excitement among fans for its eventual drop.

The buzz around their collaboration escalated when they announced a “multi-stadium listening event” to showcase their joint project. This event occurred on November 3, preceding the release of the lead single “Vultures” featuring Bump J, which hit the airwaves on November 22, 2023. Subsequent versions of the song, featuring Lil Durk and produced by Mobb Deep’s Havoc, garnered more attention.

West and Ty Dolla $ign organized several listening parties, dubbed “Vultures Rave,” in cities like Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago, and the New York City area. These events gave fans a taste of their collaboration.

As excitement peaked, West surprised fans with news of a Vultures trilogy. The trailer for this musical journey dropped in January 2024, announcing staggered releases of the trilogy’s volumes on February 9, March 6, and April 5, 2024. This move added an element of intrigue and anticipation, hinting at the diverse sounds and themes each volume would explore.

Simultaneously, West’s solo project Y3 gained traction. During an interview, rapper Erick Sermon revealed insights into the album’s creation process, showcasing West’s musical evolution.

Finally, on February 10, 2024, the curtain was lifted as the first volume of the Vultures trilogy, Vultures 1, hit the music scene. The album soared to the top of the charts, claiming the number-one spot on the Billboard 200. This marked West’s eleventh consecutive chart-topper and Ty Dolla Sign’s first number-one album, cementing their impact on the music industry again.

Musical Style

Since his debut, West has continually pushed the boundaries of hip-hop, blending diverse musical elements while infusing his lyrics with thought-provoking themes. Critics have noted his ability to fuse multiple genres into hip-hop, challenging conventional notions of what defines artistic music. His rhymes are praised for their wit, social commentary, and emotional depth, showcasing a range from sharp observations to playful bravado to introspective reflections.

Early in his career, West pioneered the “chipmunk-soul” style of production, characterized by sampling and manipulating vintage soul music to create unique beats. His debut album, The College Dropout (2004), set the stage for his signature style, combining intricate hip-hop beats with lyrics touching on topics such as education, materialism, societal issues, and personal struggles.

As his career progressed, West delved into various music genres, drawing inspiration from chamber pop (Late Registration – 2005), arena rock and europop ( Graduation – 2007), synth-driven electropop ( 808s & Heartbreak – 2008), and even more experimental sounds like acid-house, drill, industrial rap, and trap ( Yeezus – 2013). His exploration continued with forays into gospel and Christian rap ( The Life of Pablo – 2016, Jesus is King – 2019, Donda – 2021) and psychedelic music ( Kids See Ghosts – 2018).

West’s musical evolution reflects his constant quest for innovation and artistic expression, cementing his position as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music.

In the spring of 2006, West launched his own fashion line, and since then, he has made significant strides. He pioneered sneaker collaborations, such as the Air Yeezys with Nike in 2009. He also debuted his shoe line for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week in the same year. West continued his foray into high fashion by interning at Italian brands like Fendi and unveiling his women’s fashion label at Paris Fashion Week in 2011. In 2013, he partnered with Adidas, which created the iconic Yeezy Boosts and a groundbreaking Yeezy clothing line in 2015. Despite some ups and downs, including the termination of partnerships with brands like Adidas and GAP in 2022, West’s influence on the intersection of music and fashion remains undeniable.

Enterprises

In 2004, Kanye West founded the record label and production company GOOD Music , which has seen remarkable success with ten gold-certified or higher albums by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). West’s creative ventures extended into the culinary world when he ventured into the restaurant business, opening Fatburger locations in the Chicago area in the late 2000s. Additionally, he established the creative content company Donda in 2012, named after his late mother, focusing on innovative design and product experiences. With a keen eye for diverse industries, West announced the launch of Yeezy Home, an architecture firm, in 2018, showcasing his multidimensional approach to creativity and business.

