Kanye West: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|American rapper and producer (born 1977)}}

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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}

{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Kanye West<!--Do not change this per WP:COMMONNAME policy.-->

| image = Kanye West at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (crop 2).jpg

| caption = West in 2009

| image_size = 220px

| captionbirth_name = West at the= 2009Kanye [[TribecaOmari Film Festival]].West

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|6|8}}

| birth_name = Kanye Omari West

| birth_place = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|6|8}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

| birth_place = [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.

| home_town = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.

| residence = [[Hidden Hills, California]], U.S.

| occupation = {{flatlist|

* Rapper

* record producer

* singer

* songwriter

* record producer

* fashion designer

}}

| organization = {{Hlist|[[Donda (company)|Donda]]|[[YZY (brand)|YZY]]}}

| years_active = 1996–present

| childrenyears_active = 21996–present

| websiteother_names = {{urlflatlist|kanyewest.com}}

* Ye{{efn|name=name}}

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

* Yeezy

| background = solo_singer

* Yeezus

| instrument = {{flatlist|

* Saint Pablo

* Vocals

* Louis Vuitton Don

* keyboards

* [[sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]]

* percussion

* [[synthesizer]]

* piano

}}

| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kim Kardashian]]|2014|2022|reason=divorced}}

| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]

<!--Do not add Bianca Censori without consensus; see talk page-->| partner = [[Bianca Censori]] (2022–present){{efn|West and Censori were reported to have married in a private ceremony in December 2022, though without an official marriage license. Censori has since been referred to as West's wife by media publications, as well as West himself.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/kanye-west-responds-to-fans-commenting-about-posting-wife|title=Kanye West Responds to Fans Commenting About Posting His Wife Three Times: 'Leave the King the F*ck Alone'|magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|quote='I just wanted to tell everybody I posted my wife three times on purpose,' said Ye in a new video also shared on Monday from an airport.|date=February 12, 2024|last=Ocho|first=Alex|access-date=February 13, 2024|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213041930/https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/kanye-west-responds-to-fans-commenting-about-posting-wife|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

| children = 4, including [[North West (musician)|North]]

| mother = [[Donda West]]

| relatives = {{plainlist|

* [[Devo Harris]] (cousin)

* [[The WRLDFMS Tony Williams|Tony Williams]] (cousin)

}}

| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West|Full list]]

| signature = Kanyewestsignature.svg

| signature_size = 100px

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| genre = {{flatlist|

* [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]

* [[progressive rap]]

* [[Pop music|pop]]

* [[art pop]]

* [[Gospel music|gospel]]

<!-- don't change without discussing it first; refer to Talk:Kanye_West#Genre_consensus -->

}}

| discography = {{hlist|[[Kanye West albums discography|Albums]]|[[Kanye West singles discography|singles]]|[[List of songs recorded by Kanye West|songs]]|[[Kanye West production discography|production]]}}

| origin = [[Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.

| label = {{flatlist|

* [[GOOD Music|GOOD]]

* [[Island Def Jam]]

* [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]

* [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]

* [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]

* [[YZY (brand)|YZY]]

}}

| current_member_of = {{flatlist|

* [[Sunday Service Choir]]

* [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]]

* [[¥$]]<ref name="amg"/>

}}

| associated_actspast_member_of = {{flatlist|

* [[BigChild SeanRebel Soldier]]

* [[CommonKids (rapper)|CommonSee Ghosts]]

* [[Watch the Throne|The Throne]]

* [[Consequence (rapper)|Consequence]]

* [[Mike Dean (producer)|Mike Dean]]

* [[Jay Z]]

* [[Kid Cudi]]

* [[John Legend]]

* [[Rihanna]]

* [[Pusha T]]

* [[Talib Kweli]]

* [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]

* [[Chance the Rapper]]

* [[The-Dream]]

* [[2 Chainz]]

* [[Bon Iver]]

}}

}}

| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kim Kardashian]]|May 24, 2014}}

}}

'''Kanye Omari West''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|n|j|eɪ}}; born June 8, 1977), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Raised in [[Chicago]], West first became known as a [[music producer|producer]] for [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] in the early 2000s, [[Hip hop production|producing]] [[hit single]]s for artists such as [[Jay Z]] and [[Alicia Keys]]. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a [[rapping|rapper]], West released his debut album ''[[The College Dropout]]'' in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success. He went on to pursue a variety of different styles on subsequent albums including ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005), ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007), and the polarizing ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008). In 2010, he released his acclaimed fifth album ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'', and the following year he collaborated with Jay Z on the joint LP ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011). West released his abrasive sixth album, ''[[Yeezus]]'', to further critical praise in 2013. His seventh album, ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'', was released in 2016.

'''Ye'''{{efn|name=name|Ye has been his legal name since October 2021 {{Crossreference|selfref=no|(see {{section link||Name change}}).}}}} ({{IPAc-en|j|eɪ}} {{Respell|YAY}}; born '''Kanye Omari West''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|n|j|eɪ}} {{Respell|KAHN|yay}}; June 8, 1977)<!--Discuss at talk before adding a separate line stating "better known as", "known professionally as", or "also known as" Kanye West--> is an American rapper, record producer, singer, songwriter, and fashion designer.<!--This is sourced. "Rapper" is used because he is mainly known as a rapper, while "songwriter", "record producer", and "fashion designer" are self-explanatory. "Musician" is too vague, and sources do not usually refer to him as a musician. Per MOS:ROLEBIO, please do not add additional occupations to lead. The infobox lists the rest.--> One of the most prominent figures in [[hip hop music|hip hop]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/26/arts/music/kanye-west-music-industry.html|title=Can Kanye West Find Refuge, or Money, in Music?|date=October 26, 2022|last1=Coscarelli|first1=Joe|last2=Sisario|first2=Ben|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607175953/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/26/arts/music/kanye-west-music-industry.html|url-status=live}}</ref> he is known for his varying musical style<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/25/kanye-west-career-future/|title=Kanye West may have finally reached the point of no return|date=October 26, 2022|last=Andrews|first=Travis M.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325234523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/25/kanye-west-career-future/|url-status=live}}</ref> and polarizing cultural and political commentary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/17/business/kanye-west-parler.html|title=Kanye West to Buy Parler, Joining the Right-Wing Social Media Crowd|date=October 17, 2022|last1=Hsu|first1=Tiffany|last2=Gross|first2=Jenny|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-date=April 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404085215/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/17/business/kanye-west-parler.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for [[Roc-A-Fella Records]], he co-produced albums including [[Jay-Z]]'s ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, ''[[The College Dropout]]'' (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]-number one single "[[Slow Jamz]]". He peaked the chart on four other occasions with the singles "[[Gold Digger (Kanye West song)|Gold Digger]]" (2005), "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]" (2007), "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]" (2011, as a featured artist), and "[[Carnival (¥$ song)|Carnival]]" (2024).

West's outspoken views and life outside of music have received significant mainstream attention. He has been a frequent source of controversy and public scrutiny for his conduct at [[award show]]s, on [[social media]], and in other public settings. His more publicized comments include [[A Concert for Hurricane Relief#Kanye West controversy|his unscripted denunciation]] of President [[George W. Bush]] during a live 2005 television broadcast for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief and his [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards controversy|interruption]] of singer [[Taylor Swift]] at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]]. West's efforts as a [[fashion designer]] include collaborations with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Louis Vuitton]], and [[A.P.C.]] on both clothing and footwear, and have most prominently resulted in the [[Adidas Yeezy|YEEZY]] collaboration with [[Adidas]] beginning in 2013. He is the founder and head of the creative content company [[DONDA]]. His 2014 marriage to television personality [[Kim Kardashian]] has also been subject to widespread media coverage.

West's second and third studio albums, ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005) and ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007), both debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], the latter becoming West's most commercially successful to date. Three of his subsequent albums, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008), ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' (2010), and ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' (2016), were certified [[RIAA certification|triple platinum]], and ''[[Yeezus]]'' (2013) was certified double platinum. While not as well-received critically as his previous efforts, ''[[Ye (album)|Ye]]'' (2018), ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' (2019), and ''[[Donda]]'' (2021) continued West's series of consecutive number one debuts on the ''Billboard'' 200. West has also released the collaborative albums ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011) with [[Jay-Z]], ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'' (2018) with [[Kid Cudi]], and ''[[Vultures 1]]'' and ''[[Vultures 2]]'' (2024) with [[Ty Dolla Sign]]. In fashion design, he has collaborated with [[Nike, Inc.]], [[Louis Vuitton]], and [[Gap Inc.]] on clothing and footwear, and led the [[Adidas Yeezy|Yeezy]] collaboration with [[Adidas]].<!--The lack of citations is purposeful. Refer to Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section#Citations for more information. Wikipedia allows there to be few to no citations in the lead area if it is cited within the main body. If there is something in the lead not cited in the main part drop a {{not found in body}} tag to indicate a missing citation and it will be addressed.-->

West is among the most acclaimed musicians of the 21st century,<ref name="westhoff">{{cite news | url= http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/25/kanye-west-glastonbury-festival-2015-worlds-biggest-pop-star |title= The enigma of Kanye West – and how the world's biggest pop star ended up being its most reviled, too | work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Ben | last=Westhoff | date=June 25, 2015 | accessdate=February 13, 2016}}</ref><ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite web|last1=Kiuru|first1=Timo|title=Why You Should Love Kanye Even If You Hate Kanye.|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timo-kiuru/why-you-should-love-kanye_b_9616496.html|website=[[Huffington Post]]|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="hypetrak.com">Rucker, CJ. [http://hypetrak.com/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-review/ "How We Heard Kanye West's 'The Life Of Pablo'….So Far"]. Hypetrak. HB Network. Retrieved 22 February 2016.</ref> and is one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling artists of all time]], having sold more than 32 million albums and 100 million digital downloads worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6642083/kanye-west-and-steve-mcqueen-debut-collaborative-all-day-i-feel-like-that-lacma|title=Kanye West and Steve McQueen Debut 'All Day/I Feel Like That' Video at LACMA Gathering|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 26, 2015|accessdate=December 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thechicagocitizen.com/news/2015/may/27/kanye-west-gives-dondas-house-largest-donation-eve/|title=Kanye West Gives Donda's House Largest Donation Ever|publisher=The Chicago Citizen|date=May 27, 2015|accessdate=June 10, 2015}}</ref> He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the [[Grammy Award records#Most Grammys won|most awarded artists of all time]] and the most Grammy-awarded artist to have debuted in the 21st century.<ref name="Kyles">{{cite news|accessdate=February 12, 2013|url=http://allhiphop.com/2013/02/11/55th-annual-grammy-awards-recap-videos-included/|title=55th Annual Grammy Awards Recap |work=AllHipHop|date=February 11, 2013|first=Yohance|last=Kyles}}</ref> Three of his albums have been included and ranked on ''Rolling Stone's'' 2012 update of the "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]" list. He has also been included in a number of ''[[Forbes]]'' annual lists.<ref name="Forbes Profile: Kanye West">{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/kanye-west|accessdate=June 3, 2011|title=Forbes Profile: Kanye West|work=Forbes}}</ref> ''[[TIME (magazine)|Time]]'' named him one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005 and 2015.

One of the world's [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling music artists]] with 160 million records sold, West has won 24 [[Grammy Awards]], the [[Grammy Award records#Most Grammys won|joint 11th-most of all time]] and most awarded for any hip hop artist along with Jay-Z.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ellie Abraham |first=Ellie |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Kanye West is rumoured to be dropping a new album this week – but not everyone's convinced |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/kanye-west-album-release-music-b1886485 |access-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719130333/https://www.indy100.com/news/kanye-west-album-release-music-b1886485 |url-status=live }}</ref> His [[List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West|other accolades]] include a [[Billboard Music Award#Artist Achievement Award|''Billboard'' Artist Achievement Award]], a joint-record three [[Brit Awards]] for [[Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist|Best International Male Solo Artist]], and the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]].<ref name=":2" /> West holds the joint record (with [[Bob Dylan]]) for most albums (4) topping the annual [[Pazz & Jop]] critic poll. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named him one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005 and 2015.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Tyrangiel |first=Josh |date=April 18, 2005 |title=The 2005 TIME 100 – Kanye West |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972656_1972696_1973215,00.html |magazine=Time |issn=0040-781X |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030132152/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972656_1972696_1973215,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Selby |first=Jenn |date=April 17, 2015 |title=Emma Watson and Kanye West named in TIME 100 most influential people of 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-emma-watson-named-time-100-most-influential-people-2015-10182077.html |access-date=November 12, 2021 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112181615/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-emma-watson-named-time-100-most-influential-people-2015-10182077.html |url-status=live }}</ref> West's first six solo albums were included on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] list in 2020, with the same publication naming him one of the [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time|100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-songwriters |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813101755/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-songwriters |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life==

Kanye Omari West was born on June 8, 1977 in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Monitor|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=Jun 1–8, 2012|issue=1209/1210|page=35}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Monitor|journal=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=Jun 14, 2013|issue=1263|page=40}}</ref> His parents divorced when he was three years old. After the divorce, he and his mother moved to [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Arney |first=Steve |accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_79bc1031-1dc9-511b-8444-243951568e4b.html|title=Kanye West Coming To Redbird. |work=[[Pantagraph]]|date=March 8, 2006 }}</ref><ref name="leader">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_111/ai_n19206336|title=Dr. Donda West Tells How She Shaped Son To Be A Leader In ''Raising Kanye''|author= Christian, Margena A.|date=May 14, 2007|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|accessdate=August 19, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> His father, Ray West, is a former [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] and was one of the first black photojournalists at ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Ray West was later a Christian counselor,<ref name="leader" /> and in 2006, opened the Good Water Store and Café in [[Lexington Park, Maryland]] with startup capital from his son.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mygoodwater.com/about.html | title = About | publisher = Westar Waterworks, LLC t/a The Good Water Store and Café | accessdate = December 31, 2012}}</ref><ref name=wapo-water>{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120602139.html | title = How'd You Like Your Water? | first = Michael | last = Tunison | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = December 7, 2006 | accessdate = December 31, 2012}}</ref> West's mother, Dr. Donda C. (Williams) West,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JanbEhQx5RwC&pg=PA15 |title=Kanye West: Grammy-Winning Hip-Hop Artist & Producer |author=Audrey Borus, Douglas Lynne |publisher= |accessdate=September 2, 2013}}</ref> was a professor of English at [[Clark Atlanta University]], and the Chair of the English Department at [[Chicago State University]] before retiring to serve as his manager. West was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School<ref name="KWstBio5">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-117259968.html|title=The Many Faces of Kanye West|accessdate=July 19, 2007|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] | first=Kimberly | last=Davis | year=2004}}{{paywall}}</ref> in suburban [[Oak Lawn, Illinois]] after living in Chicago.<ref name="cant ignore">{{cite news | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html | title = Why You Can't Ignore Kanye | accessdate = June 7, 2007 | work = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date = August 21, 2005 | first = Josh | last = Tyrangiel | archivedate = April 1, 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070401082700/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html | deadurl = no}}</ref>

West's [[Views of Kanye West|outspoken views]] have received significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on [[social media]], at award shows and public settings, as well as his comments on the [[Music industry|music]] and [[Fashion industry|fashion industries]], [[Politics of the United States|U.S. politics]], [[Race and ethnicity in the United States|race]], and [[slavery in the United States|slavery]]. His Christian faith, high-profile marriage to [[Kim Kardashian]], and mental health have also been topics of media attention.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Instagram Restricts Kanye West's Account and Deletes Content for Violating Policies |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/instagram-restricts-kanye-west-account-deletes-content-1235236269/ |access-date=October 9, 2022 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009000722/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/instagram-restricts-kanye-west-account-deletes-content-1235236269/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Graham2019">{{cite magazine |last1=Graham |first1=Ruth |title=Evangelicals Are Extremely Excited About Kanye's Jesus Is King |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-evangelical-biblical.html |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=October 29, 2019 |date=October 28, 2019 |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029162030/https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-evangelical-biblical.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Schaffstall">{{cite magazine |last1=Schaffstall |first1=Katherine |title=Kanye West Unveils New 'Jesus Is King' Album; Talks "Cancel Culture" and "Christian Innovation" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-album-cancel-culture-christianity-1250025 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=October 29, 2019 |date=October 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029144642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-album-cancel-culture-christianity-1250025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful [[Kanye West 2020 presidential campaign|independent presidential campaign]] that advocated for a [[consistent life ethic]]. In October 2022, he was widely condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships{{emdash}}including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and [[Balenciaga]]{{emdash}}after [[Views of Kanye West#Race and antisemitism|making a series]] of [[antisemitic]] statements, including [[Holocaust denial|denying the Holocaust]].

