Kanye West

Ye
Born	Kanye Omari West (1977-06-08) June 8, 1977 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, music producer
Years active	1996–present
Known for	Hip-hop music, production, fashion collaborations, Yeezy brand

Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, and music producer. Recognized as a significant figure in hip-hop, he is noted for his constantly changing musical approach and divisive cultural and political remarks. Often hailed as one of the most influential rappers ever, his creative accomplishments are frequently eclipsed by his contentious public image.

Originally from Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West left college to focus on a career in music. He started by producing tracks for Chicago artists and worked as an in-house producer at Roc-A-Fella Records, co-producing albums such as Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before embarking on a solo recording career. His first album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with critical praise and featured the US Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping single "Slow Jamz". He achieved four additional number-one hits with "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T." (2011, as a featured artist), and "Carnival" (2024).

The College Dropout along with five more albums—Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), 808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and Yeezus (2013)—were listed on Rolling Stone’s 2020 compilation of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The magazine also recognized him among the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. His subsequent four releases—The Life of Pablo (2016), Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021)—maintained his streak of debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200. Collaborative efforts include Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids See Ghosts (2018) alongside Kid Cudi, and two Vultures albums (2024) with Ty Dolla Sign. His first visual album, Bully V1, along with his eleventh studio album, Donda 2 (both released in 2025), followed thereafter.

In the fashion industry, West has partnered with brands such as Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, and Gap Inc., while spearheading the Yeezy collection with Adidas. Ranking among the best-selling musicians globally, he has sold over 160 million records and earned 24 Grammy Awards, making him the twelfth most awarded artist in Grammy history. His honors also include a Billboard Artist Achievement Award, three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist, and the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. West shares the record for having the most albums top the annual Pazz & Jop critics poll alongside Bob Dylan. Additionally, he was named twice to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people worldwide, in 2005 and again in 2015.

West’s forthright opinions have generated extensive media scrutiny. His controversies arise from social media behavior, public appearances, and remarks about the music industry, fashion world, U.S. politics, racial issues, and slavery. His Christian beliefs, high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian, disputes with artists such as Taylor Swift and Drake, as well as mental health struggles have also drawn significant attention. In 2020, he launched an independent presidential bid but was unsuccessful. Beginning in 2022, West faced widespread backlash and lost sponsorships due to antisemitic statements; he has self-identified as a Nazi, expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, employed swastika imagery, and denied the Holocaust.

Early life

Kanye Omari West entered the world on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia. Following his parents' separation when he was three years old, he relocated with his mother to Chicago, Illinois. His father, Ray West, who was once a member of the Black Panther Party and among the pioneering black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, later transitioned into Christian counseling and established the Good Water Store and Café in Maryland, funded initially by Kanye. West's mother, Donda C. West (née Williams), served as an English professor and chaired the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to focus on managing his career.

Growing up in a middle-class household, West attended Polaris School for Individual Education located in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois. At age ten, he accompanied his mother to Nanjing, China, where she held a Fulbright Scholarship teaching position at Nanjing University. Being the sole foreign student in his class, West quickly acquired proficiency in the language. His high school performance was strong, earning predominantly A and B grades.

West demonstrated artistic abilities early on, crafting poetry from the age of five and rapping by third grade. By seventh grade, he was producing music and selling beats to fellow artists. He forged a connection with producer No I.D., who became a guiding figure. After completing high school, West secured a scholarship to Chicago's American Academy of Art in 1997 to study painting but soon shifted to Chicago State University to pursue English studies. At twenty years old, he left college to dedicate himself fully to music—a decision initially met with resistance from his mother but eventually embraced.

1996–2002: Early work and Roc-A-Fella

West initiated his production journey in the mid-1990s, focusing on creating beats for local Chicago talent. At nineteen, he earned his first official production credit on Down to Earth (1996), the debut project of underground rapper Grav. In 1998, West became the inaugural producer signed by Hip Hop Since 1978, a management and production firm founded by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua. For some time, he operated as a ghost producer under Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie’s guidance. This affiliation prevented him from releasing solo material at that stage; instead, he formed the Go-Getters—a hip-hop collective including Chicago artists GLC, Timmy G, Really Doe, and Arrowstar. The group independently issued their sole album, World Record Holders (1999), through West's label Konman Productions. Throughout the late 1990s, West produced tracks for various performers such as Foxy Brown’s Chyna Doll (1999), which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.

In 2000, West joined Roc-A-Fella Records as an in-house producer. He played a pivotal role in revitalizing Jay-Z's career by contributing extensively to the 2001 album The Blueprint, which is regarded as one of Rolling Stone's top hip-hop records. West also crafted songs for labelmates like Beanie Sigel and Freeway along with artists from other labels including Ludacris, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson. Despite his achievements in production, West faced challenges securing a recording contract as a rapper; several labels declined him because he did not conform to the prevailing gangsta rap persona. To avoid losing him to competitors, Roc-A-Fella's Damon Dash reluctantly signed West as a recording artist.

Following a car accident in 2002 that severely fractured his jaw, West was motivated to record "Through the Wire" just two weeks after being hospitalized—with his jaw still wired shut. This track featured on his debut mixtape Get Well Soon... released in December 2002. At the same time, West announced plans for his debut studio album The College Dropout, which focused on themes of self-reliance and challenging conventional expectations.

