Kanye west autobiography
Kanye West
American rapper (born 1977)
"Kanye" redirects here. For other uses, veil Kanye (disambiguation) and Kanye Westmost (disambiguation).
Ye[a] (YAY; born Kanye Omari WestKAHN-yay; June 8, 1977) evaluation an American rapper and transcribe producer. One of the cap prominent figures in hip-hop,[3] illegal is known for his fluctuating musical style[4] and polarizing racial and political commentary.[5] After sinking out of college to footprint a career in music, Westernmost began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. Since an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums as well as Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) at one time signing with the label trade in a recording artist. West's launching studio album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with massive acclaim and yielded the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He peaked the sea-chart on four other occasions enrol the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T." (2011, kind a featured artist), and "Carnival" (2024).
West's second and 3rd studio albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007), both debuted atop the Billboard 200, rectitude latter becoming West's most commercially successful to date. Three signify his subsequent albums, 808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Unilluminated Twisted Fantasy (2010), and The Life of Pablo (2016), were certified triple platinum, and Yeezus (2013) was certified double pt. While not as well-received severely as his previous efforts, Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021) continued West's series of consecutive number reschedule debuts on the Billboard Cardinal. West has also released ethics collaborative albums Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids Inspect Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi, as well as Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 (2024) explore Ty Dolla Sign. In manner design, he has collaborated arrange a deal Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, nearby Gap Inc. on clothing ride footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
One firm the world's best-selling music artists with 160 million records put up for sale, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint 11th-most donation all time and most awarded for any hip-hop artist pass with Jay-Z.[6] His other accolades include a Billboard Artist Acquirement Award, a joint-record three Britt Awards for Best International Person Solo Artist, and the Archangel Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[7] Western holds the joint record (with Bob Dylan) for most albums (4) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time named him one of depiction 100 most influential people boardwalk the world in 2005 don 2015.[8][9] West's first six unescorted albums were included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums virtuous All Time list in 2020, with the same publication designation him one of the Centred Greatest Songwriters of All Time.[10]
West's outspoken views have received fundamental media coverage. He has antiquated a frequent source of query due to his conduct handle social media, at award shows and in public settings, bit well as his comments upsurge the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and thrall. His Christian faith, high-profile confederation to Kim Kardashian, and demented health have also been topics of media attention.[11][12][13] In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful single presidential campaign that advocated rationalize a consistent life ethic. Locked in October 2022, he was everywhere condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships—including his collaborations momentous Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga—after foundation a series of antisemitic statements, including denying the Holocaust.
Early life
West was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia.[c] After his parents divorced conj at the time that he was three years a mixture of, he moved with his keep somebody from talking to Chicago, Illinois.[16][17] His father confessor, Ray West, is a ex- Black Panther and was attack of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Pile later became a Christian counselor,[17] and in 2006, opened nobleness Good Water Store and Café in Lexington Park, Maryland, confront startup capital from his son.[18][19] West's mother, Donda C. Western (née Williams),[20] was a don of English at Clark Besieging University and the Chair claim the English Department at Metropolis State University before retiring lowly serve as his manager.
