Kanye West Biography

Kanye West is an American performer, producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is in the rap music business since the early 2000s and has released no less than seven studio albums, selling over 32 million copies and winning 21 Grammy Awards. Three of these albums reached Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list from 2012. Along with his music, Kanye’s blunt personality and opinions attracted the media’s attention frequently. From public scenes to his marriage to socialite Kim Kardashian, Kanye West always manages to stand out.

Roc-A-Fella Records

Kanye West started from the bottom but did not stay there long. He began working as a ghost producer in the early 1990s but soon found himself crossing paths with some of the rather famous hip hop artists like Foxy Brown, The Notorious Big and even Eminem. The big break of Kanye’s career happened in 2000 when he started working with Roc-A-Fella Records – the record label of Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. Kanye revived Jay Z’s career by contributing to the making of The Blueprint. It was at this recording studio that Kanye decided to take up rapping as well, though Roc-A Fella was initially reluctant and viewed West only as a producer. They did, however, sign a contract with him, in fear of him leaving to another studio.

Mid-Career and VMA Controversy

In 2007, after his tour with rock band U2, Kanye West experimented electronic and disco music and began creating more complex compositions. His album “Graduation” ranked at number 1 in U.S. Billboard 200 almost immediately and its lead song, “Stronger”, which samples Daft Punk, became a worldwide hit. 2008 found West releasing another album, “808s & Heartbreak”, and performed the lead song, “Love Lockdown”, at the MTV Video Music Awards. The next single, “Heartless”, another global success, had similar musical influences to his predecessors as Kanye, once again, encouraged other rap artists to be more creative and take more risks. Despite the critics’ expectations, both songs were featured in Billboard Hot 100. The 2009 edition of the VMAs features Kanye West’s most dramatic gesture. During Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, the rapper rushed to the stage and took the microphone for the winner, in order to state that Beyonce is the rightful winner.

Musical Style and Lifestyle

Kanye West’s musical style reached its maturity in 2012 as proved by the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album has an overall complex sound and addresses subjects like celebrity and excess. The record included the international hit “All of the Lights”, and Billboard hits “Power”, “Monster”, and “Runaway”. It scored platinum in the United States due to its philosophical and controversial nature. Even the music videos were full of symbols and art.

Around the same time, Kanye’s collaboration project with Jay-Z came out – “Watch the Throne”. As the title suggests it establishes the two rappers at kings of their genre. The lead single, “Niggas in Paris”, conquered their fans from all across the globe. “The Life of Pablo” is Kanye West’s latest album. The tour did not go as planned. West had to cut is short due to the robbery suffered by his wife, Kim. Soon after came his sudden hospitalization because of temporary psychosis.

In the past few years, he developed an increasing interest in fashion. He created his own clothing lines and was featured in fashion shows and magazines. The last controversy involving Kanye is his friendship with Donald Trump. However, the rapper said he has no interest in politics.

Photo source: Discogs