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KANYE WEST - NOT THE VOICE OF MY GENERATION.
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{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Kanye West
|Img = K. West (cropped).jpg<!--ATTENTION EDITORS: This is a free image. Per WP:FUC, it cannot be replaced with a fair-use copyrighted image. -->
|Img_capt =
|Img_size =
|Background = solo_singer
|Birth_name = Kanye Omari West
|Born = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1977|6|8}}<br />[[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States]]
|Origin = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States
|Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[alternative hip hop]]
|Instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[AutoTune]], [[Percussion instrument|percussion]], [[keyboards]] & [[synthesizer]]
|Occupation = [[Record producer|Producer]], [[rapper]], [[singer]], [[poet]], [[songwriter]], [[philanthropist]]
|Years_active = 2000 – present
|Label = [[GOOD Music]], [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]], [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
|Associated_acts = [[Child Rebel Soldier]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Consequence (rapper)|Consequence]], [[John Legend]], [[Mos Def]], [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Pharrell]], [[GLC (rapper)|GLC]]<!-- Don't add unless given good reason. -->
|URL = [http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com kanyeuniversecity.com]
}}
'''Kanye Omari West''' ({{pronEng|ˈkɑnjɛj}}; born June 8, 1977)<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.channel4.com/music/features/K/kanyefacts.html|title=Kanye facts! |publisher=[[Channel 4]]|date=2007-08-17 }}</ref> is a ten-time [[Grammy Award]]-winning American [[rapper]], [[record producer]] and [[singer]]. He 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 first three albums have received numerous awards,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/14/in_depth_showbiz/main673822.shtml|title=2005 Grammy Award Winners|publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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" /> critical acclaim,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&ts=kanye+west|title=Kanye West|publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> and commercial success. West also runs his own record label [[GOOD Music]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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 three of his four albums as well as various single covers and music videos.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]] }}</ref>

West's parents divorced when he was three years old, and he and his mother moved to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. He enrolled at [[Chicago State University]] but later dropped out to continue pursuing his music career. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for musical artists including [[Jay-Z]], [[Alicia Keys]], and [[Janet Jackson]]. West's style of production often utilizes pitched-up vocal samples, usually from [[Soul music|soul]] songs, with his own drums and instruments. Some controversy has also surrounded West, such as an incident during a live telecast of a [[benefit concert]] for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief, when he deviated from the script and told the audience, "[[George Walker Bush|George Bush]] doesn't care about [[African American|black people]]."

[[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]] |pages=pp. 8}}</ref> On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by [[MTV]] as the year's #1 ''"Hottest MC In The Game."''<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587618/20080516/west_kanye.jhtml 'Hottest MCs In The Game': #1 Kanye West]</ref>

==Life and career==
Kanye West was born in [[Atlanta, Georgia]],<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-142980674.html|title=Kanye West Coming To Redbird. |work=[[Pantagraph]]|date=2006-03-08 }}</ref> where he lived with both of 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 [[photojournalist]]s at the ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]],'' and is now a Christian counselor.<ref name="leader">{{cite web|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=2007-05-14|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref> West's late 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 web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_8_59/ai_n6047908|title=The Many Faces of Kanye West|accessdate=2007-07-19|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]}}</ref> in suburban [[Oak Lawn, Illinois]] after living in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]].<ref name="cant ignore">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html|title=Why You Can't Ignore Kanye|accessdate=2007-06-07|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

West took some art classes at the [[American Academy of Art]], a Chicago art school, and also enrolled at [[Chicago State University]], but dropped out due to poor grades and a primary interest in working 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 web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]] }}</ref>

===''The Blueprint'' (2001)===
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" /> West soon became a major name in hip hop production following the release of the album, but struggled to find a way to get a record deal. 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 web|accessdate=2008-04-27|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=2007-10-01 }}</ref> Multiple record companies pushed him aside because he was not the stereotypical hip hop artist.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-27|url=http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/09/20/72163446|title=The sirens of two of hip-hop's titans |work=[[Minnesota Daily]]|date=2007-09-20|author=Kadrmas, Megan }}</ref> Companies felt he was not as marketable as rappers who portray the "street image" prominent in hip hop culture.<ref name="last call" />