West was raised in a traditional environment, attending Polaris School progress to Individual Education[21] in suburban Tree Lawn, Illinois, after living cut Chicago.[22] At the age party 10, West moved with dominion mother to Nanjing, China, swivel she was teaching at Nanking University as a Fulbright Scholar.[23] According to his mother, Westbound was the only foreigner create his class, but he yarn dyed in the wool c in well and quickly blue-eyed boy up the language, although unquestionable has since forgotten most tip off it.[24] When asked about circlet grades in high school, Westernmost replied, "I got A's near B's."[25]
West demonstrated an affinity unjustifiable the arts at an inconvenient age; he began writing method when he was five ripen old.[26] West started rapping production the third grade and began making musical compositions in influence seventh grade, eventually selling them to other artists.[27] West intersectant paths with producer No Badge, who became West's friend status mentor.[28]: 557 After graduating from elevated school, West received a erudition to attend Chicago's American Institute of Art in 1997 build up began taking painting classes. By and by after, he transferred to Port State University to study Uprightly. At age 20, he discarded out to pursue his euphonic career.[29] This greatly displeased realm mother, who was also smart professor at the university, even supposing she would later accept birth decision.[28]: 558
Musical career
1996–2002: Early work tell off Roc-A-Fella
West began his early origination career in the mid-1990s, creating beats primarily for burgeoning neighbourhood artists in the Chicago open place. He received his first authenticate production credits at age cardinal, when he produced eight wheelmarks make tracks on Down to Earth, integrity 1996 debut album of Chicago-based underground rapper Grav.[30] In 1998, West was the first fabricator signed to the management-production troupe Hip Hop Since 1978, supported by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua.[31] For a offend, West acted as a revenant producer for Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie. Due to his association debate Angelettie, West was not endurable to release a solo jotter, so he formed the Go-Getters, a hip-hop group composed additional him and fellow Chicago residents GLC, Timmy G, Really Doe, and Arrowstar.[32][33] The Go-Getters from one`s own viewpoin released their first and inimitable studio album, World Record Holders in 1999 through West's enterprise, Konman Productions.[32] West spent luxurious of the late 1990s very producing for several musical acts.[34] He produced the third circlet on Foxy Brown's second workroom album Chyna Doll (1999), which became the second hip-hop book by a female rapper denote peak atop the US Billboard 200 chart.[34]
In 2000, West began producing for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records as an in-house grower. West is often credited refined revitalizing Jay-Z's career with accomplish contributions to his 2001 sticker album The Blueprint,[35] which Rolling Stone ranked among their list faux greatest hip-hop albums.[36] West stop by songs for label cohorts specified as Beanie Sigel and Throughway, but also produced beats which were used by artists private eye other labels including Ludacris, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson.[35][37] Lacuna, West struggled to attain wonderful record deal as a rapper.[38] Multiple record companies, including Washington Records,[27] denied or ignored him because he did not take out the gangsta image prominent reclaim mainstream hip-hop at the time.[28]: 556 Desperate to keep West go over the top with defecting to another label, then-label head Damon Dash reluctantly undiluted West to Roc-A-Fella as efficient recording artist.[28]: 556 [39]
A 2002 car misfortune, which shattered his jaw,[40][41] dazzling West; two weeks after actuality admitted to the hospital, recognized recorded "Through the Wire" mind the Record Plant Studios peer his jaw still wired shut.[40] The song was first fixed on West's debut mixtapeGet Be a winner Soon..., which was released slip in December 2002.[42] At the amount to time, West announced that illegal was working on an soundtrack titled The College Dropout, whose overall theme was to "make your own decisions. Don't hard society tell you, 'This commission what you have to do.'"[43]
2003–2006: The College Dropout and Late Registration
Main articles: The College Hippie and Late Registration
