Kanye West is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer born on June 8, 1977. He’s a major figure in hip-hop known for his diverse music style and controversial opinions on culture and politics.
West started his career by producing music for local artists in Chicago after leaving college. He gained attention working with Roc-A-Fella Records where he co-produced Jay-Z’s album “The Blueprint” in 2001. Eventually, he signed as a recording artist himself. His first album “The College Dropout” in 2004 was widely praised featuring the hit song “Slow Jamz” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
His subsequent albums “Late Registration” (2006) and “Graduation” (2007) also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and were commercially successful. West continued to release acclaimed albums like “808s & Heartbreak” (2008), “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” (2010), and “The Life of Pablo” (2016). Despite mixed critical reception his albums “Ye” (2018), “Jesus Is King” (2019), and “Donda” (2021) all debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
In addition to his solo work West has collaborated on albums like “Watch the Throne” (2011) with Jay-Z and “Kids See Ghosts” (2018) with Kid Cudi. He’s also made a significant mark in fashion working with brands like Nike Louis Vuitton Gap and Adidas through his Yeezy line.
Kanye West is known for his outspoken views which often spark controversy in the media. He’s been criticized for his behavior at award shows comments on social media and controversial statements about politics race and other sensitive topics. His personal life including his Christian faith marriage to Kim Kardashian and mental health struggles have also been widely covered by the media.
Despite his controversies, West is one of the best-selling music artists globally having sold over 160 million records. He’s won 24 Grammy Awards making him one of the most awarded hip hop artists. His influence extends beyond music recognized by Time magazine as one of the world’s most influential people multiple times. Rolling Stone magazine also included six of his solo albums on their list of the greatest albums of all time.
| Full Name | Kanye Omari West |
| Date of Birth | June 8, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Occupation | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Fashion Designer |
| Height | 5′ 8″ (173 cm) |
| Spouse | Kim Kardashian (2014-2021) Bianca Censori (m. 2022) |
| Children | 4 (North, Saint, Chicago, Psalm) |
| Net Worth | $400 Million |
Kanye West’s Early Life and Education
Kanye West was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta Georgia. His parents split up when he was three and he moved to Chicago with his mom. His dad Ray West used to be in the Black Panther Party and worked as a photographer. Later he became a Christian counselor and opened a store with help from his son. West’s mom Donda C. West was a professor at Clark Atlanta University and later managed his career after retiring.
West grew up in a middle-class neighborhood and went to Polaris School in Oak Lawn Illinois after living in Chicago. When he was 10 he moved with his mom to Nanjing China where she was teaching. He learned Chinese quickly but has forgotten most of it. In high school, he got good grades.
From a young age, West loved the arts. He started writing poetry at five and began rapping in third grade selling his music to other artists. He met No I.D. a producer who became his mentor. After finishing high school he got a scholarship to study art in Chicago but later switched to English at Chicago State University. At 20 he left college to focus on music a decision that initially upset his mom a professor there though she later came to support him.
Musical career
Kanye West started his music career in the mid-1990s by making beats for local artists in Chicago. He got his first break at age nineteen producing eight tracks for rapper Grav’s debut album in 1996. By 1998 West became the first producer signed to Hip Hop Since 1978. During this time he also worked with other artists and formed a group called the Go-Getters with fellow Chicago rappers.
In 2000, West began producing for Roc-A-Fella Records which led to significant contributions to Jay-Z’s album “The Blueprint” in 2001 boosting both their careers. Despite his success as a producer record labels hesitated to sign West as a rapper because he didn’t fit the typical gangsta image popular at the time. Eventually, he was signed to Roc-A-Fella but not before facing challenges.
A car accident in 2002 where Kanye West broke his jaw inspired West to record “Through the Wire” with his jaw wired shut. This song was part of his debut mixtape and set the stage for his album “The College Dropout.” Despite leaks and delays the album released in 2004 was a critical success featuring hits like “Through the Wire” and “Slow Jamz.”
Following the acclaim of “The College Dropout” West continued to innovate with his second album “Late Registration” incorporating orchestral arrangements into his music. The album was a commercial success and solidified his reputation as a groundbreaking artist.
