West, Kanye (1977-…), is a popular American rap performer and singer. West became one of the leading popular music personalities of the early 2000’s. He has won a number of Grammy Awards for his music. West has composed several of his hit songs.
Kanye Omari West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Chicago State University briefly but dropped out to pursue a music career. West’s first success came as a record producer. He produced hit singles for such rap and rhythm and blues artists as Jay-Z, Common, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson.
As a rapper and singer, West’s debut single was “Through the Wire,” which became a hit in 2003. His other hit songs include ”Jesus Walks” and “You Don’t Know My Name” (both 2004); “Unbreakable,” “Gold Digger” (with Jamie Foxx), and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” (all 2005); “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Flashing Lights,” and “Good Life” (all 2007); ”Heartless” and “Love Lockdown” (both 2008); and “Monster,” “Power,” and “Runaway” (all 2010).
His albums include The College Dropout (2004), Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), 808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), Watch the Throne (2011, with Jay-Z), Yeezus (2013), The Life of Pablo (2016), Ye (2018), the gospel album Jesus Is King (2019), Donda (2021), and Donda 2 (2022). In 2019, West began performing gospel music, as well as his own songs, with the group Sunday Service.
West has also written poetry and been active in charitable and humanitarian causes. In 2021, West legally changed his name to Ye. He was married to the American television personality Kim Kardashian from 2014 to 2022.
