Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, record producer, author and singer. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, and his fourth album 808s and Heartbreak in 2008. His first three and fifth albums (and his fourth to a lesser extent) have received numerous awards and critical acclaim. All have been very commercially successful, with 808s and Heartbreak becoming his third consecutive #1 album in the U.S. upon release. West also runs his own record label G.O.O.D. Music. West's mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear which has appeared on the covers of three of his four albums as well as various single covers and music videos.West gained fame by producing for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album, The Blueprint as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally utilized pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent albums saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences ranging from '70s R&B, to synth-pop, and classical music.About.com ranked Kanye West #8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list. On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the year's #1 "Hottest MC in the Game."
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.
Has produced numerous songs for many artists including Janet Jackson , Britney Spears , Jay Z , DMX , Alicia Keys , Common , Yasiin Bey , and many others.
He is signed to Roc A Fella Records.
His debut album, "College Drop Out", sold over 400,000 copies in its first week.
When Kanye was 3 years old, his parents Ray West and Donda West divorced. She moved to Chicago and was an English professor at Chicago State University, and retired to be Kanyes manager. She appeared on FOX News "The Big Story with John Gibson" on May 18, 2007, to talk about her son, which led to her being dubbed a "hip hop mama".
His debut album CD booklet contains yearbook-style photos of the entire "College Dropout" album staff, along with high school superlatives underneath them. His was "most unlikely to succeed".
Made his European television debut performing his song "Through the Wire" on "Raymann is laat" .
Nominated for 10 Grammies in 2005. He ended up winning 3.
Moved to Chicago when he was 3 years old.
His mother was a former English professor at Chicago State University.
Attended Chicago State University / Columbia College, Chicago. He dropped out to pursue music, hence the name of his 2004 debut album "The College Droput".
Lived in China for a year with his mother when he was 10 years old.
Has his own record label with the acronym G.O.O.D which stands for Getting Out Our Dreams, a subsidiary of Geffen.
Rapper Common signed to G.O.O.D.
Sophomore album "Late Registration" moved over 860,000 units in its opening week, landing it at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a career first for the rapper.
His name is pronounced like "Con-yay".
CD: "Graduation", 2006.
His favourite band is Scottish rock group Franz Ferdinand.
Is an only child.
Mother, Donda West , died on November 10, 2007 from complications of surgery.
Kanye and his fiance, clothing designer Alexis Phifer, have ended their engagement [April 21, 2008].
Blogged that Scarlett Johansson was his "favorite white girl".
At the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, he jumped up on stage and interrupted Taylor Swift s acceptance speech after she had won Best Female video saying that Beyonc had the best female video.
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.
Part-owner of a chain of Fatburger restaurants.
Has stated that producer RZA has been a great influence. The two have collaborated a few times.
Father of his 1st child with Kim Kardashian West a daughter, North West, was born on June 15, 2013, weighing 4 pounds and 15 ounces.
Engaged to Kim Kardashian West [October 22, 2013].
(August 2011) Released collaborative album, with Jay Z , titled "Watch the Throne".
(December 2005) Working on 3rd Album called: Graduaton
(November 2008) Released his newest album "808s and Heartbreak".
(November 2011) Released 5th studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
(October 2011) Performs, alongside Jay Z , on the "Watch the Throne" tour (US).
(August 2009) Planning to tour with Lady Gaga throughout the United States.
Pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery stemming from a July 2013 incident in which he assaulted photographer Danny Ramos in Los Angeles International Airport and attempted to steal his camera. In return for his plea, he received 24 months of informal probation plus 250 hours of community service and must attend 24 anger management sessions. He also has to pay for any damage done to Ramos camera equipment as well as any medical bills incurred on behalf of the victim. He will also have to stay 100 yards away from the alleged victim in this case, Danny Ramos. In addition to the misdemeanor battery charge he also faced felony attempted grand larceny charges. As part of the plea deal the latter charge was dropped, thus allowing him to avoid prison time. [March 2014].
Performed "Lost In The World" at the funeral of fellow musician Gil Scott-Heron (The Riverside Church New York).
Lived in China with his mother during an exchange program and could speak Chinese, but has since forgotten most of the language.
Announced his run for the 2020 presidency at the 2015 MTV VMAs.
Second child with Kim Kardashian West , son named Saint West, was born on December 5, 2015.
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Les guignols de linfo" .
Was admitted into the UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.[November 2016].
His estimated net worth is $145 million.
With his mother, founded the "Kanye West Foundation"in 2003.
Lampooned on South Park.
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.
My greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.
Shoot for the stars, so if you fall you land on a cloud.
I am not a fan of books.
you cut me deep bitch,cut me like surgery.
Society has put up so many boundaries, so many limitations on what’s right and wrong that it’s almost impossible to get a pure thought out. It’s like a little kid, a little boy, looking at colors, and no one told him what colors are good, before somebody tells you you shouldn’t like pink because that’s for girls, or you’d instantly become a gay two-year-old. Why would anyone pick blue over pink? Pink is obviously a better color. Everyone’s born confident, and everything’s taken away from you,Love is cursed by monogamy,Our work is never over.
Nothing in life is promised except death.
Keep your nose out the sky, keep your heart to god, and keep your face to the raising sun.
