Kanye West
Born 1977 · Age 48
American rapper, producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur (born 1977). Prominent and influential figure in hip-hop and fashion; founder of GOOD Music and Yeezy; known for frequent stylistic shifts and high-profile controversies.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Atlanta, Georgia
Kanye Omari West born in Atlanta to Donda and Ray West.
Parents divorce; moves to Chicago with mother
After parents' divorce he moved with his mother to Chicago, where he was raised.
Lives in Nanjing, China while mother teaches
Moved with his mother to Nanjing, China for a one-year Fulbright teaching exchange; learned some Chinese.
Graduated Polaris High School
Completed high school (Polaris School for Individual Education / Polaris High School).
First official production credits (Grav)
Produced eight tracks on Chicago rapper Grav's debut album Down to Earth (1996).
Scholarship to American Academy of Art; transfers to Chicago State University
Received scholarship to American Academy of Art, then transferred to Chicago State University to study English; later dropped out to pursue music.
First notable paid beat sales
Sold a beat to Gravity for $8,000 and placed a beat on Jermaine Dupri's Life in 1472 (reported sales/placements that raised his profile).
First producer signed to Hip Hop Since 1978
Signed to management/production company Hip Hop Since 1978 (Gee Roberson & Kyambo Joshua).
Formed Go-Getters and released World Record Holders
Formed the group the Go-Getters (with GLC, Timmy G, Really Doe, Arrowstar) and released World Record Holders via Konman Productions.
Production credit on Foxy Brown's Chyna Doll
Produced a track on Foxy Brown's Chyna Doll (1999), a commercially successful album.
Begins producing for Roc-A-Fella Records
Became an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella, broadening mainstream production credits.
Co-produced Jay-Z's The Blueprint
Contributed heavily to Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001), a landmark production credit that elevated his profile.
Signed as recording artist to Roc-A-Fella
Damon Dash signed West to Roc-A-Fella Records as a rapper (after initially signing primarily as a producer).
Near-fatal car crash; jaw wired shut
Suffered a severe car accident that shattered his jaw; recorded 'Through the Wire' two weeks later while wired shut.
Released mixtape Get Well Soon...
Included 'Through the Wire' on his mixtape Get Well Soon..., setting up his solo debut.
First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 ('Slow Jamz')
Featured/appeared on 'Slow Jamz' (with Twista & Jamie Foxx), his first US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single.
Founded GOOD Music
Founded record label/management company GOOD Music, signing artists like John Legend and Common.
Early business investment: financed father's café
Reportedly provided startup capital that enabled his father Ray West to open Good Water Store and Café (2006 opening, funded earlier).
First Grammy recognition (multiple nominations/wins)
The College Dropout (2004) earned 10 Grammy nominations and won Best Rap Album; 'Jesus Walks' won Best Rap Song (2005 ceremony).
Released debut album The College Dropout
Debut studio album The College Dropout released (Feb 2004); critical acclaim and commercial success.
Named to Time 100 (first time)
Named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world (2005).
Released Late Registration
Second studio album Late Registration released (Aug 2005); sold over 2.3M units in US by end of 2005 and won multiple Grammys.
Katrina comments on live telethon
During a Katrina benefit broadcast he said 'George Bush doesn't care about Black people', provoking national attention and controversy.
Apologized for MTV Europe Music Awards outburst
After storming the stage over a Best Video result, he publicly apologized during a U2 Vertigo Tour show (Nov 7, 2006).
Released Graduation; first-week sales 957,000
Third studio album Graduation released Sept 11, 2007; debuted #1 on Billboard 200 with 957,000 first-week copies sold.
Mother Donda West dies
His mother and longtime manager, Donda West, died in November 2007 — a major personal and artistic turning point.
Released 808s & Heartbreak
Fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak released Nov 2008; notable for Auto-Tune singing and shaping hip-hop's subsequent sound.
Air Yeezys with Nike released
Collaborated with Nike to release Air Yeezys (2009), becoming a major sneaker-culture milestone.
Interned at Fendi and designed for Louis Vuitton
Spent time interning in Rome at Fendi (2009) and released a shoe line for Louis Vuitton in summer 2009.
2009 MTV VMAs Taylor Swift incident
Interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the VMAs (Sept 2009), causing widespread backlash and apologies.
Launched GOOD Fridays promotion
Ran free weekly song giveaway 'G.O.O.D. Fridays' Aug–Dec 2010 to promote the album and release new tracks.
Released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy released Nov 2010 to critical acclaim; included 'Runaway' and 'All of the Lights'.
Released Watch the Throne with Jay-Z
Collaborative album with Jay-Z released Aug 2011; spawned hits including 'Niggas in Paris' (peak #5).
Watch the Throne Tour (Oct 2011–Jun 2012)
Co-headlining arena tour with Jay-Z kicked off Oct 2011 and concluded June 2012.
Premiere of first women's fashion label at Paris Fashion Week
Premiered a women's fashion label at Paris Fashion Week (Oct 2011); debut show received mixed reviews.
Released Cruel Summer compilation
Cruel Summer, a compilation by GOOD Music artists, released in 2012.
Birth of daughter North West
First child North West born in June 2013 to Kanye and future wife Kim Kardashian.
Released Yeezus
Sixth solo album Yeezus released June 18, 2013; sixth consecutive #1 debut but lowest opening-week sales for a solo album.
Engaged to Kim Kardashian
Proposed to Kim Kardashian at the AT&T Park in San Francisco (Oct 21, 2013).
Adidas confirms shoe collaboration
Adidas officially confirmed a new shoe collaboration with West (Dec 3, 2013), laying groundwork for the Yeezy/Adidas partnership.
Married Kim Kardashian
Married Kim Kardashian in Florence, Italy (May 24, 2014).
Named to Time 100 (second time)
Again named to Time's 100 most influential people in 2015.
Unveiled YEEZY Season 1 with Adidas
Launched Yeezy Season 1 in conjunction with Adidas; released first major Adidas footwear (Yeezy Boost 750/350) and clothing line activity.
Headlined Glastonbury despite petitions
Headlined Glastonbury Festival (June 2015) despite a petition signed by ~135,000 people opposing his appearance.
Premiered The Life of Pablo at Madison Square Garden
Previewed The Life of Pablo at MSG as part of Yeezy Season 3 presentation (Feb 11, 2016); album later released Feb 14, 2016 exclusively on Tidal.
Saint Pablo Tour (2016) with suspended stage
Embarked on the Saint Pablo Tour with a floating stage; tour featured suspended mobile stage.
Hospitalized for psychiatric observation
Admitted and treated at UCLA Medical Center for temporary psychosis; extensive media coverage followed.
Cancelled remaining Saint Pablo Tour dates (21 dates)
Cancelled remaining 21 dates on Nov 21, 2016 following erratic behavior and subsequent psychiatric hospitalization.
YEEZY Season 5 released (Feb 2017)
Released YEEZY Season 5 at New York Fashion Week (Feb 2017); continues fashion shows and collections.
Changes public stage name to 'Ye'
Announced stage-name change from Kanye West to 'Ye' (publicly used 2018; legally changed later).
Released ye and Kids See Ghosts
Released solo album ye (June 2018) and collaborative album Kids See Ghosts (with Kid Cudi) in June 2018; also produced Daytona (Pusha T).
Started 'Sunday Service' performances
Began weekly 'Sunday Service' gospel-influenced events (Jan 6, 2019) that later led to church-style performances and films.
Released Jesus Is King
Released gospel album Jesus Is King (Oct 25, 2019); album topped multiple Billboard charts simultaneously.
Released single 'Wash Us in the Blood'
Released 'Wash Us in the Blood' featuring Travis Scott (June 30, 2020) ahead of Donda sessions.
Announced 2020 U.S. presidential campaign
Declared an independent run for U.S. President (tweeted July 4, 2020) and held a campaign rally July 19, 2020 in Charleston, SC.
Opened Donda Academy
Opened a private Christian school in California named Donda Academy (2021); the school later faced lawsuits and complaints.
Signed 10-year Yeezy Gap deal (announced)
Announced a 10-year partnership with Gap to create Yeezy Gap (May 2021); later terminated by West in Sept 2022.
Released Donda
Released tenth solo album Donda (Aug 29, 2021) after multiple stadium listening events; album named for his late mother.
Legally changed name to Ye
Legally changed his name from Kanye Omari West to Ye (October 2021 reported/legal filings).
Kim Kardashian filed for divorce
Kim Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021 (legal separation process) and the divorce finalized in November 2022.
Public antisemitic comments and sponsor fallout
In 2022 made widely condemned antisemitic remarks; lost major partnerships and sponsors (Adidas, Gap, CAA representation ended).
Adidas terminates Yeezy partnership
Adidas officially terminated the Yeezy partnership in October 2022 following his antisemitic statements.
Released single 'Vultures' with Ty Dolla $ign
Lead single 'Vultures' (featuring Bump J) for collaborative project with Ty Dolla $ign released Nov 22, 2023.
Married Bianca Censori (private ceremony)
Reported private wedding to Bianca Censori in December 2023; public outing reported Jan 2024.
Single 'Carnival' reaches Billboard Hot 100 No.1
Scored a US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with 'Carnival' (2024) — one of several chart-topping hits across career.
Released Vultures 1 (debuted #1)
First volume of the Vultures trilogy, Vultures 1, released Feb 10, 2024; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 and earned >$1M first week (reported).
Released Vultures 2
Second volume Vultures 2 released Aug 3, 2024 (part of the Vultures trilogy with Ty Dolla $ign).
Career totals cited: ~160M records sold & 24 Grammys
By multiple sources he is described as one of the world's best-selling artists (~160 million records sold) and a 24-time Grammy winner (12th-most awarded).
Announced album title changes and retraction of antisemitic content
After controversy, changed album titles (Cuck → In a Perfect World) and publicly said he was 'done with antisemitism' and edited offensive lyrics (June 2025 reports).
Shared song with daughter North; legal action reported
Posted 'Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine' featuring daughter North and vocals credited to Sean Combs; Kim Kardashian reportedly initiated legal action (Mar 15, 2025 report).
Shared multiple versions of Bully with short film
Posted links to three versions of Bully accompanied by a short film starring his son Saint; stated album was unfinished and partly AI vocals (Mar 18, 2025).
Released 'WW3' as Ye on streaming services
Released single 'WW3' under the name Ye to streaming platforms (Mar 26, 2025).
Released Donda 2 on streaming services
Released Donda 2 onto streaming services during production of In a Perfect World (Apr 29, 2025).
Released 'Alive' as theme for YZY SZN 10
Released single 'Alive' featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again as theme song for YZY SZN 10 fashion collection (May 21, 2025).
Released Bully EP preview
Released three-track EP preview of Bully on streaming services (June 20, 2025).
Executive produced Never Stop EP (Christian 'King' Combs)
Served as executive producer on Never Stop EP by Christian 'King' Combs; his daughter North appears on 'Lonely Roads'.
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