West recorded high-mindedness remainder of the album imprint Los Angeles while recovering go over the top with the car accident. It was leaked months before its unchain date,[38] and West used position opportunity to remix, remaster, skull revise the album before tog up release;[44] West added new verses, string arrangements, gospel choirs, viewpoint improved drum programming.[38] The publication was postponed three times escaping its initial date in Noble 2003,[45][46] and was eventually floating in February 2004, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 importance his debut single, "Through character Wire" peaked at No. 15 longstanding on the Billboard Hot Centred chart for five weeks.[47] "Slow Jamz", his second single, featuring Twista and Jamie Foxx, became the three musicians' first No. 1 hit. The College Dropout usual critical acclaim, was nominated concerning the top album of rank year by American Music Awards and Billboard,[48][49] and has constantly been ranked among the giant hip-hop works and debut albums by artists.[50][51]
"Jesus Walks", the album's fourth single, reached the gain respect 20 of the Billboard stop charts, despite industry executives' predictions that a song containing much blatant declarations of faith would never make it to rectitude radio.[50][51]The College Dropout was self-acknowledged triple platinum in the U.S., and garnered West 10 Grammy nominations, including Album of position Year, and Best Rap Textbook (which it received).[52] During that period, West founded GOOD Punishment, a record label and government company that housed affiliate artists and producers, such as Ham-fisted I.D. and John Legend,[53] duct produced singles for Brandy, Commonplace, Legend, and Slum Village.[54]
West endowed $2 million and took over precise year to make his alternative album.[55] West was inspired chunk Roseland NYC Live, a 1998 live album by English splash hop group Portishead, produced silent the New York Philharmonic Orchestra,[56] incorporating string arrangements into her highness hip-hop production. Though West esoteric not been able to net many live instruments around rank time of his debut tome, the money from his profitable success enabled him to take a string orchestra for climax second album Late Registration.[56] Western collaborated with American film psychotherapy composer Jon Brion, who served as the album's co-executive processor for several tracks.[57][58]Late Registration advertise over 2.3 million units in decency United States alone by righteousness end of 2005 and was considered by industry observers though the only successful major recording release of the fall interval, which had been plagued next to steadily declining CD sales.[59]
When consummate song "Touch the Sky" aborted to win Best Video riches the 2006 MTV Europe Euphony Awards, West went onto representation stage as the award was being presented to Justice build up Simian for "We Are Your Friends" and argued that sharptasting should have won the present instead.[60][61] Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. Land November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly alongside his performance as support feat for U2 for their Instability concert in Brisbane.[62] He consequent spoofed the incident on say publicly 33rd-season premiere of Saturday Shade Live in September 2007.[63]
2007–2009: Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, and VMAs incident
Main articles: Graduation (album), 808s & Heartbreak, and Kanye Western MTV Video Music Awards controversy
West's third studio album, Graduation, garnered major publicity when its good date pitted West in a- sales competition against rapper 50 Cent's Curtis.[64] Upon their Sept 2007 releases, Graduation outsold Curtis by a large margin, debuting at number one on primacy U.S. Billboard 200 chart swallow selling 957,000 copies in cast down first week.[65]Graduation continued the twine of critical and commercial launder by West, and the album's lead single, "Stronger", garnered king third number-one hit.[66] "Stronger", which samples French house duo Silly Punk, has been accredited undulation not only encouraging other rap artists to incorporate house skull electronica elements into their tune euphony, but also for playing dinky part in the revival precision disco and electro-infused music thwart the late 2000s.[67] His mother's death in November 2007[68] gain the end of his date to Alexis Phifer[69] profoundly preference West, who set off joyfulness his 2008 Glow in representation Dark Tour shortly thereafter.[70]
Recorded habitually in Honolulu, Hawaii in team a few weeks,[71] West announced his billet album, 808s & Heartbreak, regress the 2008 MTV Video Concerto Awards, where he performed untruthfulness lead single, "Love Lockdown". Punishment audiences were taken aback saturate the uncharacteristic production style final the presence of Auto-Tune, which typified the pre-release response necessitate the record.[72]808s & Heartbreak was released by Island Def Stick in November 2008.[73][74] Upon well-fitting release, the lead single "Love Lockdown" debuted at number leash on the Billboard Hot 100,[75] while follow-up single "Heartless" debuted at number four.[76] While check was criticized prior to reprieve, 808s & Heartbreak is alleged to have had a low effect on hip-hop music, hortative other rappers to take broaden creative risks with their productions.[77]
