Kanye Omari West was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 8, 1977. Currently 33 years of age, the Chicago-raised music superstar has become one of the top Hip Hop and Overall music artists and producers of all-time. Discovered by Damon Dash and Rocafella Records, the artist has found guidance to build his own prolific career from Big Brother Jay-Z. Coming from a very interesting background, Kanye West is the product of two successful parents. His father, Ray West, was a member of the Black Panther activist group and one the first photojournalists of major Georgia (US) publication, the Atlanta-Journal constitution. Wests′ mother, Dr. Donda West, was a professor at the prestigous HBCU Clark-Atlanta University before moving and becoming the Chair of the English department at Chicago State University.
Raised in the middle-class suburbs and parts of Chicago, West graduated from Polaris High School. He then began taking art classes at the American Academy of Art in Chicago before enrolling and dropping out of Chicago State University. Due to poor grades and music-interests West decided school was not the route which he would look for his success.
Unknown to many, Kanye West became a successful producer long before the debut of his first album The College Dropout in 2004. Already producing hits for label mate and boss Jay-Z, record companies labeled West a producer and not marketable as an artist. However, they were severely wrong for passing on Kanye West as his first album turned out to be a multi-platinum record and launched the Chicago legend into a lifetime of fame.
Since his first album, Kanye West has seen numerous awards and become a Popular culture celebrity. A symbol of success, the rapper also became a symbol of fashion labeling himself the ′Louis Vuitton Don′ early in his success. Flashing Louis Vuitton clothing on top of Nike shoes and the infamous Kanye West Sunglasses, he became a trendsetter with the ability to make or break clothing lines.
Announcing plans to launch his own clothing brand Mascott and Pastel, Kanye West has yet to launch his own line. However, the rapper has landed deals with Louis Vuitton for luxury shoes, Nike for the Air Yeezy sneaker collection, Reebok for the Mascott S.Carter Lows, and more. In fact, most every brand wants to work with the artist but he has been ultra-selective in associating himself with fashions that bore his interests.
Still heavily interested in art and design, Kanye West announced in late 2008 that he has plans to take a hiatus from rap to learn more about the fields. West says he wants to design stores, paintings, a clothing line, and other things that excite his mind. A true modern day artist, there are no limits to this young man that speaks his mind with clarity and is not afraid to challenge the ideals of society.
Visit Kanye West′s official sites are Kanye Universe City and Rocafella.com.
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