Kanye West is one of the most successful and controversial rappers of all time. Since he first burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, he has released some of the most groundbreaking and acclaimed albums in hip-hop history. He has also been involved in a number of high-profile feuds, both with other celebrities and with the media.
Now, West is considered one of the most influential figures in popular culture. His impact can be seen in the way that he has changed the sound and style of hip-hop, as well as in the way that he has used his platform to speak out on social and political issues.
If you’re interested in learning more about Kanye West, then you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive bibliography, you will find everything you need to know about West, from his early life and career to his most recent controversies.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Career
2. Breakthrough with The College Dropout
3. Controversies
4. Political Views
5. Style and Influence
6. Discography
7. Filmography
8. Kanye West Quotes
1. Early Life and Career
Kanye West was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was raised in the middle-class suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois. West’s parents were both college professors; his mother, Donda, taught English at Clark Atlanta University, and his father, Ray, taught photojournalism at Chicago State University.
West’s parents divorced when he was three, and he largely grew up with his mother. Donda was very supportive of her son’s artistic aspirations, and she encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
West began making rap music in the early 1990s. He released his first single, “Through the Wire,” in 2002. The song was inspired by a car accident that West had been involved in a few months earlier.
In 2004, West released his debut album, The College Dropout. The album was a huge success, both commercially and critically. It established West as one of the leading voices in hip-hop.
2. Breakthrough with The College Dropout
The College Dropout was a departure from the gangsta rap that dominated hip-hop in the early 2000s. Instead, West drew from his own experiences to create an album that was funny, thought-provoking, and, at times, poignant.
The album’s biggest hit was “All Falls Down.” The song features a guest verse from rapper Syleena Johnson, and it addresses the issue of materialism in society.
“All Falls Down” was just one of many socially conscious songs on The College Dropout. Other tracks, such as “Jesus Walks” and “Never Let Me Down,” deal with topics like religion and racism.
The College Dropout was a critical and commercial success. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, and it has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
3. Controversies
Throughout his career, West has been involved in a number of high-profile controversies.
In 2009, West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards to declare that Beyoncé should have won the award for Best Female Video. The incident sparked a media firestorm, and West was widely criticized for his actions.
In 2013, West caused another stir when he declared that slavery was “a choice” during an interview with radio host Sway Calloway. West later apologized for his comments, saying that he was “ignorant” and “not educated.”
In 2016, West reignited his feud with Swift when he released the song “Famous.” The song includes the lyric, “I made that bitch famous.” Swift accused West of “character assassination,” and she threatened to take legal action.
4. Political Views
West has been outspoken about his political views in recent years.
In 2016, West announced that he was running for president. He later retracted his candidacy, but he remained active in the political sphere.
In 2020, West voiced his support for President Donald Trump. He also said that he was “walking away” from the Democratic Party.
West’s political views have been criticized by many, including some of his fellow celebrities. In 2018, West was booed at the Camp Flog Gnaw music festival after he delivered a speech in which he praised Trump.
5. Style and Influence
West is known for his unique and innovative style. He often experiments with different sounds and genres, and his music has been described as “genre-bending.”
West’s style has been hugely influential. He is credited with popularizing the use of Auto-Tune in hip-hop, and he has been credited with helping to bring electronic and dance music to the mainstream.
West has also been praised for his fashion sense. He has collaborated with a number of high-end fashion brands, and he has been named one of the most stylish men in the world by GQ magazine.
6. Discography
West has released eight 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)
7. Filmography
West has appeared in a number of films and television shows, both as himself and as a character.