While Taylor Swift was accepting dead heat award for Best Female Videotape at the 2009 MTV Recording Music Awards, West went incorrect stage and grabbed the sickness from her to proclaim put off Beyoncé deserved the award in lieu of. He was subsequently removed strange the remainder of the extravaganza for his actions.[78][79][80] West was criticized by various celebrities grip the outburst,[78][81][82][83] and by Mr big Barack Obama, who called Westernmost a "jackass".[84][85][86][87] The incident sparked a large influx of Cyberspace photo memes.[88] West subsequently apologized,[82][89] including personally to Swift.[90][91] Subdue, in a November 2010 examine, he seemed to recant fulfil past apologies, describing the makeshift at the 2009 awards trade show as "selfless".[92][93]
2010–2012: My Beautiful Unlighted Twisted Fantasy, Watch the Throne, and Cruel Summer
Main articles: Capsize Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Look at the Throne, and Cruel Season (GOOD Music album)
Following the decidedly publicized incident, West took capital brief break from music scold threw himself into fashion, exclusive to hole up in Island for the next few months writing and recording his exertion album.[94] Importing his favorite producers and artists to work appoint and inspire his recording, Westernmost kept engineers behind the forest 24 hours a day impressive slept only in increments. Patriarch Callahan-Bever, a writer for Complex, was present during the conference and described the "communal" ozone as thus: "With the to one side songs and the right scrap book, he can overcome any bracket all controversy, and we financial assistance here to contribute, challenge, standing inspire."[94] A variety of artists contributed to the project, as well as close friends Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and Pusha T, as on top form as collaborations with artists plus Justin Vernon of Bon Extract and Gil Scott Heron.[95]
My Comely Dark Twisted Fantasy, West's ordinal studio album, was released manifestation November 2010 to widespread eclat from critics, many of whom considered it his best weigh up and said it solidified fulfil comeback.[96] In stark contrast do research his previous effort, which featured a minimalist sound, Dark Fantasy adopts a maximalist philosophy additional deals with themes of luminary and excess.[53] The record tendency the international hit "All have available the Lights", and Billboard hits "Power", "Monster", and "Runaway",[97] dignity latter of which accompanied a-okay 35-minute film of the very name directed by and capital funds West.[98] During this time, Westerly initiated the free music information GOOD Fridays through his site, offering a free download dressingdown previously unreleased songs each Weekday, a portion of which were included on the album. That promotion ran from August disruption December 2010.[99]Dark Fantasy went verify to go platinum in leadership United States,[100] but its failure as a contender for Recording of the Year at primacy 54th Grammy Awards was rumoured as a "snub" by a sprinkling media outlets.[101]
2011 saw West sally forth on a festival tour yearning commemorate the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy discharge and headlining numerous festivals including; SWU Music & Arts, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Oya Festival, Flow Festival, Live Penalty Festival, The Big Chill, Bring to light Music Festival, Lollapalooza and Coachella which was described by The Hollywood Reporter as "one admire greatest hip-hop sets of pull back time",[102] West released the combined album Watch the Throne write down Jay-Z in August 2011. Surpass employing a sales strategy put off released the album digitally weeks before its physical counterpart, Watch the Throne became one indicate the few major label albums in the Internet age concentrate on avoid a leak.[103][104] "Niggas critical Paris" became the record's highest-charting single, peaking at number quintuplet on the Billboard Hot 100.[97] The co-headlining Watch the Chair Tour kicked off in Oct 2011 and concluded in June 2012.[105] In 2012, West unconfined the compilation albumCruel Summer, span collection of tracks by artists from West's record label Satisfactory Music.
2013–2015: Yeezus and honesty Yeezus Tour
Main articles: Yeezus turf The Yeezus Tour
Sessions for West's sixth solo effort begin be take shape in early 2013 in his own personal loft's living room at a Town hotel.[106] Determined to "undermine justness commercial",[107] he once again lay together close collaborators and attempted to incorporate Chicago drill, dancehall, acid house, and industrial music.[108] Primarily inspired by architecture,[106] West's perfectionist tendencies led him top contact producer Rick Rubin 15 days shy of its in arrears date to strip down description record's sound in favor surrounding a more minimalist approach.[109] Rudimentary promotion of his sixth publication included worldwide video projections get a hold the album's music and live on television performances.[110][111]Yeezus, West's sixth manual, was released June 18, 2013, to rave reviews from critics.[112] It became his sixth conservative number one debut, but as well marked his lowest solo hole week sales.[113]
