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'''Kanye Omari West''' ({{pron-en|ˈkɑːnjeɪ}}; born June 8, 1977)<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.channel4.com/music/features/K/kanyefacts.html|title=Kanye facts! |publisher=[[Channel 4]]|date=August 17, 2007}}</ref> is an American [[Rapping|rapper]], singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for [[Roc-A-Fella Records]], where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on [[Jay-Z]]'s album ''[[The Blueprint]]'', as well as hit singles for musical artists including [[Alicia Keys]], [[Ludacris]], and [[Janet Jackson]]. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from [[Soul music|soul]] songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments...
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{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Kanye West
| Img = Kanye West at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg<!--ATTENTION EDITORS: Per [[WP:FUC]], free-use images cannot be replaced with a fair-use copyrighted image. -->
| Img_capt = West at the 2009 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]
| Img_size =
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Kanye Omari West
| Born = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1977|6|8}}<br />[[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States</small>
| Origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
| Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| Alias =
| Instrument = Vocals, keyboards, [[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]], percussion, synthesizer
| Occupation = Producer, [[Rapping|rapper]], musician, singer
| Years_active = 1996–present
| Label = [[GOOD Music]], [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]], [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
| Associated_acts = [[Go Getters]], [[Child Rebel Soldier]], [[Jay-Z]],[[T-Pain]], [[Kid Cudi]], [[Mr. Hudson]], [[Common (entertainer)|Common]], [[Pusha T|Pusha T]], [[No I.D.]]
| URL = [http://www.kanyewest.com/ kanyewest.com]
}}


'''Imma let you finish, but Justin Bieber has one of the best commonly-trolled articles of all time.'''
'''Kanye Omari West''' ({{pron-en|ˈkɑːnjeɪ}}; born June 8, 1977)<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.channel4.com/music/features/K/kanyefacts.html|title=Kanye facts! |publisher=[[Channel 4]]|date=August 17, 2007}}</ref> is an American [[Rapping|rapper]], singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for [[Roc-A-Fella Records]], where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on [[Jay-Z]]'s album ''[[The Blueprint]]'', as well as hit singles for musical artists including [[Alicia Keys]], [[Ludacris]], and [[Janet Jackson]]. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from [[Soul music|soul]] songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s [[R&B]], [[baroque pop]], [[trip hop]], [[arena rock]], [[folk music|folk]], [[alternative rock|alternative]], [[electronica]], [[synth-pop]], and [[classical music]].<ref name=Praise>{{cite web |author=Scaggs, Austin|title=Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/16257550/kanye_west_a_genius_in_praise_of_himself/print|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=[[RealNetworks|RealNetworks, Inc]] |date=September 20, 2007 |accessdate=September 26, 2007}}</ref>


trololol
West released his debut album ''[[The College Dropout]]'' in 2004, his second album ''[[Late Registration]]'' in 2005, his third album ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' in 2007, and his fourth album ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' in 2008. His four albums have received numerous awards, including a cumulative twelve [[Grammys]],<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/14/in_depth_showbiz/main673822.shtml|title=2005 Grammy Award Winners|publisher=[[CBS News]] | date=February 14, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/09/grammys.list/index.html|title= List of Grammy winners|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="2005 grammy" /> and critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&ts=kanye+west|title=Kanye West|publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> All have been very commercially successful, with ''808s & Heartbreak'' becoming his third consecutive #1 album in the U.S. upon release.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 3, 2008 |accessdate=August 20, 2010|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3ia662814697fe501695c4fffbb4aec449?imw=Y|title=Kanye West's '808s' Is Tops, While GNR Settles For Third Place |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> West also runs his own record label [[GOOD Music]], home to artists such [[John Legend]], [[Common (entertainer)|Common]] and [[Kid Cudi]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.gettingoutourdreams.com/|title=GOOD Music|publisher=[[GOOD Music]]}}</ref> West's mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a [[teddy bear]] which has appeared on the covers of four of his five albums as well as various single covers and music videos.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24383-2004Dec24.html|title=From Beyonce to Bono to Bruce, Busy B's Held Sway in Pop |work=The Washington Post | first=Sean | last=Daly | date=December 26, 2004}}</ref> [[About.com]] ranked Kanye West #8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Producers_8.htm |title=Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers |author=Henry Adaso |coauthors=Ivan Rott, Renato P., Bhaskar S., Henry A. |publisher=[[About.com]] |page=8}}</ref> On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the year's #1 "[[MTV's Annual Hottest MC List|Hottest MC in the Game]]."<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587618/20080516/west_kanye.jhtml |title='Hottest MCs In The Game': #1 Kanye West |publisher=Mtv.com |date=May 16, 2008 |accessdate=July 18, 2009}}</ref>

== Biography==
<!-- There is no mention on this page about Freshman Adjustment, West's mixtape released in 2005 [[Freshmen Adjustment]] -->
Kanye West was born in [[Atlanta, Georgia]],<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-142980674.html|title=Kanye West Coming To Redbird. |work=[[Pantagraph]]|date=March 8, 2006}}</ref> where he lived with his parents. When he was three years old, his parents divorced, and he and his mother moved to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref name="leader" /> His father was Ray West, a former [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] who was one of the first black photojournalists at the ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]],'' and is now a Christian counselor.<ref name="leader">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_111/ai_n19206336|title=Dr. Donda West tells how she shaped son to be a leader in 'Raising Kanye'|author= Christian, Margena A.|date=May 14, 2007|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|accessdate=August 19, 2007}}</ref> West's mother, Dr. Donda West, was a Professor of English at [[Clark Atlanta University]], and the Chair of the English Department at [[Chicago State University]] before retiring to serve as West's manager. He was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School<ref name="KWstBio5">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_8_59/ai_n6047908|title=The Many Faces of Kanye West|accessdate=July 19, 2007|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] | first=Kimberly | last=Davis | year=2004}}</ref> in suburban [[Oak Lawn, Illinois|Oak Lawn]], Illinois after living in Chicago.<ref name="cant ignore">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html|title=Why You Can't Ignore Kanye|accessdate=June 7, 2007|work=Time | date=August 21, 2005}}</ref> West credits his feminine nature to being raised by his mother. When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's. And I'm not even frontin'".<ref>{{cite web | author=Moss, Corey | title=College Dropout Kanye Tells High School Students Not To Follow In His Footsteps | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517484/20051205/west_kanye.jhtml| work=MTV | publisher=MTV Networks | date=December 5, 2005| accessdate=July 28, 2006}}</ref>

West attended art classes at the [[American Academy of Art]] in Chicago, and also enrolled at [[Chicago State University]], but dropped out to focus on his music career.<ref name="education" /> While attending school, West produced for local artists. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip hop/R&B artists, including [[Jay-Z]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Cam'ron]], [[Paul Wall]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Mobb Deep]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[Janet Jackson]], [[John Legend]] among others. He also "ghost-produced" for his mentor [[Deric Angelettie]], according to his song "Last Call" and the credits of [[Nas]]' "Poppa Was a Playa".<ref name="education">{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/24/entertainment/e135410D82.DTL|title=Kanye West Trumpets Education in TV Spot |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080804232028/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/24/entertainment/e135410D82.DTL <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = August 4, 2008}}</ref>

=== Early career (1996–2003) ===
Kanye West's first career productions came on Chicago rapper Grav's 1996 debut album ''Down to Earth''. West produced eight tracks on the album. While the album didn't attract much attention and would be the only album released by Grav, West would soon be producing for higher profile artists. In 1998-1999 he produced for well known artists such as [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Goodie Mob]], and the group [[Harlem World (group)|Harlem World]].

West got his big break in the year 2000 however when he began to produce for artists on [[Roc-a-Fella Records]]. He produced the well received [[Jay-Z]] song "This Can't Be Life" off of the album ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]''. West would later state that to create the beat for "This Can't Be Life" he sped up the drum beat from [[Dr. Dre]]'s song "Xxplosive".<ref name="last call">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/kan_west/college/lastcall.wst.txt|title=Artist: Kanye West Album: The College Dropout Song: Last Call
|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=The Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive}}</ref>

After producing for [[Jay-Z]] earlier, West’s sound was featured heavily on [[Jay-Z]]'s critically acclaimed album ''[[The Blueprint]],'' released on September 11, 2001.<ref name="king" /> His work was featured on the lead single "[[Izzo (H.O.V.A.)]]," "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" and a [[wikt:diss song|diss track]] against [[Nas]] and [[Mobb Deep]] named "[[Takeover (song)|Takeover]]"; West has worked with Mobb Deep and Nas since the track's release.<ref name="king" />

After meeting great commercial success and critical acclaim for his productions on ''[[The Blueprint]]'', West became a sought after producer in the hip-hop industry, even before he became known as a rapper and solo artist. In the years 2002-2003 he would produce for artists such as [[Nas]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Mos Def]], [[T.I.]], [[Ludacris]], [[DMX]], and [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]]. He also continued producing for [[Roc-a-Fella Records]] artists and contribued four tracks to [[Jay-Z]]'s follow up album to ''The Blueprint'', ''[[The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]''.

After great successes as a producer, West now looked to pursue a career as a rapper and solo artist, but struggled to find a way to get a record deal. [[Chris Anokute]], then A&R at Def Jam, said that when West regularly dropped by the office to pick up his producer checks he would play demos of solo material to Anokute in his cubicle and bemoan the fact that no one was taking him seriously as a rapper.<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Chris_Anokute_Interview.html |title=Interview With Chris Anokute |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=18 Oct 2010 |accessdate=25 Oct 2010}}</ref> Jay-Z admitted that [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]] was initially reluctant to support West as a rapper, claiming that he saw him as a producer first and foremost.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 27, 2008|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-33426663_ITM|title=Kanye west: the man, the music, and the message.(Biography) |publisher=The Black Collegian|date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> Multiple record companies felt he was not as marketable as rappers who portray the "street image" prominent in hip hop culture.<ref name="last call" /> Beginning his career as a rapper, Kanye West rapped a verse on Jay-Z's ''[[The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]'', an album he produced for, from the same label he was signed to as a rapper.

=== ''The College Dropout'' (2004) ===
On October 23, 2002, West was involved in a near fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio. The crash provided inspiration for West's first single, "[[Through the Wire]]".<ref name="amg">{{cite web|date=2007|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hcfixqwjld0e~T1|title=Kanye West&nbsp;— Biography|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|publisher=allmusic}}</ref> West's faith is apparent in many of his songs, such as "[[Jesus Walks]]", which became a staple at his benefit performances, such as the [[Live 8]] concert. These songs were featured on West's debut album, ''[[The College Dropout]]'', which was released on [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] in February 2004, and went on to receive critical acclaim. The album also defined the style for which West would become known, including wordplay and [[Sampling (music)|sampling]].<ref name="amg"/> The album was eventually certified triple platinum. Guest appearances included [[Jay-Z]], [[Ludacris]], [[GLC (rapper)|GLC]], [[Consequence (rapper)|Consequence]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Mos Def]], [[Common (entertainer)|Common]], and [[Syleena Johnson]]. The album also featured the singles, "[[All Falls Down]]" and "[[The New Workout Plan]]", as well as Twista's number one single, "[[Slow Jamz]]".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=92360&x=articles&s=showbiz|title=Grand Kanye |work=[[Calgary Sun]]}}{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref> During 2003 West also co-produced songs for British singer [[Javine Hylton]], even appearing in the music video to [[Real Things (song)|Real Things]] playing the love interest of Javine.

West was involved in a financial dispute over [[Royce Da 5'9"]]'s song "Heartbeat", produced by West and released on ''Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions''. West maintains that Royce never paid for the beat, but recorded to it and released it; hearing him on the beat, the original customers decided not to buy it from West. After the disagreement, West vowed to never work with Royce again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopsite.com/NEWS/interviews.hhs?news_id=FEA3B39B-C571-4ACB-A096-6600549EA18B|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070915010416/http://www.hiphopsite.com/NEWS/interviews.hhs?news_id=FEA3B39B-C571-4ACB-A096-6600549EA18B|archivedate=2007-09-15|title=Kanye West Speaks Through The Wire|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=HipHopSite}}</ref> Other Kanye West-produced hit singles during the period ''The College Dropout'' was released included "[[I Changed My Mind]]" by [[Keyshia Cole]], "[[Overnight Celebrity]]" by [[Twista]] and "[[Talk About Our Love]]" by [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]].<ref name="amg"/>

