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Kanye West

Historical Figure

Kanye West

b. 1977

American rapper and producer (born 1977)

Late 20th Century

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Original Speech

"Chris Moyles Interview on Music Videos" — February 21, 2006

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Biography

Ye is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He has been listed among the greatest rappers of all time and referred to as one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop. His music is characterized by frequent stylistic shifts and he has been credited with facilitating the emergence of rappers who did not conform to gangster rap conventions. He is also known for his controversial public persona, including his polarizing cultural and political commentary.

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Timeline

The story of Kanye West, told in moments.

2004 Event

Released The College Dropout after years of being dismissed as "just a producer." Roc-A-Fella initially didn't want to sign him as a rapper. The album debuted at number two and went quadruple platinum.

2009 Event

Interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV VMAs. "Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time." President Obama later called him a jackass off-mic.

2014 Event

Married Kim Kardashian in Florence, Italy, at the Forte di Belvedere. The wedding reportedly cost $2.8 million. They had four children before divorcing in 2022.

2022 Event

Legally changed his name to Ye. Posted antisemitic comments that cost him partnerships with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga. Forbes estimated his net worth dropped from $2 billion to $400 million in weeks.

In Their Own Words (20)

Chased the good life my whole life long Look back on my life, and my life gone Where did I go wrong? And my head keeps spinning Can't stop having these visions I gotta get with it.

Welcome to Heartbreak, 2008

Why would she make calls out the blue? Now I'm awake, sleepless in you.

Say You Will, 2008

I'm a problem that'll never ever be solved I'm a monster, I'm a maven I know this world is changing Never gave in, never gave up I'm the only thing I'm afraid of No matter what, you'll never take that from me My reign is as far as your eyes can see, it's amazing.

Amazing, 2008

Last night I saw you in my dreams Now I can't wait to go to sleep And this life is all a dream So my real life starts when I go to sleep.

"Hey Mama", Live performance at the Grammys, 10 February 2008, 2008

Good morning and look at the valedictorian Scared of the future while I hop in the DeLorean Scared to face the world, complacent career student Some people graduate, but be still stupid

Good Morning, 2007

Artifacts (15)

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Spring-Summer 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Spring-Summer 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Spring-Summer 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Spring-Summer 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Spring-Summer 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Kanye West, Autumn-Winter 2012, Womenswear

Kanye West

2012 · Object Type: fashion collection
europeana View

Thank You and You're Welcome

Kanye West teams up with co-author J Sakiya Sandifer to make his literary debut, an entertaining volume of 'Kanye-isms' -- the creative, humorous, and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in...

2008

Through the Wire: Lyrics & Illuminations

The legions of young men and women who count themselves as Kanye West fans—as well as those who are making graphic books one of the most successful trends in publishing—are going to go bananas for...

2009

Through the Wire: Lyrics & Illuminations

This is a rare partnership between two geniuses at the top of their crafts -- Kanye West, who was named "the smartest man in hip-hop" by Time magazine, and Bill Plympton, an Academy Award-nominated...

2009

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