West’s career saw highs and lows including controversies like his interruption of Taylor Swift’s award acceptance at the 2009 MTV VMAs which sparked widespread criticism. Despite these incidents, his influence on hip-hop and pop culture remained significant with his music and production style continuing to shape the industry.
After a big controversy, Kanye West took a short break from music and got deeply involved in fashion. He spent several months in Hawaii where he wrote and recorded his next album with his favorite producers and artists. During this intensely creative period, he kept the studio running 24/7 and only slept in short bursts. A writer present at the sessions described a supportive and collaborative vibe among everyone involved.
The album that came out of this effort was “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” released in November 2010. Critics loved it calling it his best work yet especially praising its bold approach compared to his earlier minimalist style. It featured hits like “All of the Lights” “Power” “Monster” and “Runaway” which was also made into a 35-minute film by West.
During this time Kanye West also started a program called GOOD Fridays offering free downloads of new songs every week leading up to the album release. Despite its success, the album didn’t get nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards which many saw as a disappointment.
In 2011, Kanye went on tour to promote “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” headlining major festivals like SWU Music & Arts and Coachella. He also teamed up with Jay-Z for the album “Watch the Throne” using a unique release strategy that avoided leaks and earned them a lot of praise. Their tour together was a huge success spanning from October 2011 to June 2012.
In 2012, Kanye West released another album “Cruel Summer” featuring artists from his record label GOOD Music.
From 2013 to 2015 Kanye West worked on his sixth solo album “Yeezus” starting its creation in a Paris hotel room. He aimed to defy commercial expectations by blending different musical styles like Chicago drill and dancehall. The album received acclaim for its boldness and experimental sound.
Following “Yeezus” Kanye embarked on a tour with Kendrick Lamar and released singles featuring Paul McCartney and Rihanna.
In 2016, Kanye West released “The Life of Pablo” initially known as “SWISH” and then “Waves.” The album debuted with a unique event at Madison Square Garden and continued to evolve even after its release reflecting Kanye’s view of albums as living artworks.
The “Saint Pablo Tour” followed in 2016 featuring a stage suspended from the ceiling but it was cut short due to personal issues and health concerns.
From 2017 to 2019, Kanye released albums like “Ye” and collaborated on “Kids See Ghosts.” He also started his Sunday Service events blending gospel music with his songs gaining widespread attention.
In recent years, Kanye’s journey continued with albums like “Jesus Is King” and “Donda” each marked by their own controversies and creative expressions.
Looking forward Kanye is exploring new musical territories with projects like the “Vultures” trilogy showing no signs of slowing down in his artistic endeavors.
Net Worth
Kanye West has an estimated net worth of $400 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Kanye West’s net worth comes from his music career, including album sales, concerts, and merchandise. He’s also earned from his fashion line and investments in businesses.
Philanthropy
Kanye West and his mother started the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago in 2003. Their goal was to help young people who were at risk of dropping out of school and struggling with reading. They worked with local groups to give these kids a chance to learn music. In 2007 the Foundation teamed up with Strong American Schools to support the “Ed in ’08” campaign. Kanye West was the face of this effort appearing in ads and hosting a big concert to raise money.
After his mother passed away in 2008 the Foundation was renamed The Dr. Donda West Foundation. It closed down in 2011. In 2013 Kanye West and Rhymefest created Donda’s House Inc. to continue helping troubled youth in Chicago.
Kanye West has also been involved in disaster relief. He performed at benefit concerts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In 2019, he donated $10 million to finish an artwork by James Turrell. After George Floyd’s murder in 2020, West donated $2 million to support Floyd’s family and others affected by police violence. The money helped pay legal costs for the families of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and set up a college fund for Floyd’s daughter.
Personal life
Kanye West’s personal life has also drawn significant attention. He began dating Kim Kardashian in 2012 eventually marrying her in 2014 after a highly publicized engagement and wedding. The couple has four children together: North Saint Chicago and Psalm. Their marriage faced intense media scrutiny often termed a “celebrity storm” due to their fame and careers.
