Kanye Omari West, an American rapper, fashion designer, and producer popularly known as Kanye West, was born on June 8, 1977. Although born in Atlanta, he was raised in Chicago by his mother, Donda West, after separation from her husband, Ray West.
The rapper and producer gathered recognition for being the producer at Roc–A–Fella Records early in the 2000s. The rapper and producer are said to be one of the most excellent and most renowned musicians of the Hip–Hop genre.
Early Life
In Atlanta, Georgia, Kanye West was born to Donda and Ray West on June 8, 1977. His parents separated when Kanye was three years old, and he had to be raised by his mother.
He attended Polaris School for Individual Education in Illinois. When he was 10, Kanye relocated with his Mother to China, where she was pursuing a teaching career.
West developed a liking for the arts at an early age as he began poetic writing at the age of five. He started rapping early also, and by the time he was in seventh grade, he had already started composing and selling his rap songs to artists.
After high school, Kanye began to study at Chicago’s American Academy of Arts. He later transferred to study English at Chicago State University.
He soon dropped out of college at the age of 20 to focus on his musical ambitions.
Music Career
West began his musical career in production during the 1990s, creating beats primarily for domestic artists within his vicinity. His first formal production acknowledgment was at nineteen, after producing eight tracks on the 1996 debut album of a rapper known as Grav.
The album was called “Down to Earth.” He also produced works as a ghost producer for Deric “D–Dot” Angelette, an association that prevented West from releasing his solo album.
He would later create a rap group made up of himself, GLC, Timmy G, Really Doe, and Arrowstar in the later 1990s. Later on, alongside Jermaine Dupri, West would go on to produce three tracks on Harlem World’s album The Movement starring Nas, Drag-On, and Carl Thomas.
Kanye West gained worldwide acknowledgment and is often linked to the revitalization of Jay-Z’s career due to his contribution to the 2001 Jay–Z album The Blueprint, which ranks as part of the most significant Hip–Hop albums.
Business Career
In the early years of the rapper’s career, he published his interest in the fashion industry and a desire to launch a clothing line, which was done in the Spring of 2006 but was eventually canceled in 2009.
In January 2007, West launched his Sneakers collaboration. In 2009, West collaborated with Nike to release the Air Yeezys with a second version released in 2012, making him the first non–athlete to sign a deal with Nike.
Additionally, in January 2009, Kanye’s first shoe design for Louis Vuitton was introduced at the Paris Fashion Week. Louis Vuitton is, however, not the only brand the rapper has designed for. He has also designed for Giuseppe Zanotti, an Italian shoemaker.
Accolades
The rapper and producer have several awards to his name, including a Webby Award for Artist of the Year, Accessories Council Excellence Award, International Man of the Year Award, and many others.
West was the first music artist to emerge winner of Best Male Hip–Hop Artist. Furthermore, he happens to be the male artist with more wins for Video of the Year and the only person awarded the Visionary Award at the BET Honors.
He is also one of the top-selling digital artists ever. In August 2005 and June 2008, West had two of the highest first-week album sales in the United States.
Kanye West was married to Kim Kardashian in 2014, but the couple split in 2022. Together, they have four children.
Regarded as one of Hip–Hop’s greatest producers, Kanye’s albums have received and continue to receive multiple recognitions.
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