Philanthropy

In 2003, West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago to combat dropout rates and promote music education among underprivileged youth. Following the passing of his mother, the foundation was renamed The Dr. Donda West Foundation. Additionally, West has been actively involved in disaster relief efforts, participating in benefit concerts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. His philanthropic endeavors extended to significant donations, such as $10 million towards the Roden Crater project and a $2 million contribution towards supporting families affected by police brutality incidents in 2020. West’s philanthropic initiatives reflect his commitment to positively impacting communities in need.

Acting and Filmmaking

Kanye West has delved into acting and filmmaking, showcasing his talents beyond music. He made cameo appearances in films like State Property 2 (2005) and The Love Guru (2008), as well as in the television show Entourage in 2007. West’s voice was featured in the animated sitcom The Cleveland Show as “Kenny West,” a rapper character. He further explored his creativity by writing, directing, and starring in short films like We Were Once a Fairytale (2009) and Runaway (2010), featuring music from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy . In 2012, he presented another short film, Cruel Summer , at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, West announced the launch of his film production company, Half Beast, LLC, and a documentary titled Jeen-Yuhs , tracing his journey from his early days in Chicago to his presidential run, was acquired by Netflix for $30 million.

Presidential Campaign 2020 and 2024

In 2020, amidst much fanfare and skepticism, Kanye West announced his bid for the presidency in the United States. His campaign was characterized by unique twists, including choosing preacher Michelle Tidball as his running mate and adopting the “Birthday Party” label. Despite facing speculation about the nature of his run and his grasp on various policy issues, West actively participated in the race, holding rallies and putting forward a platform emphasizing themes like environmental stewardship, support for the arts, and faith-based initiatives. Ultimately, West conceded after garnering thousands of votes across several states, making his campaign a blend of political ambition and intrigue in the American electoral landscape.

West has expressed his intentions to run for president again in 2024, reaffirming this stance in November 2019 during an event where he humorously mentioned creating jobs to the point of “walking” into office. While his plans seemed uncertain at times, with mentions of potential candidacies for governorship and hints through various mediums, West officially announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2024 on November 20, 2022. Despite some contradictory statements from his attorney, the public continues to anticipate West’s potential role in the upcoming election cycle.

Views of Kanye West

Kanye West’s biography has been marked by controversy and outspokenness, drawing praise and criticism from various quarters. His public statements and actions have often sparked intense debates and reactions. Notably, in 2005, West openly criticized the media and government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, delivering a memorable statement on live television about then-President George Bush. Over the years, West’s views on topics like abortion and historical issues such as African enslavement have also stirred discussions and controversies.

West’s remarks have become increasingly contentious in recent years, leading to severe consequences. His antisemitic statements in late 2022 triggered widespread backlash and resulted in the termination of several collaborations and partnerships with major brands and organizations. West’s association with controversial figures and interview remarks further fueled the controversy. The impact of his statements extended beyond social media, with reported instances of hate speech and related incidents attributed to his rhetoric, as highlighted by the Anti-Defamation League’s 2023 report.

Amidst mounting criticism, West faced significant consequences, such as terminating his Twitter account. However, in July 2023, Twitter reinstated his account following assurances that it would refrain from harmful content. As he gears up for the release of his upcoming album in December 2023, West publicly apologized for his antisemitic remarks, signaling a step towards reconciliation and accountability within the industry and the wider community.

Personal Life

In 2021, Kanye West’s net worth reached an impressive $1.8 billion. However, by October 2022, his net worth plummeted to $400 million due to Adidas terminating its partnership with him after he made a series of public antisemitic statements. This significant change in his financial standing highlighted the impact of external factors on West’s wealth trajectory.

Apart from the financial changes, West made a significant personal decision. In August 2021, he applied to legally change his name from “Kanye Omari West” to simply “Ye,” without a middle or last name. The change was granted in October of the same year, with West citing “personal reasons” for this alteration. This move reflected West’s long-standing desire as he had been using “Ye” as a nickname for several years prior, indicating a deeper personal connection to the name beyond its linguistic significance.

