Kanye West

Artist Image: Kanye West
Attribution
Image Credit: David Shankbone (Own work), Public domain

Biography

Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American hip hop recording artist, songwriter, record producer, former singer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. He is among the most acclaimed musicians of the 21st century, attracting both praise and criticism for his work and outspoken public persona. Raised in Chicago, West briefly attended art school before becoming known as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s, producing hit singles for artists such as Jay Z and Alicia Keys. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread commercial and critical success, and founded record label GOOD Music. He went on to explore a variety of different musical styles on subsequent albums that included the baroque-inflected Late Registration (2005), the arena-inspired Graduation (2007), and the starkly polarizing 808s & Heartbreak (2008). In 2010, he released his critically acclaimed fifth album, the maximalist My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and the following year he collaborated with Jay Z on the joint LP Watch the Throne (2011). West released his abrasive sixth album, Yeezus, to further critical praise in 2013. Following a series of recording delays and work on non-musical projects, West's seventh album, The Life of Pablo, was released in 2016. West's outspoken views and ventures outside of music have received significant mainstream attention. He has been a frequent source of controversy and public scrutiny for his conduct at award shows, on social media, and in other public settings. His more publicized comments include his declaration that President George W. Bush "doesn't care about black people" during a live 2005 television broadcast for Hurricane Katrina relief, and his interruption of singer Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. West's efforts as a designer include collaborations with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and A.P.C. on both clothing and footwear, and have most prominently resulted in the Yeezy Season collaboration with Adidas beginning in 2013. He is the founder and head of the creative content company DONDA. West is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold more than 32 million albums and 100 million digital downloads worldwide. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all time and the most Grammy-awarded artist of his age. Three of his albums rank on Rolling Stone's 2012 "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list; two of his albums feature at first and eighth, respectively, in Pitchfork Media's The 100 Best Albums of 2010–2014. He has also been included in a number of Forbes annual lists. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1996
Number of Albums 49
Record Label Def Jam Recordings
Website kanyewest.com
Wikipedia Kanye West on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

Kanye Omari West was born on what date?

June 8, 1977

...Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977 ) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer. His musical career...
What city was West born?

Atlanta

...oque pop, electro, indie rock, synthpop, industrial and gospel. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West first became known as a producer for RocAF...
What record label did he first work for in the early 2000s?

RocAFella Records

...a and raised in Chicago, West first became known as a producer for RocAFella Records in the early 2000s, producing hit singles for recording artists s...
What was Kanye's first solo album?

The College Dropout

...pursuing a solo career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success, and found...
In what year was the college dropout released?

2004

...career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success, and founded the record la...
Along with Louis Vuitton and A.P.C., what other fashion designer has Kanyon collaborated with?

Nike

...ificant media attention. As a fashion designer, he has collaborated with Nike , Louis Vuitton, and A.P.C. West is among the most critically acclaimed m...
How many records has Kanye sold worldwide?

135 million

...entury and one of the bestselling music artists of all time with over 135 million records sold worldwide. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, maki...
How many Grammy Awards has he won?

21

... time with over 135 million records sold worldwide. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all time and...
Along with a brightly colored polo shirt, what did Kanya West wear?

a backpack

...red his beats with tonguetwisting raps and outspoken confidence. With a backpack and brightly colored polo shirt, his dapper fashion sense set him apa...
What did West's steady presence in the celebrity limelight not eclipse?

his musical talent

..., his steady presence in the celebrity limelight couldn't eclipse his musical talent . As his career progressed throughout the early 21st century, West...
What city did West move to with his English professor mother?

Windy City

...and vocal Chicagoan, West was actually born in Atlanta, moving to the Windy City with his English professor mother after his parents split when he was...
Who was one of Kany's major inspirations?

Donda West

...nts split when he was three years old. One of his major inspirations, Donda West helped shape young Kanye, taking him to China in the late '80s on edu...
In what country did Dona West take Kany to in the late '80s?<extra_id_51>

China

...s major inspirations, Donda West helped shape young Kanye, taking him to China in the late '80s on education exchange and establishing a strong base t...
What was a hallmark of his work in the early 2000s?

sampling

...nt on to learn the finer points of studio production, programming, and sampling , the latter technique becoming a hallmark of his early2000s work. West...
What was the name of the company Kany West worked for at the dawn of his career?

RocAFella

...pri, Foxy Brown, Mase, and Goodie Mob. However, it was West's work for RocAFella at the dawn of the new millennium that took his career to the next le...
In what decade did West first get his foot in the industry door?