2003–2006: The College Dropout and Late Registration

While recuperating from a car accident in Los Angeles, West finalized his debut album. After an early leak several months before its official release, he took advantage of the situation by remixing, remastering, and revising the project, incorporating additional verses, orchestral strings, gospel choirs, and refined drum programming. Originally scheduled for August 2003, the album's launch was delayed three times, eventually arriving in February 2004 and reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The lead single "Through the Wire" climbed to number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100, while the follow-up single "Slow Jamz", featuring Twista and Jamie Foxx, became their first chart-topping hit. The College Dropout garnered widespread critical praise, receiving nominations from both the American Music Awards and Billboard, and is frequently cited as one of hip-hop’s finest debut records.

Despite skepticism from industry insiders about its explicit religious themes, the fourth single "Jesus Walks" broke into the top twenty of pop charts. The album achieved triple platinum certification in the United States and earned West ten Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album—the latter of which he won. During this era, West established GOOD Music, a label and management firm that signed talents such as No I.D. and John Legend, while producing tracks for artists like Brandy, Common, Legend, and Slum Village.

West invested over $2 million and more than a year crafting his sophomore album, Late Registration, which featured string arrangements influenced by Portishead’s Roseland NYC Live. He partnered with film composer Jon Brion as co-executive producer on multiple songs. By late 2005, Late Registration had sold upwards of 2.3 million copies in the U.S., standing out as a rare commercial success amid declining CD sales during that period.

In 2006, West caused a stir at the MTV Europe Music Awards by interrupting the ceremony to protest that his track "Touch the Sky" deserved Best Video over Justice and Simian’s "We Are Your Friends". The backlash was swift and widespread; West issued a public apology during a U2 concert soon after and later spoofed the incident on Saturday Night Live in September 2007.

2007–2009: Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, and VMAs incident

West’s third studio effort, Graduation, released in September 2007, debuted atop the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 957,000 copies. This album maintained both his commercial success and critical acclaim. Its lead single "Stronger" became West’s third number-one hit. By sampling French house duo Daft Punk, "Stronger" inspired hip-hop artists to blend house and electronica influences into their work, fueling a resurgence of disco- and electro-inspired music in the late 2000s. The loss of West’s mother in November 2007 and his breakup with Alexis Phifer profoundly affected him as he launched the 2008 Glow in the Dark Tour.

Recorded primarily over three weeks in Honolulu, Hawaii, West’s fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak, was unveiled at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance of its lead track "Love Lockdown". The album’s innovative production style and prominent use of Auto-Tune surprised many listeners. Released through Island Def Jam in November 2008, "Love Lockdown" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number three, followed by "Heartless" debuting at number four. Although initially met with mixed reviews, 808s & Heartbreak played a pivotal role in encouraging more experimental approaches within hip-hop production.

At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video to declare that Beyoncé should have won instead. This led to his removal from the event and widespread condemnation from celebrities and public figures alike—including President Barack Obama, who labeled him a "jackass". The episode spawned numerous Internet memes. West subsequently apologized publicly and privately to Swift but appeared to rescind his apology during a 2010 interview, characterizing his behavior as "selfless."

2010–2012: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Watch the Throne, and Cruel Summer

Following a highly publicized event and a short break, West shifted his attention to fashion before relocating to Hawaii to compose and produce his fifth studio album. He gathered elite producers and collaborators, sustaining a round-the-clock studio atmosphere. Notable contributors included Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, and Gil Scott-Heron.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, released in November 2010, garnered extensive critical praise and is frequently regarded as West's finest achievement and a triumphant return. The album showcased a maximalist production style while delving into themes of fame and extravagance. It featured standout tracks such as "All of the Lights," "Power," "Monster," and "Runaway," the latter accompanied by a 35-minute film directed by West himself. Concurrently, West initiated the free weekly music series GOOD Fridays, offering previously unreleased songs from August through December 2010. The album reached platinum certification in the United States, although its absence from the Album of the Year Grammy nominations was widely perceived as an oversight.

In 2011, West headlined prominent festivals including SWU Music & Arts Festival, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and Coachella, where his set was acclaimed as one of the most exceptional hip-hop performances ever. In August of that year, he unveiled Watch the Throne, a joint album with Jay-Z. Utilizing a digital-first release approach effectively prevented leaks—a notable accomplishment in the digital era. The track "Niggas in Paris" climbed to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their subsequent Watch the Throne Tour spanned from October 2011 through June 2012.

The following year, West introduced Cruel Summer, a compilation album highlighting artists signed to his GOOD Music label.

2013–2015: Yeezus and the Yeezus Tour

Recording sessions for West's sixth solo project commenced in early 2013 within his Paris hotel loft. Seeking to challenge commercial norms, he infused elements from Chicago drill, dancehall, acid house, and industrial genres. Drawing inspiration from architectural concepts, West enlisted producer Rick Rubin near the project's deadline to simplify the sound into a minimalist aesthetic. Early promotional efforts included global video projections and live television appearances. Released on June 18, 2013, Yeezus earned critical acclaim and marked his sixth consecutive album debuting at number one, despite having his lowest solo first-week sales figures.

In September 2013, West announced his first solo tour in five years—the Yeezus Tour—with Kendrick Lamar as opening act. The tour received enthusiastic reviews for its bold and provocative stage design. Forbes commended West for embracing risks rarely seen among mainstream performers. Subsequently, West released singles featuring Paul McCartney, including "Only One" and "FourFiveSeconds" alongside Rihanna.