=== ''Late Registration'' (2005) ===
[[File:Jamie Foxx with Kanye West.jpg|thumb|West and [[Jamie Foxx]] performing "[[Gold Digger]]" at the [[Democratic Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado]]]]
Taking a more eclectic route, West collaborated with American [[film score]] composer [[Jon Brion]] to construct his second album, ''[[Late Registration]]'', which was released on August 30, 2005.<ref name=Pilot>{{cite web |author=Perez, Rodrigo |title=Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml|work=MTV |publisher=MTV Networks |date=August 12, 2005 |accessdate=March 2, 2006}}</ref> Like its predecessor, the sophomore effort garnered universal acclaim from music critics.<ref name=metacritc>{{cite web|last= |first=|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/westkanye/lateregistration|title=''Late Registration''|work=Metacritic|publisher=[[CBS Interactive|CBS Interactive Inc]] |date=September 4, 2005 |accessdate=September 4, 2005}}</ref> ''Late Registration'' topped countless critic polls and was revered as the best album of the year by numerous publications, including ''[[USA Today]]'', ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', and ''Time''.<ref name=TimeBest05>{{cite news | author= [[Josh Tyrangiel|Tyrangiel, Josh]]| title=Best of 2005: Music | url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1142059,00.html| work=Time magazine| publisher=Time, Inc| date=December 16, 2005 | accessdate=March 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hermes, Will |url=http://www.spin.com/articles/40-best-albums-2005?page=0%2C3|title=The 40 Best Albums of 2005|work=Spin| publisher=Spin Media, LLC|date=December 31, 2005|accessdate=April 26, 2008}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' awarded the album the highest position on their end of the year record list and hailed it as a "sweepingly generous, absurdly virtuosic hip-hop classic."<ref>{{cite web |author=|title=1. Kanye West|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957147/1_kanye_west|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=December 15, 2005 |accessdate=September 16, 2007}}</ref> The record earned the number one spot on the ''Village Voice'''s Pazz & Jop critics' poll of 2005 for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |author=Christgau, Robert|title=New York Pazz and Jop Dean's List|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-01-24/pazzandjop/dean-s-list|work=Village Voice |publisher=Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC|date=January 24, 2006 |accessdate=May 22, 2007}}</ref> ''Late Registration'' was also a commercial success, selling over 860,000 copies in its first week alone and topping the ''[[Billboard 200]]''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7606082/kanye_west_blows_up|title=Kanye West Blows Up |work=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Grossing over 2.3 million units sold in the United States alone by year's end, ''Late Registration'' was considered by industry observers as the sole majorly successful album release of the fall of 2005, a season that was plagued by steadily declining CD sales.<ref>{{cite web |author=Knopper, Steve|title=Kanye Couldn't Save Fall|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8829100/kanye_couldnt_save_fall|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=November 15, 2005 |accessdate=November 27, 2005}}</ref> The sophomore album earned eight [[Grammy Award]] nominations including ''Album of the Year'' and ''Record of the Year'' for the song "Gold Digger".<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/09/AR2006020901436_pf.html|title=Lessons Taught by Grammy |work=Washington Post|date=February 10, 2006|author=Robinson, Eugene}}</ref> The album is certified triple platinum.<ref name=riaa>{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=kanye&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum|date=December 12, 2008|accessdate=December 12, 2008|work=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|publisher=Nielsen Business Media Inc}}</ref>

On August 22, 2005, the MTV special ''All Eyes On Kanye West'' aired, in which West spoke out against [[homophobia]] in hip-hop. He claimed that hip-hop has always been about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against [[homosexuality|gay people]]."<ref name="just">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2005/09/08/Opinions/Column.More.Than.Just.A.Rapper-978469.shtml|title=Column: More than just a rapper |work=[[GW Hatchet]]}}</ref> He then reflected on a personal experience. He said that he had a "turning point" when he realized one of his cousins was gay. He said regarding this experience: "This is my cousin. I love him and I've been discriminating against gays." He drew comparison between African Americans' struggle for [[civil rights]] and today's [[LGBT rights in the United States|gay rights]] movement. The following year, in an interview with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', West further expounded his experiences with and views on the relationship between the black and gay communities.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Entertainment Weekly|date=October 2007|title=Kanye West}}</ref>

In September 2005, West announced that he would release his [[Pastelle Clothing]] line in spring 2006:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1171|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070929131853/http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1171|archivedate=2007-09-29|title=Stuff Style Icon of the Year |accessdate=June 7, 2007|work=Stuff (magazine)}}</ref> "Now that I have a Grammy under my belt and ''Late Registration'' is finished, I am ready to launch my clothing line next spring." The current status of this project is unknown. In that year, West produced the hit singles "[[Go (Common song)|Go]]" by [[Common (rapper)|Common]] and "[[Dreams (The Game song)|Dreams]]" by [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/okgo/articles/story/7593141/new_cds_kanye_clapton|title=New CDs: Kanye, Clapton|work=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

=== ''Graduation'' (2007) ===
[[File:Kanye West 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|West performing at a concert]]
In 2007, it was announced that West would be starring in a series directed by [[Larry Charles]]. He has been working on the pilot episode for the past two years with Larry Charles and [[Rick Rubin]]. He also had this to say on January 14:
"I wouldn't do something as cliché as a reality show. At least give me the credit for being more creative than that. It's a situational half-hour comedy. It's fictional, and loosely based on my life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanyelive.com/news/31.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080501110306/http://www.kanyelive.com/news/31.html|archivedate=2008-05-01|title=Update On Kanye's TV Show|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=kanYe Talk}}</ref> " West also collaborated with Japanese hip-hop group [[Teriyaki Boyz]] to produce the single "[[I Still Love H.E.R.]]," a reference to [[Common (rapper)|Common's]] 1994 single "[[I Used to Love H.E.R.]]". Further to this, during a radio appearance in early 2007, West, like many of his peers, recorded an impromptu freestyle to the popular song "Throw Some D's." The song that to all other rappers was about automobile rims, was used by West to comically refer to D-cup breasts. Because of the unexpected success of the song, West went on to make a video for the freestyle, in which he is seen playing his 'Old Ass Cousin'.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/05/29/kanye-west-loves-rolling-stone-sort-of/|title=Kanye West Loves Rolling Stone. Sort of. |work=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

[[File:Kanye West 2.jpg|thumb|left|West with Billy Dec]]

West was also featured in a new song called "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)". It was believed to be a single for, ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', because he is featured on the track, but [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] quickly explained that it was for the Nike [[Air Force 1 (shoe)|Air Force 1's]] anniversary. It was meant only to be an exclusive track for the company.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://soundslam.com/articles/news/news.php?news=070215_af1ann|title=Nas, KRS-1, Kanye & Rakim Lend Verses In Honor Of Nike Air Force 1 |publisher=Sound Slam}}</ref>

On March 25, 2007, he and his father Ray West supported [[World Day for Water|World Water Day]] by having a "Walk for Water" rally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanyelive.com/news/74.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080501110309/http://www.kanyelive.com/news/74.html|archivedate=2008-05-01|title=Kanye and Ray West Walk For Water|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=kanYe Talk}}</ref> After a two-year break, West has returned to being a fashion columnist in lifestyle magazine ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanyelive.com/kanye-west-fashion-columnist-76.html|title=Kanye West&nbsp;— Fashion Columnist|accessdate=March 19, 2009|publisher=kanYe Live}}</ref> On July 7, 2007, West performed with [[The Police]] and [[John Mayer]] at the [[Live Earth concert, New York City|American leg]] of [[Live Earth]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/08/police-pumpkins-psas-live-earth-new-york-onstage-and-backstage/|title=Police, Pumpkins, PSAs: Live Earth New York, Onstage and Backstage |work=Rolling Stone|date=July 8, 2007}}</ref> West hosted the August 17 edition of British comedy- variety show [[The Friday Night Project]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://press.channel4.com/listings/live/C4/live/2007_33/index.htm|title=LISTINGS INFORMATION : WEEK 33|publisher=Channel 4}}</ref>