At the age of 10, West moved with his mother to [[Nanjing]], China, where she was teaching at [[Nanjing University]] as part of an exchange program. According to his mother, West was the only foreigner in his class, but settled in well and quickly picked up the language, although he has since forgotten most of it.<ref>{{cite book | last = West | first = Donda | title =Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar | publisher = Pocket Books | year = 2007 | location = New York, NY | pages = 85–93 | isbn = 978-1-4165-4470-8 }}</ref> When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's. And I'm not even frontin'."<ref>{{cite web | last=Mos | first = Corey | title = College Dropout Kanye Tells High School Students Not To Follow In His Footsteps | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517484/20051205/west_kanye.jhtml | publisher = MTV | date = December 5, 2005 | accessdate=July 28, 2006}}</ref>

== Early life ==

West demonstrated an affinity for the arts at an early age; he began writing poetry when he was five years old.<ref name=Chicago>{{cite news |title=Kanye and His Mom Shared Special Bond

West was born on June 8, 1977, in [[Atlanta]], Georgia.{{efn|Most biographies and reference works state that West was born in Atlanta, although some sources give his birthplace as [[Douglasville, Georgia|Douglasville]], a small city west of Atlanta.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JanbEhQx5RwC&pg=PA15 |title=Kanye West: Grammy-Winning Hip-Hop Artist & Producer |first1=Audrey |last1=Borus |first2=Douglas |last2=Lynne |access-date=June 8, 2020 |isbn=978-1-61783-623-7 |year=2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Revolt TV |title=A timeline of Kanye West's 41 years of excellence |url=https://www.revolt.tv/2018/6/8/20819428/a-timeline-of-kanye-west-s-41-years-of-excellence |website=Revolt |date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609022529/https://www.revolt.tv/2018/6/8/20819428/a-timeline-of-kanye-west-s-41-years-of-excellence |url-status=live }}</ref>}} After his parents divorced when he was three years old, he moved with his mother to [[Chicago]], Illinois.<ref>{{cite web|last=Arney|first=Steve|access-date=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_79bc1031-1dc9-511b-8444-243951568e4b.html|title=Kanye West Coming To Redbird.|work=[[Pantagraph]]|date=March 8, 2006|archive-date=April 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428042047/http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_79bc1031-1dc9-511b-8444-243951568e4b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="leader">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_111/ai_n19206336|title=Dr. Donda West Tells How She Shaped Son To Be A Leader In ''Raising Kanye''|first=Margena A.|last=Christian|date=May 14, 2007|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|access-date=August 19, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113155045/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_111/ai_n19206336|archive-date=November 13, 2007}}</ref> His father, Ray West, is a former [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] and was one of the first black photojournalists at ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Ray later became a Christian counselor,<ref name="leader" /> and in 2006, opened the Good Water Store and Café in [[Lexington Park, Maryland]], with startup capital from his son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mygoodwater.com/about.html|title=About|publisher=Westar Waterworks, LLC t/a The Good Water Store and Café|access-date=December 31, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623223030/http://www.mygoodwater.com/about.html|archive-date=June 23, 2012}}</ref><ref name=wapo-water>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120602139.html|title=How'd You Like Your Water?|first=Michael|last=Tunison|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 7, 2006|access-date=December 31, 2012|archive-date=December 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208084954/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120602139.html|url-status=live}}</ref> West's mother, [[Donda C. West]] (née Williams),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JanbEhQx5RwC&pg=PA15 |title=Kanye West: Grammy-Winning Hip-Hop Artist & Producer |first1=Audrey |last1=Borus |first2=Douglas |last2=Lynne |access-date=September 2, 2013 |isbn=978-1-61783-623-7 |year=2013}}</ref> was a professor of English at [[Clark Atlanta University]] and the Chair of the English Department at [[Chicago State University]] before retiring to serve as his manager.

|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-11-13/news/0711130488_1_chicago-state-university-degree-from-auburn-university-kanye-west|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 13, 2007|accessdate=August 7, 2012}}</ref> His mother recalled that she first took notice of West's passion for drawing and music when he was in the third grade.<ref>West, Donda, p. 105</ref> Growing up in Chicago, West became deeply involved in its hip hop scene. He started rapping in the third grade and began making musical compositions in the seventh grade, eventually selling them to other artists.<ref name=KanplicatedPg2>{{cite web|author=Calloway, Sway |author2=Reid, Shaheem |title=Kanye West: Kanplicated |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/w/west_kanye/news_feature_022404/index2.jhtml |date=February 20, 2004 |publisher=MTV |accessdate=April 21, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090406021640/http://www.mtv.com:80/bands/w/west_kanye/news_feature_022404/index2.jhtml |archivedate=April 6, 2009 }}</ref> At age thirteen, West wrote a rap song called "Green Eggs and Ham" and began to persuade his mother to pay $25 an hour for time in a recording studio. It was a small, crude basement studio where a microphone hung from the ceiling by a wire clothes hanger. Although this wasn't what West's mother wanted, she nonetheless supported him.<ref name="Chicago" /> West crossed paths with producer/DJ [[No I.D.]], with whom he quickly formed a close friendship. No I.D. soon became West's mentor, and it was from him that West learned how to sample and program beats after he received his first [[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]] at age 15.<ref name="Hess-p557">Hess, p. 557</ref>

West was raised in a middle-class environment, attending Polaris School for Individual Education<ref name="KWstBio5">{{cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Kimberly |date=June 2004 |title=The Many Faces of Kanye West |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J9kDAAAAMBAJ&q=kanye&pg=PA93 |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |page=92 |access-date=July 19, 2007 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302200411/https://books.google.com/books?id=J9kDAAAAMBAJ&q=kanye&pg=PA93#v=snippet&q=kanye&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> in suburban [[Oak Lawn, Illinois]], after living in Chicago.<ref name="cant ignore">{{cite magazine |last=Tyrangiel |first=Josh |date=August 21, 2005 |title=Why You Can't Ignore Kanye |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401082700/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1096499%2C00.html |archive-date=April 1, 2007 |access-date=June 7, 2007}}</ref> At the age of 10, West moved with his mother to [[Nanjing, China]], where she was teaching at [[Nanjing University]] as a [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright Scholar]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Nancy |title=Donda West gave her all to enrich son Kanye West's life |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/donda-west-gave-enrich-son-kanye-west-life-article-1.256037 |website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723234715/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/donda-west-gave-enrich-son-kanye-west-life-article-1.256037 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to his mother, West was the only foreigner in his class, but he settled in well and quickly picked up the language, although he has since forgotten most of it.<ref>{{cite book|last=West|first=Donda|author-link=Donda West|title=Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2007|location=New York City|pages=[https://archive.org/details/raisingkanyelive00west/page/85 85–93]|isbn=978-1-4165-4470-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/raisingkanyelive00west/page/85}}</ref> When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's."<ref>{{cite web|last=Mos|first=Corey|title=College Dropout Kanye Tells High School Students Not To Follow in His Footsteps|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517484/20051205/west_kanye.jhtml|website=[[MTV]]|date=December 5, 2005|access-date=July 28, 2006|archive-date=December 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208030420/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517484/20051205/west_kanye.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After graduating from high school, West received a [[scholarship]] to attend Chicago's [[American Academy of Art]] in 1997 and began taking painting classes, but shortly after transferred to [[Chicago State University]] to study English. He soon realized that his busy class schedule was detrimental to his musical work, and at 20 he dropped out of college to pursue his musical dreams.<ref>West, Donda, p. 106</ref> This action greatly displeased his mother, who was also a professor at the university. She later commented, "It was drummed into my head that college is the ticket to a good life... but some career goals don't require college. For Kanye to make an album called ''College Dropout'' it was more about having the guts to embrace who you are, rather than following the path society has carved out for you."<ref name=Hess-p558>Hess, p. 558</ref>

West demonstrated an affinity for the arts at an early age; he began writing poetry when he was five years old.<ref name=Chicago>{{cite news|title=Kanye and His Mom Shared Special Bond|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/11/13/kanye-and-his-mom-shared-special-bond/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=August 7, 2012|archive-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221044031/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-11-13/news/0711130488_1_chicago-state-university-degree-from-auburn-university-kanye-west|url-status=live}}</ref> West started rapping in the third grade and began making musical compositions in the seventh grade, eventually selling them to other artists.<ref name=KanplicatedPg2>{{cite web|author=Calloway, Sway|author2=Reid, Shaheem|title=Kanye West: Kanplicated|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/w/west_kanye/news_feature_022404/index2.jhtml|date=February 20, 2004|publisher=MTV|access-date=April 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406021640/http://www.mtv.com/bands/w/west_kanye/news_feature_022404/index2.jhtml|archive-date=April 6, 2009}}</ref> West crossed paths with producer [[No I.D.]], who became West's friend and mentor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bXy2wTEsbCsC|title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture|last=Dills|first=Todd|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=978-0-313-33904-2|editor-last=Hess|editor-first=Mickey|volume=2|location=Westport, CT|pages=555–578|language=en|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=July 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723234713/https://books.google.com/books?id=bXy2wTEsbCsC|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Rp|557}} After graduating from high school, West received a scholarship to attend Chicago's [[American Academy of Art]] in 1997 and began taking painting classes. Shortly after, he transferred to Chicago State University to study English. At age 20, he dropped out to pursue his musical career.<ref>West, Donda, p. 106</ref> This greatly displeased his mother, who was also a professor at the university, although she would later accept the decision.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|558}}

==Career==

== Musical career ==
=== 1996–2002: Early work and Roc-A-Fella Records ===

Kanye West began his early production career in the mid-1990s, makingcreating beats primarily for burgeoning local artists, eventuallyin developingthe aChicago stylearea. thatHe involvedreceived speeding up vocal samples from classic [[Soul music|soul]] records. Hishis first official production credits came at the age of nineteen, when he produced eight tracks on ''Down to Earth'', the 1996 debut album of a Chicago-based rapper[[underground namedhip hop|underground]] rapper Grav.<ref>{{cite web magazine|title=Photos: Kanye West's Career Highs — andHighs—and Lows 1 of 24|url=httphttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/photos-kanye-wests-career-highs-and-lows-20101210|workmagazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 10, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=March 4, 2013|archive-date=February 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216104340/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/photos-kanye-wests-career-highs-and-lows-20101210|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1998, West was the first producer signed to the management-production company [[Hip Hop Since 1978]], founded by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gee Starts Own Label |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=287384&title+Gee-Starts-Own-Label |website=Hits Daily Double |access-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203080324/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D308429 |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |date=December 21, 2012 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Gee, Is He Making Moves? |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=308429 |website=HitsDailyDouble |access-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203080324/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D308429 |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |date=September 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> For a time, West acted as a ghost producer for [[D-Dot|Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie]]. BecauseDue ofto his association with D-DotAngelettie, West wasn'twas not able to release a solo album, so he formed and became a member and producer of the Go-Getters, a late-1990s Chicagohip raphop group composed of him, and fellow Chicago natives [[GLC (rapper)|GLC]], Timmy G, [[Really Doe]], and Arrowstar.<ref name=Barber>{{cite web |author=Barber, Andrew|title=93. Go-Getters "Let Em In" (2000)|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-100-best-kanye-west-songs/let-em-in|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=July 23, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=August 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727014600/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-100-best-kanye-west-songs/let-em-in|archive-date=July 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Reid, Shaheem |title=Music Geek Kanye's Kast of Thousands |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/music_geek/kanyewest_100305/ |publisher=MTV |date=September 30, 2005 |accessdateaccess-date=April 23, 2006 |deadurlurl-status=yes dead|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415173601/http://www.mtv.com:80/bands/m/music_geek/kanyewest_100305/ |archivedatearchive-date=April 15, 2006 }}</ref> HisThe groupGo-Getters wasindependently managedreleased bytheir [[Johnfirst Monopoly|Johnand "Monopoly"only Johnson]]studio album, Don''World Crowley,Record andHolders'' Happyin Lewis1999 underthrough theWest's managementcompany, firm[[GOOD HustleMusic|Konman PeriodProductions]].<ref Aftername=Barber attending/> aWest seriesspent much of promotionalthe [[photolate shoot]]s1990s andfurther makingproducing somefor radioseveral appearances,musical Theacts.<ref Go-Gettersname="Saddleback">{{cite releasedbook their|title=Kanye firstWest: andHip-Hop onlyBiographies studio|year=2013 album|publisher=Saddleback ''WorldEducation RecordPublishing Holders''|isbn=978-1-62250-016-1 in|page=18}}</ref> 1999.He Theproduced albumthe featuredthird othertrack Chicago-basedon rappers[[Foxy suchBrown as(rapper)|Foxy [[RhymefestBrown]],'s Mikkeysecond Halsted,studio Missalbum Criss,''[[Chyna andDoll Shayla(album)|Chyna G.Doll]]'' Meanwhile(1999), which became the productionsecond waship-hop handledalbum by West,a Arrowstar,female Boogz,rapper andto Brianpeak "Allatop Day"the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] Millerchart.<ref name=Barber"Saddleback" />

[[File:Jay-Z Kanye Watch the Throne Staples Center 9 (cropped).jpg|thumb|West received early acclaim for his production work on [[Jay-Z]]'s ''[[The Blueprint]]''. The two are pictured here in 2011.]]

West spent much of the late-1990s producing records for a number of well-known artists and music groups.<ref name="Saddleback">{{cite book |title=Kanye West: Hip-Hop Biographies |author=Saddleback |date=January 1, 2013|publisher=Saddleback Education Publishing |location= |isbn=978-1622500161|page=18 |pages= |url=}}</ref> The third song on [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]]'s second studio album ''[[Chyna Doll (album)|Chyna Doll]]'' was produced by West. Her second effort subsequently became the very first hip-hop album by a female rapper to debut at the top of the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart in its first week of release.<ref name="Saddleback"/> West produced three of the tracks on [[Harlem World (group)|Harlem World]]'s first and only album ''[[The Movement (Harlem World album)|The Movement]]'' alongside [[Jermaine Dupri]] and the production duo [[Trackmasters]]. His songs featured rappers [[Nas]], [[Drag-On]], and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer [[Carl Thomas (singer)|Carl Thomas]].<ref name="Saddleback"/> The ninth track from ''[[World Party (album)|World Party]]'', the last [[Goodie Mob]] album to feature the rap group's four founding members prior to their break-up, was co-produced by West with his manager Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie.<ref name="Saddleback"/> At the close of the millennium, West ended up producing six songs for ''[[Tell 'Em Why U Madd]]'', an album that was released by D-Dot under the alias of The Madd Rapper; a fictional character he created for a [[Hip hop skit|skit]] on [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]'s second and final studio album ''[[Life After Death]]''. West's songs featured guest appearances from rappers such as [[Mase|Ma$e]], [[Raekwon]], and [[Eminem]].<ref name="Saddleback"/>

In 2000, West began producing for artists on [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] as an in-house producer. West is often credited with revitalizing Jay-Z's career with extensive contributions to his 2001 album ''[[The Blueprint]]'',<ref name="Mitchum" /> which ''Rolling Stone'' ranked among their list of greatest hip-hop albums.<ref name="RS500">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-blueprint-20120524|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time: #464 (The Blueprint)|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 18, 2003|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715175432/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-blueprint-20120524|archive-date=July 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> West produced songs for label cohorts such as [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]], but also produced beats which were used by artists on other labels including [[Ludacris]], [[Alicia Keys]], and [[Janet Jackson]].<ref name="Mitchum">Mitchum, Rob. [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8767-the-college-dropout/ Review: ''The College Dropout''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731093001/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8767-the-college-dropout/ |date=July 31, 2009 }}. [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]. Retrieved July 23, 2009.</ref><ref name=auto>Serpick, Evan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110930054329/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/biography Kanye West]. ''Rolling Stone'' Jann Wenner. Retrieved December 26, 2009.</ref> Meanwhile, West struggled to attain a record deal as a rapper.<ref name="Road">{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496766/road-grammys-kanye-west.jhtml|title=Road to the Grammys: The Making Of Kanye West's College Dropout|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=February 9, 2005|access-date=January 4, 2009|publisher=MTV|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718104107/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496766/road-grammys-kanye-west.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Multiple record companies, including [[Capitol Records]],<ref name=KanplicatedPg2 /> denied or ignored him because he did not portray the [[gangsta rap|gangsta]] image prominent in mainstream hip hop at the time.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|556}} Desperate to keep West from defecting to another label, then-label head [[Damon Dash]] reluctantly signed West to Roc-A-Fella as a recording artist.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|556}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Williams, Jean A|access-date=April 27, 2008|url=http://www.blackcollegian.com/kanye-west-the-man-the-music-and-the-message/|title=Kanye West: The Man, the Music, and the Message. (Biography)|publisher=The Black Collegian|date=October 1, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125003250/http://www.blackcollegian.com/kanye-west-the-man-the-music-and-the-message/|archive-date=January 25, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Jay-Z Kanye Watch the Throne Staples Center 9 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|255px|West received early acclaim for his production work on [[Jay-Z]]'s ''[[The Blueprint]]''; the two are pictured here in 2011.]]