Kim Kardashian

In April 2012, Kanye West and reality TV star Kim Kardashian began a romantic relationship. They had been friends for a long time. They got engaged in October 2013 and had a grand wedding ceremony in May 2014 at Fort di Belvedere in Florence. The media made a fuss about their private ceremony, highlighting the public’s immense interest in their union, which some called “a historic blizzard of celebrity.”

During their marriage, West and Kardashian welcomed four children into their family. North West was born in June 2013, followed by Saint West in December 2015, Chicago West via surrogate in January 2018, and Psalm West via surrogate in May 2019. The media paid close attention to their family life, scrutinizing their parenting choices and public statements.

The couple’s relationship faced strains, especially when West expressed anti-abortion views during a presidential campaign rally in July 2020. This caused tensions, and Kardashian considered the implications of their differing stances on specific issues, leading to divorce discussions. In February 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce, marking the end of their high-profile marriage. Their divorce settlement was finalized in November 2022. It includes arrangements for joint custody of their children and financial support, highlighting the complexities of separating a public and intertwined life.

In December 2006, Robert “Evel” Knievel filed a lawsuit against Kanye West for trademark infringement related to West’s “Touch the Sky” music video. Knievel claimed that West’s persona as “Evel Kanyevel” in the video, which he considered “vulgar and offensive,” tarnished his image. The lawsuit sought damages and an injunction against the video’s distribution. West’s legal team defended the video as satirical, protected under the First Amendment. Before his passing in November 2007, Knievel settled the suit after meeting West, expressing positive sentiments toward him.

In 2014, West faced legal trouble again following an incident with a paparazzo at Los Angeles Airport, resulting in a misdemeanor battery conviction. He was sentenced to two years’ probation, mandated anger management sessions, community service, and restitution to the photographer. A civil lawsuit stemming from the altercation was also settled in 2015. West’s legal team successfully appealed for the conviction to be expunged from his record in 2016, as reported by TMZ. These legal challenges highlighted the intersection of celebrity life and the legal responsibilities of Kanye West during that period.

Religion Beliefs

Kanye West openly discussed his spiritual beliefs after releasing his song “Jesus Walks” from The College Dropout album. He referred to himself as “spiritual” and acknowledged Jesus as his Savior while admitting he fell short daily. West’s views on faith have evolved over the years. In 2008, he described himself as feeling like a “vessel” chosen by God to be a voice and connector. By 2014, he openly identified as a Christian during his concerts, marking a significant point in his religious journey.

In September 2019, his wife Kim Kardashian highlighted West’s transformation, mentioning his “amazing evolution” towards being “born again” and finding salvation in Christ. West himself talked about his past struggles with serving “multiple gods,” including ego, money, pride, and fame, which led to confusion. However, by October 2019, he had fully embraced Christianity, expressing his love for Jesus Christ and a deeper understanding of salvation, signifying a profound shift in his religious beliefs.

Mental Health

On November 19, 2016,  Kanye West  experienced a significant mental health event during a concert, leading to his abrupt departure and subsequent hospitalization at UCLA Medical Center. Reports indicated that he was suffering from hallucinations and paranoia , resulting in the cancellation of several concerts. Although initially attributed to temporary psychosis due to dehydration and sleep deprivation, West’s mental state during that period remained abnormal enough to trigger insurance coverage for the canceled shows.

During his hospitalization, West faced challenges with paranoia and depression, although he remained formally undiagnosed at the time. His experiences were reflected in his music, notably in songs like “FML” and “I Feel Like That,” where he alluded to struggles with depression, anxiety, and substance use. West revealed in a 2018 interview that he had battled opioid addiction following prescribed medication after a liposuction procedure, which might have contributed to his breakdown in 2016.

