Ye
Ye (born Kanye Omari West; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer who rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a producer before transitioning to a leading solo artist in hip-hop.[1][2] Raised primarily in Chicago after his parents' divorce, Ye built his early career sampling soul and gospel records for artists like Jay-Z, contributing to hits such as "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and establishing a signature sound that fused introspective lyrics with orchestral production.[2] His debut album, The College Dropout (2004), marked a commercial breakthrough, topping charts and earning critical acclaim for challenging gangsta rap norms with themes of religion, family, and self-doubt, ultimately yielding ten Grammy Awards across his first three albums.[1] Ye has secured 21 Grammy wins, tying Jay-Z for the most among hip-hop artists, with albums like Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) driving innovations in genre-blending and auto-tune experimentation while achieving multi-platinum sales.[1][3] In fashion, he founded the Yeezy brand, whose partnership with Adidas generated about 1.5 billion euros in annual sales by 2021, revolutionizing sneaker culture through minimalist designs and high-demand drops before the collaboration ended amid disputes.[4] Ye's public persona has included political activism, such as endorsing Donald Trump in 2018 and mounting an independent presidential bid in 2020, alongside candid disclosures of his bipolar disorder diagnosis, which he has linked to periods of erratic behavior and creative output.[5] However, his career faced severe repercussions in late 2022 following antisemitic outbursts, including a tweet declaring "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE" and praise for Hitler in interviews, prompting severances from Adidas, Gap, and talent agencies, as well as a temporary Twitter suspension.[6][5][7]Early Life
Childhood and Family Background
Ye was the only child of Donda West and Ray West.[8] His mother, Donda C. West (née Williams; July 12, 1949 – November 10, 2007), was an English professor and department chair at Chicago State University, where she worked for 31 years before resigning in 2004 to manage her son's burgeoning music career; she held a Ph.D. in English literature and authored Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star (2007), which detailed her parenting philosophy emphasizing discipline, education, and creative encouragement.[9] [10] His father, Ray West, was a former member of the Black Panther Party and one of the first Black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he produced notable portraits in the 1970s and 1980s; Ray later founded the Good Water charity in the Dominican Republic to aid victims of prostitution and human trafficking.[11] [12] West's parents divorced when he was three years old, after which he primarily lived with his mother on Chicago's South Side, though he maintained contact with his father through visits to Atlanta.[8] Donda West raised him in a middle-class environment focused on academic achievement and artistic expression, enrolling him in a private magnet school and nurturing his early interest in drawing and music; she often recited poetry and emphasized cultural pride, influences that shaped his creative foundation.[13] Ray West provided sporadic but impactful guidance, introducing perspectives on civil rights activism and self-reliance rooted in his Black Panther experiences, though their relationship was strained by distance and later health issues, including Ray's prostate cancer diagnosis in 2005.[12] This bifurcated family dynamic, marked by parental separation yet mutual support for West's talents, informed his later reflections on resilience and independence in interviews and lyrics.[14]Education and Early Influences
West attended Polaris High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where he graduated in 1995.[15] During his time there, he participated in art classes and demonstrated early creative interests, with some of his high school artwork later appraised at values ranging from $16,000 to $23,000 collectively.[16] Following high school, West enrolled at the American Academy of Art in Chicago on a scholarship but soon transferred to Chicago State University to study English.[17] He completed nearly two semesters at Chicago State before dropping out in 1997 to focus on music after securing a record deal with Columbia Records executive Donnie Ienner.[18] West's mother, Donda West, an English professor at Chicago State University, played a pivotal role in shaping his educational path and early ambitions, fostering his creativity, self-confidence, and appreciation for literature from a young age.[19] She instilled values of discipline and expression, later authoring Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar to document her approach to nurturing his talents.[20] Musically, West began rapping in the third grade and producing beats by the seventh grade in Chicago's middle-class environment, drawing initial influences from hip-hop pioneers including Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, and A Tribe Called Quest, whose boundary-pushing styles informed his sample-based production techniques.[21] His exposure to the city's house music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s further contributed to his eclectic sound, emphasizing soul sampling over traditional gangsta rap tropes.[22]Music Career Beginnings
Production Work for Others
Kanye West's entry into the music industry centered on beat production, beginning in Chicago during the mid-1990s before he relocated to New York to work with Roc-A-Fella Records. His early style drew from soul samples and chipmunk soul techniques, influencing a shift away from the dominant East Coast rap sound of the era. By 1996, he secured his first notable credit producing "City to City" for Chicago rapper Grav on the album Down to Earth, marking an initial foray into professional hip-hop instrumentation.[23] West's production output expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often as an in-house contributor for Roc-A-Fella affiliates. In 1998, he contributed to the Go Getters' "Oh Oh Oh" on World Record Holders and Harlem World's "You Made Me" (featuring Carl Thomas) from The Movement. By 2000, he produced tracks like Beanie Sigel's "The Truth" on The Truth, Da Brat's "Chi Town" on Unrestricted, and several for Jay-Z's The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, including the introspective "This Can't Be Life" (featuring Beanie Sigel and Scarface), which sampled drums from Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive" for a layered, emotive backdrop.