===''The College Dropout'' (2002&ndash;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=2008-04-24|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hcfixqwjld0e~T1|title=Kanye West - 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]], [[Consequence]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Mos Def]], [[Common (rapper)|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=2008-04-24|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=92360&x=articles&s=showbiz|title=Grand Kanye |work=[[Calgary Sun]] }}</ref> During [[2003]] Kanye 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|title=Kanye West Speaks Through The Wire|accessdate=2007-06-07|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)===
On August 30, 2005, West released his second album ''[[Late Registration]].'' Reviews were mostly favorable, with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' commenting that "''Late Registration'' is an undeniable triumph,"<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7569017/review/7583389/lateregistration|title=Kanye West |work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> and with ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' mentioning it is "As ornate and bloated as West's ego."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/kanye-west-late-registration-roc-felladef-jam|title= Kanye West, 'Late Registration' (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=2005-08-30|author=Caramanica, Jon }}</ref> With the help of producer samples in different ways along with compositions of strings and other sounds, the record earned the number one spot on the ''[[Village Voice]]'''s Pazz & Jop critics' poll of 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/westkanye/lateregistration|title=Kanye West's ''Late Registration'' review|accessdate=2007-06-07|publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> The first two singles from ''Late Registration'' were "[[Diamonds from Sierra Leone]]" (which features vocals from [[Shirley Bassey]]'s "Diamonds Are Forever") and "[[Gold Digger]]" featuring [[Jamie Foxx]], (which contains an interpolation of [[Ray Charles]]'s "[[I Got a Woman]]"). The album sold over 860,000 copies in its first week,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7606082/kanye_west_blows_up|title=Kanye West Blows Up |work=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> and earned eight [[Grammy Award]] nominations including ''Album of the Year'' and ''Record of the Year'' for the song "Gold Digger".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/09/AR2006020901436_pf.html|title=Lessons Taught by Grammy |work=[[Washington Post]]|date=2006-02-10|author=Robinson, Eugene }}</ref> The album also included "My Way Home", a track that sampled [[Gil Scott-Heron]]'s mournful "Home Is Where The Hatred Is". The album is certified triple platinum.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/blogs/snapcracklepop/2007/08/50_cents_career_is_looking.aspx|title=Rap Battle |publisher=[[The Daily Collegian (Penn State)|The Daily Collegian]] }}</ref> Guest appearances include [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Jamie Foxx]], [[Adam Levine]], [[Paul Wall]], [[GLC (rapper)|GLC]], [[Cam'ron]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[Nas]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Consequence (rapper)|Consequence]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], and Really Doe.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/cd/story/8FE586E4C5043505862570710032D910?OpenDocument|title=Kanye West: 'Late Registration'|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] }}</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|title=Stuff Style Icon of the Year |accessdate=2007-06-07|work=[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]}}</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=2008-04-24|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/okgo/articles/story/7593141/new_cds_kanye_clapton|title=New CDs: Kanye, Clapton|work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref>

===Awards and controversy (2006)===
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=2008-04-27|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=2006-01-26 }}</ref> In 2006 he told [[Playboy]], "I throw up historical subjects in a way that makes kids want to learn about them," West claimed, "[I'm] definitely in the history books already."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/rap-lyrics-kanyewest.html|title=Accurate Kanye West Lyrics|publisher=The State of Hip Hop}}</ref>

After the 2006 [[Grammy]] nominations were released, West said he would "really have a problem" if he didn't win the [[Album of the Year]] because of the comments, 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 politically correct stuff."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|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]] }}</ref> West won several Grammy awards, including Best Rap Album, but did not win the Album of the Year Award.<ref name="praises" /> The award instead went to [[U2]]'s ''[[How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb]].'' Coincidentally, in November 2006, West was the opening act for U2 during the fifth leg of their Vertigo Tour in Australia and New Zealand.<ref name="praises">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/03/AR2006020301673_pf.html|title=Kanye West, Singing His Own Praises |work=[[The Washington Post]] }}</ref>