West’s mental health situation also involved grappling with bipolar disorder, a diagnosis he disclosed in his 2018 album  Ye . Despite initially questioning the diagnosis, he seemed to accept it later, only to raise doubts again in subsequent years. In December 2022, he even suggested the possibility of being autistic, highlighting the complexity and evolving nature of his mental health journey. These experiences shed light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues in the public eye.

Awards and Achievements

Kanye West has accomplished a lot throughout his career, cementing his position as one of the most influential figures in music. Here are some of his notable achievements:

• West is recognized as the fourth-highest certified artist in the US for digital singles, with an impressive 69 million singles.
• He holds the record for the most RIAA digital song certifications by a male artist in the 2000s, with 19 certifications.
• West ranks as the US’s fourth best-selling digital song artist of the 2000s.
• In Spotify’s first decade (2008 to 2018), he was the sixth most-streamed artist and reached one billion streams in record time, ranking as the fourth-fastest artist to reach this milestone.
• West’s studio albums have consistently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, setting a joint record of nine consecutive number-one debuts.
• He has received immense critical acclaim, topping the annual Pazz & Jop Critics’ Poll four times, a feat he shares with music legend Bob Dylan.
• In terms of awards, West has received a staggering 75 Grammy nominations and won 24 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most successful Grammy recipients.
• West was the first solo artist to have his initial three albums nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys.
• He has won various prestigious awards, including the Webby Award for Artist of the Year, International Man of the Year at the GQ Awards, and a Clio Award for The Life of Pablo Album Experience.
• West’s groundbreaking albums have also received recognition, with several of them named among the greatest albums of all time by publications like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly.

These accomplishments highlight West’s enormous impact on the music industry and his enduring legacy as a pioneering artist and cultural icon.

In conclusion, Kanye West’s biography stands as a remarkable success story in the music industry. His innovative approach to music, numerous accolades, and impact on pop culture have solidified his status as a trailblazer and cultural icon. West’s legacy continues to inspire aspiring artists and fans alike, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

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Home » Celebrities » Musician » Kanye West: A Biography of His Music, Fashion, and Wealth

Kanye West: A Biography of His Music, Fashion, and Wealth

Kanye West is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, West rose to fame in the early 2000s for his innovative and experimental approach to hip hop music. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and has released several critically acclaimed albums throughout his career.

In addition to his music career, West is also known for his fashion and business ventures. He has collaborated with a number of major fashion brands, including Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas, and has even launched his own fashion line, Yeezy. He has also ventured into the tech industry, launching a mobile app and working on other tech-related projects.

As of 2021, Kanye West’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.8 billion, making him one of the wealthiest musicians in the world. Much of his wealth comes from his Yeezy brand, which is valued at over $1 billion, as well as his music royalties and other business ventures.

Despite his massive success and wealth, West has been known to be somewhat controversial in his public persona and statements. He has been involved in several high-profile incidents and has been known to make controversial comments on a range of social and political issues.

Despite this, West’s influence on the music and fashion industries cannot be denied. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in both fields and has inspired countless artists and designers to take creative risks and pursue their passions.

In conclusion, Kanye West is a multi-talented artist and entrepreneur who has achieved incredible success and wealth throughout his career. His innovative approach to music and fashion has inspired a generation of creators, and his impact on popular culture is undeniable. While he has faced controversy and criticism over the years, his achievements and contributions to the industry are sure to be remembered for years to come.

Here’s a timeline of some of the key events in the life and career of Kanye West:

• 1977 : Kanye Omari West is born on June 8th in Atlanta, Georgia.
• 1996 : West enrolls in Chicago State University to study English, but drops out to pursue music full time.
• 1998 : West begins producing music for local artists in Chicago.
• 2000 : West begins producing for Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records.
• 2002 : West releases his debut album, “The College Dropout,” which features hit singles like “Jesus Walks” and “Through the Wire.”
• 2004 : West releases his second album, “Late Registration,” which includes hits like “Gold Digger” and “Touch the Sky.”
• 2007 : West releases his third album, “Graduation,” which debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 and features the hit single “Stronger.”
• 2008 : West interrupts Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, causing controversy and backlash.
• 2010 : West releases his fifth album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” which receives critical acclaim and includes hits like “Runaway” and “All of the Lights.”
• 2012 : West begins a relationship with reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
• 2013 : West releases his sixth album, “Yeezus,” which features a more experimental sound and controversial lyrics.
• 2015 : West releases his seventh album, “The Life of Pablo,” which features collaborations with a variety of artists and includes the hit single “Famous.”
• 2016 : West launches his fashion line, Yeezy, and releases his seventh album, “Ye.”
• 2018 : West releases his eighth album, “Ye,” and collaborates with Kid Cudi on the album “Kids See Ghosts.”
• 2019 : West releases the album “Jesus is King,” which features gospel-influenced music and lyrics.
• 2020 : West runs for president of the United States but ultimately does not win the election.
• 2021 : West and Kim Kardashian announce they are getting divorced, and West’s estimated net worth reaches $1.8 billion.

This timeline showcases the major milestones in Kanye West’s career, from his early beginnings as a producer to his rise to fame as a successful rapper and fashion designer. Despite some controversies, West continues to be a major force in the music and fashion industries, and his influence is felt around the world.

5 Interesting Facts About Kanye West:

• Before pursuing music, West studied English at Chicago State University and briefly considered becoming a pornographic film director.
• West is an avid supporter of fashion and has launched his own fashion line, Yeezy, which has become wildly popular.
• In 2005, West was in a near-fatal car accident that left him with a shattered jaw, which was wired shut for six weeks. During his recovery, he recorded his debut single, “Through the Wire,” which he rapped with his mouth wired shut.
• West has a tendency to speak his mind, even if it lands him in hot water. In 2005, he famously went off-script during a live television broadcast to say, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” in response to the government’s handling of Hurricane Katrina.
• In addition to his music and fashion careers, West has also dabbled in the tech industry, including creating an app that allows users to “feel” his music through their phones.

5 Quotes from Kanye West:

• “I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book’s autograph. I am a proud non-reader of books.”
• “I am God’s vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.”
• “I refuse to accept other people’s ideas of happiness for me. As if there’s a ‘one size fits all’ standard for happiness.”
• “My greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.”
• “I feel like I’m too busy writing history to read it.”

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• When West was 10 years old, he and his mother spent a year living in China while his mother taught English at Nanjing University.
• After graduating from high school, West briefly attended the American Academy of Art before transferring to Chicago State University, where he majored in English; after a year, he dropped out to pursue a career in music.

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Kanye West: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

A revealing biography of Kanye West explores the artist―and the man. Kanye West is a star. His music has jumped from sensation to staple in the rap industry, while his personality, his philosophies, and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in regularly place him at the center of controversy. Kanye West: A Biography traces the star's life from his birth through the present day to paint a detailed picture of the artist and the man. Raised by a single mother who was an English professor in Chicago, West admits he came from "the wrong side of the mall" rather than the wrong side of the tracks. His name, his style, and the way he conducts his business are unique. His thoughtful reflections in interviews reveal a complex man few have taken the time to understand. This biography looks at that multifaceted star, exploring his career as singer and producer, but also looking at the forces that prepared him to chase his dreams―and chase off anyone who stood in his way.

• ISBN-10 0313374600
• ISBN-13 978-0313374609
• Publisher Greenwood
• Publication date July 23, 2009
• Part of series Greenwood Biographies
• Language English
• Dimensions 6.14 x 0.38 x 9.21 inches
• Print length 148 pages
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenwood (July 23, 2009)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 148 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0313374600
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0313374609
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 0.38 x 9.21 inches
• #589 in Rap & Hip-Hop Musician Biographies
• #964 in Rap Music (Books)
• #1,013 in Pop Artist Biographies

