West began making beats and rapping in the early 90s in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, when he formed the rap group Go Getters with Chicago natives GLC and Really Doe. He later gained nationwide popularity through his work in New York, where he began producing tracks for artists such as Jay-Z, Twista, Mase, Talib Kweli and Alicia Keys.
West's style of production often utilizes pitched-up vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his drums and instruments. The first major label song he produced was The Truth by Beanie Sigel, and his first major release featuring his trademark vocal sampling style was This Can’t Be Life, a track from Jay-Z’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia. West said he sped up the drum beat of Dr. Dre’s Xxplosive to use as a replacement for his drums on This Can’t Be Life.
West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style, and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol’ Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favorites. Said Kanye West: “Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time… We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that.”
In 2004 (after being pushed aside by many record companies who felt he wasn't a marketable hip-hop artist), he managed to release his debut solo album, The College Dropout on Roc-A-Fella Records. The album received critical acclaim, including 10 Grammy nominations and the awards for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, as well as defining the style for which West would become known: "wordplay" and heavy sampling of the 70s soul and RnB tracks.
Not content to rest on his laurels, West invested two million dollars and hired a string orchestra to help with his latest effort, Late Registration (2005). West collaborated with Jon Brion to help develop the sound of the album, despite his lack of experience in hip hop production. The album received widespread acclaim like its predecessor and again claimed the Best Rap Album award at the Grammys.
West was no stranger to controversy, such as storming out at the 2004 American Music Awards after not receiving Best New Artist, but just days after the release of his second studio album, West began embroiled in a major controversy after going off-script during Hurricane Katrina broadcast, proclaiming "George Bush doesn't care about black people", which Bush claimed was "one the most disgusting moments of my presidency". In January 2006, West posed on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a crown of thorns, once again attracting controversy.
For his third release, West was keen to produce songs that could be used more effectively when performing in arenas. For Graduation, the third and ultimately final entry into his 'Dropout Bear' series, West drew musical inspiration from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. In the lead up to the album he became involved in a friendly rivalry with 50 Cent over which of the two artists' upcoming albums would sell more, as they were both released on the same day. West ultimately sold 957,000 copies in the first week of release, outselling Curtis by a large margin. The albums lead single "Stronger" sampled Daft Punk, and was West's third number one on Billboard 200. Many proclaim West's 'victory' over 50 Cent to be the 'death' of gangster rap as the dominant hip hop subgenre.
Following the death of his mother, Donda West, and the end of his engagement to long term partner Alexis Phifer, West abandoned his initial plan to release a fourth album entitled Good Ass Job, and shocked his fans by releasing 808s and Heartbreak, which was full of autotune singing, extensive use of the TR-808 drum machine, themes of love, loss and loneliness and very little rapping. It received slightly more mixed reviews than his previous efforts, but many critics cite 808s and Heartbreak as the catalyst for a new wave of rappers, most prominently Drake, due to its themes which were uncommon in mainstream hip-hop.
West's grief seemed to lead to a spiral out of control which culminated in him storming on stage at the 2009 VMAs to interrupt Taylor Swift's award acceptance speech to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead, in a move that is infamous in pop culture and was vilified by the entire world in the aftermath. West disappeared from the public eye following this, and his upcoming tour with Lady Gaga was cancelled. The disgraced West, who was described as a 'jackass' by President Obama, seemed to have much work to do to return to the his former glory, but he was about to embark on what some critics consider to be the best run of his career.
West holed up in Hawaii for a few months and worked tirelessly to produce what many consider to be his magnum opus. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West's fifth studio album, was released in November 2010 to rave reviews from critics, which solidified his comeback. In stark contrast to his previous effort, which featured a minimalist sound, Dark Fantasy adopts a maximalist philosophy and deals with themes of celebrity and excess. The record included the international hit All of the Lights, and Billboard hits Power, Monster, and Runaway, the latter of which accompanied a 35-minute film of the same name. During this time, West initiated the free music program G.O.O.D. Fridays through his website, offering a free download of previously unreleased songs each Friday of the week, a portion of which were included on the album. Dark Fantasy went on to go platinum in the United States, but its omission as a contender for Album of the Year at the 54th Grammy Awards was viewed as a "snub" by several media outlets.