[[Image:Kanyecropped.jpg|thumb|left|West at the Nokia Theatre, [[New York|New York City]] in August 2006.]]
On August 5, 2006, West headlined the second day of the [[Lollapalooza]] music festival in his hometown of [[Chicago]]. Later that month, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine reported that West became engaged to his girlfriend Alexis while spending two weeks overseas with her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1225576,00.html|title=Kanye West Engaged to Girlfriend Alexis|accessdate=2007-06-07|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref>

On November 2, 2006, when "[[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 web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|title=EMAs Shocker: Kanye Stage Invasion!|accessdate=2007-06-07|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]] for their Vertigo concert in [[Brisbane]], Australia.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html|title=Kanye West Upset at MTV Video Award Loss |publisher=[[FOX News]] }}</ref> He also later spoofed the incident in a [[Saturday Night Live]] sketch in which West disrupts several awards ceremonies, including the [[Nobel Prize]], in similar fashion.

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=2007-06-07|publisher=[[The Smoking Gun]]}}</ref> Knievel died in 2007.

===''Graduation'' (2007)===
[[Image:Kanye West 2.jpg|thumb|Billy Dec with West]]
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|title=Update On Kanye's TV Show|accessdate=2007-06-07|publisher=kanYe Talk}}</ref> West 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.]]". It is rumored that West's introductory lines preceding his verse are a thinly-veiled jab at producer/rapper [[Danny!]], who was mercilessly compared to West in the beginning of his career.

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." West's version became extremely popular because of the different stance he took. 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=2008-04-24|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>

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=2008-04-24|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|title=Kanye and Ray West Walk For Water|accessdate=2007-06-07|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/news/76.html|title=Kanye West - Fashion Columnist|accessdate=2007-06-07|publisher=kanYe Talk}}</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=2008-04-26|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=2007-07-08 }}</ref> West hosted the August 17 edition of British [[comedy]]-[[variety show]] [[The Friday Night Project]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://press.channel4.com/listings/live/C4/live/2007_33/index.htm|title=LISTINGS INFORMATION : WEEK 33|publisher=[[Channel 4]]}}</ref> In May 2007, West split from long-time model girlfriend Alexis Rainey.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://hiphop.popcrunch.com/kanye-west-calls-off-engagement-with-alexis-rainey/|title=Kanye West Calls Off Engagement With Alexis Rainey|publisher=Hip-Hop Crunch}}</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=2008-04-24|url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/view/2106-kanye-competes-with-5-album-pushed-back-to-september-11th.html|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.<ref name="retire">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/view/2260-5-cent-outsell-kanye-or-stop-trying.html|title=50 Cent: Outsell Kanye Or Stop Trying|publisher=Def Sounds}}</ref> However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]], & [[Lil Wayne]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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=2008-04-24|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/08/2936/|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. In September 2007, West suggested that his race had to do with his being overlooked for opening the [[MTV Video Music Awards]] in favor of [[Britney Spears]]; he claimed, "Maybe my skin’s not right."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/|title=Kanye West Jealous Of Britney Opening The VMAs|publisher=Britney Spy}}</ref> On September 9, 2007, West performed at the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]]. On 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 VMA's 2 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 (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]" that it was his dream to open the VMA's with it. He has also stated that Britney Spears hasn't had a hit in a long period of time and that MTV exploited her for ratings.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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>

Following the MTV stint, West was nominated in 8 Grammy Award categories for the [[50th Grammy Awards|50th annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]]}}</ref> He won four of them,<ref name="2005 grammy">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx|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 web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]] }}</ref>

===''Glow in the Dark Tour'' and ''808s & Heartbreak'' (2008–present)===
Kanye West and designer Alexis Phifer ended their 18-month engagement in 2008. The couple had been dating on and off since 2002, with Kanye 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. "Its always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends," Phifer told ''[[People magazine|People]]''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=24871|title=West and Phifer Already Husband and Wife? |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] }}</ref>

On April 16, Kanye kicked off the [[Glow In The Dark Tour]] in [[Seattle]] at the [[Key Arena]]. The tour was originally scheduled to end in June in [[Cincinnati]] but has been extended into August. Over the course of the tour Kanye will be joined by a varying group of opening acts including [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Rihanna]], [[N.E.R.D.]], [[DJ Craze]], and [[Gnarls Barkley]].