West got his big break in the year 2000, when he began to produce for artists on [[Roc-A-Fella Records]]. West came to achieve recognition and is often credited with revitalizing Jay-Z's career with his contributions to the rap mogul's influential 2001 album ''[[The Blueprint]]''.<ref name="Mitchum"/> ''The Blueprint'' is consistently ranked among the greatest hip-hop albums, and the critical and financial success of the album generated substantial interest in West as a producer.<ref name="RS500">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-blueprint-20120524|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time: #464 (The Blueprint)|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 18, 2003|accessdate=June 21, 2007}}</ref> Serving as an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, West produced records for other artists from the label, including [[Beanie Sigel]], [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]], and [[Cam'ron]]. He also crafted hit songs for [[Ludacris]], [[Alicia Keys]], and [[Janet Jackson]].<ref name="Mitchum">Mitchum, Rob. [http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8767-the-college-dropout/ Review: ''The College Dropout'']. [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved July 23, 2009.</ref><ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy. [http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-college-dropout-mw0000326741 The College Dropout]. [[AllMusic]]. [[All Music Guide]]. Retrieved August 25, 2011</ref><ref name="Road">{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title= Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Kanye West's College Dropout |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496766/road-grammys-kanye-west.jhtml|publisher=MTV |date=February 9, 2005|accessdate=January 4, 2009}}</ref><ref name=auto>Serpick, Evan. [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/biography Kanye West]. ''Rolling Stone'' Jann Wenner. Retrieved December 26, 2009.</ref>

A 2002 car accident, which shattered his jaw,<ref name=wsws /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kanye-west-apos-2002-car-211020679.html|title=How Kanye West's 2002 Car Crash Shaped His Entire Career|publisher=Yahoo-Finance|access-date=June 6, 2018|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415153441/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kanye-west-apos-2002-car-211020679.html|url-status=live}}</ref> inspired West; two weeks after being admitted to the hospital, he recorded "[[Through the Wire]]" at the [[Record Plant Studios]] with his jaw still wired shut.<ref name=wsws>Kearney, Kevin (September 30, 2005). [http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2005/09/kany-s30.html Rapper Kanye West on the cover of Time: Will rap music shed its "gangster" disguise?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401225638/http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2005/09/kany-s30.html |date=April 1, 2016 }}. World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved September 23, 2007.</ref> The song was first included on West's debut [[mixtape]] ''Get Well Soon...'', which was released in December 2002.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kamer, Foster|access-date=June 6, 2018|url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-50-best-rapper-mixtapes/kanye-west-get-well-soon|title=9. Kanye West, Get Well Soon ... (2003)—The 50 Best Rapper Mixtapes|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313223732/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-50-best-rapper-mixtapes/kanye-west-get-well-soon|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, West announced that he was working on an album titled ''The College Dropout'', whose overall theme was to "make your own decisions. Don't let society tell you, 'This is what you have to do.'"<ref>Reid, Shaheem (December 10, 2002). "[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459071/kanye-west-raps-through-broken-jaw.jhtml Kanye West Raps Through His Broken Jaw, Lays Beats For Scarface, Ludacris] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228152622/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459071/kanye-west-raps-through-broken-jaw.jhtml |date=December 28, 2013 }}". MTV. Retrieved October 23, 2007.</ref>

Despite his success as a producer, West's true aspiration was to be a rapper. Though he had developed his rapping long before he began producing, it was often a challenge for West to be accepted as a rapper, and he struggled to attain a record deal.<ref name=Road1/> Multiple record companies ignored him because he did not portray the 'gangsta image' prominent in mainstream hip hop at the time.<ref name=Hess-p556>Hess, p. 556</ref> After a series of meetings with [[Capitol Records]], West was ultimately denied an artist deal.<ref name=KanplicatedPg2/>

=== 2003–2006: ''The College Dropout'' and ''Late Registration'' ===

According to Capitol Record's A&R, Joe Weinberger, he was approached by West and almost signed a deal with him, but another person in the company convinced Capitol's president not to.<ref name="KanplicatedPg2" /> Desperate to keep West from defecting to another label, then-label head [[Damon Dash]] reluctantly signed West to Roc-A-Fella Records. Jay-Z later admitted that Roc-A-Fella was initially reluctant to support West as a rapper, claiming that many saw him as a producer first and foremost, and that his background contrasted with that of his labelmates.<ref name="Hess-p556" /><ref>{{cite web|author=Williams, Jean A|accessdate=April 27, 2008|url=http://www.blackcollegian.com/kanye-west-the-man-the-music-and-the-message/|title=Kanye West: The Man, the Music, and the Message.(Biography) |publisher=The Black Collegian|date=October 1, 2007 }}</ref>

{{Main|The College Dropout|Late Registration}}

[[File:Kanye West in Portland.jpg|thumb|right|upright|West in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] in December 2005 as a supporting act for [[U2]] on their [[Vertigo Tour]]]]

West recorded the remainder of the album in Los Angeles while recovering from the car accident. It was leaked months before its release date,<ref name="Road" /> and West used the opportunity to remix, remaster, and revise the album before its release;<ref>{{cite web|last=Patel|first=Joseph|title=Producer Kanye West's Debut LP Features Jay-Z, ODB, Mos Def|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472302/kanye-west-readying-debut-lp.jhtml|date=June 5, 2003|publisher=MTV|access-date=April 21, 2009|archive-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026080735/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472302/kanye-west-readying-debut-lp.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> West added new verses, [[String section|string arrangements]], [[gospel choir]]s, and improved drum programming.<ref name="Road" /> The album was postponed three times from its initial date in August 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://popmatters.com/pm/review/westkanye-getwellsoon/|title=Kanye West: Get Well Soon / I'm Good|first=Hartley|last=Goldstein|date=December 5, 2003|work=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=March 21, 2013|archive-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621015704/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/westkanye-getwellsoon/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.best.complex.com/music/2011/09/clinton-sparks-30-favorite-mixtapes/get-well-soon|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119184429/http://cdn.best.complex.com/music/2011/09/clinton-sparks-30-favorite-mixtapes/get-well-soon|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|title=Kanye West × The Heavy Hitters, Get Well Soon (2003)—Clinton Sparks' 30 Favorite Mixtapes|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=December 9, 2012|author=Ahmed, Insanul}}</ref> and was eventually released in February 2004, reaching No.&nbsp;2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 as his debut single, "[[Through the Wire]]" peaked at No.&nbsp;15 while on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart for five weeks.<ref name=acharts>[http://acharts.us/song/337 Kanye West—Through the Wire—Music Charts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204917/http://acharts.us/song/337 |date=September 30, 2007 }}. aCharts.us. Retrieved July 3, 2010.</ref> "[[Slow Jamz]]", his second single, featuring [[Twista]] and [[Jamie Foxx]], became the three musicians' first No.&nbsp;1 hit. ''The College Dropout'' received critical acclaim, was nominated for the top album of the year by ''[[American Music Awards of 2004|American Music Awards]]'' and ''[[2004 Billboard Music Awards|Billboard]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=September 14, 2004 |title=32nd American Music Awards Nominees |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/32nd-american-music-awards-nominees-66500/ |access-date=February 12, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212181432/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/32nd-american-music-awards-nominees-66500/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=November 30, 2004 |title=2004 Billboard Music Awards Finalists |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2004-billboard-music-awards-finalists-65464/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112062939/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65464/2004-billboard-music-awards-finalists |archive-date=November 12, 2015 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and has consistently been ranked among the great hip-hop works and debut albums by artists.<ref name=USAToday/><ref name=NYTimes/>

West's breakthrough came a year later on October 23, 2002, when, while driving home from a [[California]] recording studio after working late, he fell asleep at the wheel and was involved in a near-fatal car crash.<ref name=wsws/> The crash left him with a shattered jaw, which had to be wired shut in reconstructive surgery. The accident inspired West; two weeks after being admitted to the hospital, he recorded a song at the [[Record Plant Studios]] with his jaw still wired shut.<ref name=wsws>Kearney, Kevin (September 30, 2005). [http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2005/09/kany-s30.html Rapper Kanye West on the cover of Time: Will rap music shed its "gangster" disguise?]. World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved September 23, 2007.</ref> The composition, "[[Through The Wire]]", expressed West's experience after the accident, and helped lay the foundation for his debut album, as according to West "all the better artists have expressed what they were going through".<ref name="amg">{{cite web|year=2007|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p353484|pure_url=yes}}|title=Kanye West – Biography|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|publisher=Allmusic. All Media Guide}}</ref><ref name=ebony>Davis, Kimberly. [https://books.google.com/books?id=J9kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA93 "The Many Faces of Kanye West"] (June 2004) ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]''.</ref> West added that "the album was my medicine", as working on the record distracted him from the pain.<ref>Davis, Kimberly. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EFWfRrCKBCIC&pg=PA160 "Kanye West: Hip Hop's New Big Shot"] (April 2005) ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]''.</ref> "Through The Wire" was first available on West's ''Get Well Soon...'' [[mixtape]], released December 2002.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kamer, Foster|accessdate=April 9, 2013|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-50-best-rapper-mixtapes/kanye-west-get-well-soon|title=9. Kanye West, Get Well Soon... (2003) — The 50 Best Rapper Mixtapes |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=March 11, 2013}}</ref> At the same time, West announced that he was working on an album called ''The College Dropout'', whose overall theme was to "make your own decisions. Don't let society tell you, 'This is what you have to do.'"<ref>Reid, Shaheem (December 10, 2002). "[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459071/kanye-west-raps-through-broken-jaw.jhtml Kanye West Raps Through His Broken Jaw, Lays Beats For Scarface, Ludacris]". MTV. Retrieved October 23, 2007.</ref>

"[[Jesus Walks]]", the album's fourth single, reached the top 20 of the ''Billboard'' pop charts, despite industry executives' predictions that a song containing such blatant declarations of faith would never make it to the radio.<ref name=USAToday>{{Cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|title=Kanye West runs away with 'Jesus Walks'|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-02-10-kanye-west-main_x.htm|work=[[USA Today]]|date=February 10, 2005|access-date=January 7, 2009|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025231046/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-02-10-kanye-west-main_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes>{{Cite news|last=Leland|first=John|author-link=John Leland (journalist)|title=Rappers Are Raising Their Churches' Roofs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/arts/music/13hiph.html?pagewanted=all&position=|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 13, 2004|access-date=January 7, 2009|archive-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528052014/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/arts/music/13hiph.html?pagewanted=all&position=|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The College Dropout'' was certified [[RIAA certification|triple platinum]] in the U.S., and garnered West 10 Grammy nominations, including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] (which it received).<ref name="grammy">{{Cite news|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Kanye Scores 10 Grammy Nominations; Usher And Alicia Keys Land Eight|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494569/kanye-scores-10-grammy-nominations.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=December 7, 2004|access-date=January 7, 2009|archive-date=April 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411073415/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494569/kanye-scores-10-grammy-nominations.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> During this period, West founded GOOD Music, a record label and management company that housed affiliate artists and producers, such as No I.D. and [[John Legend]],<ref name="Sheffield">Sheffield, Rob (November 22, 2010). [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-20101109 Review: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218061924/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-20101109 |date=December 18, 2010 }}. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved November 11, 2010.</ref> and produced singles for [[Brandy (musician)|Brandy]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], Legend, and [[Slum Village]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930054329/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2011|title=2004–2005 production credits|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref>

===2003–06: ''The College Dropout'' and ''Late Registration''===

{{main article|The College Dropout|Late Registration}}

[[File:Kanye West in Portland.jpg|thumb|200px|left|West performing in Portland in December 2005.]]

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|source = — ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' review of ''[[The College Dropout]]'', February 2004.<ref name="Endelman">Endelman, Michael. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,588188,00.html Review: ''The College Dropout'']. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on July 23, 2009.</ref>

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West invested $2&nbsp;million and took over a year to make his second album.<ref>Brown, p. 120</ref> West was inspired by ''[[Roseland NYC Live]]'', a 1998 live album by English [[trip hop]] group [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]], produced with the [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]],<ref name=Praise>{{cite news|author=Scaggs, Austin|title=Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-a-genius-in-praise-of-himself-20070920|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309060656/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/16257550/kanye_west_a_genius_in_praise_of_himself/print|archive-date=March 9, 2009|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> incorporating [[string arrangement]]s into his hip-hop production. Though West had not been able to afford many live instruments around the time of his debut album, the money from his commercial success enabled him to hire a [[string orchestra]] for his second album ''[[Late Registration]]''.<ref name=Praise /> West collaborated with American [[film score]] composer [[Jon Brion]], who served as the album's co-executive producer for several tracks.<ref name=Pilot>Perez, Rodrigo (August 12, 2005). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml "Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105015432/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml |date=November 5, 2005 }}. [[MTV]]. [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]. Retrieved March 2, 2006.</ref><ref name=Pg124>Brown, p. 124</ref> ''Late Registration'' sold over 2.3&nbsp;million units in the United States alone by the end of 2005 and was considered by industry observers as the only successful major album release of the fall season, which had been plagued by steadily declining CD sales.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Knopper, Steve|title=Kanye Couldn't Save Fall|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/8829100/kanyewest|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=RealNetworks, Inc|date=November 15, 2005|access-date=November 27, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201190546/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/8829100/kanyewest|archive-date=December 1, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Carrying a [[Louis Vuitton]] backpack filled with old disks and demos to the studio and back, West crafted much of his production for his debut album in less than fifteen minutes at a time. He recorded the remainder of the album in Los Angeles while recovering from the car accident. Once he had completed the album, it was leaked months before its release date.<ref name=Road1/> However, West decided to use the opportunity to review the album, and ''The College Dropout'' was significantly remixed, remastered, and revised before being released. As a result, certain tracks originally destined for the album were subsequently retracted, among them "Keep the Receipt" with [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]] and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" with Consequence.<ref>{{cite web | last=Patel | first=Joseph | title=Producer Kanye West's Debut LP Features Jay-Z, ODB, Mos Def | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472302/kanye-west-readying-debut-lp.jhtml| date=June 5, 2003 | publisher=MTV | accessdate=April 21, 2009}}</ref> West meticulously refined the production, adding [[String section|string arrangements]], [[gospel choir]]s, improved [[drum]] [[Programming (music)|programming]] and new verses.<ref name="Road"/> West's perfectionism led ''The College Dropout'' to have its release postponed three times from its initial date in August 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/westkanye-getwellsoon/|title=Kanye West: Get Well Soon / I'm Good

|first=Hartley|last=Goldstein|date=December 5, 2003|work=[[PopMatters]]|accessdate=March 21, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://cdn.best.complex.com/music/2011/09/clinton-sparks-30-favorite-mixtapes/get-well-soon | title=Kanye West × The Heavy Hitters, Get Well Soon (2003) – Clinton Sparks' 30 Favorite Mixtapes | work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] | date=September 21, 2011 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | author=Ahmed, Insanul}}{{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref>

When his song "[[Touch the Sky (Kanye West song)|Touch the Sky]]" failed to win Best Video at the 2006 [[MTV Europe Music Awards]], West went onto the stage as the award was being presented to [[Justice (band)|Justice]] and [[Simian (band)|Simian]] for "[[We Are Your Friends (song)|We Are Your Friends]]" and argued that he should have won the award instead.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=April 24, 2008|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/kanye-west-unleashes-tirade-after-losing-at-mtv-europe-music-awards|title=Kanye West Unleashes Tirade After Losing at MTV Europe Music Awards|publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023223440/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227304,00.html|archive-date=October 23, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603120826/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archive-date=June 3, 2007|title=EMAs Shocker: Kanye Stage Invasion!|access-date=June 7, 2007|publisher=MTV}}</ref> Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. On November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly during his performance as support act for [[U2]] for their Vertigo concert in [[Brisbane]].<ref>{{cite news|access-date=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html|title=Kanye West Upset at MTV Video Award Loss|publisher=Fox News|first=Jan M.|last=Olsen|date=November 3, 2006|archive-date=May 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510113205/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He later spoofed the incident on the 33rd-season premiere of ''Saturday Night Live'' in September 2007.<ref name="snlarchives">{{cite web|url=http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?2007092913|title=SNL Archives {{!}} Episodes {{!}} September 29, 2007 #13|work=SNL Archives|last=Navaroli|first=Joel|date=September 29, 2007|access-date=January 10, 2015|archive-date=March 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317152741/http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?2007092913|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The College Dropout'' was eventually issued by Roc-A-Fella in February 2004, shooting to number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] as his debut single, "[[Through the Wire]]" peaked at number fifteen on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart for five weeks.<ref name=acharts>[http://acharts.us/song/337 Kanye West – Through the Wire – Music Charts]. aCharts.us. Retrieved July 3, 2010.</ref> "[[Slow Jamz]]", his second single featuring [[Twista]] and [[Jamie Foxx]], became an even bigger success: it became the three musicians' first number one hit. ''The College Dropout'' received near-universal critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, was voted the top album of the year by two major music publications, and has consistently been ranked among the great hip-hop works and debut albums by artists. "[[Jesus Walks]]", the album's fourth single, perhaps exposed West to a wider audience; the song's subject matter concerns faith and [[Christianity]]. The song nevertheless reached the top 20 of the ''Billboard'' pop charts, despite industry executives' predictions that a song containing such blatant declarations of faith would never make it to radio.<ref name=USAToday>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |title= Kanye West runs away with 'Jesus Walks' |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-02-10-kanye-west-main_x.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |date=February 10, 2005|accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes>{{Cite news |last=Leland |first=John |authorlink=John Leland (journalist) |title= Rappers Are Raising Their Churches' Roofs |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/arts/music/13hiph.html?pagewanted=all&position= |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 13, 2004|accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref> ''The College Dropout'' would eventually be certified [[RIAA certification|triple platinum]] in the US, and garnered West 10 Grammy nominations, including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] (which it received).<ref name="grammy">{{Cite news |last=Montgomery |first=James |title= Kanye Scores 10 Grammy Nominations; Usher And Alicia Keys Land Eight |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494569/kanye-scores-10-grammy-nominations.jhtml |publisher=MTV |date=December 7, 2004 |accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref> During this period, West also founded [[GOOD Music]], a record label and management company that would go on to house affiliate artists and producers, such as [[No I.D.]] and [[John Legend]]. At the time, the focal point of West's production style was the use of sped-up vocal samples from [[Soul music|soul]] records.<ref name="Sheffield">Sheffield, Rob (November 22, 2010). [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-20101109 Review: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'']. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved November 11, 2010.</ref> However, partly because of the acclaim of ''The College Dropout'', such sampling had been much copied by others; with that overuse, and also because West felt he had become too dependent on the technique, he decided to find a new sound.<ref name=Pg121>Brown, p. 121</ref>

[[File:Kanyewestdec2008.jpg|thumb|right|188px|West performing in 2008.]]