In July 2007, West changed the release date of ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', his third album, from September 18, 2007, to the same release date as [[50 Cent|50 Cent's]] album ''[[Curtis (50 Cent album)|Curtis]]'', September 11, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/view/2106-kanye-competes-with-5-album-pushed-back-to-september-11th.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080421163247/http://www.defsounds.com/news/view/2106-kanye-competes-with-5-album-pushed-back-to-september-11th.html|archivedate=2008-04-21|title=Kanye Competes With 50, Album Pushed Back To September 11|publisher=Def Sounds}}</ref> 50 Cent later claimed that if ''Graduation'' were to sell more records than ''Curtis,'' he would stop releasing solo albums. However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567100/20070814/50_cent.jhtml|title=50 Cent Explains Last Week's Blowup, Says 'I Will Be #1 On September 11'|publisher=MTV News}}</ref> The album has been certified double platinum. Guest appearances included [[T-Pain]], [[Mos Def]], and [[Lil Wayne]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5721/title.kanye-west-massacres-50-cent-in-sales-race|title=Kanye West Massacres 50 Cent In Sales Race!!!! |publisher=Hip Hop DX}}</ref>

{{cquote|When I heard that thing about the debate, I thought that was the stupidest thing. When my albums drops and 50's album drops, you're gonna get a lot of good music at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/08/2936/|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080409133340/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/08/2936/|archivedate=2008-04-09|title=Kanye West Declines Debate With 50 Cent, Calls It 'Stupid'|publisher=Baller Status}}</ref>}}

On August 26, 2007, West appeared as himself on the [[HBO]] television show ''[[Entourage (TV series)|Entourage]]'' which he used as a platform to premier his new single "[[Good Life (Kanye West song)|Good Life]]" during the end credits. On September 9, 2007, West performed at the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]], losing in every category he was nominated for; he gave an angry speech immediately afterward. (see "Controversies" section)

Following the MTV stint, West was nominated in eight Grammy Award categories for the [[50th Grammy Awards|50th annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/02/08/businesswire20080208005461r1.html|title=Leading Nominees Kanye West and Amy Winehouse Added as Performers for 50th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards |work=Forbes}}{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref> He won four of them,<ref name="2005 grammy">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080404005333/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx|archivedate=2008-04-04|title=50th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List|publisher=Grammy Awards}}</ref> including Best Rap Album for ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' and Best Rap Solo Performance for [[Stronger (Kanye West song)|"Stronger"]] from ''Graduation''. During the four-hour televised Grammy Awards ceremony, West also performed two songs: "Stronger" (with [[Daft Punk]]) and "Hey Mama" (in honor of his recently deceased mother).<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/arts/music/11gram.html?ex=1360472400%20&%20ei=5088%20&%20en=17d2597cd353b41c%20&%20partner=rssnyt%20&%20emc=rss&pagewanted=all|title=Amy Winehouse Wins Big at Grammy Awards |work=The New York Times | first=Jeff | last=Leeds | date=February 11, 2008}}</ref>

=== Glow in the Dark Tour, ''808s & Heartbreak'' (2008–09) ===
[[File:Kanye West Chicago Tour 2008.jpg|thumb|right|West performing at the [[United Center]] in Chicago]] [[File:Kanyewestdec2008.jpg|thumb|upright|West performing in 2008]]

West kicked off the [[Glow In The Dark Tour]] in Seattle at the [[Key Arena]] on April 16. The tour was originally scheduled to end in June in [[Cincinnati]] but was extended into August. Over the course of the tour West was joined by a varying group of opening acts, including [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Rihanna]], [[N.E.R.D.]], [[DJ Craze]], and [[Gnarls Barkley]]. On June 15, West was scheduled to perform a late night set at the [[Bonnaroo Music Festival]]. His performance started almost two hours late and ran for half of its alloted time, angering many fans in the audience. West later wrote an outraged entry on his blog, blaming the festival organizers as well as [[Pearl Jam]]'s preceding set, which ran longer than expected.

On September 7, West debuted a new song "[[Love Lockdown]]" at the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]]. "Love Lockdown" features no rapping and only singing using an [[auto-tune]] device. This song appears on West's fourth studio album, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]''. The new album was expected to be released on December 16, but West announced on his blog on September 24, 2008, that he had finished the album and would be releasing it sometime in November, earlier than previously scheduled. In early October, West made a surprise appearance at a [[T.I.]] concert in [[Los Angeles]], where he stated that ''808s & Heartbreak'' was scheduled to be released on November 25, though it was actually released on the 24th, and that the second single is "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]". The album was another number one album for West, even though the first week numbers fell well short of ''Graduation'' with 450,145 sold.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8192 HipHopDX.com – Hip Hop Album Sales]. ''HipHopDX.com''. Retrieved December 3, 2008.</ref>

Along with [[Alicia Keys]], [[Rihanna]], [[Taylor Swift]], [[Leona Lewis]], and others, West performed at the [[American Music Awards]] ceremony on November 23.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/News/Alicia-Keys-Kanye-27392.aspx Alicia Keys, Kanye West to Rock AMA Stage]" ''[[TV Guide]]''. October 20, 2008. Retrieved on October 24, 2008.</ref> That same night he won two AMA awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist. West performed at the [[Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]] in August 2008, along with [[Wyclef Jean]] and [[N.E.R.D.]] in support of [[Barack Obama]]. On January 20, 2009, Kanye West performed at the Youth Inaugural Ball hosted by MTV for [[Inauguration of Barack Obama|Obama's inauguration]].

On February 17, 2009, West was named one of Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America by ''[[GQ Magazine|GQ]]''.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=February 17, 2009|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/galleries/justin_timberlake_gq_magazine_10_most_stylish_men_in_america/justin_timberlake_gq_magazine_10_most_stylish_men_in_america.html#ph2|title=The 10 Most Stylish Men in America |publisher=[[New York Daily News]] | date=February 17, 2009}}</ref> The next day, February 18, 2009, West won International Male Solo Artist at The [[Brit Awards 2009]]. West was not in attendance but accepted his award with a video speech, saying "Barack is the 'Best Interracial Male' but I'm proud to be the Best International Male in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/brit-awards-2008/42880 |title=Kanye West wins International Male Solo Artist BRIT &#124; News |publisher=Nme.Com |date=February 18, 2009 |accessdate=March 15, 2009}}</ref>

In April 2009, Kanye West recorded a song called "Hurricane" with [[30 Seconds to Mars]] to appear on their album ''[[This Is War]]'', but was not released due to legal issues with both record companies. 30 Seconds to Mars frontman [[Jared Leto]] has said that it will be released at some point.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West Working With 30 Seconds To Mars On New Album |publisher=[[MTV Networks]] |date=April 15, 2009 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609314/20090415/west_kanye.jhtml |author=James Montgomery | accessdate=April 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=30STM’s Jared Leto on Working With Kanye West |publisher=Rolling Stone| date=April 20, 2009 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/20/30stms-jared-leto-on-working-with-kanye-west-its-slightly-more-than-unexpected/ |author=Chris Harris |accessdate=April 30, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/failure-fan-jared-leto_1125069|title=Failure Fan Jared Leto|publisher=[[Contact Music]]|accessdate=December 26, 2009}}</ref>

=== ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' (2010–present) ===
In May 2010, West made an animated television guest appearance on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s animated television series ''[[The Cleveland Show]]'' (a spin-off of ''[[Family Guy]]'') as the voice behind "Kenny West", a rival of [[Cleveland Brown]]'s son.<ref name="foxflash">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z252z1z8&ID=4803|title=Kanye West's Flow is comedy gold on "The Cleveland Show"|publisher=Fox Flash|accessdate=March 20, 2009}}</ref>
In his first episode he performed in a [[rap battle]] with Cleveland's son. The producers stated working with West was a very good experience and a reason they chose him was because they knew he was a fan of ''Family Guy''.<ref name="kanye">Jocelyn Vena (March 17, 2009). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607121/20090317/west_kanye.jhtml Kanye West Gets Animated In 'Family Guy' Spinoff] ''MTV.com''. Retrieved March 17, 2009.</ref> Kenny West re-appeared in the season 2 premiere of ''The Cleveland Show''.

West spent the first half of 2010 in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]], working on his new album with the [[working title]] ''"Good Ass Job"'', later named ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'', to be released on November 22, 2010.<ref name="Release Date">http://twitter.com/#!/kanyewest/status/26376248483</ref> West has cited [[Maya Angelou]], [[Gil Scott-Heron]] and [[Nina Simone]] as his musical inspirations for this album. Outside production is said to come from [[RZA]], [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]], [[Pete Rock]], and [[DJ Premier]].<ref name="evan">Evan Nabavian (April 6, 2010). [http://www.billboard.com/news/kanye-west-taps-q-tip-rza-pete-rock-for-1004080810.story?tag=hpfeed#/news/kanye-west-taps-q-tip-rza-pete-rock-for-1004080810.story?tag=hpfeed Kanye West Taps Q-Tip, RZA, Pete Rock For New Album] ''Billboard.com''. Retrieved April 6, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/rumors/archive/2010/03/09/22143721.aspx |title=Rumors : Hip-Hop Rumors:Old School Biggie Rumors! Kanye West and Pete Rock? Alfamega Disses T.I.! |publisher=Allhiphop.com |date= |accessdate=2010-09-05}}</ref> West also had [[Justin Vernon]] flown into his studio on [[Oahu]] after seemingly expressing interest in sampling one of [[Bon Iver]]'s songs; Vernon proceeded to feature on a number of new tracks, including "Lost In The World," which features Vernon's vocal line from [[Blood Bank (EP)|Woods]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/52447|title=Kanye West's new album to feature Beyonce and Bon Iver collaborations?|publisher=[[NME]]|date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=Aug. 16, 2010}}</ref>

On May 28, the [[Dwele]]-assisted first single from the album, entitled "[[Power (Kanye West song)|Power]]", leaked to the Internet. On June 30, the track was officially released via iTunes. The upcoming music video was quoted as being "apocalyptic, in a very personal way" by the director Marco Brambilla.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.billboard.com/#/news/billboard-bits-kanye-s-power-video-is-apocalyptic-1004106808.story?tag=nextart|title= Billboard Bits: Kanye's 'Power' Video Is 'Apocalyptic,' Gaga-Winehouse Collabo Just a Dream|publisher=Billboard.com}}</ref>

On September 12, 2010, West performed a new song, "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]" featuring [[Pusha T]], at the [[2010 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wete|first=Brad|title=Kanye West admits he's a douchebag, debuts 'Runaway' to close VMAs|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/09/12/kanye-west-performs-runaway-vmas/|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''|date=September 12, 2010|accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref> Shortly after the performance, Kanye revealed he was working on a [[Runaway (2010 film)|35 minute short film based around the song]]. The movie is said to be influenced by [[film noir]] and concerns a fallen phoenix whom Kanye falls in love with.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647861/20100915/west_kanye.jhtml|title= Kanye West Reveals More Details About 'Runaway' Film|publisher=
MTV.com|date=2010-September-17}}</ref> The short film debuted consecutively on [[VH1]], [[MTV]], and [[BET]] on October 23, 2010.

=== Personal life ===
==== Relationships ====
Kanye West and designer Alexis Phifer ended their 18-month engagement in 2008. The couple had been dating on and off since 2002, with West eventually proposing in August 2006. According to a friend, the couple's relationship had been straining, significantly influenced by the sheer amount of time and attention West was dedicating to his current concert tour. "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends," Phifer told ''[[People magazine|People]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585980/20080421/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West's Ex-Fiancee Alexis Phifer Talks About Breakup|date=April 21, 2008|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref>

==== Mother's death ====
On November 10, 2007, West's mother, Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving [[abdominoplasty]] and breast augmentation.<ref name="mswest">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/12/911-responded-in-donda-west-case/|title=Fire Dept. Called to Donda West's Home|publisher=[[TMZ.com]]}}</ref> [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] reported that [[Beverly Hills]] physician Andre Aboolian had advised Donda West not to have surgery because of a health condition that placed her at risk for a heart attack.<ref name="mswest"/> Aboolian referred her to another internist.<ref name="mswest"/> Donda never met with the doctor recommended by Aboolian and had the procedures performed by a third doctor, [[Jan Adams]].<ref name="mswest"/>
[[File:Donda West.jpg|Donda West in August 2007|thumb|left|upright]]

Adams sent condolences to Donda West's family but declined to publicly discuss the procedure because of [[confidentiality agreement|confidentiality]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159928,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn|title=Donda West's Doctor Expresses 'Condolences'|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> He had previously been under scrutiny by the medical board.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/13/west.surgeon/index.html#cnnSTCText|title= Donda West's surgeon faced malpractice suits, records show |publisher=CNN | date=November 13, 2007}}</ref><ref name="focus mom">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159824,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn|title=Focus of Kanye West Mom's Death Shifts to Doctor|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.celebtv.com/Headlines.aspx?NewsGuid=8b002218-ccc7-4d27-9c7d-8009628c79a4|title=CELEBTV.COM DOCUMENT: WEST DOC’S MEDICAL LICENSE QUESTIONED|publisher=Celeb TV}}</ref> Adams appeared on ''[[Larry King Live]]'' on November 20, 2007 but left before speaking. Two days later, he appeared again, with his attorney, stating he was there to "defend himself." He said that the recently released autopsy results "spoke for themselves".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580109/20080123/winehouse_amy.jhtml|title=Amy Winehouse's Alleged Crack Video Under Investigation; Plus Pink, Paris Hilton, 'American Idol' & More, In For The Record |publisher=MTV}}</ref> The final coroner's report January 10, 2008 concluded that Donda West died of "coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579429/20080110/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Donda West, Kanye's Mother, Died Of Heart Attack: Coroner's Report|publisher=MTV News}}</ref>

The funeral and burial for Donda West was held in [[Oklahoma City]] on November 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=1501135&objectid=10477686|title=Kanye West's tearful goodbye at mother's funeral|work=The New Zealand Herald}}</ref> West held his first concert following the funeral at [[The O2 arena (London)|The O2]] in London on November 22. He dedicated a performance of "[[Hey Mama (Kanye West song)|Hey Mama]]", as well as a cover of [[Journey (band)|Journey's]] "[[Don't Stop Believin']]", to his mother, and did so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080427090443/http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him|archivedate=2008-04-27|title=VIDEO: Kanye West Dedicates Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" to His Mom |work=[[Us Weekly]]}}</ref>

At a December 2008 press conference in New Zealand, West spoke about his mother's death for the first time. "It was like losing an arm and a leg and trying to walk through that," he told reporters.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8186 HipHopDX.com – Kanye West Speaks Candidly About Mother, Religion, Rap]. ''HipHopDX.com''. Retrieved December 2, 2008.</ref>

In honor of her death, California governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] passed the "Donda West Law," a legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com/breaking-news/kanye-west-mom-honored-with-new-plastic-surgery-law.html|title=Kanye West: Mom Honored With New Plastic Surgery Law|work=The Plastic Surgery Channel|accessdate=October 14, 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref>


== Musical style and influence ==
[[File:Kanye West in the Studio.jpg|thumb|left|West working in the studio with his mentor [[No I.D.]] (left)]]
At the start of his career, Kanye West's production style often used pitched-up vocal samples, usually from [[soul music|soul]] songs, with his own drums and instruments.<ref name="king">{{cite news|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-king-of-rap-403127.html|title=Kanye West: King of rap |work=[[The Independent]]|date=September 22, 2007|author=Burrell, Ian | location=London}}</ref> His first major release featuring his trademark vocal sampling style was "This Can't Be Life", a track from Jay-Z’s ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]''. West said he sped up the drum beat of [[Dr. Dre]]'s "Xxplosive" to use as a replacement for his drums on "This Can't Be Life".<ref name="last call"/>

West has said that [[Wu-Tang Clan]] producer [[RZA]] influenced him in his style,<ref name="cant ignore" /><ref name="KWstBio2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gale.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/west_k.htm|title=Black History&nbsp;— Biographies&nbsp;— Kanye West|accessdate=August 7, 2006|publisher=[[Thomson Gale]]}}</ref> and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers [[Ghostface Killah]] and [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]] were some of his all-time favorites. Said by Kanye West:

{{cquote|Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time... We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that.<ref name="KWstBio4">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1553911/20070305/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye, Run-DMC, Outkast, Justin Sound Off On Our Top 10 Hip-Hop Groups|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=MTV}}</ref>}}

[[RZA]] himself has spoken quite positively of the comparisons:

{{cquote|All good. I got super respect for Kanye. He came up to me about a year or two ago. He gave me mad praising and blessings... For people to say Wu-Tang inspire Kanye, Kanye is one of the biggest artists in the world. That goes back to what we say: 'Wu-Tang is forever.' Kanye is going to inspire people to be like him." After hearing his work on ''[[The Blueprint]]'', RZA claimed that a torch-passing had occurred between him and West, saying, "The shoes gotta be filled. If you ain't gonna do it, somebody else is gonna do it. That's how I feel about rap today."<ref>{{cite web |author=Dukes, Rahman; Reid, Shaheem|title=The Clipse Hint At Kanye West Collabo: Mixtape Monday|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602920/20090116/story.jhtml|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=January 19, 2009 |accessdate=January 19, 2009}}</ref>}}

Following the critical and commercial success of his debut ''[[The College Dropout]]'', West went on to experiment with his production style for subsequent albums. ''[[Late Registration]]''&nbsp;— during which he collaborated with film composer [[Jon Brion]]&nbsp;— saw West take on a more "cinematic" approach to hip-hop sound, combining his signature sampling style with horn riffs, piano loops, [[String (music)|string]] arrangements, and various other orchestra to produce rich, multi-layered instrumentation. His style evolved even further during the conception of ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', for which he made heavy use of [[Synthesizer|synth]]-based beats and futuristic sound effects while distancing himself from soul samples, opting for a more eclectic variety of interpolations lifted from artists ranging from [[Elton John]] and [[Michael Jackson]] to [[Daft Punk]] and [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]].

Alongside his pursuit as a producer and later a rapper, West has additionally displayed an escalating interest in singing over the course of his career. The first signs could be found within ''The College Dropout'', which retained "Spaceship", a track that featured a chorus delivered by West in a melodic, half-rapped, half-sung style&nbsp;— pioneered by his favorite rappers ODB and Ghostface Killah. In mid-2008, while guest starring on multiple other artists' singles, West first began singing verses both with the [[auto-tune]] effect on [[Young Jeezy]]'s "[[Put On]]" and without on [[Fonzworth Bentley]]'s "Everybody". It eventually culminated with the release of the lead single, "[[Love Lockdown]]", from West's fourth album ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]''. The song stands as the first solo single by West to feature virtually no rapping whatsoever, instead sang entirely using the auto-tune effect.

[[File:West performing.jpg|thumb|West accompanied by an eleven-piece chamber orchestra]]
While his use of sampling has lessened over time, West's production continues to feature distinctive and intricate [[string arrangement]]s. This characteristic arose from him listening to the English [[trip hop]] group [[Portishead]], whose 1998 live album ''[[Roseland NYC Live]]'', with the [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]] inspired him to incorporate [[string section]]s into his [[hip hop production]].<ref name=Praise>{{cite web |author=Scaggs, Austin|title=Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/16257550/kanye_west_a_genius_in_praise_of_himself/print|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=September 20, 2007 |accessdate=September 26, 2007}}</ref> Though he was unable to afford live instruments beyond violin riffs provided by [[Israeli Jews|Israeli]] violinist [[Miri Ben-Ari]] around the time of his debut album, its subsequent commercial success allowed him to hire his very own eleven-piece [[string orchestra]]. For a time, West stood as the sole current pop star to tour with a string section.<ref name=Praise/>

West has stated on several occasions that outside of work, he favours listening to rock music over hip-hop. He cites [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], and [[The Killers]] as some of his most favorite musical groups. Additionally, on ''Graduation'', West drew inspiration from [[arena rock]] bands such as [[U2]], [[The Rolling Stones]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] for [[melody]] and [[chord progression]].<ref name=Crosely>{{cite web |author= Crosley, Hillary|title=Graduation|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ibe8ec7c980d6765c46225c438690a813|work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|date=September 15, 2007|accessdate=September 15, 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071014192400/http://billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ibe8ec7c980d6765c46225c438690a813 |archivedate = October 14, 2007}}</ref> Both a fan and supporter of [[indie culture]], West uses his official website to promote obscure [[indie rock]] bands, posting up music videos and mp3s on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web | author=West, Kanye | title= Dirty Projectors "Stillness is the Move"| url=http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=235958_-1__0_~-1_-1_05_2008_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=| work= [http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/ Kanye West Blog] | publisher=Kanye West/Mascotte Holdings, LLC | date=July 1, 2009 | accessdate=July 1, 2009}}</ref> This musical affinity is mutual, as West has collaborated with indie artists such as [[Santigold]], [[Peter Bjorn and John]] and [[Lykke Li]] while his songs have gone on to be covered countless times by myriad rock bands.<ref>{{cite web | author=West, Kanye | title= The Fray – "Heartless"| url=http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=238431_-1__0_~0_-1_8_2009_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=| work= [http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/ Kanye West Blog] | publisher=Kanye West/Mascotte Holdings, LLC | date=August 15, 2009 | accessdate=August 15, 2009}}</ref>

== Business ventures ==
In August 2008, West revealed plans to open 10 [[Fatburger]] restaurants in the Chicago area; the first was set to open in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second followed in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although the process is being finalized. His company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to the chain in Chicago.<ref>[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2008/08/5262/ Kanye West To Open Chain Of Fatburger Restaurants In Chicago] ''BallerStatus.com''.{{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> Additionally, West planned to launch his fashion career, and applied for internships with major European fashion houses.<ref>[http://www.thehothits.com/artists/1793/kanye-west/news/15293/kanye-west-to-study-fashion! Kanye West To Study Fashion!] [http://www.thehothits.com/ The Hot Hits.com].</ref> He is due to release his own clothing line called [[Past Tell Clothing|Past Tell]] in 2009. He also collaborated with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] to release his own shoe, Air Yeezys.

