Kanye West is one of pop culture’s most popular and polarizing figures. With his outspoken attitude and unique style, he has become an icon in the music industry. But how did Kanye West become so famous? This blog post will explore his career and discuss why he has become one of the most iconic artists of our time.
Kanye West is one of the music industry’s most successful and controversial artists. He has released seven studio albums, with his most recent being Ye (2018). He has also won 21 Grammy Awards and has been nominated for over 70. In addition to his musical success, Kanye West is also known for his fashion sense and outspoken and often controversial views on social and political issues.
Early life and Education
Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977. His parents divorced when he was three years old, and he would later move to Chicago with his mother. He began making music in his early teens, and by the time he graduated from high school, he had already established himself as a budding producer. He then attended art school for one semester before dropping out to pursue a career in music.
Rise to Fame
Kanye West’s first producing credit was on Janet Jackson’s 2001 single “All for You,” which he co-produced with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. That same year, West released his first single, “Through the Wire,” which sampled the Chaka Khan song “Through the Fire.” The song was inspired by a car accident West had been in just two weeks before its release. “Through the Wire” peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and its success led to West being signed to Roc-A-Fella Records.
In 2004, West released his debut album, The College Dropout. The album was a commercial and critical success, earning West his first four Grammy Awards. The album’s singles, “All Falls Down” and “Jesus Walks,” were top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2005, West released his second album, Late Registration. The album was another critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It also won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album. Late Registration’s singles “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” and “Gold Digger” both topped the Hot 100 chart.
West’s third album, Graduation, was released in 2007. The album was once again a commercial and critical success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It’s lead single, “Stronger,” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
In 2008, West released his fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak. The album departed from his previous work, featuring more electronic and autotuned vocals. Despite this, the album was still a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2010, West released his fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.
In 2011, West released his sixth album, Watch the Throne, a collaboration with Jay-Z. The album succeeded commercially, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
West’s seventh album, Yeezus, was released in 2013. The album was once again a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2016, West released his eighth album, The Life of Pablo. The album succeeded commercially, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
West’s ninth album, Jesus Is King, was released in 2019.
Kanye West’s success as a producer and rapper led to his venture into fashion. In 2006, he launched his clothing line, Pastelle. However, the line was short-lived and was shuttered shortly after its launch. Undeterred, Kanye West continued to pursue his fashion dreams and launched his line of sneakers with Nike in 2009. The sneaker line, called Air Yeezy, was a huge success and helped solidify Kanye West as a fashion icon.
Artistry
Kanye West is a rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He has been credited as a pioneer of the hip-hop subgenre of trap music. West’s musical style has varied throughout his career, but he is generally known for using autotune and his eclectic sampling.
West is also known for his outspoken and often controversial views on social and political issues. In 2005, he spoke out against the Iraq War during a live telethon for Hurricane Katrina relief. In 2006, he caused controversy when he claimed that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” In 2013, he sparked outrage when he compared himself to Nelson Mandela during an interview with The New York Times.
Achievements
Kanye West has won 21 Grammy Awards, the most of any hip-hop artist. He has also been nominated for over 70 Grammy Awards, the most of any artist.
In 2015, West was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2016, Forbes ranked him as the 53rd most powerful celebrity in the world.
West has sold over 21 million albums and 100 million digital downloads worldwide.
Studio albums
- The College Dropout (2004)
- Late Registration (2005)
- Graduation (2007)
- 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
- Watch the Throne (2011) (with Jay-Z)
- Yeezus (2013)
- The Life of Pablo (2016)
- Jesus Is King (2019)
Compilation albums
- Cruel Summer (2012) (with GOOD Music)
Live albums
- Late Orchestration (2006)
Video albums
- All Day: A Film by Kanye West (2015)
Singles
As lead artist
- “Through the Wire” (2003)
- “All Falls Down” (2004)
- “Jesus Walks” (2004)
- “The New Workout Plan” (2004)
- “Slow Jamz.”
(with Twista and Jamie Foxx) (2003)
- “All of the Lights” (2010)
- “Runaway”
(with Pusha T) (2010)
- “Monster”
(with Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver) (2010)
- “So Appalled.”
(with Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz, and RZA) (2010)
- “Dark Fantasy”
(with Nicki Minaj) (2010)
- “Power” (2010)
* “Runaway”
(with Pusha T) (2010)
- “All of the Lights” (Interlude)
(with Rihanna, Kid Cudi, and Fergie) (2010)
Personal life
He was raised in a middle-class household in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Donda West, was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and his father, Ray West, was a photojournalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
West was educated at the Polaris School for Individual Education, a private school in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He later attended the Art Institute of Chicago.
In 2002, West began dating Alexis Phifer, a designer. The couple became engaged in August 2006 but called off the engagement in April 2008.
In April 2012, West began dating Kim Kardashian. The couple has four children: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
West is a Christian. He has said that his faith is “the most important thing” in his life.
Controversies
In 2009, West was involved in a highly publicized incident in which he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for the Best Female Video award at the MTV Video Music Awards. West later apologized for the incident.
In November 2016, West was hospitalized for exhaustion and sleep deprivation. He was released from the hospital after a week.
In April 2018, West sparked outrage when he tweeted that slavery was “a choice.” He later clarified his comments, saying that he was referring to the mental slavery that black people have imposed on themselves.
In May 2018, West caused controversy when he wore a MAGA hat and met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
In November 2018, West sparked outrage when he said slavery was “a choice” during an interview with TMZ.
In January 2019, West caused controversy when he spoke about abortion during an interview with Beats 1 radio.
In September 2019, West caused controversy when he met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
In October 2019, West caused controversy when he released a track called “Yikes,” which contained a lyric about slavery.
Conclusion
Kanye West is a highly successful rapper, songwriter, and producer. He is also one of the most controversial celebrities in the world. West has been involved in many high-profile incidents that have generated significant public outcry. Despite this, West remains one of the world’s most popular and successful musicians.