Beginning his second effort that fall, West would invest two million dollars and take over a year to craft his second album.<ref>Brown, p. 120</ref> West was significantly inspired by ''[[Roseland NYC Live]]'', a 1998 live album by English [[trip hop]] group [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]], produced with the [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref name=Praise>{{cite news |author=Scaggs, Austin|title=Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-a-genius-in-praise-of-himself-20070920|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 20, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309060656/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/16257550/kanye_west_a_genius_in_praise_of_himself/print|archivedate=March 9, 2009|accessdate=August 9, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Early in his career, the live album had inspired him to incorporate [[string arrangement]]s into his hip-hop production. Though West had not been able to afford many live instruments around the time of his debut album, the money from his commercial success enabled him to hire a [[string orchestra]] for his second album ''[[Late Registration]]''.<ref name=Praise/> West collaborated with American [[film score]] composer [[Jon Brion]], who served as the album's co-executive producer for several tracks.<ref name=Pilot>Perez, Rodrigo (August 12, 2005). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507538/20050812/west_kanye.jhtml "Kanye's Co-Pilot, Jon Brion, Talks About The Making Of Late Registration"]. [[MTV]]. [[Viacom]]. Retrieved March 2, 2006.</ref> Although Brion had no prior experience in creating hip-hop records, he and West found that they could productively work together after their first afternoon in the studio where they discovered that neither confined his musical knowledge and vision to one specific genre.<ref name=Pg124>Brown, p. 124</ref> ''Late Registration'' sold over 2.3&nbsp;million units in the United States alone by the end of 2005 and was considered by industry observers as the only successful major album release of the fall season, which had been plagued by steadily declining CD sales.<ref>{{cite web |author=Knopper, Steve|title=Kanye Couldn't Save Fall|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/8829100/kanyewest|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=November 15, 2005 |accessdate=November 27, 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201190546/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/8829100/kanyewest?|archivedate=December 1, 2005}}</ref>

=== 2007–2009: ''Graduation'', ''808s & Heartbreak'', and VMAs incident ===

While West had encountered controversy a year prior when he stormed out of the [[American Music Awards of 2004]] after losing Best New Artist,<ref name="http">{{cite news|accessdate=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20302940_20304330,00.html|title=Kanye West's Bad Behavior: A Short History|work=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> the rapper's first large-scale controversy came just days following ''Late Registration''{{'s}} release, during a benefit concert for [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims. In September 2005, [[NBC]] broadcast [[A Concert for Hurricane Relief]], and West was a featured speaker. When West was presenting alongside actor [[Mike Myers]], he deviated from the prepared script. Myers spoke next and continued to read the script. Once it was West's turn to speak again, he said, "[[George W. Bush|George Bush]] doesn't care about black people."<ref name="amg"/> West's comment reached much of the United States, leading to mixed reactions; President Bush would later call it one of the most "disgusting moments" of his presidency.<ref name="artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com">Itzkoff, Dave, [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/kanye-west-criticizes-today-show-for-brutal-interview/ "UPDATED: Kanye West Criticizes 'Today' Show for 'Brutal' Interview"], ''The New York Times'' Arts Beat blog, November 10, 2010, 2:25&nbsp;pm. Retrieved November 10, 2010.</ref> West raised further controversy in January 2006 when he posed on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' wearing a crown of thorns.<ref name="amg"/>

===2007–09: ''{{Main|Graduation'', ''(album)|808s & Heartbreak'',|Kanye West MTV Video andMusic VMAsAwards controversy===}}

{{main article|Graduation (album)|808s & Heartbreak}}

Fresh off spending the previous year touring the world with [[U2]] on their [[Vertigo Tour]], West felt inspired to compose anthemic rap songs that could operate more efficiently in large arenas.<ref name=GradListen>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title= Kanye's Graduation: Inside The NYC Listening Party For West's So-Called 'Comeback'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568459/20070829/west_kanye.jhtml| publisher=MTV. Viacom |date=August 29, 2007|accessdate=August 29, 2007}}</ref> To this end, West incorporated the [[synthesizer]] into his [[Hip hop production|hip-hop production]], utilized slower [[tempo]]s, and experimented with [[electronic music]] and influenced by [[1980s in music|music of the 1980s]].<ref name=Brett>{{cite news |author= Johnson, Brett|title=Review: New CDs From 50 Cent, Kanye West|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/10/AR2007091001600.html|work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=September 10, 2007|accessdate=September 10, 2007}}</ref><ref name=Loop/> In addition to U2, West drew musical inspiration from [[arena rock]] bands such as [[The Rolling Stones]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] in terms of [[melody]] and [[chord progression]].<ref name=Loop>{{cite web | author=Laws, Angel | title=Exclusive Interview W/ Kanye West| url=http://concreteloop.com/interviews-kanyewest| work=Concrete Loop | publisher=concreteloop.com | date=October 5, 2007 | accessdate=October 5, 2007}}</ref><ref name=Serwer>{{cite web |author=Serwer, Jesse |title=Kanye West|url=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/kanye-west-1|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]] |publisher=[[Time Out (company)|Time Out Group Limited]] |date=August 13, 2007|accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> To make his next effort, the third in a planned [[tetralogy]] of education-themed studio albums,<ref name=ODB>{{cite web | last=Patel | first=Joseph | title=Producer Kanye West's Debut LP Features Jay-Z, ODB, Mos Def | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472302/20030604/index.jhtml?headlines=true | date=June 5, 2003 |publisher=MTV.[[Viacom]] | accessdate=April 21, 2009}}</ref> more introspective and personal in lyricism, West listened to [[Folk music|folk]] and [[Country music|country]] singer-songwriters [[Bob Dylan]] and [[Johnny Cash]] in hopes of developing methods to augment his wordplay and storytelling ability.<ref name=Praise/>

[[File:Kanye West in the Studio.jpg|thumb|260px|left|West working in the studio in 2008, accompanied by mentor [[No I.D.]] (left).]]

West's third studio album, ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', garnered major publicity when its release date pitted West in a sales competition against rapper [[50 Cent]]'s ''[[Curtis (50 Cent album)|Curtis]]''.<ref name="Reid">Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569778/20070914/50_cent.jhtml 50 Cent Or Kanye West, Who Will Win? Nas, Timbaland, More Share Their Predictions]. MTV. Viacom. Retrieved December 24, 2009.</ref> Upon their September 2007 releases, ''Graduation'' outsold ''Curtis'' by a large margin, debuting at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and selling 957,000 copies in its first week.<ref name=firstday>{{cite web |author=Mayfield, Geoff|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049350/kanye-well-ahead-of-50-cent-in-first-day-sales-race|title=Kanye Well Ahead Of 50 Cent In First-Day Sales Race|work=Billboard|date=September 12, 2007|accessdate=September 12, 2007}}</ref> ''Graduation'' once again continued the string of critical and commercial successes by West, and the album's lead single, "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]", garnered the rapper his third number-one hit.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cohen, Jonathan|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049151/kanye-caps-banner-week-with-hot-100-chart-topper|title=Kanye Caps Banner Week With Hot 100 Chart-Topper|work=Billboard|date=September 20, 2007|accessdate=September 28, 2007}}</ref> "Stronger", which samples French house duo [[Daft Punk]], has been accredited to not only encouraging other hip-hop artists to incorporate [[house (music)|house]] and [[electronica]] elements into their music, but also for playing a part in the revival of [[disco]] and [[Electro music|electro]]-infused music in the late 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|author=Frere-Jones, Sasha |title=Dance Revolution |url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2009/03/30/090330gonb_GOAT_notebook_frerejones |work=[[The New Yorker]] |date=March 30, 2009 |accessdate=April 16, 2009 |authorlink=Sasha Frere-Jones |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090326014159/http://www.newyorker.com:80/arts/critics/notebook/2009/03/30/090330gonb_GOAT_notebook_frerejones |archivedate=March 26, 2009 }}</ref> Ben Detrick of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' cited the outcome of the sales competition between 50 Cent's ''Curtis'' and West's ''Graduation'' as being responsible for altering the direction of hip-hop and paving the way for new rappers who didn't follow the [[hardcore hip hop|hardcore]]-[[gangsta rap|gangster]] mold, writing, "If there was ever a [[wiktionary:watershed|watershed]] moment to indicate hip-hop's changing direction, it may have come when 50 Cent competed with Kanye in 2007 to see whose album would claim superior sales."<ref name="XXL"/>

West's third studio album, ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'', garnered major publicity when its release date pitted West in a sales competition against rapper [[50 Cent]]'s ''[[Curtis (50 Cent album)|Curtis]]''.<ref name="Reid">Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569778/20070914/50_cent.jhtml 50 Cent Or Kanye West, Who Will Win? Nas, Timbaland, More Share Their Predictions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123192400/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569778/20070914/50_cent.jhtml |date=November 23, 2010 }}. MTV. Viacom. Retrieved December 24, 2009.</ref> Upon their September 2007 releases, ''Graduation'' outsold ''Curtis'' by a large margin, debuting at number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 chart and selling 957,000 copies in its first week.<ref name=firstday>{{cite magazine|author=Mayfield, Geoff|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049350/kanye-well-ahead-of-50-cent-in-first-day-sales-race|title=Kanye Well Ahead of 50 Cent in First-Day Sales Race|magazine=Billboard|date=September 12, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2007|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704222314/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049350/kanye-well-ahead-of-50-cent-in-first-day-sales-race|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Graduation'' continued the string of critical and commercial successes by West, and the album's lead single, "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]", garnered his third number-one hit.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Cohen, Jonathan|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049151/kanye-caps-banner-week-with-hot-100-chart-topper|title=Kanye Caps Banner Week With Hot 100 Chart-Topper|magazine=Billboard|date=September 20, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2007|archive-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628050924/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049151/kanye-caps-banner-week-with-hot-100-chart-topper|url-status=live}}</ref> "Stronger", which samples French house duo [[Daft Punk]], has been accredited to not only encouraging other hip-hop artists to incorporate [[house (music)|house]] and [[electronica]] elements into their music, but also for playing a part in the revival of [[disco]] and [[Electro music|electro]]-infused music in the late 2000s.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Frere-Jones, Sasha|title=Dance Revolution|url=https://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2009/03/30/090330gonb_GOAT_notebook_frerejones|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=March 30, 2009|access-date=April 16, 2009|author-link=Sasha Frere-Jones|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326014159/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2009/03/30/090330gonb_GOAT_notebook_frerejones|archive-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> His mother's death in November 2007<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7090287.stm|title=Entertainment &#124; Kanye's mother dies after surgery|publisher=BBC News|date=November 12, 2007|access-date=September 2, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927113810/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7090287.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the end of his engagement to Alexis Phifer<ref>{{cite web|last=McGee|first=Tiffany|title=Kanye West's Fiancée 'Sad' Over Breakup|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20193726,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=November 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207093204/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20193726%2C00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines|archive-date=December 7, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> profoundly affected West, who set off for his 2008 [[Glow in the Dark Tour]] shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thorogood|first=Tom|title=Kanye West Opens Up His Heart|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/460118-kanye-west-opens-his-heart|publisher=[[MTV UK]]. [[Viacom International Media Networks (Europe)|Viacom International Media Networks]]|access-date=November 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217114954/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/460118-kanye-west-opens-his-heart|archive-date=December 17, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

West's life took a different direction when his mother, Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving [[abdominoplasty]] and breast reduction in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7090287.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Kanye's mother dies after surgery |publisher=BBC News |date=November 12, 2007 |accessdate=September 2, 2013}}</ref> Months later, West and fiancée Alexis Phifer ended their engagement and their long-term intermittent relationship, which had begun in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |last=McGee |first=Tiffany |title= Kanye West's Fiancée 'Sad' Over Breakup |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20193726,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |accessdate=November 23, 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081207093204/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20193726,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines| archivedate= December 7, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref> The events profoundly affected West, who set off for his 2008 [[Glow in the Dark Tour]] shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thorogood |first=Tom |title= Kanye West Opens Up His Heart |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/460118-kanye-west-opens-his-heart |publisher=[[MTV UK]]. [[Viacom International Media Networks (Europe)|Viacom International Media Networks]] |accessdate=November 24, 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217114954/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/460118-kanye-west-opens-his-heart| archivedate= December 17, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref> Purportedly because his emotions could not be conveyed through rapping, West decided to sing using the voice audio processor [[Auto-Tune]], which would become a central part of his next effort. West had previously experimented with the technology on his debut album ''[[The College Dropout]]'' for the background vocals of "[[Jesus Walks (Kanye West song)|Jesus Walks]]" and "Never Let Me Down." Recorded mostly in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] in three weeks,<ref name="TheFader">{{cite web | last = Macia | first = Peter | title = FADER 58: Kanye West Cover Story and Interview | publisher = [[The Fader]] | url = http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview | accessdate = November 25, 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202233800/http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview| archivedate= December 2, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref> West announced his fourth album, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'', at the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]], where he performed its lead single, "[[Love Lockdown]]". Music audiences were taken aback by the uncharacteristic production style and the presence of Auto-Tune, which typified the pre-release response to the record.<ref name=Observer>{{cite news |title= Urban Review: Kanye West, ''808s and Heartbreak'' |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak|work=[[The Observer]]|publisher=Guardian News and Media Ltd |date=November 9, 2008|accessdate=November 24, 2008 | location=London| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081201103614/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak| archivedate= December 1, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref>

[[File:Kanye august 2008.jpg|thumb|270px|West performing in August 2008 on the [[Glow in the Dark Tour]].]]

''808s & Heartbreak'', which features extensive use of the eponymous [[Roland TR-808]] drum machine and contains themes of love, loneliness, and heartache, was released by [[Island Def Jam]] to capitalize on [[Thanksgiving]] weekend in November 2008.<ref name=Question>{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title= Kanye West Inspires The Question: Should Rappers Sing? |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599993/20081121/west_kanye.jhtml |publisher=MTV. [[Viacom]] |accessdate=November 24, 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081204032313/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599993/20081121/west_kanye.jhtml| archivedate= December 4, 2008 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="Sales">{{cite web |author=Montgomery, James |title=New Albums From Kanye West, Ludacris, Killers To Get Rare Monday Release On November 24 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598986/20081110/west_kanye.jhtml |date= November 10, 2008|publisher=MTV |accessdate=August 12, 2008}}</ref> Reviews were positive, though slightly more mixed than his previous efforts. Despite this, the record's singles demonstrated outstanding chart performances. Upon its release, the lead single "[[Love Lockdown]]" debuted at number three on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and became a "Hot Shot Debut",<ref>{{cite journal|date=July 2, 2009|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043977/ti-back-atop-hot-100-kanye-debuts-high|title=T.I. Back Atop Hot 100, Kanye Debuts High|journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=July 11, 2012}}</ref> while follow-up single "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]" performed similarly and became his second consecutive "Hot Shot Debut" by debuting at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ne=4&inert=25&Ntt=Heartless+Kanye+West&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE|0&N=37+4294126188#pos25 Heartless: Hot 100 Charts]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved April 20, 2009.</ref> While it was criticized prior to release, ''808s & Heartbreak'' had a significant effect on hip-hop music, encouraging other rappers to take more creative risks with their productions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carmichael|first=Emma|url=http://www.theawl.com/2011/09/kanye%E2%80%99s-808s-how-a-machine-brought-heartbreak-to-hip-hop|title=Kanye’s '808s': How A Machine Brought Heartbreak To Hip Hop|publisher=[[The Awl]]|date= September 21, 2011|accessdate=March 13, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Kanyewestdec2008.jpg|thumb|right|upright|West performing in 2008]]

West's [[Kanye West MTV Video Music Awards controversy|controversial incident]] the following year at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]] was arguably his biggest controversy, and led to widespread outrage throughout the music industry.<ref name="Cnn.com">{{cite news|first=Lisa|last=Respers|title=Anger over West's disruption at MTV awards|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html}}</ref> During the ceremony, West crashed the stage and grabbed the microphone from winner [[Taylor Swift]] in order to proclaim that, instead, [[Beyoncé]]'s video for "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]", nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". He was subsequently withdrawn from the remainder of the show for his actions. West's tour with [[Lady Gaga]] was cancelled in response to the controversy.<ref name="snub">{{cite news | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2010-01-27-grammysnubs27_ST_N.htm | accessdate = January 31, 2009 | work=USA Today | first=Steve | last=Jones | title=Grammy snubs: What's next for West and Whitney? | date=January 28, 2009}}</ref>

Recorded mostly in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] in three weeks,<ref name="TheFader">{{cite magazine|last=Macia|first=Peter|title=FADER 58: Kanye West Cover Story and Interview|magazine=[[The Fader]]|url=http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview|access-date=November 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202233800/http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview|archive-date=December 2, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> West announced his fourth album, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'', at the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]], where he performed its lead single, "[[Love Lockdown]]". Music audiences were taken aback by the uncharacteristic production style and the presence of Auto-Tune, which typified the pre-release response to the record.<ref name=Observer>{{cite news|title=Urban Review: Kanye West, ''808s and Heartbreak''|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak|work=[[The Observer]]|date=November 9, 2008|access-date=November 24, 2008|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201103614/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak|archive-date=December 1, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> ''808s & Heartbreak'' was released by [[Island Def Jam]] in November 2008.<ref name=Question>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Kanye West Inspires The Question: Should Rappers Sing?|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599993/20081121/west_kanye.jhtml|publisher=MTV. [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]|access-date=November 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204032313/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599993/20081121/west_kanye.jhtml|archive-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Sales">{{cite web|author=Montgomery, James|title=New Albums From Kanye West, Ludacris, Killers To Get Rare Monday Release on November 24|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598986/20081110/west_kanye.jhtml|date=November 10, 2008|publisher=MTV|access-date=August 12, 2008|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103181659/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598986/new-lps-from-ludacris-kanye-west-killers-get-monday-release-date.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Upon its release, the lead single "[[Love Lockdown]]" debuted at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 2, 2009|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043977/ti-back-atop-hot-100-kanye-debuts-high|title=T.I. Back Atop Hot 100, Kanye Debuts High|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 11, 2012|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502013852/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043977/ti-back-atop-hot-100-kanye-debuts-high|url-status=live}}</ref> while follow-up single "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]" debuted at number four.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ne=4&inert=25&Ntt=Heartless+Kanye+West&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE|0&N=37+4294126188#pos25 Heartless: Hot 100 Charts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505231714/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ne=4&inert=25&Ntt=Heartless+Kanye+West&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE%7C0&N=37+4294126188#pos25 |date=May 5, 2009 }}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved April 20, 2009.</ref> While it was criticized prior to release, ''808s & Heartbreak'' is considered to have had a significant effect on hip-hop music, encouraging other rappers to take more creative risks with their productions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carmichael|first=Emma|url=http://www.theawl.com/2011/09/kanye%E2%80%99s-808s-how-a-machine-brought-heartbreak-to-hip-hop|title=Kanye's '808s': How A Machine Brought Heartbreak To Hip Hop|publisher=[[The Awl]]|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=March 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229125050/http://www.theawl.com/2011/09/kanye%E2%80%99s-808s-how-a-machine-brought-heartbreak-to-hip-hop|archive-date=December 29, 2011}}</ref>

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|quote = [West is] the pop star for our morally implicated times; an instinctive consumer with a mouthful of diamonds and furtive bad conscience, a performer who lives the [[American dream]] to its fullest with a creeping sense of the spiritual void at its heart. [''MBDTF''] captures that essence in full. It's an utterly dazzling portrait of a 21st-century schizoid man that is by turns sickeningly egocentric, contrite, wise, stupid and self-mocking.

|source = — ''[[NME]]'' review of ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]''<ref name="Denney">Denney, Alex (November 19, 2010). [http://www.nme.com/reviews/kanye-west/11723 Review: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'']. ''[[NME]]''. Retrieved on 2010-11-22.</ref>

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While [[Taylor Swift]] was accepting her award for Best Female Video at the [[Kanye West MTV Video Music Awards controversy|2009 MTV Video Music Awards]], West went on stage and grabbed the microphone from her to proclaim that [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]] deserved the award instead. He was subsequently removed from the remainder of the show for his actions.<ref name="Cnn.com">{{cite news|first=Lisa|last=Respers|title=Anger over West's disruption at MTV awards|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=September 15, 2009|website=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017080013/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite magazine|title=Kanye West Storms the VMAs Stage During Taylor Swift's Speech|date=September 13, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 13, 2009|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-storms-the-vmas-stage-during-taylor-swifts-speech-20090913?rand=84857|archive-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119133749/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-storms-the-vmas-stage-during-taylor-swifts-speech-20090913?rand=84857|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vozick|first=Simon|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/13/kanye-west-taylor-swift/|title=Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMAs moment: What was he thinking? by Simon Vozick-Levinson|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 13, 2009|access-date=September 5, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118015021/http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/13/kanye-west-taylor-swift/|archive-date=November 18, 2010}}</ref> West was criticized by various celebrities for the outburst,<ref name="Cnn.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/|title=2009 MTV Video Music Awards—Best Female Video|publisher=MTV|access-date=September 15, 2009|archive-date=March 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303052537/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="latfallout">{{cite news|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-kanye-fallout15-2009sep15,0,4346169.story|title=Kanye West expresses Swift regret on blog and 'The Jay Leno Show'|date=September 15, 2009|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=September 15, 2009|first1=Todd|last1=Martens|first2=Yvonne|last2=Villarreal|archive-date=September 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923114807/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-kanye-fallout15-2009sep15,0,4346169.story|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MTV">{{cite web|title=Adam Lambert, Donald Trump, Joe Jackson Slam Kanye West's VMA Stunt|website=[[MTV]]|date=September 13, 2009|access-date=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1621475/adam-lambert-donald-trump-joe-jackson-slam-kanye-wests-vma-stunt/|archive-date=February 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207040009/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621475/.../swift__taylor.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> and by President [[Barack Obama]], who called West a "jackass".<ref name="BBCquote">{{cite news|title=Obama calls Kanye West a jackass|publisher=BBC News|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=September 16, 2009|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8258330.stm|archive-date=September 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903115121/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8258330.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="politico.com">{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Gavin|title=Obama calls Kanye 'jackass'|publisher=[[The Politico]]|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0909/did_obama_call_kanye_a_jackass.html|archive-date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209044435/http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0909/did_obama_call_kanye_a_jackass.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="people.com">{{cite web|title=Audio: President Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=September 16, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=http://www.people.com/package/article/0,,20302940_20304704,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205110150/http://www.people.com/package/article/0,,20302940_20304704,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="www.foxnews.com">{{cite news|title=Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=September 16, 2009|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-west-jackass/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916180832/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-west-jackass/|archive-date=September 16, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The incident sparked a large influx of [[Internet meme|Internet photo meme]]s.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2009|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos/|title=Kanye West's VMA Interruption Gives Birth To Internet Photo Meme|website=[[MTV]]|date=September 16, 2009|author=Anderson, Kyle|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001234936/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos|archive-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> West subsequently apologized,<ref name=latfallout /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6833664.ece|date=September 14, 2009|title=Kanye West spoils the show at MTV awards|last=Booth|first=Jenny|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-date=June 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615184732/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6833664.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> including personally to Swift.<ref name="MTV.com">{{cite web|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|title=Taylor Swift Tells 'The View' Kanye West Hasn't Contacted Her. The country star discusses her reaction to the VMA incident.|date=September 15, 2009|website=[[MTV]]|access-date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621550/2009915/swift__taylor.jhtml|archive-date=March 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328130534/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621550/2009915/swift__taylor.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MSNBC">{{cite web|title=Kanye calls Taylor Swift after 'View' appearance|work=Today|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=September 16, 2009|url=http://www.today.com/id/32861800|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006213404/http://www.today.com/id/32861800|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in a November 2010 interview, he seemed to recant his past apologies, describing the act at the 2009 awards show as "selfless".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/video-kanye-west-backtracks-taylor-swift-apology/|title=VIDEO: Kanye West Backtracks On Taylor Swift Apology &#124; Radar Online|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=July 27, 2019|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331091030/https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/video-kanye-west-backtracks-taylor-swift-apology/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Backtracks on Taylor Swift Apology|url=http://dimewars.com/Blog/ViewBlogArticle.aspx?vn=Kanye+West+Backtracks+On+Taylor+Swift+Apology&BlogID=487b238f-9fac-4228-b9ba-7c29bdfe8528|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814162021/http://dimewars.com/Blog/ViewBlogArticle.aspx?vn=Kanye%2BWest%2BBacktracks%2BOn%2BTaylor%2BSwift%2BApology&BlogID=487b238f-9fac-4228-b9ba-7c29bdfe8528|archive-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref>

===2010–12: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' and collaborations===

{{main article|My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy|Watch the Throne}}

Following the highly publicized incident, West took a brief break from music and threw himself into fashion, only to hole up in Hawaii for the next few months writing and recording his next album.<ref name="Bever"/> Importing his favorite producers and artists to work on and inspire his recording, West kept engineers behind the boards 24 hours a day and slept only in increments. Noah Callahan-Bever, a writer for ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'', was present during the sessions and described the "communal" atmosphere as thus: "With the right songs and the right album, he can overcome any and all controversy, and we are here to contribute, challenge, and inspire."<ref name="Bever">Callahan-Bever, Noah (November 2010). [http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/kanye-west-project-runaway Kanye West: Project Runaway]. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2010. {{wayback|url=http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/kanye-west-project-runaway |date=20101228123251 }}</ref> A variety of artists contributed to the project, including close friends Jay-Z, [[Kid Cudi]] and [[Pusha T]], as well as off-the-wall collaborations, such as with [[Justin Vernon]] of [[Bon Iver]].<ref>Hermes, Will (October 25, 2010). [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/lost-in-the-world-20101025 Lost in the World by Kanye West feat. Bon Iver and Gil Scott-Heron | Rolling Stone Music]. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved May 2, 2011.</ref>

[[File:Kanye West Lollapalooza Chile 2011 2.jpg|thumb|right|West performing at [[Lollapalooza]] in 2011.]]

''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'', West's fifth studio album, was released in November 2010 to rave reviews from critics, many of whom described it as his best work that solidified his comeback.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fastenberg|first=Dan|date=December 9, 2010|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2035313_2035394,00.html|title=Kanye's Beautiful, Dark Twittered Fantasy – The Top 10 Everything of 2010|journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|location=New York|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sheffield"/> The record included the international hit "[[All of the Lights]]", and ''Billboard'' hits "[[Power (Kanye West song)|Power]]", "[[Monster (Kanye West song)|Monster]]", and "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]", the latter of which accompanied a [[Runaway (2010 film)|35-minute film of the same name]].<ref name="Hot100">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kanye west|chart=all}} Kanye West Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2010.</ref> During this time, West initiated the free music program [[GOOD Fridays]] through his website, offering a free download of previously unreleased songs each Friday, a portion of which were included on the album. This promotion ran from August 20 - December 17, 2010. ''Dark Fantasy'' went on to go platinum in the United States,<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Kanye%20West&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2012&sort=Artist&perPage=25#|title=Searchable Database|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA)|at=Search: Kanye West|accessdate=February 18, 2012}}</ref> but its omission as a contender for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] at the [[54th Grammy Awards]] was viewed as a "snub" by several media outlets.<ref>{{cite web|last=Abebe|first=Nitsuh|url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/12/grammy-nominations-breakdown.html|title=Explaining the Kanye Snub, and Other Thoughts on the Grammy Nominations|work=New York|publisher=New York Media|date=December 1, 2011|accessdate=January 31, 2012}}</ref>

=== 2010–2012: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'', ''Watch the Throne'', and ''Cruel Summer'' ===

Following a headlining set at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella 2011]] that was described by ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' as "one of greatest hip-hop sets of all time",<ref>{{cite news|author= Jeff Miller|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-delivers-one-greatest-179408|title=Kanye West Delivers One of Greatest Hip-Hop Sets of All Time at Coachella|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=New York Media|date=April 18, 2011|accessdate=July 1, 2013}}</ref> 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 [[Internet leak|leak]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gissen |first=Jesse |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/08/jay-z-kanye-west-miraculously-manage-to-keep-watch-the-throne-leak-free/ |title=Jay-Z & Kanye West Miraculously Manage to Keep Watch the Throne Leak-Free|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications|date=August 8, 2011|accessdate=August 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Perpetua|first=Matthew|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-and-kanye-west-avoid-watch-the-throne-leak-20110808|title=Jay-Z and Kanye West Avoid 'Watch the Throne' Leak|work=Rolling Stone|date=August 8, 2011|accessdate=August 12, 2011}}</ref> "[[Niggas in Paris]]" became the record's highest charting single, peaking at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="Hot100" /> In 2012, West released the [[compilation album]] ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music 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 (GOOD Music song)|Mercy]]" and "[[Clique (song)|Clique]]".<ref name="Hot100" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pics: Kanye West's Seven-Screen Custom-Built Cinema In Cannes|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/pics-kanye-wests-seven-screen-custom-built-cinema-in-cannes|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=May 29, 2012|accessdate=May 29, 2012}}</ref>

{{Main|My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy|Watch the Throne|Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)}}

===2013–15: ''Yeezus'' and Adidas collaboration===

{{main article|Yeezus|Yeezus Tour|Adidas Yeezy}}

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.<ref name="NewYorkTimes">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html?pagewanted=all | title=Behind Kanye's Mask | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 11, 2013 | accessdate=June 13, 2013 | author=Caramanica, Jon}}</ref> Determined to "undermine the commercial",<ref name="sessions">{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/9157-the-yeezus-sessions/| title=The ''Yeezus'' Sessions | work=[[Pitchfork Media]]| date=June 24, 2013| accessdate=June 26, 2013 | author=Dombal, Ryan}}</ref> he once again brought together close collaborators and attempted to incorporate [[Chicago]] [[Drill (music genre)|drill]], [[dancehall]], [[acid house]], and [[industrial music]].<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-kanye-west-yeezus-review-20130616,0,6122329.column | title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus' an uneasy listen| work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | location=Chicago| date=June 16, 2013 | accessdate=June 17, 2013 | author=Kot, Greg}}</ref> Primarily inspired by architecture,<ref name="NewYorkTimes"/> 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.<ref name="Rstonerubin">{{cite news | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rick-rubin-finishing-kanye-wests-yeezus-seemed-impossible-20130627| title=Rick Rubin: Finishing Kanye West's ''Yeezus'' Seemed Impossible | work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]] | date=June 27, 2013 | accessdate=June 27, 2013 | author=Blistein, Jon}}</ref> Initial promotion of his sixth album included worldwide video projections of the album's music and live television performances.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/news/50579-kanye-west-unveils-album-details-via-projections-around-the-world/ | title=Watch: Kanye West Projects New Video "New Slaves" on Buildings Around the World | work=[[Pitchfork Media]] | date=May 17, 2013 | accessdate=May 20, 2013 | author=Battan, Carrie}}</ref><ref name=snl>{{cite journal | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kanye-west-unleashes-the-fury-of-black-skinhead-on-snl-20130519 | title=Kanye West Unleashes the Fury of 'Black Skinhead' on 'SNL' | work=Rolling Stone | location=New York | date=May 19, 2013 | accessdate=May 20, 2013 | author=Coleman, Miriam}}</ref>

