Kanye West

American rapper Kanye West was born in Atlanta, where he lived most of his childhood before moving to Chicago, after his parents’ divorced: Ray West, former member of the Black Panthers, one of the first American photojournalists, and is today a Christian spiritual guide; and Donda, deceased in 2007, an English teacher at the Chicago State University, who retired to become his manager. Opposite to most rap stars, Kanye was raised in a high-middle class neighborhood, and attended The American Academy of Art and the University of Chicago. He became famous initially as a producer, signing off on projects with Alicia Keys, Foxy Brown, Jay Z, Janet Jackson, Eminem, and John Legend. The change in his life occurred in 2002, when Kanye suffered a grave car accident and almost died. The incident served at inspiration for his first single, and, after being encouraged by Jay Z, released his first album, College Dropout, in 2004, and album that quickly turned into a triple platinum. After this, he released four more records, the last one being My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, in 2010. In 2003, the rapper created the Kanye West Foundation, a foundation that helps Hispanic and African-American kids to stay in school.

Kanye West Official Website: http://kanyewest.com