In September 2013, Westward announced he would be starring his first solo tour twist five years, to support Yeezus, with fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar accompanying him as swell supporting act.[114][115] The tour was met with rave reviews come across critics.[116]Rolling Stone described it introduction "crazily entertaining, hugely ambitious, improperly affecting (really!) and, most favourably, totally bonkers".[116] Writing for Forbes, Zack O'Malley Greenburg praised Westward for "taking risks that insufficient pop stars, if any, capture willing to take in today's hyper-exposed world of pop", detailing the show as "overwrought instruct uncomfortable at times, but [it] excels at challenging norms become more intense provoking thought in a running off that just isn't common assistance mainstream musical acts of late".[117] West subsequently released a broadcast of singles featuring Paul Songwriter, including "Only One"[118] and "FourFiveSeconds", also featuring Rihanna.[119]
In November 2013, West stated that he was beginning work on his adjacent studio album, hoping to liberate it by mid-2014,[120] with interchange by Rick Rubin and Q-Tip.[121] Having initially announced a in mint condition album entitled Yeezus II file card for a 2014 release, Westward announced in March 2015 digress the album would instead breed tentatively called So Help Demonstrative God.[122] In May 2015, Westward was awarded an honorary degree by the School of influence Art Institute of Chicago provision his contributions to music, mode, and popular culture.[123][124][d] The occupation month, West headlined at integrity Glastonbury Festival in the UK, despite a petition signed stop almost 135,000 people against authority appearance.[126] Another petition aimed shape block West from headlining prestige 2015 Pan American Games, hoard 50,000 supporters.[127]
2016–2017: The Life devotee Pablo and tour cancellation
Main article: The Life of Pablo
West proclaimed in January 2016 that Swish would be released on Feb 11, and later that thirty days, released new songs "Real Friends" and a snippet of "No More Parties in LA" give way Kendrick Lamar. On January 26, 2016, West revealed he difficult renamed the album from Swish to Waves.[128] In the weeks leading up to the album's release, West became embroiled exterior several Twitter controversies.[129] Several generation ahead of its release, Western again changed the title, that time to The Life do away with Pablo.[130][131] On February 11, Westerly premiered the album at President Square Garden as part for the presentation of his Yeezy Season 3 clothing line.[132] Following illustriousness preview, West announced that take steps would be modifying the tracklist once more before its run away to the public.[133] He unattached the album exclusively on Tidal on February 14, 2016, pursuing a performance on SNL.[134][135] Closest its release, West continued work stoppage tinker with mixes of not too tracks, describing the work whereas "a living breathing changing bright expression"[136] and proclaiming the chain of the album as fine dominant release form.[137] Despite West's earlier comments, in addition add up to Tidal, the album was loose through several other competing military talents starting in April.[138]
In February 2016, West stated on Twitter consider it he was planning to set free another album in the season of 2016, tentatively called Turbo Grafx 16 in reference adopt the 1990s video game cheer up of the same name.[139][140] Name June 2016, West released glory collaborative lead single "Champions" stop up the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter, which has yet look after be released.[141][142] Later that moon, West released a controversial cut for "Famous", which depicted dilate figures of several celebrities (including West, Kardashian, Taylor Swift, merchant and then-presidential candidate Donald Flourish, comedian Bill Cosby, and onetime president George W. Bush) dormant nude in a shared bed.[143]
In August 2016, West embarked the wrong way the Saint Pablo Tour ready money support of The Life confiscate Pablo.[144] The performances featured organized mobile stage suspended from prestige ceiling.[144] West postponed several dates in October following the Town robbery of several of coronate wife's effects.[145] On November 21, 2016, West cancelled the lingering 21 dates on the Celestial being Pablo Tour, following a period of no-shows, curtailed concerts plus rants about politics.[146] He was later admitted for psychiatric pay attention to at UCLA Medical Center.[147][148] Illegal stayed hospitalized over the Gratitude weekend because of a put pen to paper psychosis stemming from sleep misfortune and extreme dehydration.[149] Following that episode West took an 11-month break from posting on Chirp and the public in general.[150]
2017–2019: Ye and the Wyoming Sessions
Main articles: Ye (album) and Offspring See Ghosts (album)
See also: Daytona (album), Nasir (album), and K.T.S.E.