By November 2013, West was developing a new album with producers Rick Rubin and Q-Tip, initially titled Yeezus II with an anticipated release in 2014. In March 2015, he provisionally renamed it So Help Me God. In May of that year, West was awarded an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in recognition of his influence on music, fashion, and culture (this honor was later revoked in 2022). That June, he headlined the Glastonbury Festival despite petitions opposing his participation; additionally, efforts were made to prevent his performance at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Pan American Games.

2016–2017: The Life of Pablo and tour cancellation

In early 2016, West initially revealed an album called Swish, which he subsequently renamed Waves, and ultimately settled on The Life of Pablo just days prior to its launch. He introduced singles such as "Real Friends" along with a preview of "No More Parties in LA" featuring Kendrick Lamar. The album debuted at Madison Square Garden alongside his Yeezy Season 3 fashion line on February 11, 2016, followed by an exclusive release on Tidal on February 14 after a Saturday Night Live performance. West continued to adjust tracks after the release, describing the work as "a living breathing changing creative expression," indicating a new approach to traditional album concepts. By April, the album became accessible on additional streaming platforms.

In February 2016, West revealed plans for another project titled Turbo Grafx 16. June saw the release of "Champions," the lead single from the anticipated GOOD Music compilation Cruel Winter. That same month included the launch of a provocative music video for "Famous," which featured wax sculptures representing various celebrities.

To promote The Life of Pablo, West embarked on the Saint Pablo Tour in August 2016, showcasing a novel mobile stage suspended above audiences. Several shows were postponed following the armed robbery of his wife Kim Kardashian in Paris. In November, after exhibiting erratic conduct and canceling multiple performances, West called off the remaining 21 tour dates and was admitted for psychiatric evaluation due to exhaustion and dehydration. He remained hospitalized through Thanksgiving and subsequently withdrew from public life and social media for approximately eleven months.

2017–2019: Ye and the Wyoming Sessions

Starting in May 2017, West began creating new material in Jackson Hole, Wyoming alongside various collaborators. By April 2018, he announced intentions to publish a philosophy book entitled Break the Simulation, sharing motivational content via Twitter. During that month, West unveiled two forthcoming albums: a solo record and a joint project with Kid Cudi under the name Kids See Ghosts, both scheduled for June release. Additionally, he intended to produce albums for GOOD Music artists Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, and Nas. Shortly thereafter, West dropped non-album singles "Lift Yourself" and "Ye vs. the People", which features a conversation with T.I. regarding his endorsement of Donald Trump.

Pusha T's album Daytona, the first release from the Wyoming sessions, arrived in May to widespread critical praise despite controversy over its cover art—a licensed image of Whitney Houston's bathroom that cost $85,000. The following week, West unveiled his eighth studio album, Ye, reportedly re-recorded within a month after discarding earlier versions. One week later came Kids See Ghosts, his collaborative effort with Kid Cudi. West also produced Nas' Nasir and Teyana Taylor's K.T.S.E., both released in June 2018.

In September, West announced his ninth studio album titled Yandhi, intended for release that month, along with a collaborative album named Good Ass Job with Chance the Rapper. He also declared his stage name change to "Ye". However, Yandhi encountered several postponements. In January 2019, West withdrew from headlining Coachella due to disagreements concerning stage design. By July, tracks from the unreleased Yandhi surfaced online. In August, Kim Kardashian confirmed that West’s upcoming album would be titled Jesus Is King, effectively replacing Yandhi. In October, an incomplete version of Yandhi briefly appeared on Spotify and Tidal before being removed.

2019–2022: Jesus Is King, Donda, and Donda 2

Beginning on January 6, 2019, West introduced his weekly Sunday Service gatherings, where he performed soulful reinterpretations of his own and others’ tracks, drawing notable figures such as the Kardashians, Charlie Wilson, and Kid Cudi. At Coachella 2019, he previewed the track "Water", which was later included on his album Jesus Is King, released on October 25, 2019. This album achieved a historic milestone by simultaneously topping the Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums, and Top Gospel Albums charts. On December 25, 2019, West and Sunday Service unveiled Jesus Is Born, an album featuring nineteen tracks that included reimagined versions of previous material.

On June 30, 2020, West dropped the single "Wash Us in the Blood" featuring Travis Scott as the lead release from his tenth studio project, Donda. Although he declared a pause on new music until contractual agreements with Sony and Universal were resolved in September 2020, he nevertheless issued "Nah Nah Nah" in October. Throughout the summer of 2021, West organized several listening sessions for Donda at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he temporarily relocated to finalize recordings. After multiple postponements, Donda was released on August 29, 2021; West stated that the album was launched prematurely without his approval and alleged that Universal modified the tracklist. A deluxe edition containing five additional songs was released on November 14. Following the resolution of their dispute, West and Drake announced the "Free Larry Hoover" benefit concert scheduled for December 9 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

On January 5, West was confirmed as a headliner for Coachella 2022. He released the first single from Donda 2, titled "Eazy" featuring The Game on January 15; Future served as executive producer on the album. A listening event occurred at LoanDepot Park in Miami on February 22. However, West subsequently withdrew from both Coachella and Rolling Loud’s headlining lineup. After months of limited public appearances, he returned in July to perform "Eazy" alongside The Game. Although he canceled his headlining spot at Rolling Loud, West made a surprise appearance during Lil Durk’s set. In December 2022, amid weeks of contentious antisemitic statements, he released a new track entitled "Someday We'll All Be Free" via Instagram.