''[[Yeezus]]'', West's sixth album, was released June 18, 2013 to rave reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/480410/20130619/kanye-west-yeezus-kim-kardashian.htm |accessdate=June 22, 2013 |last=Torrente |first=Ria Kristina |date=June 19, 2013 |title=Kanye West's Yeezus Gets Rave Reviews |newspaper=[[International Business Times]] |location=New York |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20130925064429/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/480410/20130619/kanye-west-yeezus-kim-kardashian.htm |archivedate=September 25, 2013 }}</ref> It became the rapper's sixth consecutive number one debut, but also marked his lowest solo opening week sales.<ref name="billboard123">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1568153/official-kanye-wests-yeezus-sells-327000-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart|title=Official: Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Sells 327,000; Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=June 29, 2013}}</ref> Def Jam issued "[[Black Skinhead]]" to radio in July 2013 as the album's [[lead single]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1568684/kanye-west-prepping-black-skinhead-as-first-yeezus-single | title=Kanye West Prepping 'Black Skinhead' as First 'Yeezus' Single | journal=Billboard | location=Los Angeles | date=June 28, 2013 | accessdate=June 29, 2013 | author=Greenwald, David}}</ref>

Following the highly publicized incident, West took a brief break from music and threw himself into fashion, only to hole up in Hawaii for the next few months writing and recording his next album.<ref name="Bever" /> Importing his favorite producers and artists to work on and inspire his recording, West kept engineers behind the boards 24 hours a day and slept only in increments. Noah Callahan-Bever, a writer for ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'', was present during the sessions and described the "communal" atmosphere as thus: "With the right songs and the right album, he can overcome any and all controversy, and we are here to contribute, challenge, and inspire."<ref name="Bever">{{cite web|first=Noah|last=Callahan-Bever|date=November 2010|url=http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/kanye-west-project-runaway|title=Kanye West: Project Runaway|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|accessdate=November 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228123251/http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/kanye-west-project-runaway |archive-date=December 28, 2010 }}</ref> A variety of artists contributed to the project, including close friends Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and [[Pusha T]], as well as collaborations with artists including [[Justin Vernon]] of [[Bon Iver]] and [[Gil Scott Heron]].<ref>Hermes, Will (October 25, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20101228174246/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/lost-in-the-world-20101025 Lost in the World by Kanye West feat. Bon Iver and Gil Scott-Heron | Rolling Stone Music]. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved May 2, 2011.</ref>

On September 6, 2013, Kanye West announced he would be headlining [[the Yeezus Tour|his first solo tour in five years]], to support ''Yeezus'', with fellow American rapper [[Kendrick Lamar]] accompanying him as supporting act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/52170-kanye-west-announces-tour-with-kendrick-lamar/ |title=Kanye West Announces Tour With Kendrick Lamar |work=Pitchfork Media |date=September 6, 2013 |accessdate=June 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/39618/kanye-west-announces-fall-arena-tour-kendrick-lamar-opening/ |title=Kanye West Announces Fall Arena Tour – Kendrick Lamar Opening |work=Glide Magazine |accessdate=June 9, 2014}}</ref> The tour was met with rave reviews from critics.<ref name="rsyeezus">{{cite web|last1=Ringen|first1=Jonathan|title=11 Reasons Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Tour Is Actually Incredible|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/11-reasons-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-is-actually-incredible-20131122|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described it as "crazily entertaining, hugely ambitious, emotionally affecting (really!) and, most importantly, totally bonkers."<ref name="rsyeezus"/> Writing for ''[[Forbes]]'', Zack O'Malley Greenburg praised West for "taking risks that few pop stars, if any, are willing to take in today’s hyper-exposed world of pop," describing that the show as "overwrought and uncomfortable at times, but [it] excels at challenging norms and provoking thought in a way that just isn’t common for mainstream musical acts of late."<ref name="forbes">{{cite web|last1=Greenburg|first1=Zack O'Malley|title=Kanye West Makes His Own Artpop On Yeezus Tour|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/11/25/kanye-west-makes-his-own-artpop-on-yeezus-tour/#7ac1db4f18f2|website=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>

[[File:YeezusKanye tourWest SWU Music & Arts Festival 2011 (crop).jpg|thumb|leftright|275pxupright|West performing onat the [[YeezusSWU TourMusic & Arts]] Festival in 2013.Brazil in 2011]]

''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'', West's fifth studio album, was released in November 2010 to widespread acclaim from critics, many of whom considered it his best work and said it solidified his comeback.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fastenberg|first=Dan|date=December 9, 2010|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2035313_2035394,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212233453/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2035313_2035394,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2010|title=Kanye's Beautiful, Dark Twittered Fantasy—The Top 10 Everything of 2010|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|location=New York|access-date=September 18, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sheffield" /> The record included the international hit "[[All of the Lights]]", and ''Billboard'' hits "[[Power (Kanye West song)|Power]]", "[[Monster (Kanye West song)|Monster]]", and "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]",<ref name="Hot100">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kanye west|chart=all}} Kanye West Album & Song Chart History—Hot 100]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2010.</ref> the latter of which accompanied a [[Runaway (2010 film)|35-minute film of the same name]] directed by and starring West.<ref name="BillboardPremiere">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/954875/kanye-west-premieres-35-minute-long-runaway-video-in-london|title=Kanye West Premieres 35-Minute-Long 'Runaway' Video in London|date=October 7, 2010|first=Mariel|last=Concepcion|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]], Inc|access-date=January 16, 2018|archive-date=July 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713200936/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/954875/kanye-west-premieres-35-minute-long-runaway-video-in-london|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, West initiated the free music program [[GOOD Fridays]] through his website, offering a free download of previously unreleased songs each Friday, a portion of which were included on the album. This promotion ran from August to December 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reiff|first=Corbin|url=https://www.avclub.com/cataloging-g-o-o-d-fridays-kanye-west-s-beautiful-dar-1798286945|title=Cataloging G.O.O.D. Fridays: Kanye West's beautiful dark twisted promotional campaign|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=November 22, 2015|accessdate=December 28, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228084021/https://www.avclub.com/cataloging-g-o-o-d-fridays-kanye-west-s-beautiful-dar-1798286945|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Dark Fantasy'' went on to go platinum in the United States,<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=KANYE+WEST&ti=MY+BEAUTIFUL+DARK+TWISTED+FANTASY|title=Searchable Database|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA)|at=Search: Kanye West|access-date=February 18, 2012|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819013927/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=KANYE+WEST&ti=MY+BEAUTIFUL+DARK+TWISTED+FANTASY|url-status=live}}</ref> but its omission as a contender for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] at the [[54th Grammy Awards]] was viewed as a "snub" by several media outlets.<ref>{{cite web|last=Abebe|first=Nitsuh|url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/12/grammy-nominations-breakdown.html|title=Explaining the Kanye Snub, and Other Thoughts on the Grammy Nominations|work=New York|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=January 31, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122085427/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/12/grammy-nominations-breakdown.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2013, West and television personality [[Kim Kardashian]] announced the birth of their first child, North. In October 2013, West and Kardashian announced their engagement to widespread media attention.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">Marcus, Stephanie. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/24/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-married-wedding_n_5380985.html "Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Are Married In Over-The-Top Wedding In Florence (UPDATED)."] ''[[Huffington Post]]''. 24 May 2014.</ref> November 2013, West stated that he was beginning work on his next studio album, hoping to release it by mid-2014,<ref>Jackson, Reed (November 25, 2013). [http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kanye-west-hopes-new-album-summer/ "Kanye West Hopes To Have New Album Out By Summer"]. ''XXL''.</ref> with production by Rick Rubin and [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rys |first=Dan |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/q-tip-will-produce-kanye-wests-next-album-rick-rubin/ |title=Q-Tip Will Produce Kanye West's Next Album With Rick Rubin – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=December 3, 2013 |accessdate=June 9, 2014}}</ref> In December 2013, [[Adidas]] announced the beginning of [[Adidas Yeezy|their official apparel collaboration]] with West, to be premiered the following year.<ref name="Little">{{cite news|last= Little |first=Lyneka |url=http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/12/04/adidas-confirms-new-deal-with-kanye-west/ |title=Adidas Confirms New Deal with Kanye West |work= The Wall Street Journal |date=December 4, 2013 |accessdate=December 6, 2013}}</ref> In May 2014, West and Kardashian were married in a private ceremony in [[Florence, Italy]], with a variety of artists and celebrities in attendance.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/> West released a single, "[[Only One (Kanye West song)|Only One]]", featuring [[Paul McCartney]], on December 31, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Alex|title=Kanye West premieres 'Only One' featuring Paul McCartney — listen|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/12/kanye-west-premieres-only-one-featuring-paul-mccartney-listen/|publisher=Consequence of Sound|accessdate=January 1, 2015}}</ref>

2011 saw West embark on a festival tour to commemorate the release of ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' performing and headlining numerous festivals including; [[SWU Music & Arts]], [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], [[Øyafestivalen|Oya Festival]], [[Flow Festival#2011|Flow Festival]], [[Live Music Festival#2011|Live Music Festival]],

"[[FourFiveSeconds]]", a single jointly produced with [[Rihanna]] and McCartney, was released in January 2015. West also appeared on the ''[[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special]]'', where he premiered a new song entitled "Wolves", featuring [[Sia Furler]] and fellow Chicago rapper, [[Vic Mensa]]. In February 2015, West premiered his clothing collaboration with [[Adidas]], entitled [[Adidas Yeezy|Yeezy Season 1]], to generally positive reviews. This would include West's [[Yeezy Boost 350|Yeezy Boost]] sneakers.<ref name="gq.com">[http://www.gq.com/gallery/kanye-west-yeezy-season-2-photos GQ]</ref> In March 2015, West released the single "[[All Day (Kanye West song)|All Day]]" featuring [[Theophilus London]], Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-day-feat.-theophilus-london/id972819246 |title=iTunes - Music - All Day (feat. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney) - Single by Kanye West |publisher=iTunes Store |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20150317195412/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-day-feat.-theophilus-london/id972819246 |archivedate=March 17, 2015 }}</ref> West performed the song at the [[2015 BRIT Awards]] with a number of US rappers and UK [[Grime music|grime]] MC's including: [[Skepta]], [[Wiley (rapper)|Wiley]], [[Novelist (rapper)|Novelist]], Fekky, [[Krept and Konan|Krept & Konan]], [[Stormzy]], Allan Kingdom, Theophilus London and Vic Mensa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.complex.com/music/2015/02/kanye-west-2015-brit-awards-performance-new-song|title=Kanye West Debuts 'All Day' At The Brit Awards|author=Zach Frydenlund|work=Complex UK}}</ref> He would premiere the second iteration of his clothing line, Yeezy Season 2, in September 2015 at [[New York Fashion Week]].<ref>[http://www.vanityfair.com/style/2015/09/kanye-west-yeezy-season-2-interview ''Vanity Fair'']</ref>

[[The Big Chill (music festival)#Past line-ups|The Big Chill]], [[Essence Music Festival#2011|Essence Music Festival]], [[List of Lollapalooza lineups by year#2011|Lollapalooza]] and [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]] which was described by ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' as "one of greatest hip-hop sets of all time",<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Jeff|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-delivers-one-greatest-179408|title=Kanye West Delivers One of Greatest Hip-Hop Sets of All Time at Coachella|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2013|archive-date=February 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227030143/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-delivers-one-greatest-179408|url-status=live}}</ref> West released the collaborative album ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' with Jay-Z in August 2011. 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 [[Music leak|leak]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gissen|first=Jesse|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/08/jay-z-kanye-west-miraculously-manage-to-keep-watch-the-throne-leak-free/|title=Jay-Z & Kanye West Miraculously Manage to Keep Watch the Throne Leak-Free|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-date=August 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816204001/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/08/jay-z-kanye-west-miraculously-manage-to-keep-watch-the-throne-leak-free/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Perpetua|first=Matthew|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-and-kanye-west-avoid-watch-the-throne-leak-20110808|title=Jay-Z and Kanye West Avoid 'Watch the Throne' Leak|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-date=September 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919061629/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-and-kanye-west-avoid-watch-the-throne-leak-20110808|url-status=dead}}</ref> "[[Niggas in Paris]]" became the record's highest-charting single, peaking at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="Hot100" /> The co-headlining [[Watch the Throne Tour]] kicked off in October 2011 and concluded in June 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Doherty|first1=Maggie|title=Jay-Z & Kanye West Tease 'Watch The Throne' Tour Set List: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/465433/jay-z-kanye-west-tease-watch-the-throne-tour-set-list-watch|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 16, 2018|date=October 28, 2011|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510051151/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/465433/jay-z-kanye-west-tease-watch-the-throne-tour-set-list-watch|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, West released the [[compilation album]] ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'', a collection of tracks by artists from West's record label GOOD Music.

===2015–present 2013–2015: ''The Life of PabloYeezus'' and the ''TurboYeezus Grafx 16Tour'' ===

{{main article|The Life of Pablo|Turbo Grafx 16 (album)}}

Having initially announced a new album entitled ''So Help Me God'' slated for a 2014 release, in March 2015 West announced that the album would instead be tentatively called ''SWISH''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peters|first1=Mitchell|title=Kanye West Announces Name Change of His New Album on Twitter|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6553812/kanye-west-announces-name-change-of-his-new-album-on-twitter-swish-so-help-me-god|accessdate=May 31, 2015|work=Billboard|date=May 3, 2015}}</ref> Later that month, West was awarded an honorary doctorate by the [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago]] for his contributions to music, fashion, and popular culture, officially making him an honorary [[Doctor of Fine Arts|DFA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/59535-kanye-west-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-saic-listen/|title=Kanye West Receives Honorary Doctorate From SAIC: Listen|work=Pitchfork Media|accessdate=May 12, 2015}}</ref> The next month, West headlined at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] in the UK, despite a petition signed by almost 135,000 people against his appearance.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Renshaw|first1=David|title=Kanye West Glastonbury petition crosses 100,000 signature mark|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/83773|accessdate=July 1, 2015|work=NME|date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> Toward the end of the set, West proclaimed himself: "the greatest living rock star on the planet."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mann|first1=Sebastianl|title=Kanye West at Glastonbury: I am the greatest living rock star on the planet|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/kanye-west-at-glastonbury-i-am-the-greatest-living-rock-star-on-the-planet-10351101.html|accessdate=July 1, 2015|work=Telegraph|date=June 28, 2015}}</ref> Media outlets, including social media sites such as Twitter, were divided on his performance.<ref name="Palmer">{{cite news|last=Palmer|first=Siobhan|title=Kanye West at Glastonbury: the reactions|date=June 28, 2015|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=September 3, 2015|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/glastonbury/11704063/kanye-glastonbury-reactions.html}}</ref><ref name="nme.com">{{cite news|title=Kanye West's Glastonbury headline set polarises Twitter as fans react|date=June 28, 2015|work=[[NME]]|accessdate=September 3, 2015|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/86532}}</ref> ''[[NME]]'' stated, "The decision to book West for the slot has proved controversial since its announcement, and the show itself appeared to polarise both Glastonbury goers and those who tuned in to watch on their TVs."<ref name="nme.com"/> The publication added that "he's letting his music speak for and prove itself."<ref>{{citation |title= Kanye West at Glastonbury 2015: Yeezy gives a daringly confident performance - review|url=http://www.nme.com/blogs/festivals-blog/defiant-kanye-west-confronts-glastonbury-critics-with-one-man-masterclass-review|accessdate=July 7, 2015|work=NME|date=June 28, 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that "his set has a potent ferocity – but there are gaps and stutters, and he cuts a strangely lone figure in front of the vast crowd."<ref>{{citation |title=Kanye West at Glastonbury 2015 review – out on his own |url= http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/28/kanye-west-at-glastonbury-2015-review-out-on-his-own|accessdate=July 7, 2015|work=The Guardian|date=Jun 28, 2015}}</ref> In December 2015, West released a song titled "[[Facts (song)|Facts]]".<ref name=Facts>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Blasts Nike on New Song, 'Facts'|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-blasts-nike-on-new-song-facts-20151231|website=Rolling Stone|accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref>