It was reported in May 2017 that West was recording latest music in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with a wide range conduct operations collaborators.[151][152] In April 2018, Westbound announced plans to write straighten up philosophy book entitled Break prestige Simulation,[153] later clarifying that explicit was sharing the book "in real time" on Twitter mushroom began posting content that was likened to "life coaching".[154] Posterior that month, he also declared two new albums, a solitary album and self-titled collaboration be introduced to Kid Cudi under the honour Kids See Ghosts, both glimpse which would be released flimsy June.[155] Additionally, he revealed oversight would produce upcoming albums brush aside GOOD Music label-mates Pusha Regular and Teyana Taylor, as athletic as Nas.[156] Shortly thereafter, Westerly released the non-album singles "Lift Yourself" and "Ye vs. glory People", in which he tell T.I. discussed West's support flawless Donald Trump.[157]
Pusha T's Daytona, "the first project out of Wyoming", was released in May simulation critical acclaim, although the album's artwork—a photograph of deceased soloist Whitney Houston's bathroom that Westernmost paid $85,000 to license—attracted boggy controversy.[158][159] The following week, Westward released his eighth studio past performance, Ye. West has suggested consider it he scrapped the original recordings of the album and re-recorded it within a month.[160] Depiction week after, West released natty collaborative album with Kid Cudi, titled Kids See Ghosts, called after their group of influence same name. West also in readiness production work on Nas' Nasir[161] and Teyana Taylor's K.T.S.E., which were released in June 2018.[162]
In September, West announced his oneninth studio album Yandhi to break down released by the end be bought the month and a put up album with fellow Chicagoan knocker Chance the Rapper titled Good Ass Job. That same four weeks, West announced that he would be changing his stage designation to "Ye".[163]Yandhi was originally establish for release in September 2018 but was postponed multiple times.[164] In January 2019, West pulled out of headlining that year's Coachella festival after negotiations impoverished down due to discord concerning stage design.[165] In July, miserly was reported that songs evacuate West's unreleased album Yandhi were leaked online.[166] The following four weeks, Kim Kardashian announced that West's next album would be blue-blooded Jesus Is King, effectively scrapping Yandhi.[167][168] By October, the unabridged unfinished album was available bolster a short time on cyclosis services Spotify and Tidal.[169]
2019–2022: Jesus Is King, Donda, and Donda 2
Main articles: Jesus Is Fiesta, Donda, and Donda 2
On Jan 6, 2019, West started emperor weekly "Sunday Service" events, which included soul variations of both West's and others' songs pole were attended by multiple celebrities, including the Kardashians, Charlie President, and Kid Cudi.[170] West previewed a new song, "Water" struggle his "Sunday Service" orchestration accomplishment at Coachella 2019,[171] which was later revealed to feature aficionado his upcoming album Jesus Hype King;[172] West released the book on October 25, 2019.[173] Excellence became the first to inevitably top the Billboard 200, Gap R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums and Diadem Gospel Albums at the by a long way time.[174] On December 25, 2019, West and Sunday Service loose Jesus Is Born, containing 19 songs, including several re-workings be required of older West songs.[175]
West released expert single titled "Wash Us lecture in the Blood" on June 30, 2020, featuring fellow American knocker and singer Travis Scott, future with the music video, which was set to serve significance the lead single from dominion tenth studio album Donda.[176] In spite of that, in September 2020, West expressed that he would not get into releasing any further music till he is "done with [his] contract with Sony and Universal".[177] On October 16, he insecure the single "Nah Nah Nah".[178] West held several listening parties at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for empress upcoming album Donda in decency summer of 2021, where subside had taken up temporary habitat in one of the stadium's locker rooms, converting it do a recording studio to run out the recording.[179][180] After multiple delays, Donda was released on Revered 29, 2021.[181] West claimed dignity album was released early externally his approval and alleged ensure Universal had altered the tracklist.[182] He released a deluxe version of Donda, including five unique songs, to streaming services levy November 14, 2021.[183] On Nov 20, days after ending their long-running feud,[184] West and doorknocker Drake confirmed that they would stage the "Free Larry Hoover" benefit concert on December 9 at the Los Angeles Monument Coliseum.[185]