On January 22, 2009, during Paris Fashion Week, West introduced his first shoe line designed for [[Louis Vuitton]]. The line was released in summer 2009.

== Philanthropy ==
West started the "Kanye West Foundation" in Chicago in 2003. On August 24, 2007, West hosted the inaugural benefit concert to launch the foundation's partnership with Strong American Schools. It is focused on helping Latino and African American children stay in school and to get a proper education through grade school, high school, and college. The foundation also helps children to stay in high school by finding a path through music. West has contributed over $500,000 to his foundation. The foundation has also been called the "Donda West Foundation".

Kanye West has appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and has done community work for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief, the Kanye West Foundation, the [[Millions More]] Movement, [[100 Black Men of America]], a [[Live Earth]] concert benefit, [[World Water Day]] rally and march, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] runs, and a MTV special helping young [[Iraq War]] veterans who struggle through debt and [[PTSD]] a second chance after returning home.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/arts/television/28mtv.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all In 'Homecoming' MTV Focuses On Iraq Veterans]</ref>

In February 2009, West contributed $2 to become a producer of ''[[The 1 Second Film]]'', a non-profit collaborative art project, alongside over 11,000 fellow producers worldwide.


=== Legal troubles ===
In December 2006, [[Evel Knievel|Robert "Evel" Knievel]] sued West for trademark infringement in West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel took issue with a "sexually-charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and attempts flying a rocket over a canyon. The suit filed in federal court claims infringement on his trademarked name and likeness. Knievel also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation. The suit seeks damages and to stop distribution of the video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1212061evel1.html|title=Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=[[The Smoking Gun]]}}</ref> Knievel eventually settled the suit in November 2007, just days before his death.

On September 11, 2008, West and his road manager/bodyguard Don Crowley were arrested at [[Los Angeles International Airport]] and booked on charges of felony vandalism after an altercation with the [[paparazzi]] in which West and Crowley broke the photographers' cameras.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/11/kanye.west.arrested/index.html|title=Kanye West arrested after skirmish at airport|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=CNN.com|accessdate=March 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/arrests/kanye-west-bodyguard-arrested-at-los-angeles-international-airport_article_11207|title=Kanye West, Bodyguard Arrested At LAX|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=Access Hollywood|accessdate=March 19, 2009}}</ref> West was later released from the [[Los Angeles Police Department#Pacific Division|Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division]] station in [[Culver City]] on $20,000 bail bond. On September 26, 2008 the [[Los Angeles County District Attorney|Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office]] said it would not file felony counts against West over the incident. Instead the case file was forwarded to the city attorney's office, which charged West with one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of [[grand theft]] and one count of battery and his manager with three counts of each on March 18, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7639307.stm|title=West escapes charge over scuffle|date=September 27, 2008|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref> West's and Crowley's arraignment was delayed from an original date of April 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609170/20090414/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West's Arraignment In Paparazzi Case Delayed|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=April 14, 2009|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref>
West was arrested again on November 14, 2008 at a hotel near [[Gateshead]] after another scuffle involving a photographer outside a nightclub in [[Newcastle Upon Tyne]]. He was later released "with no further action", according to a police spokesperson.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599323/20081114/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West Arrested After Alleged Tussle With Photographer, Then Cleared|date=November 14, 2008|accessdate=November 14, 2008}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
West has had several controversies throughout his career. On September 2, 2005, during a benefit concert for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief on NBC, [[A Concert for Hurricane Relief]], West was a featured speaker. Controversy arose when West was presenting, as he deviated from the prepared script. Actor [[Mike Myers (actor)|Mike Myers]], with whom West was paired to present, spoke next and continued to read the script. Once it was West's turn to speak again, he said "[[George W. Bush|George Bush]] doesn't care about black people." At this point, telethon producer Rick Kaplan cut off the microphone and then cut away to [[Chris Tucker]], who was unaware of the cut for a few seconds. Still, West's comment reached much of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=44415a2b-7481-45f8-91a3-630b0b5510de&entry=index|title=NBC KO's Kanye's Bush Bashing|last=Byrne|first=Bridget|work=E! News|publisher=[[E! Online]]|date=October 4, 2005|accessdate=January 12, 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2010}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html |title=Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC |author=Moraes, Lisa de |date=September 3, 2005 |publisher=The Washington Post |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>

In January 2006, West again sparked controversy when he appeared on the cover of ''Rolling Stone'' in the image of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 27, 2008|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060126/ent/ent3.html|title= Kanye West poses as Jesus on cover of 'Rolling Stone' |publisher=[[Gleaner]]|date=January 26, 2006}}</ref>

Later in 2006, West had his first of a number of incidents involving music award events. After the 2006 Grammy nominations were released, West said he would "really have a problem" if he did not win the Album of the Year, saying, "I don't care what I do, I don't care how much I stunt — you can never take away from the amount of work I put into it. I don't want to hear all of that [[political correctness|politically correct]] stuff."<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=2120|title=Kanye Has His Sights on Best Album |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=December 9, 2005}}</ref> On November 2, 2006, when his "Touch the Sky" failed to win Best Video at the [[MTV Europe Music Awards]], West went onto the stage as the award was being presented to [[Justice (French band)|Justice]] and [[Simian (band)|Simian]] for "We Are Your Friends" and argued that he should have won the award instead.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227304,00.html|title=Kanye West Unleashes Tirade After Losing at MTV Europe Music Awards|publisher=Fox News | date=November 3, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070603120826/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archivedate=2007-06-03|title=EMAs Shocker: Kanye Stage Invasion!|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=MTV}}</ref> Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. On November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly during his performance as support act for [[U2 (band)|U2]] for their Vertigo concert in [[Brisbane, Australia|Brisbane]].<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html|title=Kanye West Upset at MTV Video Award Loss |publisher=Fox News | first=Jan M. | last=Olsen | date=November 3, 2006}}</ref> He later spoofed the incident in the season premiere of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. On September 9, 2007, West suggested that his [[race (classification of human beings)|race]] had to do with his being overlooked for opening the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]] (VMAs) in favor of [[Britney Spears]]; he claimed, "Maybe my skin’s not right."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080424051758/http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/|archivedate=2008-04-24|title=Kanye West Jealous Of Britney Opening The VMAs|publisher=Britney Spy}}</ref> West was performing at the event; that night, he lost all 5 awards that he was nominated for, including Best Male Artist and Video of the Year. After the show, he was visibly upset that he had lost at the VMAs two years in a row, stating that he would not come back to MTV ever again. He also appeared on several radio stations saying that when he made the song "Stronger" that it was his dream to open the VMAs with it. He has also stated that Spears hasn't had a hit in a long period of time and that MTV exploited her for ratings.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569313/20070910/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West Loses It Again, Says He'll 'Never Return To MTV': Report|publisher=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>