{{Main|Yeezus|The Yeezus Tour}}

West announced in January 2016 that ''SWISH'' would be released on February 11, and that month released new songs "Real Friends" and a snippet of "No More Parties in L.A." with [[Kendrick Lamar]]. This also revived the [[GOOD Fridays]] initiative in which Kanye releases new singles every Friday. On January 26, 2016, West revealed he had renamed the album from ''SWISH'' to ''Waves'', and also announced the premier of his Yeezy Season 3 clothing line at Madison Square Garden.<ref>[http://pitchfork.com/news/63468-kanye-west-announces-new-album-title-shares-final-tracklist/ ''Pitchfork'']</ref> In the weeks leading up to the album's release, West became embroiled in several Twitter controversies<ref name="dailybeast">{{cite web|last1=Wilstein|first1=Dave|title=Kanye West Declares Bill Cosby 'Innocent'|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/09/kanye-west-bill-cosby-is-innocent.html|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|accessdate=2 April 2016}}</ref> and released several changing iterations of the tracklist for the new album. Several days ahead of its release, West again changed the title, this time to ''[[The Life of Pablo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/696942468076564480 |title= KANYE WEST on Twitter: @studio /final verses /new album title T.L.O.P. |publisher= Twitter |date= February 9, 2016 |accessdate=February 9, 2016}}</ref> On February 11, West premiered the album at [[Madison Square Garden]] as part of the presentation of his Yeezy Season 3 clothing line.<ref name="pitchfork.com">Phillips, Amy (February 11, 2016). [http://pitchfork.com/news/63472-kanye-west-new-album-the-life-of-pablo-debut-live-stream-watch-it-here/ "Kanye West New Album The Life Of Pablo Debut Live Stream: Watch It Here"]. Pitchfork. Retrieved February 11, 2016.</ref> Following the preview, West announced that he would be modifying the track list once more before its release to the public,<ref>West, Kanye (February 12, 2016). "The album is being mastered and will be out today… added on a couple of tracks…". [[Twitter]]. Retrieved February 16, 2016.</ref> and further delayed its release to finalize the recording of the track "Waves" at the behest of co-writer [[Chance the Rapper]]. He released the album exclusively on [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] on 14 February 2016 following a performance on ''[[Saturday Night Live|SNL]]''.<ref>[http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2016/02/chance-the-rapper-annotated-ultralight-beam/ Pigeons and Planes]</ref><ref name=Pitchfork>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21542-the-life-of-pablo/ |title=Kanye West: The Life of Pablo|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|date=February 15, 2016|accessdate=February 15, 2016|last=Greene|first=Jayson}}</ref> Following its official streaming release, West continued to tinker with mixes of several tracks, describing the work as "a living breathing changing creative expression"<ref name="fader">{{cite web|last1=Dandridge-Lemco|first1=Ben|title=Kanye West Is Updating "Wolves" |publisher=[[The Fader]]|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/15/kanye-west-is-updating-wolves|accessdate=15 March 2016}}</ref> and proclaiming the end of the [[music album|album]] as a dominant release form.<ref name="slate">{{cite web|last1=Hamilton|first1=Jack|title=The Life of Pablo Is an Attack on the Very Idea of the Album|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2016/02/kanye_west_s_the_life_of_pablo_is_an_attack_on_the_very_idea_of_the_album.html|website=[[Slate Magazine]]|accessdate=25 March 2016}}</ref> Although a statement by West around ''Life of Pablo''<nowiki/>'s initial release indicated that the album would be a permanent exclusive to Tidal, the album was released through several other competing services starting in April.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shah|first1=Neil|title=Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' Now Widely Available to Stream|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/04/01/kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo-now-widely-available-to-stream/ |website=Wall Street Journa|accessdate=4 April 2016}}</ref>

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.<ref name="NewYorkTimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html?pagewanted=all|title=Behind Kanye's Mask|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 11, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2013|author=Caramanica, Jon|archive-date=June 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612162353/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> Determined to "undermine the commercial",<ref name="sessions">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/articles/9157-the-yeezus-sessions/|title=The ''Yeezus'' Sessions|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 24, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013|author=Dombal, Ryan|archive-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626203159/http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/9157-the-yeezus-sessions/|url-status=dead}}</ref> he once again brought together close collaborators and attempted to incorporate Chicago [[Drill (music genre)|drill]], [[dancehall]], [[acid house]], and [[industrial music]].<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-kanye-west-yeezus-review-20130616,0,6122329.column|title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus' an uneasy listen|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 16, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=Kot, Greg|archive-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616222316/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-kanye-west-yeezus-review-20130616,0,6122329.column|url-status=live}}</ref> Primarily inspired by architecture,<ref name="NewYorkTimes" /> 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.<ref name="Rstonerubin">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rick-rubin-finishing-kanye-wests-yeezus-seemed-impossible-20130627|title=Rick Rubin: Finishing Kanye West's ''Yeezus'' Seemed Impossible|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013|author=Blistein, Jon|archive-date=June 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630092456/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rick-rubin-finishing-kanye-wests-yeezus-seemed-impossible-20130627|url-status=dead}}</ref> Initial promotion of his sixth album included worldwide video projections of the album's music and live television performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/50579-watch-kanye-west-projects-new-video-new-slaves-on-buildings-around-the-world/|title=Watch: Kanye West Projects New Video "New Slaves" on Buildings Around the World|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=May 17, 2013|access-date=June 6, 2018|author=Battan, Carrie|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143650/https://pitchfork.com/news/50579-watch-kanye-west-projects-new-video-new-slaves-on-buildings-around-the-world/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=snl>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kanye-west-unleashes-the-fury-of-black-skinhead-on-snl-20130519|title=Kanye West Unleashes the Fury of 'Black Skinhead' on 'SNL'|magazine=Rolling Stone|location=New York|date=May 19, 2013|access-date=May 20, 2013|author=Coleman, Miriam|archive-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605083844/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kanye-west-unleashes-the-fury-of-black-skinhead-on-snl-20130519|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Yeezus]]'', West's sixth album, was released June 18, 2013, to rave reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/480410/20130619/kanye-west-yeezus-kim-kardashian.htm|access-date=June 22, 2013|last=Torrente|first=Ria Kristina|date=June 19, 2013|title=Kanye West's Yeezus Gets Rave Reviews|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|location=New York|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925064429/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/480410/20130619/kanye-west-yeezus-kim-kardashian.htm|archive-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> It became his sixth consecutive number one debut, but also marked his lowest solo opening week sales.<ref name="billboard123">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1568153/official-kanye-wests-yeezus-sells-327000-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart|title=Official: Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Sells 327,000; Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 25, 2013|access-date=June 29, 2013|archive-date=June 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629000131/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1568153/official-kanye-wests-yeezus-sells-327000-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 24, 2016, West stated on Twitter that he was planning to release another album in the summer of 2016, tentatively called ''[[Turbo Grafx 16 (album)|Turbo Grafx 16]]'' in reference to the 1980s [[TurboGrafx-16|video game console of the same name]].<ref>http://m.pitchfork.com/news/63742-kanye-west-says-new-album-coming-this-summer/</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=West|first1=Kanye|url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/703446573552967680|website=Twitter|publisher=Kanye West|accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref> On June 3, 2016, West premiered the first single "[[Champions (Kanye West song)|Champions]]" off the [[GOOD Music]] album ''[[Cruel Winter]]'', which was six minutes and featured [[Travis Scott (musician)|Travis Scott]], [[Big Sean]], [[Gucci Mane]], [[Desiigner]], [[Yo Gotti]], [[Quavo]], and [[2 Chainz]].<ref name="6 Minute Track">{{cite web |url=http://time.com/4356393/kanye-west-new-album-cruel-winter/ |title=Kanye West debuts 6 minute track |last=Lang |first=Cady |date=June 3, 2016 |website=[[Time.com]] |access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/06/kanye-west-premieres-first-single-from-cruel-winter-listen/ |title=Kanye West debuts single with a bunch of all-stars|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 3, 2016 |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> He told the radio host, [[Big Boy (radio host)|Big Boy]], that the beat had been in works for a year and a half.<ref name="6 Minute Track"/>

[[File:Yeezus tour.jpg|thumb|West on the [[Yeezus Tour]] in 2013]]

In September 2013, West announced he would be headlining [[the Yeezus Tour|his first solo tour in five years]], to support ''Yeezus'', with fellow American rapper [[Kendrick Lamar]] accompanying him as a supporting act.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52170-kanye-west-announces-tour-with-kendrick-lamar/|title=Kanye West Announces Tour With Kendrick Lamar|work=Pitchfork Media|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015155108/http://pitchfork.com/news/52170-kanye-west-announces-tour-with-kendrick-lamar/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/39618/kanye-west-announces-fall-arena-tour-kendrick-lamar-opening/|title=Kanye West Announces Fall Arena Tour—Kendrick Lamar Opening|work=Glide Magazine|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010002939/http://www.glidemagazine.com/39618/kanye-west-announces-fall-arena-tour-kendrick-lamar-opening/|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour was met with rave reviews from critics.<ref name="rsyeezus">{{cite magazine|last1=Ringen|first1=Jonathan|title=11 Reasons Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Tour Is Actually Incredible|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/11-reasons-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-is-actually-incredible-20131122|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819090854/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/11-reasons-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-is-actually-incredible-20131122|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' described it as "crazily entertaining, hugely ambitious, emotionally affecting (really!) and, most importantly, totally bonkers".<ref name="rsyeezus" /> Writing for ''Forbes'', Zack O'Malley Greenburg praised West for "taking risks that few pop stars, if any, are willing to take in today's hyper-exposed world of pop", describing the show as "overwrought and uncomfortable at times, but [it] excels at challenging norms and provoking thought in a way that just isn't common for mainstream musical acts of late".<ref name="Greenburg">{{cite web|last1=Greenburg|first1=Zack O'Malley|title=Kanye West Makes His Own Artpop on Yeezus Tour|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/11/25/kanye-west-makes-his-own-artpop-on-yeezus-tour/#7ac1db4f18f2|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=July 25, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824110602/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/11/25/kanye-west-makes-his-own-artpop-on-yeezus-tour/#7ac1db4f18f2|url-status=live}}</ref> West subsequently released a number of singles featuring [[Paul McCartney]], including "[[Only One (Kanye West song)|Only One]]"<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Young|first1=Alex|title=Kanye West premieres 'Only One' featuring Paul McCartney—listen|url=https://consequence.net/2014/12/kanye-west-premieres-only-one-featuring-paul-mccartney-listen/|magazine=Consequence of Sound|access-date=January 1, 2015|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172637/https://consequence.net/2014/12/kanye-west-premieres-only-one-featuring-paul-mccartney-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> and "[[FourFiveSeconds]]", also featuring [[Rihanna]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Sam|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-mccartney-kanye-west-songwriting-fourfiveseconds-rihanna-kim-kardashian-2341934|title=Paul McCartney on writing with Kanye West: "I was tootling around on guitar, and Kanye spent a lot of time looking at pictures of Kim"|work=[[NME]]|date=June 21, 2018|accessdate=December 28, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228084516/https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-mccartney-kanye-west-songwriting-fourfiveseconds-rihanna-kim-kardashian-2341934|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Musical style==

In November 2013, West stated that he was beginning work on his next studio album, hoping to release it by mid-2014,<ref>Jackson, Reed (November 25, 2013). [http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kanye-west-hopes-new-album-summer/ "Kanye West Hopes To Have New Album Out By Summer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012215802/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kanye-west-hopes-new-album-summer/ |date=October 12, 2018 }}. ''XXL''.</ref> with production by Rick Rubin and [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rys|first=Dan|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/q-tip-will-produce-kanye-wests-next-album-rick-rubin/|title=Q-Tip Will Produce Kanye West's Next Album With Rick Rubin—XXL|publisher=Xxlmag.com|date=December 3, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=May 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527030656/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/q-tip-will-produce-kanye-wests-next-album-rick-rubin/|url-status=live}}</ref> Having initially announced a new album entitled ''Yeezus II'' slated for a 2014 release, West announced in March 2015 that the album would instead be tentatively called ''So Help Me God''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Peters|first1=Mitchell|title=Kanye West Announces Name Change of His New Album on Twitter|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6553812/kanye-west-announces-name-change-of-his-new-album-on-twitter-swish-so-help-me-god|access-date=May 31, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=May 3, 2015|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607163951/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6553812/kanye-west-announces-name-change-of-his-new-album-on-twitter-swish-so-help-me-god?|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2015, West was awarded an [[honorary doctorate]] by the [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago]] for his contributions to music, fashion, and popular culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/11/kanye-west-receives-honorary-doctorate-chicago|title=Kanye West receives honorary doctorate in Chicago|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=May 11, 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170101/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/11/kanye-west-receives-honorary-doctorate-chicago|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/59535-kanye-west-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-saic-listen/|title=Kanye West Receives Honorary Doctorate From SAIC: Listen|work=Pitchfork Media|date=May 11, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513205756/http://pitchfork.com/news/59535-kanye-west-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-saic-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The school rescinded the honorary degree in late 2022 in light of West's public antisemitic statements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Kanye West's honorary degree rescinded by School of the Art Institute of Chicago |url=https://abc7chicago.com/kanye-west-new-name-school-of-the-art-institute-chicago-ye-honorary-degree/12545134/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183749/https://abc7chicago.com/kanye-west-new-name-school-of-the-art-institute-chicago-ye-honorary-degree/12545134/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} The next month, West headlined at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] in the UK, despite a petition signed by almost 135,000 people against his appearance.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Renshaw|first1=David|title=Kanye West Glastonbury petition crosses 100,000 signature mark|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-304-1224342|access-date=September 9, 2020|work=NME|date=March 22, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204092837/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-304-1224342|url-status=live}}</ref> Another petition aimed to block West from headlining the [[2015 Pan American Games]], garnering 50,000 supporters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/86979 |title=NME News 50,000 people sign petition to stop Kanye West from playing Pan Am Games closing ceremony |work=NME |date=July 20, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721145307/http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/86979 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Influences and early work===

West's musical career has been defined by frequent stylistic shifts, and has seen him develop and explore a variety of different musical approaches and genres. When asked about his early musical inspirations, he has named artists such as [[A Tribe Called Quest]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[George Michael]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Phil Collins]] and [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]].<ref>[http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/kanye-west-interviewed "Kanye West Interviewed.] ''[[Clash Music]]''. 12 April 2008.</ref> West has named [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] as the "most important cultural figure" in his life,<ref>Heisler, Yoni. [http://bgr.com/2016/02/15/kanye-west-twitter-rant/ "Kanye West is on another epic Twitter rant, says his album will 'never be on Apple'"]. ''BGR''. 15 February 2016.</ref><ref>West, Kanye. [https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/699374444645494784 KANYE WEST on Twitter: Puff Daddy is the most important cultural figure in my life. His influence means everything to me."] [[Twitter]]. 15 February 2015.</ref> and he has also described [[David Bowie]] as one of his "most important inspirations."<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35279642 | title= David Bowie: Friends and stars pay tribute | work=BBC News | date=January 11, 2016 | accessdate=February 13, 2016}}</ref> West was formatively mentored by Chicago producer [[No I.D.]], who introduced him to [[hip hop production]] in the early 1990s, allowing a teenage West to sit in on recording sessions.<ref name="billboardnoid">{{cite web|last1=Weiss|first1=Jeff|title=Kanye West Mentor No I.D. Reflects on the Rapper's Hammer Pants-Wearing Days|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6745313/kanye-mentor-no-id-on-early-days-mc-hammer-pants|website=[[Billboard Magazine]]|accessdate=7 March 2016}}</ref> Early in his career, West pioneered a style of production dubbed "chipmunk soul"<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/the-college-dropout-19691231 ''Rolling Stone'']</ref><ref>Bailey, Julius. ''The Cultural Impact of Kanye West''.</ref> which utilized [[Pitch (music)|pitched-up]] vocal samples, usually from [[soul music|soul]] and [[R&B]] songs, along with his own drums and instrumentation.<ref name="king">{{cite news|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-king-of-rap-403127.html|title=Kanye West: King of rap|work=The Independent|location=UK |date=September 22, 2007|author=Burrell, Ian }}</ref> His first major release featuring his trademark soulful vocal sampling style was "This Can't Be Life", a track from Jay-Z's ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]''. West has said that [[Wu-Tang Clan]] producer [[RZA]] influenced him in his style,<ref name="cant ignore" /><ref name="KWstBio2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gale.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/west_k.htm |title=Black History&nbsp;— Biographies&nbsp;— Kanye West |accessdate=August 7, 2006 |publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Thomson Gale]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20060615083612/http://www.gale.com:80/free_resources/bhm/bio/west_k.htm |archivedate=June 15, 2006 }}</ref> and has named Wu-Tang rappers [[Ghostface Killah]] and [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]] as inspirations.<ref name="KWstBio4">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1553911/20070305/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye, Run-DMC, Outkast, Justin Sound Off On Our Top 10 Hip-Hop Groups|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=MTV}}</ref> RZA spoke positively of the comparisons, stating in an interview for ''Rolling Stone'', "I got super respect for Kanye [...] [he] is going to inspire people to be like him."<ref name="RZArs">{{cite web|author1=Dukes, Rahman |author2=Reid, Shaheem |title=The Clipse Hint At Kanye West Collabo: Mixtape Monday|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602920/20090116/story.jhtml|work=Rolling Stone |publisher=RealNetworks, Inc |date=January 19, 2009 |accessdate=January 19, 2009}}</ref> West further developed his style on his 2004 debut album, ''[[The College Dropout]]''. After a rough version was leaked, he meticulously refined the production, adding [[String section|string arrangements]], [[gospel choir]]s, and improved drum programming.<ref name=Road1>{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title= Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Kanye West's College Dropout |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496766/road-grammys-kanye-west.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV]] |date=February 9, 2005|accessdate=January 4, 2009}}</ref>

=== 2016–2017: ''The Life of Pablo'' and tour cancellation ===

[[File:West performing.jpg|thumb|270px|left|West performing backed by an orchestral section in 2007.]]