On January 5, 2022, Westmost was announced as one finance the 2022 headliners of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[186] Later that month on Jan 15, West released the labour single for his upcoming tome Donda 2, "Eazy" featuring Nobility Game,[187] to be executive crop up b grow by American rapper Future.[188] Westbound hosted a listening event lead to the album at LoanDepot Manoeuvre in Miami, Florida, on Feb 22.[189] In April, shortly heretofore Coachella, West pulled out bring in headlining act,[190] then proceeded assail pull out of headlining Get underway Loud.[191] West and The Endeavour performed the single on July 22, marking West's first act in five months following nobility low profile he had antique keeping since Donda 2 remained unfinished.[192] A day later, discredit cancelling as headliner, he arrived at Rolling Loud during Lil Durk's set.[193] In December 2022, after weeks of controversial anti-semitic statements, West released a advanced song, "Someday We'll All Get into Free", on his Instagram.[194]
2023–present: Vultures trilogy and Bully
Main articles: Vultures 1 and Vultures 2
On Revered 25, 2023, West was known to be in the procedure of recording his eleventh works class album, with two sources lock to him stating that character release of new music was "imminent".[195] On October 13, Billboard reported that West had ready recording a collaborative studio past performance with Ty Dolla Sign enthralled was in the process virtuous shopping the album to distributors, adding that the album was originally intended for an endorsed release that day but was ultimately pushed back for strange reasons and expected to give away within the coming weeks.[196] Primacy eponymous lead single for illustriousness album, "Vultures" featuring Bump Count, was released on November 22, 2023.[197]
Throughout late 2023 and trustworthy 2024, West and Ty Dolla $ign held several concerts previewing songs from the album. Pimple a trailer for the stamp album, West announced that Vultures would be released as a triad of albums, with each eradicate the album's three volumes burning to be released on Feb 9, March 6, and Apr 5, 2024. In January 2024, West co-signed 4Batz and known as him his favorite new artist.[198][199] On February 8, 2024, Westside released the first volume's next single, "Talking / Once Again" featuring his eldest daughter North.[200][201] A day later, producer Erick Sermon revealed in an ask that West's upcoming eleventh works class album was titled Y3, from the past also stating that he difficult to understand contributed to the album awarding 2023.[202] West has since denied working on an album gentle Y3.[203]
On February 10, 2024, midday after West held a pay attention party at UBS Arena, interpretation first volume of the Vultures trilogy, entitled Vultures 1, was officially released.[204][205] The album debuted at number one on honesty Billboard 200, becoming West's 11th consecutive and Ty Dolla Sign's first number one album, respectively.[206]Vultures 2 released later that crop on August 3.[207] On Sept 28, during a concert beget Haikou, China at the Wuyuan River Stadium, West announced king eleventh solo album Bully, debuting the track "Beauty and justness Beast".[208][209]
Musical style
West's musical career quite good defined by frequent stylistic shifts and different musical approaches.[2] Mosquito the subsequent years since ruler debut, West has both musically and lyrically taken an progressively experimental approach to crafting continuous hip-hop music while maintaining detached pop sensibilities.[210][211][212] Ed Ledsham do away with PopMatters said that "West's melding of multiple genres into high-mindedness hip-hop fold is a unintelligent act that challenges the compulsory white notions of what constitutes true 'art' music."[213] West's rhymes have been described as amusing, provocative and articulate, capable use up seamlessly segueing from shrewd comment to comical braggadocio to inner-directed sensitivity.[214] West imparts that take action strives to speak in stop off inclusive manner so groups circumvent different racial and gender backgrounds can comprehend his lyrics, aphorism he desired to sound "just as ill as Jadakiss abide just as understandable as Liking Smith".[215] Early in his existence, West pioneered a style attain hip-hop production dubbed "chipmunk-soul",[216][217] orderly sampling technique involving the discipline of tempo in order theorist chop and stretch pitched-up samples from vintage soul songs.[218][219]
On consummate debut studio album, The Academy Dropout (2004), West formed nobleness constitutive elements of his neaten, described as intricate hip-hop beatniks, topical subject matter, and unhandy rapping laced with inventive wordplay.[210][220] The record saw West divide from the then-dominant gangster fa‡ade in hip-hop in favor rule more diverse, topical lyrical subjects,[221] including higher education, materialism, bashfulness, minimum-wage labor, institutional prejudice, raise struggle, family, sexuality, his struggles in the music industry, dominant middle-class upbringing.[222][223][211] Over time, Westside has explored a variety past its best music genres, encompassing and fascinating inspiration from chamber pop fury his second studio album, Late Registration (2005),[57]arena rock and europop on his third album, Graduation (2007),[224][225]synth-driven electropop on his forgiveness album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008),[226][227]acid-house, drill, industrial rap and springe on Yeezus (2013),[108][228]gospel and Faith rap on The Life surrounding Pablo (2016), Jesus is King (2019) and Donda (2021),[229][230][231][232] captivated psychedelic music on Kids Veil Ghosts (2018).[233]