Following a headlining set at Coachella 2011 that was described by The Hollywood Reporter as "one of greatest hip-hop sets of all time," West released the collaborative album Watch the Throne with Jay-Z. By employing a sales strategy that released the album digitally weeks before its physical counterpart, Watch the Throne became one of the few major label albums in the Internet age to avoid a leak. Niggas in Paris became the record's highest charting single, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, West released the compilation album Cruel Summer, a collection of tracks by artists from West's record label GOOD Music. Cruel Summer produced four singles, two of which charted within the top twenty of the Hot 100: Mercy and Clique. West also directed a film of the same name that premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in custom pyramid-shaped screening pavilion featuring seven screens.
Sessions for West's sixth solo effort begin to take shape in early 2013 in his own personal loft's living room at a Paris hotel. Determined to "undermine the commercial," he once again brought together close collaborators and attempted to incorporate Chicago drill, dancehall, acid house, and industrial music. Primarily inspired by architecture, West's perfectionist tendencies led him to contact producer Rick Rubin fifteen days shy of its due date to strip down the record's sound in favor of a more minimalist approach. Initial promotion of his sixth album included worldwide video projections of the album's music and live television performances.
Yeezus, West's sixth album, was released June 18, 2013 to rave reviews from critics. It became the rapper's sixth consecutive number one debut. Def Jam issued "Black Skinhead" to radio in July 2013 as the album's lead single. On September 6, 2013, Kanye West announced he would be headlining his first solo tour in five years, to support Yeezus, with fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar, accompanying him along the way.
In November 2013, West stated that he was working on and recording his next studio album. The album was to be produced by Rick Rubin and Q-Tip.. Kanye released a single entitled "Only One", on December 31, 2014 featuring Paul McCartney, as well as collaborating with McCartney on the Rihanna track " FourFiveSeconds", released in January 2015. West appeared on the SNL 40th Anniversary Special on February 15th 2015 to debut a new song Wolves, featuring Sia Furler and Vic Mensa. Another single, entitled "All Day" was released on March 2, 2015, again featuring McCartney as well as Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom. In June of the same year, Kanye headlined the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, which garnered much outrage including a petition with 135,000 signatures against his appearance, leading to West declaring he was "the greatest living rock star on the planet" towards the end of his set, and the performance receiving a mixed reaction among fans and critics, due to its controversy. In September 2015, West performed {album artist kanye west]808s and Heartbreak in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl over two nights, which received rave reviews a featured a 60 person orchestra, guests such as Kid Cudi and Mr Hudson, and over 70 dancers. West released "Facts" at the turn of the new year.
West had originally stated that his upcoming album would be called 'So Help Me God' before changing the title to 'SWISH' and announcing that it would be released on February 11th. In January 2016 he released "Real Friends" and "No More Parties in LA", featuring Kendrick Lamar. As well as renaming the album once again to "Waves", West became involved in several twitter controversies in the lead up to the album, including with rapper Wiz Khalifa after he suggested that West had stolen the idea of the wave from other artists and seemingly dissed Kim Kardashian, which later turned out to be a misunderstanding over the use of "KK". West again changed the name of the album just days before it's release, this time to "{album artist=kanye west]The Life of Pablo", and debuted it at Madison Square Garden on February 11, but delayed it's release for a few days. On February 14, West released the album are a performance on SNL. West initially claimed the album was to be a Tidal exclusive, but it was later released on other streaming platforms, although it is yet to receive a physical release. West continued to tinker with the mixing and production of the album even after it was released, and it was updated several times, including the final song "Saint Pablo" in June 2016. West had also made public his plans to release an album in the summer of 2016, entitled "Turbo Grafx 16", based on the 1990s games console, which never surfaced, although he did release a single thought to be from the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music album "Cruel Winter", called Champions. In the same month, a video for "Famous" was released, including nude wax figures of celebrities such as West, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Bill Cosby and George W. Bush.
In August 2016, West embarked on the ambitious Saint Pablo Tour, which included a mobile stage suspended from the ceiling. After the violent robbery of Kim's jewellery in Paris in October, West had to end a show early and postpone shows following it. In the following performances, West cancelled shows early and went on long winded rants against fellow artists such as Jay Z and Beyoncé among others, as well as making controversial political statements including implying his support for Donald Trump. On November 21st 2016, West cancelled the rest of the tour and was hospitalised due to sleep deprivation and extreme dehydration. Following this, West disappeared from social media, and only resurfaced 11 months later with a series of tweets which included many philosophical thoughts and the announcements two albums in June 2018, a solo album which would include 7 tracks on June 1, and a collaboration with Kid Cudi to be released on June 8.