2023–present: Vultures trilogy, Bully, and In a Perfect World

By August 25, 2023, reports indicated that West was working on his eleventh studio album with new music expected imminently. On October 13, it was revealed that West had completed a collaborative project with Ty Dolla Sign named Vultures, which was being pitched to distributors. Although initially slated for release that day, its launch was postponed to upcoming weeks. The lead single "Vultures" featuring Bump J was eventually released on November 22, 2023.

Throughout late 2023 and early 2024, West and Ty Dolla Sign previewed tracks from Vultures during live performances. West announced that this album would be released as a trilogy with volumes scheduled for February 9, March 6, and April 5, 2024. In January 2024, he publicly endorsed TikTok artist 4Batz as his preferred emerging talent. On February 8, he issued the second single from volume one titled "Talking / Once Again", which features vocals from his daughter North. Producer Erick Sermon disclosed that West’s forthcoming solo album was called Y3, though West later refuted this claim.

Following a listening event at UBS Arena on February 10, 2024, Vultures 1 officially debuted. The album entered the charts at number one on the Billboard 200—marking West’s eleventh consecutive chart-topping release and Ty Dolla Sign’s first number-one album. The second installment, Vultures 2, was released on August 3. On September 28 during a concert in Haikou, China, West announced his eleventh solo effort titled Bully, premiering the track "Beauty and the Beast".

On March 15, 2025, West unveiled "Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine", featuring North and vocals credited to Sean Combs, which led to legal action initiated by Kim Kardashian. Three days later he released three versions of Bully, accompanied by a short film starring his son Saint. West indicated that the album remained incomplete with approximately half of its vocals generated through AI technology and expressed hesitance about releasing it via streaming platforms due to disputes involving "French and Jewish record labels". A "screening version" of Bully was briefly accessible on YouTube.

On March 26, under the name Ye, West released "WW3" across streaming services following teasers by Dave Blunts and Adin Ross. DJ Akademiks announced that West was collaborating with Blunts on an album initially titled WW3, later renamed Cuck. Singles including "Cousins" and "Heil Hitler" were issued ahead of its May leak. Subsequently in June, West publicly renounced antisemitism, removed controversial lyrics from these singles, and retitled the project as In a Perfect World.

During production of In a Perfect World, West made available Donda 2 on streaming platforms in April. On May 21, he released "Alive" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, serving as the theme song for his YZY SZN 10 fashion line. On June 20, a three-track EP previewing Bully was issued. A week later on June 27, West executive produced Never Stop, an EP by Sean Combs’ son Christian "King" Combs which features North on the track "Lonely Roads". Its release coincided with Sean Combs’ criminal trial during which West expressed public support for him.

Musical style

Throughout his career, West has been recognized for his continual evolution and diverse stylistic experimentation. His work increasingly embraces progressive hip-hop with a strong experimental edge, while still retaining elements of mainstream pop appeal. According to Ed Ledsham of PopMatters, West's intricate fusion of musical genres defies conventional definitions of art music. His lyricism is characterized by wit, provocation, and eloquence, ranging from sharp social critique to humorous self-aggrandizement and moments of deep introspection. West consciously crafts lyrics to be inclusive, aiming to connect with audiences across different racial and gender identities. Early in his trajectory, he innovated the "chipmunk-soul" production technique, which involves manipulating high-pitched samples from classic soul records.

West's inaugural album, The College Dropout (2004), showcased his signature style through complex hip-hop rhythms, socially relevant themes, and inventive lyricism. This debut departed from the prevailing gangster rap narrative by addressing a broad range of topics such as education, consumerism, self-awareness, low-wage work, systemic discrimination, class dynamics, family matters, sexuality, challenges within the music industry, and middle-class experiences. Following this foundation, West ventured into multiple genres: chamber pop on Late Registration (2005), arena rock and europop influences on Graduation (2007), synth-heavy electropop on 808s & Heartbreak (2008), acid house, drill, industrial rap, and trap elements on Yeezus (2013), gospel and Christian rap styles on The Life of Pablo (2016), Jesus is King (2019), and Donda (2021), as well as psychedelic influences on Kids See Ghosts (2018).

Fashion

From the outset of his career, West demonstrated a strong passion for fashion and apparel design. He initiated his own clothing brand in spring 2006 after four years of development; however, the line was discontinued in 2009. In January 2007, West debuted his first sneaker collaboration with a limited-edition Bapesta model from A Bathing Ape. Later in 2009, he teamed up with Nike to launch the Air Yeezys, marking him as the first non-athlete to secure a Nike footwear endorsement. That year also saw West present a shoe collection for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week during summer 2009 and design footwear for the Italian luxury brand Giuseppe Zanotti.

In autumn 2009, West interned at the Italian fashion house Fendi, where he contributed creative input for their menswear collection. By March 2011, he collaborated with M/M Paris to produce silk scarves featuring imagery inspired by My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. His debut women’s fashion line premiered at Paris Fashion Week in October 2011 but received mixed critical feedback. A follow-up collection launched in March 2012 garnered more positive reviews.

On December 3, 2013, Adidas announced a new footwear partnership with West that resulted in the highly successful Adidas Yeezy Boost sneakers. In 2015, West expanded this collaboration by introducing a Yeezy apparel collection with Adidas. By June 2016, Adidas had extended their agreement to include Yeezy products designed for sports performance sectors such as basketball and soccer. Nonetheless, Adidas ended their partnership in October 2022 following West’s antisemitic statements.