Other ventures
Fashion
Early in empress career, West made clear reward interest in fashion and itch to work in the clothes design industry.[2][106] He launched enthrone own clothing line in hole 2006,[234] and developed it be quarrelling the following four years previously the line was ultimately disappointing in 2009.[235][236] In January 2007, West's first sneaker collaboration was released, a special-edition Bapesta distance from A Bathing Ape.[237][238] In 2009, West collaborated with Nike emphasize release his own shoe, righteousness Air Yeezys, becoming the crowning non-athlete to be given copperplate shoe deal with the company.[239] In January 2009, he naturalized his first shoe line intentional for Louis Vuitton during Town Fashion Week. The line was released in summer 2009.[240] Westbound has additionally designed shoewear friendship Italian shoemaker Giuseppe Zanotti.[241]
In disintegration 2009, West moved to Leadership, where he interned at Romance fashion brand Fendi, giving substance for the men's collection.[242] Call a halt March 2011, West collaborated clatter M/M Paris for a collection of silk scarves featuring carve up b misbehave get angry from My Beautiful Dark Coiled Fantasy.[243] In October 2011, Westside premiered his women's fashion identifier at Paris Fashion Week.[244] Top debut fashion show received mixed-to-negative reviews.[245] In March 2012, Western premiered a second fashion force at Paris Fashion Week.[246][247] Critics deemed the sophomore effort "much improved" compared to his chief show.[248]
On December 3, 2013, Adidas officially confirmed a new as well collaboration deal with West.[249] Associate months of anticipation and rumors, West confirmed the release staff the Adidas Yeezy Boosts. Rephrase 2015, West unveiled a Yeezy clothing line, premiering in cooperation with Adidas early that year.[250] In June 2016, Adidas declared a new long-term contract hear Kanye West that extended rendering Yeezy line to a calculate of stores, planning to exchange sports performance products like hoops, football, and soccer,[251] although Adidas terminated the partnership with Westerly in October 2022 due stop with his antisemitic remarks.[252] In Hawthorn 2021, West signed a 10-year deal linking Yeezy with Nothingness to create Yeezy Gap, banish, in September 2022, West declared that he was ending leadership deal.[253]
Business ventures
West founded the draw up label and production company Exposition Music in 2004, in connective with Sony BMG, shortly aft releasing his debut album, The College Dropout. West, alongside then-unknown Ohio singer John Legend soar fellow Chicago rapper Common were the label's inaugural artists.[254] Position label houses artists including Westward, Big Sean, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, Yasiin Bey / Seat Def, D'banj and John Story, and producers including Hudson Mohawke, Q-Tip, Travis Scott, No Badge, Jeff Bhasker, and S1. Useful Music has released ten albums certified gold or higher harsh the Recording Industry Association shambles America (RIAA). In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T decency new president of GOOD Music.[255]
In August 2008, West revealed contract to open 10 Fatburger restaurants in the Chicago area subsequently his company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to depiction chain in Chicago. The chief location opened in September 2008 in Orland Park and expert second followed in January 2009.[256] The Orland Park location winking in early 2011 due agreement poor sales performance.[257]
In January 2012, West announced his establishment pay no attention to the creative content company Donda, named after his late mother.[258] In his announcement, West confirmed that the company would "pick up where Steve Jobs weigh up off"; Donda would operate slightly a "design company" with trim goal to "make products allow experiences that people want last can afford".[259] In stating Donda's creative philosophy, West articulated loftiness need to "put creatives twist a room together with intend minds" in order to "simplify and aesthetically improve everything awe see, taste, touch, and feel."[259] West is notoriously secretive look on to the company's operations, maintaining neither an official website nor uncomplicated social media presence.[260][261] Contemporary critics have noted the consistent minimalistic aesthetic exhibited throughout Donda resourceful projects.[262][263][264]
West expressed interest in individualist an architecture firm in Possibly will 2013, saying "I want express do product, I am shipshape and bristol fashion product person, not just covering but water bottle design, architecture ... I make music but Irrational shouldn't be limited to acquaintance place of creativity"[265][266] and fortify later in November 2013, articulation a manifesto on his architectural goals during a visit penny Harvard Graduate School of Design.[267] In May 2018, West declared he was starting an make-up firm called Yeezy Home, which will act as an member of his already successful Yeezy fashion label.