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• Born June 8 , 1977 · Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Birth name Kanye Omari West
• The Louis Vuitton Don
• Height 5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
• Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer. His musical career has been marked by dramatic changes in styles, incorporating an eclectic range of influences including soul, baroque pop, electro, indie rock, synth-pop, industrial and gospel. Over the course of his career, West has been responsible for cultural movements and progressions within mainstream hip hop and popular music at large. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West first became known as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s, producing hit singles for recording artists such as Jay-Z, Ludacris and Alicia Keys. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success, and founded the record label GOOD Music. He went on to experiment with a variety of musical genres on subsequent acclaimed studio albums, including Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), and the polarizing but influential 808s & Heartbreak (2008). He released his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010 to further rave reviews, and has since succeeded it with Yeezus (2013) , The Life of Pablo (2016) and Ye (2018), as well as full-length collaborations Watch the Throne (2011) and Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Jay-Z and Kid Cudi respectively. West's outspoken views and life outside of music have received significant media attention. He has been a frequent source of controversy for his conduct at award shows, on social media, and in other public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, and race. His marriage to television personality Kim Kardashian has also been a source of substantial media attention. As a fashion designer, he has collaborated with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and A.P.C. on both clothing and footwear, and have most prominently resulted in the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas beginning in 2013. He is the founder and head of the creative content company Donda. West is among the most critically acclaimed musicians of the 21st century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time with over 135 million records sold worldwide. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all time and the most Grammy-awarded artist of his generation. Three of his albums have been included and ranked on Rolling Stone's 2012 update of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list and he ties with Bob Dylan for having topped the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll the most number of times ever, with four number-one albums each. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. Kanye Omari West was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia. After his parents divorced when he was three years old he moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois. His father, Ray West, is a former Black Panther and was one of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ray West was later a Christian counselor, and in 2006, opened the Good Water Store and Café in Lexington Park, Maryland with startup capital from his son. West's mother, Dr. Donda C. (Williams) West, was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University, before retiring to serve as his manager. West was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois, after living in Chicago. At the age of 10, West moved with his mother to Nanjing, China, where she was teaching at Nanjing University as part of an exchange program. According to his mother, West was the only foreigner in his class, but settled in well and quickly picked up the language, although he has since forgotten most of it. When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's. And I'm not even front-in'." West demonstrated an affinity for the arts at an early age; he began writing poetry when he was five years old. His mother recalled that she first took notice of West's passion for drawing and music when he was in the third grade. West started rapping in the third grade and began making musical compositions in the seventh grade, eventually selling them to other artists. At age thirteen, West wrote a rap song called "Green Eggs and Ham" and persuaded his mother to pay for time in a recording studio. Accompanying him to the studio and despite discovering it being "a little basement studio" where a microphone hung from the ceiling by a wire clothes hanger, West's mother nonetheless supported and encouraged him. West crossed paths with producer/DJ No I.D., with whom he quickly formed a close friendship. No I.D. soon became West's mentor, and it was from him that West learned how to sample and program beats after he received his first sampler at age 15. After graduating from high school, West received a scholarship to attend Chicago's American Academy of Art in 1997 and began taking painting classes, but shortly after transferred to Chicago State University to study English. He soon realized that his busy class schedule was detrimental to his musical work, and at 20 he dropped out of college to pursue his musical dreams. This action greatly displeased his mother, who was also a professor at the university. She later commented, "It was drummed into my head that college is the ticket to a good life... but some career goals don't require college. For Kanye to make an album called College Dropout it was more about having the guts to embrace who you are, rather than following the path society has carved out for you." - IMDb Mini Biography By: ahmetkozan
• Spouses Bianca Censori (January 13, 2023 - present) Kim Kardashian (May 24, 2014 - March 2, 2022) (divorced, 4 children)
• Children North West Chicago West Saint West Psalm West
• Parents Donda West Ray West
• Relatives Kim Wallace (Cousin) Jalil Peraza (Cousin)
• Uses alliteration in his rhymes
• Megalomania
• Rarely smiles
• Often goes on passionate, extended rants during concerts
• Sampling an looping of old school R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, etc.
• Kanye broke down at a concert in Paris, a week after the passing of his mother, Dr. Donda West , as he tried to sing the verses of "Hey Mama", a song he had written earlier on in his career in dedication to her.
• Lived in China for a year with his mother when he was 10 years old.
• Was admitted into the UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.[November 2016].
• Has a metal plate in his chin from near fatal car accident in which he was involved in around 3 pm on October 23, 2002. He was driving home from a studio session and fell asleep behind the steering wheel and crashed into another car.
• Blogged that Scarlett Johansson was his "favorite white girl".
• [on living in Asia for a year.] Most of the kids had never seen a black person before, so they'd come over to me and touch my face, thinkin' it was paint or something.
• No one at Def Jam or Roc-A-Fella believed in "Through the Wire." So I shot a video using my own money.
• I was never really good at anything except for the ability to learn.
• Nothing is promised in life except for death.
• I can always tell if a band have a British rhythm section due to the gritty production.

