Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Ray and Dr. Donda West. At the age of three his parents divorced, causing him to move to Chicago, Illinois with his mother. His father Ray West was one of the first black photojournalists at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but is now a Christian counselor. Dr. Donda West worked in the Chicago State University as the Chair of the English Department, but retired to be Kanye’s manager. He attended Polaris High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He then attended The American Academy of Art in Chicago. After he attended Chicago State University, but then dropped out to work on his music career.
During school, Kanye West produced for many local artists. He then started to gain fame by producing hit singles for hip hop/R&B artists, such as Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Common, The Game, John Legend, Paul Wall, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, Paul Wall, and Jay-z. West’s production style was influenced by RZA producer Wu-Tang Clan. His style of producing includes his own instruments, and pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs. This style is featured in Jay-Z’s “This Can’t Be Life,” and Dr. Dre’s “Xxplosive.”
In 2001, West became one of the major names in hip hop production. He wanted to release his own album shortly after. He struggled to find a recording deal because many record companies didn’t think West matched to the stereotypical hip hop image. Jay-Z was unwilling to support Kanye as a rapper, because he only saw him as a producer.
In October, 2002, West was involved in a severe car crash caused by snoozing at the wheel while driving. His crash and survival inspired Kanye’s first single “Through the Wire.”, and the song “Jesus Walks.” His first album, The College Dropout, was release by Roc-A-Fella Records in February 2004. His second album, Late Registration, received many favorable reviews. It was number one spot of 2005 on the Village Voice’s Pazz and Jop critic’s poll. The album earned him eight Grammy Award nominations. He also received Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the single “Gold Digger.”
In November 2006, West’s video “Touch the Sky” failed to win Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards; he went onto the stage and argued that he should have won the award instead. He apologized for his outburst during his opening act for U2. In 2007, West changed the release date of his third album Graduation. The date was changed from September 18 to September 11, the same release date of 50 Cent’s album Curtis. The two rap stars would compete for better sales against each other. The competition fired up when 50 Cent claimed to stop releasing solo albums if Graduation sold more records than his. Kanye West eventually won the competition, but 50 Cent is said to stay in the business.
Kanye West performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. He was nominated for 5 awards, such as Best Male Artist and Video of the Year, and lost them all that night. Losing the VMAS two years in a row caused West to be extremely upset and angry with MTV. He vowed to never come back to MTV. In many radio interviews, Kanye confesses that it was his dream to open up at the VMAS with “Stronger”, and MTV only used Britney Spears for ratings.
Kanye West stated that he is currently working on Michael Jackson’s upcoming album. West is currently with fiancée Alexis Phifer.
Did you know…
- Kanye's name means "the only one" in Swahili.
- Kanye West has his own official website with three of his newest music videos and where he will be on his tour.
- Kanye West is the only black rapper that is not afraid to admit that he loves God.
- In the 2006 hit thriller The Inside Man, one of the hostages' ringtone is Kanye West's 'Gold Digger'.
- Kanye West is parodied in the 2007 film Epic Movie.
- He is one of the biggest rappers in the industry tieing up eith Jay-Z to Ludacris to Jamie Foxx who all gave him a chance to start off and help him along his career.
- He is 5'6" tall.
- Kanye financed the shooting of his "Through The Wire" video out of his own pocket, and submitted the video to BET and MTV himself.