[23][24][25] His most impactful early work came on Jay-Z's The Blueprint (released September 11, 2001), where West produced four tracks: "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" (sampling Jackson 5's "I Want You Back"), "Takeover," "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" (sampling Bobby Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"), and "Never Change." These soul-infused beats helped define the album's commercial and critical success, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 and earning diamond certification. West's contributions extended to other artists, including Beanie Sigel's "Nothing Like It" on The Reason (2001), Nas's "Poppa Was a Playa" on The Lost Tapes (2002), Talib Kweli's "Get By" on Quality (2002), and Trina's "B R Right" (featuring Ludacris) on Diamond Princess (2002).[23][26] Leading into his solo breakthrough, West produced hits like Scarface's "Guess Who's Back" (featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel) on The Fix (2002), Jay-Z's "Poppin' Tags" (featuring Twista, Killer Mike, and Big Boi) on The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse (2002), Ludacris's "Stand Up" (featuring Shawnna) on Chicken-n-Beer (2003), Alicia Keys's "You Don't Know My Name" on The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), and Jay-Z's "Encore" on The Black Album (2003). "Stand Up" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004, while "You Don't Know My Name" peaked at number three, underscoring West's growing influence on mainstream hip-hop and R&B crossovers prior to his debut album.[27][23]Debut Album and Breakthrough
West encountered resistance from Roc-A-Fella Records executives, who initially viewed him primarily as a producer rather than a viable lead rapper due to his middle-class upbringing and non-aggressive persona amid the prevailing gangsta rap dominance.[28] A pivotal car accident on October 23, 2002, in which he fell asleep at the wheel and suffered a fractured jaw requiring it to be wired shut, catalyzed his breakthrough; from his hospital bed, he recorded the autobiographical single "Through the Wire" using slowed-down Chaka Khan samples, rapping through the wires in his mouth to convey themes of resilience and faith.[29] The demo impressed co-founders Jay-Z and Dame Dash, leading to his signing as a recording artist with Roc-A-Fella in late 2002, symbolized by receiving the label's signature chain.[30] Building on years of intermittent recording since 1999, West completed The College Dropout over roughly two years, self-producing most tracks with heavy reliance on chopped soul samples from artists like Otis Redding and Lauryn Hill, alongside guest features from Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx, and Twista. Released on February 10, 2004, through Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam Recordings, the album addressed personal topics including college dropout experiences, religious conviction, materialism, and family, diverging from contemporary hip-hop's focus on street life and bravado.[31] Commercially, The College Dropout debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, moving 441,000 copies in its first week and eventually surpassing 3 million in US sales alone, marking it as one of 2004's top-selling rap albums.[3] Critically, it received widespread praise for its innovative production, lyrical introspection, and accessibility, with outlets highlighting its role in broadening hip-hop's appeal beyond urban narratives; this acclaim propelled singles like "Through the Wire" (peaking at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Slow Jamz" (number one on the Hot Rap Songs chart), and "Jesus Walks" to success, the latter earning a Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2005.[32] The album itself secured the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, solidifying West's transition from behind-the-scenes producer to mainstream rap innovator and launching his solo career trajectory.[32]Rise to Stardom
College Dropout Era
The College Dropout, Ye's debut studio album, was released on February 10, 2004, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.[31] Recorded over several years amid Ye's established role as a producer for artists including Jay-Z, the project marked his transition to lead artist following persistent efforts to secure a solo deal with Roc-A-Fella, which he signed in 2002 after initial rejections.[31] A near-fatal car accident in October 2002, which required his jaw to be wired shut, served as a pivotal catalyst, inspiring the lead single "Through the Wire," recorded shortly after the incident and released in late 2003 to demonstrate his rapping ability despite physical limitations.[31] The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 441,000 copies in its first week, while topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[31] It achieved triple platinum certification from the RIAA, reflecting sustained commercial success driven by singles such as "All Falls Down" (featuring Syleena Johnson, released in 2004) and "Jesus Walks," which addressed themes of faith and personal struggle.[31] Critically, the record received widespread acclaim for its soul-sampled production, introspective lyrics critiquing materialism and education, and Ye's distinctive chipmunk-soul style, though some reviewers noted occasional bloat in its tracklist and guest features.[31] It earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2005, underscoring its influence in shifting hip-hop toward more narrative-driven, producer-led works.[31] Promotion included the School Spirit Tour, Ye's first headlining outing, spanning North America from March 16 to May 5, 2004, with support acts like John Legend and featuring performances of album tracks alongside rising contemporaries.[31] The era solidified Ye's breakthrough, as Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash later reflected that the album "changed the game" by proving a producer could ascend to stardom on their own terms.[31] Despite competition from contemporaries like 50 Cent, its first-week sales and chart dominance highlighted Ye's rapid elevation from behind-the-scenes contributor to a top-tier artist.[31]Late Registration and Graduation