On September 7, West debuted a new song "[[Love Lockdown]]" at the [[MTV Video Music Awards]]. "Love Lockdown", which features no rapping and only singing using an [[auto-tune]] device, will appear on Kanye's upcoming 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'' will be released on November 25th, and that the second single is "[[Heartless_(Kanye_West_song)|Heartless]]". The album was another number one album for Kanye, 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''. Accessed December 3, 2008.</ref>

On November 23, West performed at the [[American Music Awards]] ceremony along with [[Alicia Keys]], [[Rihanna]], [[Taylor Swift]], [[Leona Lewis]], and others.<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.

==Musical style and influence==
Kanye West's style of production often utilizes pitched-up vocal samples, usually from [[soul music|soul]] songs, with his own drums and instruments.<ref name="king">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|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=2007-09-22|author=Burrell, Ian }}</ref> The first major label song he produced was ''[[The Truth (Beanie Sigel album)|The Truth]]'' by [[Beanie Sigel]], and 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">{{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=2007-06-07|publisher=The Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive}}</ref>

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 - Biographies - Kanye West|accessdate=2006-08-07|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=2007-06-07|publisher=[[MTV]]}}</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]]'' &mdash; during which he collaborated with film composer [[Jon Brion]] &mdash; saw West take on a more "cinematic" approach to hip-hop sound, incorporating 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 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 expressed a chorus delivered by West in a melodic, half-rapped, half-sung style — a manner not too different from and occasionally used by his favorite rappers Ghostface and ODB. 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 Kanye'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.

==Political views==
In the song "Crack Music," West rapped, "How [did] we stop the [[Black Panthers]]?/[[Ronald Reagan]] cooked up an answer," a reference to the conspiracy that the [[Reagan administration]] intentionally placed [[crack cocaine]] in the [[ghetto]]s of the United States.<ref name="just">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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> In the song "Roses," West rapped about his grandmother's struggle against [[AIDS]] and expressed his outrage at the limited availability of treatment: "If [[Magic Johnson]] got a cure for AIDS / And all the broke mothafuckas passed away / You telling me if my grandma was in the [[NBA]] / Right now she would be okay?." This is also a reference to Johnson's highly publicized battle with [[HIV]]. Demonstrating his views against [[George W. Bush]], in a 2006 live orchestral performance of "All Falls Down", West replaced "the White man gets paid off of all of that" with "George Bush gets paid off of all of that."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AASB&p_theme=aasb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10C53B01C296A4B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Kanye West: ego of a genius |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] }}</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" /> 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 [[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:
{{cquote|... Well, my level of consciousness has since raised. And I actually think that standing up for gays was even more crazy than bad-mouthing the president. In the black community, someone could label you gay and bring your career down. But that was me showing what black people are really about today, or at least what we need to be about.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=October 2007|title=Kanye West}}</ref>}}

Kanye 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]].

===Hurricane Katrina fundraiser controversy===
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.

{{cquote|I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it [the media] says, 'they're looting'. You see a white family, it says, 'they're looking for food'. And, you know, it's been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV, because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what's, what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was, if I was down there, and those are, those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help &mdash; with the set up, the way America is set up to help, the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, this is, the [[Red Cross]] is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way &mdash; and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI&NR|title=
Bush Doesnt Care About Black People|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>}}

The 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 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=2005-10-04|accessdate=2008-01-12}}
</ref>

==Business ventures==
In August 2008, Kanye West revealed plans to open 10 [[Fatburger]] restaurants in the Chicago area, with the first coming in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second will follow in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although they are in the process of finalizing the lease. His company, KW Foods LLC, has 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''.</ref> Kanye is planning to release his own clothing line called [[Past Tell Clothing|Past Tell]] in late 2008 or 2009.