In May 2021, West entered into a decade-long contract with GAP to develop the Yeezy Gap brand; however, this agreement was terminated in September 2022.

Business ventures

In 2004, West launched the record label and production company GOOD Music, forming a partnership with Sony BMG shortly after his debut album, The College Dropout, was released. The label initially featured West himself, alongside then-emerging Ohio vocalist John Legend and Chicago-based rapper Common. Over time, the roster grew to include artists such as Big Sean, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), and D'banj, as well as producers like Hudson Mohawke, Q-Tip, Travis Scott, No I.D., Jeff Bhasker, and S1. To date, GOOD Music has produced ten albums that have achieved gold certification or higher from the RIAA. In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T to serve as president of the label.

West's entrepreneurial efforts extended into the restaurant industry in August 2008 when he planned to open ten Fatburger outlets in Chicago through his company KW Foods LLC. The initial restaurant debuted in Orland Park in September 2008, followed by a second opening in January 2009. Despite these efforts, the Orland Park branch was shuttered in early 2011 due to insufficient sales.

In January 2012, West founded Donda, a creative content company named in honor of his late mother. This design-focused enterprise seeks to create accessible and desirable products and experiences by uniting creative talents. Operating with notable discretion—without an official website or social media presence—Donda is distinguished by its consistently minimalist design approach across its projects.

West revealed an interest in architecture as early as May 2013, highlighting his focus on product design beyond music and fashion. In May 2018, he unveiled Yeezy Home, an architectural firm extending the Yeezy brand into housing solutions. The first project under Yeezy Home, announced in June 2018 by designer Jalil Peraza, involved an affordable prefabricated concrete home intended for social housing initiatives.

In March 2015, West became a co-owner of the music streaming platform Tidal, joining forces with artists such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Madonna, Chris Martin, and Nicki Minaj. Tidal is known for offering lossless audio quality and high-definition music videos; typically, artist stakeholders hold about a 3% equity share.

Following bans from Twitter and Instagram due to antisemitic remarks in October 2022, West reached a preliminary agreement to acquire the alternative social network Parler for an undisclosed sum. However, by mid-November 2022, both parties mutually agreed to terminate the deal.

Philanthropy

Together with his mother, West established the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago in 2003 with the mission of addressing dropout rates and illiteracy by collaborating with community groups to provide disadvantaged youth access to music education. In 2007, the Foundation aligned with Strong American Schools' "Ed in '08" campaign; West acted as spokesperson and organized a benefit concert supporting the cause. After his mother's passing in 2008, the organization was renamed The Dr. Donda West Foundation but ceased operations by 2011. Later in 2013, West partnered with Rhymefest to launch Donda's House, Inc., which offers music programs aimed at assisting at-risk youth in Chicago.

West has also contributed to disaster relief initiatives by performing at benefit concerts for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in 2012. In January 2019, he donated $10 million toward completing James Turrell’s Roden Crater art installation. Following the protests sparked by George Floyd’s death in 2020, West provided $2 million to support the families of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor; this funding covered legal expenses and established a college tuition fund for Floyd’s daughter.

Acting and Filmmaking

West appeared briefly as himself in the movies State Property 2 (2005) and The Love Guru (2008), as well as in a 2007 episode of the television series Entourage. Between 2010 and 2012, he lent his voice to the character "Kenny West," a rapper, on the animated show The Cleveland Show. In 2009, he took on a leading role in Spike Jonze's short film We Were Once a Fairytale, portraying an intoxicated version of himself behaving erratically. West also wrote, directed, and starred in the musical short film Runaway (2010), which incorporated tracks from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and illustrated a narrative involving a man and a mythical half-woman, half-phoenix figure.

In 2012, West co-directed the short film Cruel Summer alongside Alexandre Moors. This project debuted at the Cannes Film Festival within a specially designed pyramid-shaped pavilion featuring seven screens. The film was linked to the compilation album of the same name released that year. Additionally, he made a cameo appearance in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013), portraying an MTV News correspondent during a bar fight scene. In September 2018, West established his own film production company called Half Beast, LLC.

The documentary Jeen-Yuhs, which chronicles West’s journey from his early career to his presidential bid over a span of 21 years, was acquired by Netflix for $30 million and released in 2022. Another documentary titled In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros and filmed over six years with a budget exceeding one billion dollars, was announced for premiere in 2024 with a planned release in 2025.

2020

On July 4, 2020, West declared his intention to run for president in the 2020 United States presidential election via Twitter. A few days later, on July 7, he informed Forbes that his vice-presidential pick would be Michelle Tidball, a preacher from Wyoming. He stated he would run as an independent candidate under the banner of the "Birthday Party," which he described as celebrating "everyone's 'birthday'." West expressed dissatisfaction with President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and argued that America required "special people" to lead, positioning himself in contrast to Joe Biden. Political commentators largely interpreted his candidacy as a promotional strategy for his music. Official documentation was submitted to the Federal Election Commission on July 15 under the "BDY" Party designation. Despite speculation about withdrawing from the race, West conducted his inaugural rally on July 19.

His campaign platform reflected a consistent life ethic, advocating for environmental protection, support of arts and faith-based initiatives, reinstatement of school prayer, robust national defense policies, and an "America First" approach to foreign affairs. During interviews, West acknowledged having limited expertise regarding taxation and international relations.