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Kanye West - Biography

The ye rapper, songwriter and fashion designer was born in 1977.

Born Kanye Omari West in Georgia on June 8, 1977, the rapper now known as Ye was writing poetry from the age five before moving on to rap and music making when he was in seventh grade. At 13, Kanye begged his mother, a college professor, to pay for some time in a recording studio, and mid-way though his later English degree at Chicago State University, he dropped out to focus on his growing music career full time. 

Growing success and controversy

Kanye began producing music for local rap artists, and in 2000 he joined Jay-Z 's Roc-A-Fella Records, moving on to produce for stars including Beyoncé and Ludacris. But Kanye's true passion was rapping, and in 2002 he signed to Roc-A-Fella Records and began recording his own tracks. After experiencing a near-fatal car crash after which he had to have his jaw wired shut, Through the Wire became his first breakthrough single, soon followed by the album, The College Dropout which sold over 3 million copies and won the Best Rap Album Grammy. Another 20+ would follow. 

Yeezy, as fans call him, has since created a multi-million dollar empire, including fashion collections and his own record label, GOOD Music. But the rapper has also courted much controversy. At the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards , Kanye outraged fans when he interrupted Taylor Swift 's acceptance speech to declare that Beyoncé should have won the award. In late-2022, the rapper was universally criticized and dropped from the majority of his brand collaborations after making a series of antisemitic remarks and identifying himself a Nazi. 

Personal life

Off-stage and away from his behavior, much focus has also been given to the rapper's relationship with reality television superstar Kim Kardashian . The pair began dating in April 2012, and the following December, Kanye announced Kim was pregnant during one of his concerts. A few months after she gave birth to their daughter North , known as Nori. In October 2013, Kanye proposed, hiring an entire stadium and orchestra. Kim and Ye married in May 2014. They went on to welcome three more children: Saint , born 2015; Chicago, born via surrogate in 2018; and Psalm, born via surrogate in 2019; then announced their divorce in 2021. It was finalized in November 2022.

For the latest news on Kanye and his family, click here . For more on the Kardashians, see here .

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Kanye West – Biography, Facts & Life Story

His Social Media Profiles

Height, weight & physical stats.

An American rapper, Kanye West, a multi-talented star who is known for being a record producer, and fashion designer. He has gained wider acclaim and recognition in his music career. He is known for his work as a producer for ‘Roc-A-Fella’ Records in the early 2000s.

He has produced singles for several artists and developed the “chipmunk soul” sampling style. Kanye West is known for his solo career as a rapper, and released his debut studio album.

From 1996 to 2002, Kanye West started off his professional music career and became famous for creating beats for burgeoning local artists around his area.

At the age of 19, West’s first official production came out when he produced 8 sound tracks. In 1996, he debuted with a album of a Chocago rapper named ‘Grav’.