==Philanthropy==
Kanye West has started the "Kanye West Foundation" in [[Chicago, IL]] in 2003. In 2007, Kanye West was recognized by AAE as the fifth best Black Celebrity Philanthropists of 2007. On August 24 2007 Kanye hosted the inaugural benefit concert for his foundation that launched the foundations partnership with Strong American Schools. The foundation has also been called the [[Donda West]] Foundation at times. 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 focuses on children who need help to stay in high school by finding a path through music. Kanye has contributed over 500,000 dollars to his foundation.

Kanye West has appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and community work that include the Hurricane Katrina Fundraiser, Kanye West Foundation, Millions More Movement, [[100 Black Men of America]], [[Live Earth]] concert benefit, [[World Water Day]] rally and march, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] runs, and a [[MTV]] special that shows firsthand Kanye West helping give young [[Iraq War]] veterans that 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>

==Mother's death==
On Saturday, November 10, 2007, West's mother, Donda West, died due to complications from [[cosmetic surgery]] involving a [[tummy tuck]] and [[breast reduction]] procedure.<ref name="mswest">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]]}}</ref> [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] reported that [[Beverly Hills]] physician Andre Aboolian had advised Donda West not to have surgery because she had higher risk due to a health condition that could lead to 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"/>

Dr. Jan Adams sent condolences to Donda West's family but declined to publicly discuss the procedure because of confidentiality.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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 been under scrutiny by the medical board.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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]]}}</ref><ref name="focus mom">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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=2008-04-24|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> Dr. 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 stated the recently released autopsy results "spoke for themselves."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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 said 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=2008-04-24|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 West's mother, Donda West, was held in [[Oklahoma City]] on November 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|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 Believing]]", to his mother, and has done so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him|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, Kanye broke his silence on 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''. Accessed December 2, 2008.</ref>

==Arrests==
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]].<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/11/kanye.west.arrested.ap/index.html</ref> West and Crowley grabbed the men's cameras and broke them. The equipment was reportedly valued at more than [[United States Dollar|$]]10,000,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gCV4ACRUIG-08fSbF0dvJy5eW_pwD934KGN01|title=Police arrest Kanye West at LA airport|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=2008-09-11}}</ref> but according to TMZ, West had actually damaged only $100 worth of equipment.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | title = Kanye Attack Caught on Tape | date = September 11, 2008 | url =http://www.tmz.com/2008/09/11/kanye-attack-caught-on-tape/ | accessdate =2008-09-18 }}TMZ.com</ref> California law states that, "only someone who criminally damages property worth more than $400 can be prosecuted for felony vandalism,"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/asm/ab_0201-0250/ab_207_cfa_20030610_134138_sen_comm.html|title=SENATE COMMITTEE ON Public Safety|date=May 19, 2003|accessdate=2008-09-15}}</ref> meaning that charges against West could be lowered to a [[misdemeanor]] from his encounter with the paparazzi at the airport. West and Crowley were 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 has been forwarded to the [[City attorney|city attorney's]] office, which could bring lesser [[misdemeanor]] charges against the musician.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080926/en_afp/entertainmentusmusicarrestwest_080926223609|title=Kanye West won't face felony counts over airport scuffle|date=September 26, 2008|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|accessdate=2008-09-27}}</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]], [[England]]. 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>

==Discography==
{{main|Kanye West discography|Kanye West production discography}}
* ''[[The College Dropout]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007)
* ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008)

==Awards==
{{main|List of Kanye West awards}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.kanyewest.com KanyeWest.com]
* [http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog Kanye West's Blog]
* [http://www.kanyeLive.com "Kanye Live!" Kanye West Website]
* [http://www.rocafella.com/Artist.aspx?id=40&avid=123&idj=522 Kanye West at Rocafella Records]
* {{people.com}}
* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3amsa9ugi23h Allmusic.com artist page]
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=164f0d73-1234-4e2c-8743-d77bf2191051|name=Kanye West}}
* {{imdb name|id=1577190|name=Kanye West}}

{{Kanye West}}
{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}

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Revision as of 09:29, 7 December 2008

KANYE WEST - NOT THE VOICE OF MY GENERATION.

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