On November 4, 2020, West conceded via Twitter. He secured a total of 66,365 votes across twelve states where he appeared on the ballot—averaging 0.32%—in addition to receiving 3,931 write-in votes across five states. The combined ticket of Roque De La Fuente / Kanye West obtained 60,160 votes (0.34%) specifically in California.

In January 2021, an associate connected to West’s campaign reportedly pressured a Georgia election worker into admitting false claims of election fraud aligned with efforts by Trump to challenge the election outcomes. Subsequent investigations uncovered that West’s campaign had accepted millions of dollars’ worth of unreported services from Republican operatives seeking to covertly influence the election process.

2024

In 2019, West indicated a potential interest in participating in the 2024 presidential race, mentioning that job creation might prompt him to "walk" instead of formally running. However, his team later clarified that no definitive decision had been made regarding his candidacy and chose not to submit additional Federal Election Commission filings. West officially declared his presidential bid in November 2022, asserting that he had invited former president Donald Trump to be his vice-presidential pick, although Trump reportedly cautioned him about probable defeat. By October 2023, West’s lawyer confirmed that he was no longer pursuing a candidacy for the 2024 election.

Views

West has consistently been a polarizing personality, drawing criticism from journalists, industry colleagues, and several U.S. presidents. In 2005, he gained notoriety for criticizing the government's handling of Hurricane Katrina, declaring that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." He subsequently apologized, attributing the comment to adopting a "victim mentality." West opposes abortion, connecting it to the Sixth Commandment and characterizing it in 2022 as "genocide and population control" targeting Black communities. In 2018, he sparked controversy by suggesting that the 400 years of African slavery "sounds like a choice," later clarifying he meant mental enslavement and issuing an apology.

Toward the end of 2022, West made antisemitic remarks that led to severed ties with Vogue, Universal Music Group, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas. He faced widespread condemnation after attending a dinner with white nationalist Nick Fuentes hosted by Donald Trump. On InfoWars, West praised Adolf Hitler, denied the Holocaust, and self-identified as a Nazi. After posting an antisemitic tweet featuring a swastika intertwined with a Star of David, his Twitter account was suspended but later reinstated in July 2023 following assurances against harmful content.

A 2023 report by the Anti-Defamation League connected West’s rhetoric with hate crimes across the United States. In December 2023, shortly before releasing his next album, West issued an apology for his antisemitic statements. However, he later claimed some remarks were accurate and argued that Black people cannot be antisemitic because they "are Jew." In February 2025, West resumed antisemitic commentary on X (formerly Twitter), aired a Super Bowl commercial promoting swastika-themed merchandise, and defended Sean Combs amid sexual abuse allegations. By May 2025, Rolling Stone labeled West a "cultural and business pariah" due to his behavior on social media.

Personal life

West ranked among the highest-earning musicians, with his net worth peaking at $1.8 billion in 2021. By October 2022, Forbes estimated his wealth had dropped to $400 million, primarily as a result of Adidas ending their collaboration following his public antisemitic comments.

Name change

In August 2021, West legally altered his name from "Kanye Omari West" to simply "Ye," removing both his middle and last names. He cited "personal reasons" for this change, which was approved by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge in October 2021. Having long used Ye as a nickname, he explained that "Ye" translates to "you" in the Bible, symbolizing connection with others and shedding personal ego. Since 2025, he has released music under the name Ye and attempted to update his social media usernames accordingly; however, the public largely continues to refer to him by his birth name for recognition and search engine optimization purposes.

Relationships and family

In April 2025, West revealed that during his childhood he had an incestuous relationship with a male cousin. This relationship began after he discovered gay pornography in his mother's closet and ended when he reached the age of 14.

Kim Kardashian

West started dating reality television personality Kim Kardashian in April 2012, following several years of friendship. Their engagement was announced in October 2013, and they married in May 2014 at Fort di Belvedere in Florence. Their widely publicized union attracted significant media coverage, with The New York Times describing it as "a historic blizzard of celebrity."

Together, the couple has four children: North (born June 2013), Saint (December 2015), Chicago (born via surrogate in January 2018), and Psalm (also via surrogate, May 2019). In July 2020, West disclosed that he had contemplated abortion during Kardashian’s first pregnancy but later adopted pro-life views. In April 2015, they baptized their daughter North at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Jerusalem.

In September 2018, West announced intentions to relocate Yeezy’s headquarters to Chicago but instead acquired ranch properties near Cody, Wyoming, where he recorded his album Ye. Kardashian stayed in California with their children; West purchased a home nearby to remain close to them. He began selling his Wyoming ranch in October 2021.

By mid-2020, West acknowledged the possibility of divorce due to conflicting perspectives and publicly admitted attempting to divorce Kardashian amid allegations that her family sought to "lock [him] up." Reports confirmed divorce negotiations in January 2021; Kardashian filed for divorce in February citing irreconcilable differences. The pair agreed on joint custody and waived spousal support. The divorce was finalized in November 2022, with West ordered to pay $200,000 per month in child support and cover half of their children's medical, educational, and security costs.

Other relationships

West engaged in an on-again, off-again relationship with designer Alexis Phifer starting in 2002. They became engaged in August 2006 but ended their 18-month engagement by 2008. Phifer described their breakup as amicable and stated they remained friends. From 2008 until mid-2010, West dated model Amber Rose. After their separation, West commented that he needed "30 showers" before entering another relationship with Kim Kardashian; Rose later accused him of bullying and slut-shaming during their time together.