In 2020, during a presidential rally, Kanye West revealed he and Kardashian had considered abortion early in their relationship but later adopted anti-abortion views. Despite moving to Wyoming to focus on his Yeezy brand West’s marriage with Kardashian faced challenges leading to their divorce in early 2021. The divorce was finalized in late 2022 with West ordered to pay substantial child support and share expenses for their children.
West’s relationships beyond Kardashian have also been notable. He was engaged to designer Alexis Phifer from 2006 to 2008 and dated model Amber Rose from 2008 to 2010. In early 2022, he briefly dated actress Julia Fox publicly expressing a desire to reunite with his family amid controversial interactions with Kardashian’s new partner Pete Davidson.
In January 2023, reports surfaced of Kanye informally marrying Bianca Censori, an architect working for his Yeezy brand, but the ceremony held no legal weight. His subsequent trips to Australia to visit Bianca’s family sparked controversy due to Kanye’s controversial remarks, leading to concerns over his visa status in Australia.
West’s legal issues include a trademark lawsuit over his “Evel Kanyevel” persona in 2006 and probation following a 2014 altercation with a paparazzo. More recently he faced allegations of wrongful termination and harassment from a former assistant in 2024 which he denied.
Religiously West has described his beliefs as spiritual and has publicly embraced Christianity attributing a transformative experience to his faith in Jesus Christ. His evolving religious views have been a significant aspect of his journey in recent years.
Kanye West has been incredibly wealthy with his net worth reaching $1.8 billion in 2021. However, by October 2022, Forbes reported it had dropped sharply to $400 million after Adidas ended their partnership due to public backlash over West’s antisemitic remarks. In August 2021 he legally changed his name from “Kanye Omari West” to simply “Ye” for personal reasons a nickname he’d been using for years. West explained that “Ye” is derived from the biblical word “you” signifying unity.
Other ventures
Early in his career Kanye West showed a strong interest in fashion and dreamed of working in the clothing design industry. He started his clothing line in the spring of 2006 and worked on it for four years before it was shut down in 2009. During this time he also began collaborating with big names in fashion like Nike and Louis Vuitton to create his shoe lines. Notably, he became the first non-athlete to sign a shoe deal with Nike.
In addition to his ventures in fashion, Kanye West interned at Fendi in Rome in 2009 contributing ideas for their men’s collection. He continued to expand his fashion footprint by launching his own women’s fashion label in 2011 at Paris Fashion Week followed by a second line in 2012 which was better received than his first.
West’s business ventures extended beyond fashion. He founded the record label GOOD Music in 2004 signing artists like John Legend and Common. He also ventured into the food industry announcing plans to open Fatburger restaurants in Chicago although only two locations were eventually opened.
In 2012, Kanye West established Donda a creative content company named after his late mother. The company aimed to innovate and simplify design across various products and experiences. West’s interests also included architecture leading him to announce projects like Yeezy Home for affordable housing solutions.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, West dabbled in acting and filmmaking making appearances in movies and directing short films like “Runaway” and “Cruel Summer.”
Politically West made headlines by announcing his candidacy for the 2020 presidential election under the “Birthday Party” banner later withdrawing after receiving a modest number of votes across several states.
Looking forward Kanye West has hinted at running for president again in 2024 although recent statements have cast doubt on his intentions to pursue office.
Awards
Kanye West is one of the top-selling artists in the US for digital singles, with 69 million certifications. He holds the record for the most digital song certifications by a male artist in the 2000s and was one of the top digital song artists of that decade. In Spotify’s first decade, he was among the top streamed artists and reached one billion streams exceptionally quickly.
West’s albums have consistently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a streak unmatched by many artists. He’s also highly regarded in music production, ranked third in the 2000s, and has topped critics’ polls multiple times.
He’s been nominated for 75 Grammys and has won 24, making him one of the most celebrated artists at the awards. He’s won various other accolades including a Webby Award and recognition for his style influence.
His albums have been widely praised, with several making prestigious lists like Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. “The College Dropout” was named the best album of the 2000s by Entertainment Weekly, while “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” topped The A.V. Club’s list for the 2010s.
“The Life of Pablo” made history by going platinum in the US and gold in the UK solely through streaming.