On August 29th, 2021, Kanye released his 10th highly anticipated studio release Donda via GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings after a series of three listening parties.
Personal life:
West was born in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was three years old (as mentioned in Hey Mama) his parents divorced, and he moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois. His father, Ray West, was a former Black Panther; one of the first black photojournalists at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; and is now a Christian counselor. Kanye’s late mother, Dr. Donda West, worked as a Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to serve as Kanye’s manager. He was later raised in an upper middle class background, attending Polaris High School in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois after living in Chicago.
After attending The American Academy of Art, a Chicago art school, West attended Chicago State University but eventually dropped out due to poor grades and to continue working on his music career. While attending school, West produced for local artists, including on rapper Grav’s debut album Down to Earth. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip hop/R&B artists, including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Cam’ron, Paul Wall, Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, The Game, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and John Legend among others. He also “ghost-produced” for his once mentor Deric Angelettie according to his song Last Call and the credits of Nas’ Poppa Was a Playa.
West was married to Kim Kardashian. Together they had four children: daughters named North (*2013) and Chicago (*2018); and sons named Saint (*2015) and Psalm (*2019). In 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce.
In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that primarily advocated for a consistent life ethic. In 2022, he faced backlash and lost a number of sponsors and partnerships—including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga—after making antisemitic statements.
Hey Mama
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (hey mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin' back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (hey mama)
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I'm finna let it shine
I'm finna talk about my mama if y'all don't mind
I was three years old, when you and I moved to the Chi
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
And you would give anything in this world
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didn't give me a curl
And you never put no man over me
And I love you for that mommy can't you see?
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
'Cause a nigga cheatin', telling you lies, then I started to cry
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy I'mma love you till you don't hurt no more
And when I'm older, you ain't gotta work no more
And I'mma get you that mansion that we couldn't afford
See you're, unbreakable, unmistakable
Highly capable, lady that's makin' loot
A livin' legend too, just look at what heaven do
Send us an angel, and I thank you (hey mama)
(Hey mama) I wanna scream so loud for you, cause I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (hey mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin' back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (hey mama)
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
Somethin' to fall back on, you could profit with
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it's things I gotta get
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of "You Are So Beautiful To Me"
Can't you see, you're like a book of poetry
Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, turn one page and there's my mommy
Come on mommy just dance wit me, let the whole world see your dancing feet
Now when I say Hey, y'all say Mama, now everybody answer me (hey mama)
(Hey mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cause I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (hey mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin' back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (hey mama)
I guess it also depends though, if my ends low
Second they get up you gon' get that Benzo
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let ya friends know (hey mama)
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper echelon
I'ma get you a jag, whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday
For me to just call and say (hey mama)
(Hey mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cause I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (hey mama)
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin' back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (hey mama)
The lyrics to Kanye West's song Hey Mama is a heartwarming tribute to his mother, Donda West. The song talks about the struggles Kanye and Donda faced and how she supported him through thick and thin. Kanye reminisces about his childhood and how his mother sacrificed her needs to fulfill his dreams. He promises his mother that he will go back to school and make her proud. The lyrics also show gratitude towards his mother for everything she has done for him and how she has been a strong figure in his life.
The song stands out as one of the most personal and emotional tracks in Kanye's discography. It was written before the release of Graduation and was intended to be part of the album. However, due to Donda's untimely death, the song was released as a tribute to her. The song not only pays homage to Kanye's mother but also celebrates the mothers of the world.
Hey Mama has received a lot of love from not only music lovers but also from Kanye's peers in the industry. The song has become an anthem for mothers and their children. The track was performed by Kanye on several occasions, including on The Oprah Winfrey Show and at the 2008 Grammy Awards where he broke down in tears during the performance.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hey mama) I wanna scream so loud for you, cause I'm so proud of you
I have so much respect and admiration for you that I want to express it as loudly and publicly as possible.
Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (hey mama)
I want to share my plans and goals with you, and seek your support and encouragement.
I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin' back to school
Although I may have made mistakes and poor decisions in the past, I am committed to bettering myself through education.
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I am grateful for the sacrifices and opportunities you have provided me with throughout my life.
I just want you to be proud of me (hey mama)
Above all else, I desire your approval and pride in my accomplishments and growth as a person.
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
I want to share with others how wonderful you are and how much you mean to me.