In January 2022, actress Julia Fox confirmed she was dating West; however, they parted ways within two months while maintaining a friendly rapport. Fox later admitted she dated him primarily to "give people something to talk about" amid the COVID-19 pandemic and to "get him off Kim’s case." During this period, West publicly expressed a wish to reunite with his family and targeted Kardashian’s then-boyfriend comedian Pete Davidson, which led to allegations of harassment. As a result, the 64th Annual Grammy Awards removed West from its performer lineup due to his "concerning online behavior."

In January 2023, reports surfaced that West had informally married Australian architect Bianca Censori—a Yeezy brand employee—in a private ceremony held in Beverly Hills without legal recognition. After West traveled to Australia to visit Censori’s family, Australian authorities suggested he may be denied a visa because of his antisemitic statements. Both the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Anti-Defamation Commission opposed granting him entry. In April 2025, West claimed in his song "Bianca" that Censori had left him following his controversial Twitter remarks; however, he later posted a photo implying they remained together.

Legal matters

Kanye West has been involved in multiple legal disputes related to his extensive use of unlicensed samples in his music. In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against West concerning the "Touch the Sky" music video, claiming it harmed Knievel's reputation due to its "vulgar and offensive" nature. West’s legal representatives defended the video as a form of satire safeguarded by the First Amendment. The case was resolved amicably shortly before Knievel passed away in 2007.

In 2014, West was placed on two years' probation for misdemeanor battery following an incident with a paparazzo at Los Angeles Airport. His sentence included anger management classes, community service, and restitution payments. The photographer’s civil lawsuit was settled in 2015, and West’s conviction was expunged the following year.

In June 2022, West faced a copyright infringement claim for unauthorized sampling of Marshall Jefferson’s 1986 track "Move Your Body" on the song "Flowers." The next month, the fashion rental company David Casavant Archive sued him for $416,000, alleging unpaid fees and failure to return 13 rented items.

Throughout 2024, West encountered three separate lawsuits: in April, a former security guard accused him of racial discrimination; in June, a former assistant brought forth allegations including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract—later expanded to encompass sexual assault, stalking, sexual battery, sex trafficking, and false imprisonment. West denied all accusations and announced intentions to countersue citing "sexual coercion." In November, a former model alleged that West sexually assaulted and strangled her during a 2010 music video production.

Religious convictions

After the success of "Jesus Walks" from The College Dropout, West described himself as spiritual, sharing that he had accepted Jesus as his Savior while recognizing his personal flaws. By 2008, he expressed that he felt chosen by God to serve as a voice and connector. In 2009, although affirming belief in God, he remained hesitant about affiliating with any organized religion. During a 2014 concert, West openly identified as a Christian. Kim Kardashian remarked in 2019 on his transformation into being born again and saved through Christ. That year, West reflected on turning away from serving "multiple gods" such as ego, money, pride, and fame—admitting he previously did not understand what being saved truly meant—and now professed his love for Jesus Christ and Christianity.

Political involvement

In September 2012, West contributed $1,000 to Barack Obama's re-election campaign and later donated $2,700 to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid. Additionally, he gave $15,000 to the Democratic National Committee in October 2014. In December 2016, West met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss topics including bullying, education reform, and violence in Chicago. He later stated that if he had voted in that election, he would have supported Trump. However, by February 2017, West removed his pro-Trump tweets and criticized policies such as the travel ban. He reaffirmed support for Trump in April 2018 and subsequently donated to progressive Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia in October of the same year.

On June 29, 2024, West traveled to Moscow to attend the 40th birthday celebration of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy. Following this visit amid ongoing regional conflict, he was designated an "enemy of Ukraine."

Mental health

On November 19, 2016, West unexpectedly cut short a live performance and was subsequently admitted to UCLA Medical Center due to experiencing hallucinations and paranoia. His condition was initially described as a brief psychotic episode caused by dehydration and lack of sleep, which resulted in the cancellation of 21 scheduled concerts, all covered by insurance. During his hospital stay, he reportedly exhibited signs of paranoia and depression, although no formal diagnosis was made at that time. Some observers speculated that the robbery incident involving his wife in Paris may have contributed to his paranoid state. West was discharged on November 30, 2016.

West has referenced his use of the antidepressant Lexapro in his music, along with struggles related to depression and anxiety. In a 2018 interview, he revealed a battle with opioid addiction following liposuction surgery, which may have played a role in his 2016 mental health crisis. He has also openly discussed addictions to alcohol, sex, and pornography, as well as experiences with suicidal thoughts. Although diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016—a fact that became publicly known with the release of his 2018 album Ye—he later described this diagnosis as incorrect. However, reports indicate he accepted the bipolar diagnosis again by 2019 before expressing doubt once more in 2022. In December 2022, West suggested he might be on the autism spectrum and confirmed receiving a professional autism diagnosis in February 2025.

In August 2024, Milo Yiannopoulos, West’s former Chief of Staff, accused him of developing an addiction to nitrous oxide supplied by celebrity dentist Thomas Connelly. Connelly performed permanent titanium prosthodontic procedures on West in January 2024 and reportedly moved into West’s residence while charging $50,000 per month to provide the substance. Subsequently, in May 2025, West and his wife Bianca Censori filed a lawsuit against Connelly for medical malpractice and negligence, attributing increased confusion, mood swings, anxiety, and depression to the alleged facilitation of this addiction.