Late Registration, the second studio album by Ye (then known as Kanye West), was released on August 30, 2005, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Recorded over approximately one year in sessions across Los Angeles, New York, and Hawaii, the album marked a sonic evolution from his debut The College Dropout, incorporating lush orchestral arrangements co-produced with film composer Jon Brion alongside West's signature soul-sampled beats. Key singles included "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," which peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance; "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx, which topped the Hot 100 for 10 weeks and drove massive commercial success; and "Heard 'Em Say" with Adam Levine. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 860,000 copies in its first week, and has since sold over 5 million copies in the United States alone.[33][34] It received critical acclaim for its polished production and lyrical introspection on fame, materialism, and personal struggles, earning a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006, along with seven other nominations including Album of the Year.[3] Following the momentum of Late Registration, Ye announced Graduation, his third studio album, amid a high-profile sales rivalry with 50 Cent, who released Curtis on the same date and publicly wagered retirement if outsold. Released on September 11, 2007, Graduation debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 957,000 copies sold in its first week—outpacing Curtis's 691,000 units—and achieved over 18.8 million equivalent album units worldwide to date. Produced primarily by West with contributions from Mike Dean and others, the album drew from house, electronic, and arena rock influences, sampling artists like Daft Punk on the hit "Stronger," which reached number one on the Hot 100. Other singles such as "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Good Life" featuring T-Pain underscored themes of triumph over adversity and celebrity excess. Critically praised for advancing hip-hop's mainstream evolution toward more experimental and aspirational sounds, Graduation won Album of the Year and Best Rap Album at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, solidifying Ye's commercial dominance and influencing a paradigm shift away from gangsta rap hegemony.[35][36][3][37]Artistic Evolution
808s & Heartbreak
808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West, released on November 24, 2008, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.[38] The album marked a significant departure from West's previous soul-sampled hip-hop style, featuring sung vocals heavily processed with Auto-Tune over minimalist electronic beats emphasizing Roland TR-808 drum machine sounds.[39] This shift was influenced by West's personal losses, including the death of his mother, Donda West, on November 10, 2007, from surgical complications, and his engagement's end with Alexis Phifer in May 2008.[38][40] Recording took place primarily in 2008 across studios in Hawaii, Glendale, California, and Wyoming, with West handling most production alongside collaborators No I.D., Jeff Bhasker, Plain Pat, and Mr. Hudson.[38] Kid Cudi contributed to co-writing tracks like "Heartless," drawing from electronic and pain-infused experimentation during sessions that overlapped with Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3.[38] West's use of Auto-Tune, coached partly by T-Pain, prioritized emotional vulnerability over pitch correction, creating a distorted, octave-shifted vocal effect termed "808s and heartbreak" for its raw, machine-like heartbreak expression.[41][38] The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 458,000 copies in its first week.[42] By November 2020, it had been certified three times platinum by the RIAA for three million album-equivalent units in the United States.[43] Lead singles "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless" both reached number two and three on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively, leveraging the album's sparse percussion and synthesized hooks.[42] Initial reception criticized the album's abandonment of rapping for what some viewed as gimmicky Auto-Tune and emotional indulgence, but it later gained acclaim for pioneering melodic rap's vulnerability and production techniques.[39] Its heavy reliance on 808 bass drums and Auto-Tuned singing influenced subsequent hip-hop, notably in trap and emo rap subgenres, with artists citing it for normalizing machine-driven beats and introspective themes over traditional lyricism.[39][41]My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West, released on November 22, 2010, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records.[44] The project marked West's return to hip-hop following the introspective electronic style of his previous album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008), incorporating maximalist production with orchestral elements, soul samples, and auto-tune effects to explore themes of fame, excess, self-loathing, and celebrity culture.[45] Its development cost approximately $3 million, reflecting extensive studio sessions and high-profile collaborations.[46] Recording began in late 2009 after West faced intense public criticism for interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009, prompting his self-imposed exile from the mainland United States.[47] West relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, basing operations at Avex Recording Studio, where he spent several months crafting the album over more than a year, often working 24-hour sessions and flying in dozens of producers, musicians, and guest artists.[48] Key production contributors included Mike Dean, No I.D., Jeff Bhasker, RZA, Bink, and DJ Frank E, with West handling primary production duties and emphasizing layered, cinematic soundscapes drawn from rock, soul, and electronic influences.[49] Guest vocalists featured prominently, including Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Raekwon, Rick Ross, and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, contributing to the album's collaborative density.[50] The standard edition comprises 13 tracks:- "Dark Fantasy"
- "Gorgeous" (featuring Kid Cudi and Raekwon)
- "POWER"
- "All of the Lights" (interlude)
- "All of the Lights" (featuring Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Ryan Leslie, The-Dream, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, La La, John Legend, and Alvin Fields)
- "Monster" (featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj)
- "So Appalled" (featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, CyHi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz, and RZA)
- "Devil in a New Dress" (featuring Rick Ross)
- "Runaway" (featuring Pusha T)
- "Hell of a Life"
- "Blame Game" (featuring John Legend)
- "Lost in the World" (featuring Bon Iver)
- "Who Will Survive in America"