This little light of mine and I'm finna let it shine
I have a great appreciation for your inner strength, resilience, and positivity, and I want to emulate those qualities.
I'm finna take y'all back to them better times
I want to focus on the happy memories and good times I shared with you, and remind others of the importance of cherishing those moments.
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
I remember a specific instance where you cared for me and made me feel better during a time when I was unwell.
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
Your cooking and nurturing have always been a comforting presence in my life.
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
I am aware of the hard work and sacrifices you made to provide for our family.
And you never put no man over me
I appreciate that you have always prioritized your love and care for me above any romantic relationships.
And I love you for that mommy can't you see?
My love and appreciation for you are endless and unwavering.
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
This is a poignant memory of a moment of emotional vulnerability and closeness shared between us.
I said mommy I'mma love you till you don't hurt no more
I want to be a source of comfort and support for you, and help alleviate any pain or struggles you may face.
And when I'm older, you ain't gotta work no more
I want to help ease your burdens and provide for you financially in the future.
See you're, unbreakable, unmistakable
You possess an unyielding, identifiable strength and character that is truly admirable.
Highly capable, lady that's makin' loot
You are a successful, financially independent woman who has achieved great things in your life.
A livin' legend too, just look at what heaven do
You are a remarkable person who has touched the lives of many, and I believe you will be remembered as a legend.
Send us an angel, and I thank you (hey mama)
I believe that you are a divine, angelic presence in our lives, and I express my gratitude for your love and guidance.
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
This is a reference to the fact that life is unpredictable, and that we must cherish the sweet moments while enduring the bitter ones.
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
You have always instilled in me the importance of education and pursuing my goals to the fullest extent.
But still supported me when I did the opposite
I appreciate that you maintained your love and support for me, even when I diverged from the path you had hoped for me.
Now I feel like it's things I gotta get
I feel a sense of drive and responsibility to succeed and provide for you, in return for all that you have done for me.
Can the choir please give me a verse of 'You Are So Beautiful To Me'
I want to publicly express my love and appreciation for you, and dedicate this song to you.
You're like a book of poetry
You are multifaceted, complex, and beautiful, and I am constantly discovering new ways in which you inspire and amaze me.
Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, turn one page and there's my mommy
This is a metaphorical way of expressing how I see you as a source of wisdom, strength, and grace in my life, similar to these renowned poets.
To a restaurant, upper echelon
I want to treat you to a luxurious and special dining experience.
I'ma get you a jag, whatever else you want
As a gesture of my gratitude and love, I want to gift you with a luxurious car and anything else you desire.
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
I want to ensure that the car I gift you with is perfectly tailored to your tastes and preferences.
It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday
I want to show my love and appreciation for you year-round, not just on special occasions.
For me to just call and say (hey mama)
I want you to know that I love and appreciate you, and that you are always on my mind and in my heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Donal Richard Leace, Kanye Omari West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saqib Munir
Top Ten Kanye west Classics
1.Jesus Walks
2.Through the Wire
3.All Falls Down
4.Last Call
5.Family business
6.Diamonds From Sierra Leone/remix
7.Heard 'em say
8.Hey Mama
9.Never let me down
10.Gorgeous
Top Ten Kanye west hit Singles
1.Stronger
2.Gold Digger
3.Heartless
4.All of the Lights
5.Flashing Lights
6.Can't Tell Me Nothing
7.Good Life
8.Touch the Sky
9.Power
10.Homecoming
Alyssa Luna
My mother passed away on November 7, 2013. This song helped me through the 6 months she was hospitalized, and I would play it for her when she could no longer speak or move. Thank you Kanye.
Alyssa Luna
@ELITE GAMES Yes it has. Today.
ELITE GAMES
It’s been 8 years now…
Zay
😢 rip
vidviewa
@Alyssa Thomas May your mamas soul rest in eternal peace!I lost my mum 2010 so I know how hard it is to come to termes with.I just wish the people who still have their mamas around,would realize how HUGE a part they pay in our lives.Mothers are GODS GIFT!stay strong!feel blessed you had such a loving mama!GOD BLESS X
1dreamjonny
Stay strong 😏
Eziokilla9595
Ignore the asshole-persona. Ignore the antics. Ignore the ego. This is what I think of when I think of Kanye West. One of Kanye's greatest songs.
xrypt
@MG thank you bless up
MG
@xrypt cold ratio g
xrypt
ratio then