From 2003 to 2006, the most acclaimed rapper Kanye West made released another critically acclaimed music album named ‘The College Dropout’. For his music album, he gained much recognition and fame in his music career. And it has been said that it was a peak of his success.

Kanye West,however, established his broad career in the field of music and this helped him to increase his huge fan following from across the world.

Achievements

Kanye West has worked on the most popular album named ‘The College Dropout’ (2004) which led him to earn critical and commercial success. It was found the record label ‘Good Music’.

Kanye West Education

School: Polaris High School, Oak Lawn, illinois

College: Chicago State University, American Academy of Art

Kanye West Career

Profession: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer

Net Worth: USD $147 Million approx

Family & Relatives

Father: Ray West

Mother: Donda West

Marital Status: Married

Married: Kim Kardashian

No. of Children: Chicago West, North West, Saint West

Who is Kanye West?

Kanye West is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, born on 08 June, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

How old is Kanye West?

Kanye West is 47 years old as of August 2024.

How tall is Kanye West?

Kanye West is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m).

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Kanye West to perform in Korea for first time in 14 years

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Kanye is ‘Not a Candidate in 2024,’ His Lawyer Says

By Tim Dickinson

Tim Dickinson

YE24, we hardly knew ye. The prospect of a Kanye West presidential run this election cycle appears dead. Ye’s personal attorney Bruce Marks, who is advising the wind-down of the rapper’s campaign apparatus, tells Rolling Stone : “He’s not a candidate for office in 2024.”

Evidence of the decision not to pursue a presidential bid is reflected in the October Federal Election Commission filing by Ye’s political committee, Kanye 2020, which steered Ye’s oddball presidential bid three years ago and was used by the rapper to test the waters for a 2024 run. Right-wing operative Milo Yiannopoulos — who made a splash in May by declaring himself to be the “director of political operations” of “YE24” — is no longer on payroll. The committee is now run by its treasurer, and recent expenditures are consistent with closing up shop. The committee has less than $25,000 cash on hand.

A year ago, a second Kanye presidential bid appeared imminent. The rapper signaled his intention to run for the White House amid his antisemitic blitz of late 2022, during which he declared his love for Hitler . In May, Ye reinstated Yiannopoulos — whom he’d previously fired — at the helm of his political committee. Described by the Anti Defamation League as a “misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, transphobic troll,” Yiannopoulos quickly wrested command of the nascent YE24 operation from the white nationalist and Holocaust denier, Nick Fuentes .

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Just days after Yiannopoulos returned to power, it came to light that he had purchased the internet domain name Ye24.com using the campaign credit card of another political client, Marjorie Taylor Greene. (Yiannopoulos insisted he’d innocently mixed up AMEX cards. The Taylor Greene camp blasted Yiannopoulos for “gross negligence.”)

Then, significant questions arose about whether the employment of the British-born Yiannopoulos was licit. FEC regulations broadly restrict foreign nationals from sitting in decision-making roles in American political campaigns. Yiannopoulos did not respond to questions about his immigration status or his ultimate departure from Kanye 2020.

Devin White, who was the treasurer for Kanye 2020, made the July filing. In an interview with Rolling Stone , White claims he was hired by Yiannopoulos, but quickly became alarmed that his boss might not have the legal authority to make any hiring decisions. White recalls feeling that he’d been “dumped into a pile of shit,” and he likens the management of the prospective YE24 campaign to “building an airplane with no wings. It wasn’t meant to fly.”

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In a statement to Rolling Stone on behalf of Kanye 2020, Marks, Ye’s attorney, says “White was terminated as Kanye 2020 acting treasurer for cause.” It explains the departure of Yiannopoulos by insisting that his “services were no longer needed when Kanye 2020 engaged Hassan Sheikh, an experienced compliance professional, as its treasurer.” The statement underscores that: “Ye is not a candidate for any office” and that Yiannopoulos is now “the director of public affairs for Yeezy, LLC.” 

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