On September 13, 2009, during the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]] while [[Taylor Swift]] was accepting her award for Best Female Video for "[[You Belong with Me]]", West went on stage and grabbed the microphone to proclaim that [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]]'s video for "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]", nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". He was subsequently removed from the remainder of the show for his actions.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|title=Kanye West Storms the VMAs Stage During Taylor Swift's Speech|date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/13/kanye-west-storms-the-vmas-stage-during-taylor-swifts-speech/?rand=84857}}</ref><ref name="Cnn.com">{{cite news|first=Lisa|last=Respers|title=Anger over West's disruption at MTV awards|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vozick |first=Simon |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/13/kanye-west-taylor-swift/ |title=Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMAs moment: What was he thinking? by Simon Vozick-Levinson |publisher=Music-mix.ew.com |date=2009-09-13 |accessdate=2010-09-05}}</ref> When Beyoncé later won the award for Best Video of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", she called Swift up on stage so that she could finish her acceptance speech.<ref name=rollingstone.com/> West was criticized by various celebrities for the outburst,<ref name=Cnn.com/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/|title=2009 MTV Video Music Awards – Best Female Video|publisher=MTV.com|accessdate=September 15, 2009}}</ref><ref name="latfallout">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-kanye-fallout15-2009sep15,0,4346169.story|title=Kanye West expresses Swift regret on blog and 'The Jay Leno Show'|date=September 15, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 15, 2009 | first1=Todd | last1=Martens | first2=Yvonne | last2=Villarreal}}</ref><ref name="MTV">{{cite web|title=Adam Lambert, Donald Trump, Joe Jackson Slam Kanye West's VMA Stunt|publisher=MTV|date=September 13, 2009|accessdate=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621475/.../swift__taylor.jhtml}}</ref><ref name="MTV.Com">{{cite web|author=Shaheem Reid and Rahman Dukes|title=50 Cent Slams Kanye West For VMA Outburst|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=MTV|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621544/20090915/50_cent.jhtml}}</ref> and by President [[Barack Obama]], who called West a "jackass" in an [[Journalism sourcing#Using confidential information|off the record]] comment.<ref name="BBCquote">{{cite news|title=Obama calls Kanye West a jackass|publisher=BBC News|date=September 16, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8258330.stm}}</ref><ref name="politico.com">{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Gavin|title=Obama calls Kanye 'jackass'|publisher=[[The Politico]]|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0909/did_obama_call_kanye_a_jackass.html}}</ref><ref name="people.com">{{cite web|title=Audio: President Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|publisher=''[[People (magazine)|People]]''|url=http://www.people.com/package/article/0,,20302940_20304704,00.html}}</ref><ref name="www.foxnews.com">{{cite news|title=Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|publisher=[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-west-jackass/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Obama Calls Kanye a 'Jackass' – The Audio|publisher=[[TMZ.com|TMZ]]|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-a-jackass/}}</ref> In addition, West's VMA disruption sparked a large influx of Internet photo [[meme]]s with blogs, forums and "tweets" with the "Let you finish" photo-jokes.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=October 3, 2009|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos/|title= Kanye West's VMA Interruption Gives Birth To Internet Photo Meme |work=[[MTV.com]]|date=September 16, 2009|author=Anderson, Kyle}}</ref> He posted two apologies for the outburst on his personal blog; one on the night of the incident and the other the same day he appeared on ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]'', on September 14, 2009, where he apologized again.<ref name=latfallout/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6833664.ece |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Kanye West spoils the show at MTV awards |last=Booth |first=Jenny |work=The Times |accessdate=September 14, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> After Swift appeared on ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'' two days after the outburst, partly to discuss the matter, West called her to apologize personally. Swift said she accepted his apology.<ref name="MTV.com">{{cite web|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|title=Taylor Swift Tells 'The View' Kanye West Hasn't Contacted Her. The country star discusses her reaction to the VMA incident.|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=MTV|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621550/2009915/swift__taylor.jhtml}}</ref><ref name="nypost.com">{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift visits 'The View,' accepts Kanye apology|publisher=[[New York Post]]|date=May 15, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/tvblogs/taylor_swift_visits_the_view_accepts_iW7OOuj6BQpLe1oX8TVFNM}}</ref><ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web|title=Kanye calls Taylor Swift after ‘View’ appearance|publisher=''[[The Associated Press]]''/[[MSNBC]]|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32861800/ns/entertainment-music/}}</ref> In September 2010, West wrote a series of apologetic [[Twitter|tweet]]s addressed to Swift including "Beyonce didn't need that. MTV didn't need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn't want or need that" and concluding with "I'm sorry Taylor." West also revealed he had written a song for Swift and if she didn't accept the song, he would perform it himself.
<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Writes Song In Honor of Taylor Swift|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20015747-10391698.html|author=Devon Thomas|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=7 September 2010|accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Kanye West discography|Kanye West production discography}}
; '''Studio albums'''
* ''[[The College Dropout]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007)
* ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008)
* ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011) <small>(with [[Jay-Z]])</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/kanyewest/statuses/22302385486 |title=Twitter / Kanye West: Me and jay bout to drop a |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2010-09-05}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
{{portal|Kanye West}}
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{official|http://www.kanyewest.com}}
* {{myspace|kanyewest|Kanye West}}
* {{twitter|kanyewest}}
* {{facebook user|kanyewest}}
* {{Allmusic|label=Kanye West|id=11:hcfixqwjld0e}}
* {{IMDB name|id=1577190|name=Kanye West}}

{{Navboxes
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{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2010}}

{{Persondata
|NAME=West, Kanye Omari
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Rapper, record producer
|DATE OF BIRTH=June 8, 1977
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Kanye}}
[[Category:Kanye West| ]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
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[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American hip hop record producers]]
[[Category:American music video directors]]
[[Category:American pop musicians]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:BET Award winners]]
[[Category:BRIT Award winners]]
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[[Category:Electro-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Hip hop musicians]]
[[Category:Hip hop singers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia]]
[[Category:Rappers from Chicago, Illinois]]
[[Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists]]
[[Category:Soul Train Music Award winners]]
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Revision as of 12:51, 11 November 2010

Kanye Omari West (Template:Pron-en; born June 8, 1977)[1] is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments...

Imma let you finish, but Justin Bieber has one of the best commonly-trolled articles of all time.

trololol

  1. ^ "Kanye facts!". Channel 4. August 17, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
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