Musical influence

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in popular music during the 21st century, West has received acclaim from critics, fellow artists, and cultural commentators alike. In 2014, NME ranked him as the third most impactful artist in music. Alex Gale, senior editor at Billboard, described West as "undoubtedly one of the greatest artists," even suggesting he could be considered the best artist of this century. Dave Bry from Complex Magazine went further by labeling West as "the most significant artist across any art form or genre" in the 21st century. David Samuels of The Atlantic emphasized West’s innovative spirit and self-crafted image expressed through rap music, digital platforms like downloads and streaming services, fashion ventures, social media such as Twitter and blogs. Joe Muggs at The Guardian highlighted West’s rare talent for balancing commercial success with experimental approaches and cultural impact.

According to Rolling Stone, West revolutionized mainstream hip-hop by introducing a style that combined introspection with polished production; they credited him with creating a distinctive sound that many artists have since emulated. Highsnobiety noted that his first three albums solidified his status as a pioneer of progressive rap. AllMusic editor Jason Birchmeier praised West for breaking conventional rapper stereotypes and achieving superstardom on his own terms. Lawrence Burney from Noisey attributed part of gangsta rap’s commercial decline to West’s influence. The release of his third studio album Graduation is seen as a critical moment that shifted the music industry landscape by enabling rappers outside the hardcore gangsta tradition to gain widespread popularity.

Numerous hip-hop performers such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, and Chance the Rapper have acknowledged West’s impact on their work. Moreover, artists from diverse genres including Adele, Lorde, Rosalía, Halsey, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, MGMT, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fall Out Boy, James Blake, Daniel Lopatin, Tim Hecker, Rakim, John Legend, and Liv.e have cited him as an inspiration.

Achievements

With 69 million digital singles sold, West stands as the fourth highest-certified artist in the United States for digital single sales. Throughout the 2000s, he earned the most RIAA digital song certifications among male artists (19) and ranked as the fourth top-selling digital songs artist of that decade in the U.S. Between 2008 and 2018, West was Spotify’s sixth most streamed performer and became the fourth fastest artist to surpass one billion streams. He shares the record for the most consecutive studio albums to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart (nine albums) and made history as the first rapper to achieve number one on the Billboard Hot 100 across three consecutive decades (2000s, 2010s, and 2020s). Additionally, West placed third on Billboards decade-end list of leading producers for the 2000s and has won the annual Pazz & Jop critics’ poll four times, tying with Bob Dylan for the most wins.

West has accumulated 75 Grammy nominations and secured 24 wins. He was the artist with the highest number of nominations at five separate Grammy ceremonies and ranks fourth in total Grammy victories during the 2000s. In 2008, he became the first solo musician to have his initial three albums nominated for Album of the Year. His honors also include a Webby Award for Artist of the Year, an Accessories Council Excellence Award recognizing his style, International Man of the Year at the GQ Awards, a Clio Award for The Life of Pablo Album Experience, and a distinction from The Recording Academy. Among only eight recipients, West received the Billboard Artist Achievement Award and became just the third rapper honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2015.

The first six solo albums by West were featured on Rolling Stones 2020 compilation of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The College Dropout was selected as the best album of the 2000s by Entertainment Weekly, while Graduation earned recognition from Complex as the top album released between 2002 and 2012. 808s & Heartbreak is included in Rolling Stone’s list of 40 most innovative albums, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was acclaimed as the best album of the 2010s by The A.V. Club. In 2013, Metacritic named Yeezus its most critically praised album. Remarkably, The Life of Pablo became the first album to simultaneously top the Billboard 200, achieve platinum certification in the U.S., and receive gold status in the UK purely through streaming.

Discography

Solo studio albums

• The College Dropout (2004)
• Late Registration (2005)
• Graduation (2007)
• 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
• My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
• Yeezus (2013)
• The Life of Pablo (2016)
• Ye (2018)
• Jesus Is King (2019)
• Donda (2021)
• Donda 2 (2022)
• Bully (2025)
• In a Perfect World (TBA)

Collaborative EPs

• Never Stop (2025) (with King Combs)

Collaborative studio albums

• Watch the Throne (2011) (with Jay-Z)
• Kids See Ghosts (2018) (with Kid Cudi, as Kids See Ghosts)
• Vultures 1 (2024) (with Ty Dolla Sign, as ¥$)
• Vultures 2 (2024) (with Ty Dolla Sign, as ¥$)

Compilation albums

• Cruel Summer (2012) (with GOOD Music)

Visual albums

• Bully V1 (2025)

Videography

• The College Dropout Video Anthology (2004)
• Late Orchestration (2006)
• VH1 Storytellers (2010)
• Runaway (2010)
• Jesus Is King (2019)
• Jeen-Yuhs (2022)

Tours

Main tours

• School Spirit Tour (2004)
• Touch the Sky Tour (2005–2006)
• Glow in the Dark Tour (2008)
• Watch the Throne Tour (with Jay-Z) (2011–2012)
• The Yeezus Tour (2013–2014)
• Saint Pablo Tour (2016)

Supporting appearances

• Truth Tour (with Usher) (2004)
• Vertigo Tour (with U2) (2005–2006)
• A Bigger Bang (with The Rolling Stones) (2006)

Publications

• Thank You and You're Welcome (2009)
• Through the Wire: Lyrics & Illuminations (2009)
• Glow in the Dark (2009)

See also

• Black conservatism in the United States
• List of people with bipolar disorder
• List of Christian hip-hop artists

Further reading

• Kanye in Oxford: The #YeezOx highlights. Accessed April 27, 2015.

External links

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