“Kanye” redirects here. For other uses, see Kanye (disambiguation) and Kanye West (disambiguation).
Kanye West
Kanye West at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (crop 2).jpg
West in April 2009
Born Kanye Omari West
June 8, 1977 (age 45)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Other names
Ye[a]YeezusSaint PabloYeezyLouis Vuitton Don
Occupations
Rappersingersongwriterrecord producerfashion designer
Years active 1996–present
Organizations
DondaYeezy (formerly)
Spouse(s) Kim Kardashian
(m. 2014; div. 2022)
Children 4
Parent
Donda West (mother)
Relatives
Devo Harris (cousin)
Tony Williams (cousin)
Musical career
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Hip hopprogressive rappopart popgospel
Labels
GOODDef JamRoc-A-FellaMercury (Late Orchestration)
Member of
Sunday Service ChoirThe Hitmen
Formerly of
Child Rebel SoldierKids See GhostsThe Throne
Website kanyewest.com
Kanye West in 2009
This article is part of
a series about
Kanye West
Awards and nominationsDiscography (singlesproduction)Songs
Studio albums
The College DropoutLate RegistrationGraduation808s & HeartbreakMy Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyYeezusThe Life of PabloYeJesus Is KingDondaDonda 2
Presidential campaigns
20202024
Related
Adidas YeezyYeezy GapGOOD MusicDondaDonda AcademyKids See Ghosts
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Ye[a] (/jeɪ/ YAY; born Kanye Omari West /ˈkɑːnjeɪ/ KAHN-yay; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer.[1][2][3][4]
Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago,[5][6] West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s, producing singles for several artists and developing the “chipmunk soul” sampling style. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, he released his debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), to critical and commercial success. He founded the record label GOOD Music later that year. West explored diverse musical elements like orchestras, synthesizers, and autotune on the albums Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), and 808s & Heartbreak (2008). His fifth and sixth albums My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and Yeezus (2013) were also met with critical and commercial success. West further diversified his musical styles on The Life of Pablo (2016) and Ye (2018) and explored Christian and gospel music on Jesus Is King (2019). His tenth album Donda (2021) was released to continued commercial success but mixed critical reception. West’s discography also includes the two full-length collaborative albums Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z and Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi.