Happy Birthday Mr.West

I always had a passion for flashing before
I had to close my eyes and imagine, the good life

Born Kanye Omari West  on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, GA where he lived with his parents. They divorced Kanye and his mother moved to Chicago, Illonois. His father Ray West was a former Black Panther who was one of the first  black journalists  at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and is now a Christian counselor. 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. For the most part Donda was able to provide for her son very well they lived in a suburban Oak, Lawn Illonois after living in Chicago.  He was an A and B student he would later enroll American Academy of Art as well as Chicago State University.


Kanye produced music for local artists and would later dropout of school to focus on music. By 1998-1999 he began producing for Jermain Dupri, Foxy Brown, Scarface, just to name a few. By 2000 he began producing for Roc-A-Fella Records the label where he would eventually signed his own record deal. But it took time somehow he was underestimated by Jay -Z.  He would also produce hits for Alicia Keys, Common Mobb Deep, Cam'ron, The Game, Janet Jackson just to name a few. By 2002-2003 he was more sort out as a producer rather than an artist that year he had commerical success with " You Don't Know My Name"  by Alicia Keys and "StandUp" by Ludacris.



Interesting Fact: Kanye West and his mother used to live in China he said Chinese tutors taught him Mathematics.

Life Change: On October 23, 2002, West was involved in a near fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio.


Kanye was determined now more than ever to become an artist although he wasn't being taken seriously he never gave up he produced on and rapped on the late 2003 smash hit "Slow Jamz" a collaboration with Twista and Jamie Foxx. Also he released his first solo single "Through the Wire" sampled by Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire." His first solo album College Droput was released February 10, 2004 and I remeber that day in 7th grade because I played the CD all day , everyday in fact I still listen to it.


Kanye followed up with songs like "Jesus Walks" "All Falls Down" and was featured on many songs that year. He even went on tour with Usher for "The Truth Tour." A year later he relased his sophomore album which was another success with much critical acclaim Late Registration the singles that spawned from the album were "Diamonds Are Forever" "GoldDigger feat. Jamie Foxx," "Drive Slow" and "Touch the Sky feat. Lupe Fiasco."



In 2007 he went to battle with hip-hop's biggest verbal trash talker  50 Cent it was everywhere Kanye v 50. Kanye's album Graduation reached 1. and 5o Cen't album Curtis reached No. 2.  "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Flashing Lights, Coming Home Again," were all hits from the album. Although his mother passed that year so he buried himself in his work I don't really think he had the time to grieve. In 2008 he released 808's Heartbreak I admit even though I liked the songs "Love Lockdown"  "Amazing "and enjoyed the video for "Heartless" I did not purchase the album I felt as though it wasn't his best.


Kanye has been known to stir controversy and has also been called an arrogant ass. Like fellow rapper and friend said "Kanye has the Muhammad Ali attitude and that's actually a good thing it keeps people interested." I agree with common but if Emienm can talk about killing people, diss his mom, ex-wife, and various other people then Kanye can be himself at all times. In the Fall of 2010 Kanye released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and I must say I love this album I haven't loved a Kanye album this much since 2004's College Dropout.

Blow out the candles Mr. West have a good one.