Some of West’s most notable film and television appearances include:
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007-present)
Runaway (2010)
Saturday Night Live (2005, 2010, 2018)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2007, 2013, 2018)
Kanye West Quotes
“I’ve known my mom since I was zero years old. She is quite dope.” – Kanye West
“You can’t look at a glass half full or empty if it’s overflowing.” – Kanye West
“Why everything that’s supposed to be bad
“They say your attitude determines your latitude.” – Kanye West
“If y’all fresh to death, then I’m deceased.” – Kanye West
“Life is 5% what happens, and 95% how you react.” – Kanye West
“I don’t particularly like photos of myself, though.” – Kanye West
“Having a Rolex or a Benz is not something that actually represents your success because there’s always something more expensive to buy. Success is really being able to do things for others as well as the people around you and yourself.” – Kanye West
“For me giving up is way harder than trying.” – Kanye West
“Even a broke clock is right twice a day” – Kanye West
“It’s a tough world out there. You’re going to prepare yourself for politics, bad bosses, hating employees – and usually when you’re the absolute best, you get hated on the most.” – Kanye West
“They say ya additude determines ya laditude.” – Kanye West
“Nothing in life is promised except death.” – Kanye West
“This is my life homie, you decide yours” – Kanye West
“I would say my determination is way higher than my smartness.” – Kanye West Quotes
Make me feel so good?” – Kanye West
“When we die, the money we can’t keep, But we probably spend it all ’cause the pain ain’t cheap…” – Kanye West
“As we live, our hearts turn colder. Cause pain is what we go through, as we become older. We get insulted by others, lose trust for those others. We get back stabbed by friends. It becomes harder for us to give others a hand. We get our heart broken by people we love, even that we give them all we have. Then we lose family over time. What else could rust the heart more over time? Blackgold.” – Kanye West
“They say people in your life are seasons and anything that happens is for a reason.” – Kanye West
“Criticism can bother you, but you should be more bothered if there’s no criticism. That means you’re too safe” – Kanye West
“Okay, for me, first of all, dopeness is what I like the most.” – Kanye West
“You may be talented but you’re not Kanye West.” – Kanye West
“Beauty has been stolen from the people and is being sold back to them as luxury.” – Kanye West
“People will have a problem with whatever you do. At the end of the day, nobody can determine what you need to do in order to be successful and why would you listen to someone who is not successful tell you what you need to do?” – Kanye West
“I’m not comfortable with comfort. I’m only comfortable when I’m in a place where I’m constantly learning and growing.” – Kanye West
“Living well eliminates the need for revenge.” – Kanye West
“Life is a b*tch depending how you dress her.” – Kanye West
“We’re not always in the position that we want to be at. We’re constantly growing, we’re constantly making mistakes, we’re constantly trying to express ourselves and trying to actualize our dreams.” – Kanye West
“The prettiest people do the ugliest things.” – Kanye West
“The plan was to drink until the pain is over, But what’s worse, the pain or the hangover?” – Kanye West
“I don’t expect to be understood at all.” – Kanye West
“Recognize and embrace your flaws so you can learn from them. Sometimes it takes a little polishing to truly shine.” – Kanye West
“Everyone’s always telling you to be humble. When was the last time someone told you to be great?” – Kanye West
“Shoot for the stars, so if you fall you land on a cloud.” – Kanye West
“I refuse to follow the rules where society tries to control people with low self-esteem.” – Kanye West
“You’re not perfect, but you’re not your mistakes.” – Kanye West
“Bravery and courage is walking into pain and knowing that something better is on the other side” – Kanye West
“Memories have to be our most painful blessing.” – Kanye West
“I refuse to accept other people’s ideas of happiness for me. As if there’s a ‘one size fits all’ standard for happiness.” – Kanye West
“I’m on the pursuit of awesomeness, excellence is the bare minimum.” – Kanye West
“Everything I’m not, makes me everything I am” – Kanye West
“I’ll say things that are serious and put them in a joke form so people can enjoy them. We laugh to keep from crying.” – Kanye West
“For me to say I wasn’t a genius I’d just be lying to you and to myself” – Kanye West
“Would you believe in what you believe in if you were the only one who believed it?” – Kanye West
“Believe in your flyness…conquer your shyness” – Kanye West
“I feel that I’m very blessed. But with great blessings come great responsibility.” – Kanye West
“If you have the opportunity to play this game of life you need to appreciate every moment. a lot of people don’t appreciate the moment until it’s passed.” – Kanye West
“Society has put up so many boundaries, so many limitations on what’s right and wrong that it’s almost impossible to get a pure thought out. It’s like a little kid, a little boy, looking at colors, and no one told him what colors are good, before somebody tells you you shouldn’t like pink because that’s for girls, or you’d instantly become a gay two-year-old. Why would anyone pick blue over pink? Pink is obviously a better color. Everyone’s born confident, and everything’s taken away from you.” – Kanye West
“I always feel like I can do anything. That’s the main thing people are controlled by: thoughts and perceptions of yourself… If you’re taught you can’t do anything, you won’t do anything” – Kanye West
“If you’re taught you can’t do anything you won’t do anything, I was taught I could do everything.” – Kanye West
“You basically can say anything to someone on an email or text as long as you put LOL at the end.” – Kanye West
“Success is the best revenge.” – Kanye West
Source: Wikipedia KanyeWest Instagram Youtube Britannica Variety Independent TMZ TheGuardian CNN