'90s

...arly2000s work. West first got his foot in the industry door in the late '90s , doing quite a bit of noteworthy production work for the likes of Jermai...
What job does his father currently hold?

pastoral marriage counselor

...parated from his father, a photojournalist who is currently a pastoral marriage counselor . Kanye created a great friendship with his mother, Donda Wes...
What did his mother teach at a university?

English classes

... city in China because his mother was sent to a university to teach English classes . His mother supported him from the first moment because he knew th...
In what decade did he begin his career as a producer?

nineties

... exceptional voice accompanied by innate creativity to rap. So, in the nineties he began his career as a producer, creating rhythms especially for loc...
At what age was he responsible for the production of eight songs for a Down to Earth album?

19

...his great mastery to accelerate vocal samples of classic soul records. At 19 , the young man had already been responsible for the production of eight s...
What was Grav's debut album called?

Down to Earth

...n had already been responsible for the production of eight songs for Down to Earth album by a wellknown rapper from Chicago called Grav, this debut al...
How many Grammy Awards did Kanye win?

nearly two dozen

...he music industry as a producer for leading artists. The winner of nearly two dozen Grammy Awards, West is also known for his awardsshow theatrics, fo...
For what newspaper was Ray West a photojournalist?

Atlanta Journal

...e to Kim Kardashian. His father, Ray, was a photojournalist for the Atlanta Journal newspaper and was also politically active in the Black Panthers; h...
What was West's father's job?

photojournalist

...into fashion and marriage to Kim Kardashian. His father, Ray, was a photojournalist for the Atlanta Journal newspaper and was also politically active ...
What group did Ray West belong to?

Black Panthers

...he Atlanta Journal newspaper and was also politically active in the Black Panthers ; he later became a Christian counselor. West's mother, Donda, was a...
What disease caused her to die?

heart disease

... eventually, her son's manager before she died at the age of 58 from heart disease after cosmetic surgery in 2007. Her passing would profoundly affect...
Where was he raised?

Chicago's middleclass South Shore neighborhood

... as well as personally. After that he was raised on Chicago's middleclass South Shore neighborhood by his mother, and spent summers with his father. A...
What neighborhood was Kanye's mother in?

South Shore

...well as personally. After that he was raised on Chicago's middleclass South Shore neighborhood by his mother, and spent summers with his father. After...
Where did West attend high school in Chicago?

Polaris

...the DJ and producer No I.D., who became his mentor. West graduated from Polaris High School and won a scholarship to study at Chicago's American Acade...
What school did Kanye graduate from?

Polaris High School

... and producer No I.D., who became his mentor. West graduated from Polaris High School and won a scholarship to study at Chicago's American Academy of ...
What is Kanye's signature style called?

chipmunk soul

...roducing for local artists, West developed a signature style, dubbed chipmunk soul , characterized by spedup soul samples. Here he got his big break ha...
What was the name of the Jay Z track produced by West?

This Can't Be Life

...es. Here he got his big break handling the production for the JayZ track This Can't Be Life , which appeared on the 2000 album Dynasty: Roc La Familia....
On what album did this song appear on?

Dynasty: Roc La Familia

...es. Here he got his big break handling the production for the JayZ track This Can't Be Life, which appeared on the 2000 album Dynasty: Roc La Familia ....
In what year did Jermaine Dupri use a Kanye beat on Life in 1472?

1998

...g strings. A promising chance to break into music industry approached in 1998 when Jermaine Dupri used one of Kanye's beats on his album entitled Life...
Which hit tracks did he use his beatmaking style?

Takeover, Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

...ng style which has become his trademark in the hit tracks like Takeover, Izzo (H.O.V.A.) Nevertheless, the process was not easy since he had to face r...
What was another name for H.O.V.A.?

Takeover, Izzo

...tmaking style which has become his trademark in the hit tracks like Takeover, Izzo (H.O.V.A.) Nevertheless, the process was not easy since he had to f...
What was Kanye's father's occupation?

photographer

...West, the child of a photographer and former Black Panther father and a college professor mother, grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago State Univer...
What was his mother's profession?

college professor

... the child of a photographer and former Black Panther father and a college professor mother, grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago State University ...
How long did West attend Chicago State University before dropping out of school?

one year

...r mother, grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago State University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in music. Wests skillful use of...
What was Kanye's second album called?

Late Registration

...oyant personality, West quickly rose to stardom. His second album, Late Registration (2005), repeated the commercial success of his firstwith a number...
How many Grammy Awards did Kany West win for his album Late Registration?

three

...les, including Diamonds from Sierra Leone and Gold Diggerand earned West three more Grammy Awards. He also gained attention for his widely quoted asse...
In what year did Hurricane Katrina occur in New Orleans?

2005

...nments slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans in 2005 demonstrated that U.S. Pres. George W. Bush doesnt care about black peop...
Who was the US Pres. in 2005?

George W. Bush

...atrina disaster in New Orleans in 2005 demonstrated that U.S. Pres. George W. Bush doesnt care about black peoplea comment that Bush later characteriz...
What record label did Kanye founded?

GOOD Music

...s as Nas, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé. He also founded the record label GOOD Music . His third release, Graduation (2007), produced the hit singles Good ...
What was the name of West's third album?

Graduation

...oncé. He also founded the record label GOOD Music. His third release, Graduation (2007), produced the hit singles Good Life and Stronger and garnered ...
How many Grammy Awards did West win for Graduation?

four

...(2007), produced the hit singles Good Life and Stronger and garnered him four more Grammy Awards. In 2008 West released 808s and Heartbreak, an album ...
In what year did West release 808s and Heartbreak?

2008

...gles Good Life and Stronger and garnered him four more Grammy Awards. In 2008 West released 808s and Heartbreak, an album that dwelled on feelings of ...
Where was West raised?

Chicago

...the greatest musicians of his generation. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago , West gained recognition as a producer for RocAFella Records in the ea...
What was the name of Kanye's fifth album?

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

...om maximalism and minimalism respectively, his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and sixth album Yeezus (2013) were also released t...
What was his sixth album called?

Yeezus

...is fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and sixth album Yeezus (2013) were also released to critical and commercial success. West furt...
What was the name of Kanye's tenth album?

Donda

...ing (2019). After a series of delays, his highly anticipated tenth album Donda (2021) was released to continued commercial success, but to mixed criti...
What year was Donda 2 released?

2022

...ccess, but to mixed critical reception. He released its sequel, Donda 2 ( 2022 ), a few months later, exclusively through his tiein audio speaker servic...
How many albums has Kanye sold?

millions

...His albums have sold millions ; his lyrics are sung by renowned recording artists including Brandy, Usher, and Alicia Keys. In 2005, West was named to ...
When was Kany West's newest album released?

August 2005

...isunderstanding. His newest album, Late Registration, was released in August 2005 . His parents divorced when West was three. He was raised on Chicago'...
On what side of the city was he raised?

South Side

... His parents divorced when West was three. He was raised on Chicago's South Side by his mother, an English professor, and spent summers with his fathe...
Who did West explain his decision to drop out of school to?

Kimberly Davis

...tate University. He explained his decision to drop out of school to Kimberly Davis in a 2004 interview with Ebony magazine. I dropped out of school be...
What was the name of the rap group Kany West formed with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe?

Go Getters

...0s in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, when he formed the rap group Go Getters with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe. He later gained nationwide p...
Where did Kanye begin producing tracks for artists such as JayZ, Twista, Mase, and Alicia Keys?

New York

... Really Doe. He later gained nationwide popularity through his work in New York , where he began producing tracks for artists such as JayZ, Twista, Mas...
What type of vocal samples does Kanyon West often use?

pitchedup

...ista, Mase, and Alicia Keys. West's style of production often utilizes pitchedup vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his own drums and instru...
Who influenced Kanye in his style?

RZA

...r his drums on This Cant Be Life. West has said that WuTang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style, and has said on numerous occasions that WuT...
Who were some of Kanye's all time favorite rappers?

Ghostface Killah and Ol Dirty Bastard

..., and has said on numerous occasions that WuTang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol Dirty Bastard were some of his alltime favorites. The album received ...
How many Grammy nominations did the album WuTang receive?

10

... of his alltime favorites. The album received critical acclaim, including 10 Grammy nominations and the awards for Album of the Year and Best Rap Albu...
How much money did Kanye spend on a string orchestra for his latest album?

two million dollars

...and RnB tracks. Not content to rest on his laurels, West invested two million dollars and hired a string orchestra to help with his latest effort, Lat...
Who did West collaborate with on his 2005 album Late Registration?

Jon Brion

...th his latest effort, Late Registration (2005). West collaborated with Jon Brion to help develop the sound of the album, despite his lack of experienc...
When did Kanye appear on the cover of Rolling Stone?

2006

...r, and again claimed the Best Rap Album award at the Grammys. In January 2006 , West posed on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a crown of thorns, onc...
What was the name of the award given to a Rap Album at the Grammys?

Best Rap Album

...ding 10 Grammy nominations and the awards for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album , as well as defining the style for which West would become known: w...