{{Main|The Life of Pablo}}

West announced in January 2016 that ''SWISH'' would be released on February 11, and later that month, released new songs "[[Real Friends (Kanye West song)|Real Friends]]" and a snippet of "[[No More Parties in LA]]" with Kendrick Lamar. On January 26, 2016, West revealed he had renamed the album from ''SWISH'' to ''Waves''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/63468-kanye-west-announces-new-album-title-shares-final-tracklist/|title=Kanye West Announces New Album Title, Shares Final Tracklist—Pitchfork|work=pitchfork.com|date=February 10, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629202953/http://pitchfork.com/news/63468-kanye-west-announces-new-album-title-shares-final-tracklist/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the weeks leading up to the album's release, West became embroiled in several [[Twitter]] controversies.<ref name="dailybeast">{{cite news|last1=Wilstein|first1=Dave|title=Kanye West Declares Bill Cosby 'Innocent'|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/09/kanye-west-bill-cosby-is-innocent.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=February 10, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-date=April 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408133122/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/09/kanye-west-bill-cosby-is-innocent.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several days ahead of its release, West again changed the title, this time to ''[[The Life of Pablo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=McHenry|first=Jackson|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/02/kanye-shares-final-track-list-for-new-album.html|title=Kanye Shares the 'Final' Track List for His New Album, Which Is Now Called ''The Life of Pablo''|work=[[New York (magazine)#Vulture|Vulture]]|date=February 10, 2016|accessdate=December 28, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228085447/https://www.vulture.com/2016/02/kanye-shares-final-track-list-for-new-album.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Britton|first=Luke Morgan|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/wiz-khalifa-2-4-1200573|title=Wiz Khalifa opens up about Kanye West beef and reconciliation|work=[[NME]]|date=March 23, 2016|accessdate=December 28, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228085444/https://www.nme.com/news/music/wiz-khalifa-2-4-1200573|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 11, West premiered the album at [[Madison Square Garden]] as part of the presentation of his Yeezy Season{{nbsp}}3 clothing line.<ref name="pitchfork.com">Phillips, Amy (February 11, 2016). [https://pitchfork.com/news/63472-kanye-west-new-album-the-life-of-pablo-debut-live-stream-watch-it-here/ "Kanye West New Album The Life Of Pablo Debut Live Stream: Watch It Here"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211182735/http://pitchfork.com/news/63472-kanye-west-new-album-the-life-of-pablo-debut-live-stream-watch-it-here/ |date=February 11, 2016 }}. Pitchfork. Retrieved February 11, 2016.</ref> Following the preview, West announced that he would be modifying the tracklist once more before its release to the public.<ref>West, Kanye (February 12, 2016). "The album is being mastered and will be out today{{nbsp}}... added on a couple of tracks{{nbsp}}...". Twitter. Retrieved February 16, 2016.</ref> He released the album exclusively on [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] on February 14, 2016, following a performance on ''[[Saturday Night Live|SNL]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2016/02/chance-the-rapper-annotated-ultralight-beam/|title=Chance The Rapper Annotated His Verse on Kanye West's "Ultralight Beam"|work=pigeonsandplanes.com|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623234529/http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2016/02/chance-the-rapper-annotated-ultralight-beam/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Pitchfork>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21542-the-life-of-pablo/|title=Kanye West: The Life of Pablo|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=February 15, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2016|last=Greene|first=Jayson|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215235527/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21542-the-life-of-pablo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following its release, West continued to tinker with mixes of several tracks, describing the work as "a living breathing changing creative expression"<ref name="fader">{{cite magazine|last1=Dandridge-Lemco|first1=Ben|title=Kanye West Is Updating "Wolves"|magazine=[[The Fader]]|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/15/kanye-west-is-updating-wolves|access-date=March 15, 2016|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317211812/http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/15/kanye-west-is-updating-wolves|url-status=live}}</ref> and proclaiming the end of the [[music album|album]] as a dominant release form.<ref name="slate">{{cite web|last1=Hamilton|first1=Jack|title=The Life of Pablo Is an Attack on the Very Idea of the Album|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2016/02/kanye_west_s_the_life_of_pablo_is_an_attack_on_the_very_idea_of_the_album.html|website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|date=February 19, 2016|access-date=March 25, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324070257/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2016/02/kanye_west_s_the_life_of_pablo_is_an_attack_on_the_very_idea_of_the_album.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite West's earlier comments, in addition to Tidal, the album was released through several other competing services starting in April.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shah|first1=Neil|title=Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' Now Widely Available to Stream|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/04/01/kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo-now-widely-available-to-stream/|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=April 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403211534/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/04/01/kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo-now-widely-available-to-stream/|url-status=live}}</ref>

For his second album, ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005), he collaborated with film score composer [[Jon Brion]] and drew influence from non-rap influences such as English [[trip hop]] group [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]].<ref name=Praise/> Blending West's primary soulful [[hip hop music|hip hop]] production with Brion's elaborate [[chamber pop]] orchestration, the album experimentally incorporated a wide array of different genres and prominent [[orchestral]] elements, including [[Strings (music)|string arrangements]], piano chords, brass flecks, and horn riffs among other symphonic instrumentation.<ref name=Pilot/> It also incorporated a myriad of foreign and vintage instruments not typical in popular music, let alone hip hop, such as a [[celesta]], [[harpsichord]], [[Chamberlin]], [[Yamaha CS-80|CS-80]] [[analog synthesizer]], [[Chinese bell]]s and [[berimbau]], [[vibraphones]], and [[marimba]].<ref name="Christgau">Christgau, Robert. (August 30, 2005). [http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-08-30/music/growing-by-degrees/ "Growing by Degrees – Kanye West adds new subtlety, complexity, and Jon Brion to the idea of sophmoric"]. ''[[The Village Voice]]''. Retrieved October 6, 2009.</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described ''Late Registration'' as West claiming "the whole world of music as hip-hop turf" chronicling the album as "his mad quest to explode every cliché about hip-hop identity."<ref name="Sheffield"/> Critic [[Robert Christgau]] wrote that "there's never been hip-hop so complex and subtle musically."<ref>[http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/rock/west-05.php Robert Christgau]</ref> For a period of time, Kanye West stood as the sole current pop star to tour with a string section,<ref name=Praise/> as audible on his 2006 live album ''[[Late Orchestration]]''.

[[File:Saint pablo tour.jpg|thumb|West on the [[Saint Pablo Tour]] in 2016]]

In February 2016, West stated on Twitter that he was planning to release another album in the summer of 2016, tentatively called ''Turbo Grafx 16'' in reference to the 1990s [[TurboGrafx-16|video game console of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/63742-kanye-west-says-new-album-coming-this-summer/|title=Kanye West Says New Album Coming This Summer—Pitchfork|work=pitchfork.com|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=October 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002203653/https://pitchfork.com/news/63742-kanye-west-says-new-album-coming-this-summer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last1=West |first1=Kanye |user=kanyewest |number=703446573552967680 |date=February 27, 2016 |title=My next album is titled "Turbo Grafx 16" as of now ...|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160313050042/https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/703446573552967680 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2016, West released the collaborative lead single "[[Champions (GOOD Music song)|Champions]]" off the GOOD Music album ''Cruel Winter'', which has yet to be released.<ref name="6 Minute Track">{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4356393/kanye-west-new-album-cruel-winter/|title=Kanye West debuts 6-minute track|last=Lang|first=Cady|date=June 3, 2016|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828224933/http://time.com/4356393/kanye-west-new-album-cruel-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2016/06/kanye-west-premieres-first-single-from-cruel-winter-listen/|title=Kanye West debuts single with a bunch of all-stars|author=<!--staff writer(s); no by-line-->|date=June 3, 2016|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413155718/https://consequence.net/2016/06/kanye-west-premieres-first-single-from-cruel-winter-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, West released a controversial video for "[[Famous (Kanye West song)|Famous]]", which depicted wax figures of several celebrities (including West, Kardashian, Taylor Swift, businessman and then-presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]], comedian [[Bill Cosby]], and former president George W. Bush) sleeping nude in a shared bed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/775796/kanye-west-gets-almost-no-reactions-from-stars-depicted-naked-in-famous-video|title=Kanye West Gets Almost No Reactions From Stars Depicted Naked in "Famous" Video|work=E! Online|date=June 26, 2016|access-date=June 28, 2016|archive-date=June 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628150056/http://www.eonline.com/news/775796/kanye-west-gets-almost-no-reactions-from-stars-depicted-naked-in-famous-video|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Middle period===

With his third album, ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007), West moved away from the soulful sound of his previous releases and towards a more atmospheric, [[rock music|rock]]-tinged, [[electronic music|electronic]]-influenced soundscape.<ref name=Greene>{{cite web | author=Greene, Jayson | title= Kanye West Graduation – Music Review| url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/graduation.htm| work=[[Stylus Magazine]] | publisher= stylusmagazine.com | date=2007-09-10| accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref> Under the belief that ''Late Registration'' had been too indulgent and poorly arranged, he fashioned ''Graduation'' to contain less ornate production, made the album completely devoid of [[Hip hop skit|skits]], and attempted to [[Music sequencer|sequence]] it as a tighter, more cohesive package.<ref name=Praise/><ref name="Brackett">Brackett, Nathan. [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/graduation-20070904 Review: ''Graduation'']. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-06.</ref> The musical evolution arose from him listening to music genres encompassing European [[Britpop]] and [[Euro disco|Euro-disco]], American [[Alternative rock|alternative]] and [[Indie rock|indie-rock]], and his native [[Chicago house]].<ref name="Park">{{cite web |author=Park, Adam |title=Kanye West 'God Just Brings Collaborations Together'|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/kanye-west|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] |date=January 7, 2007 |accessdate=March 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Pytlik">Pytlik, Mark. 2007-09-11. [http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10658-graduation/ Review: ''Graduation'']. [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-06.</ref> Towards this end, West retracted much of the [[live instrumentation]] that characterized his previous album and replaced it with heavy, [[Gothic rock|gothic]] [[synthesizers]],<ref name=Lynskey>{{cite news |author=Lynskey, Dorian |title=Kanye West, Graduation|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/sep/07/urban.shopping|work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |date=2007-09-07 |accessdate=2007-09-10 | location=London}}</ref> [[Distortion (music)|distorted]] synth-chords, [[Rave music|rave]] stabs, [[House music|house]] beats, [[Electro (music)|electro]]-[[disco]] rhythms, and a wide array of [[Modulation (music)|modulated]] electronic [[Noise music|noises]] and digital [[Audio signal processing|audio-effects]].<ref name=Brett/><ref name="Pytlik"/> In addition, West drew musical inspiration from [[arena rock]] bands such as [[The Rolling Stones]], [[U2]], and [[Led Zeppelin]] in terms of [[melody]] and [[chord progression]].<ref name="Loop"/><ref name="Serwer"/> Similar to its predecessor, the album wasn't confined to the conventional [[Loop (music)|looping]] techniques typical of contemporary hip-hop and instead continued to implement sudden musical [[Shift (music)|shifts]] within its multi-layered [[Song structure (popular music)|song structures]] and express intricately composed [[introduction (music)|introductions]], [[bridge (music)|bridges]], and [[Coda (music)|codas]].<ref name="Kim">{{cite web | author= Kim, Serena| title=Kanye West – Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella)| url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/09/kanye_west_late_registration/ | work= [[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]| publisher=Vibe Media Group, LLC| date=2005-09-12 | accessdate=2007-04-12}}</ref>

In August 2016, West embarked on the [[Saint Pablo Tour]] in support of ''The Life of Pablo.''<ref name="hhd" /> The performances featured a mobile stage suspended from the ceiling.<ref name="hhd">{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Chris|title=Kanye West Soars Above Crowd To Kick Off Saint Pablo Tour|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40174/title.kanye-west-soars-above-crowd-to-kick-off-saint-pablo-tour|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=August 26, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018202042/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40174/title.kanye-west-soars-above-crowd-to-kick-off-saint-pablo-tour|url-status=live}}</ref> West postponed several dates in October following the [[Kim Kardashian#Paris robbery|Paris robbery]] of several of his wife's effects.<ref name="bbm">{{cite web|last1=Brandle|first1=Lars|title=Kanye West Reschedules 'Saint Pablo' Tour Dates Following Kim Kardashian Robbery|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7526747/kanye-west-reschedules-saint-pablo-tour-dates-kim-kardashia|website=[[Billboard Magazine]]|date=October 4, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-date=October 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008021137/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7526747/kanye-west-reschedules-saint-pablo-tour-dates-kim-kardashia|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 21, 2016, West cancelled the remaining 21 dates on the Saint Pablo Tour, following a week of no-shows, curtailed concerts and rants about politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-music-kanyewest/exhausted-kanye-west-hospitalized-cancels-tour-after-bizarre-rants-idUSKBN13G1X6|title='Exhausted' Kanye West Cancels Tour After Bizarre Rants|date=November 21, 2016|publisher=[[Reuters]]|access-date=June 7, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141202/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-music-kanyewest/exhausted-kanye-west-hospitalized-cancels-tour-after-bizarre-rants-idUSKBN13G1X6|url-status=live}}</ref> He was later admitted for psychiatric observation at [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center|UCLA Medical Center]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanye West Hospitalized After Canceling Tour: Sources |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kanye-walks-west-s-saint-pablo-tour-cancelled-following-beyonc-n686856 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |first1=Andrew |last1=Blankstein |first2=Alex |last2=Johnson |first3=Emma |last3=Margolin |date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124152023/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kanye-walks-west-s-saint-pablo-tour-cancelled-following-beyonc-n686856 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-kanye-west-hospitalized-kim-kardashian-public-20161122-story.html|title=Kanye West's doctor called 911 during breakdown, report says; Kim Kardashian skips public return|first=Christie|last=D'Zurilla|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123045938/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-kanye-west-hospitalized-kim-kardashian-public-20161122-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He stayed hospitalized over the Thanksgiving weekend because of a temporary psychosis stemming from sleep deprivation and extreme dehydration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-to-remain-hospitalized-over-thanksgiving-news.25692.html?|title=Kanye West enters hospital due to sleep deprivation and extreme dehydration|last=Lilah|first=Rose|date=November 24, 2016|website=Hotnewhiphop|access-date=November 24, 2016|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125110208/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-to-remain-hospitalized-over-thanksgiving-news.25692.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this episode West took an 11-month break from posting on Twitter and the public in general.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nevins|first1=Jake|title=Kanye West returns to Twitter, writing a philosophy book 'in real time'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/apr/18/kanye-west-twitter-return-philosophy-book|website=The Guardian|date=April 18, 2018|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419140116/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/apr/18/kanye-west-twitter-return-philosophy-book|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Roland TR-808 (large).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Roland TR-808]], the titular [[drum machine]] which served as a primary instrument on ''[[808s and Heartbreak]]''.]]

Conceived in the wake of several distressing personal events, West's fourth studio album, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008), marked a radical departure from his previous releases,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Newton|first=Matthew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7-GZm2de98C&pg=PA31|title=Is Sampling Dying?|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|issue=12|volume=24|page=32|date=December 2008|accessdate=March 25, 2012}}</ref> largely abandoning [[rap music|rap]] and [[hip hop]] stylings in favor of a stark [[electropop]] sound<ref>{{cite book|last=Graves|first=Kirk Walker|page=49|year=2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s_CHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy|chapter=A (Very) Brief Aside Re: ''808s & Heartbreak''|accessdate=August 3, 2014|publisher=[[A&C Black]]|isbn=1623565421}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-kanye-west-808s-amp-heartbreakrocafellamercury-1038395.html|accessdate=August 3, 2014|date=November 28, 2008|title=Album: Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak(Roc-a-Fella/Mercury)|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London}}</ref><ref name="Plagenhoef">Plagenhoef, Scott. [http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12498-808s-and-heartbreak/ Review: ''808s & Heartbreak'']. [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved August 7, 2009.</ref> composed utilizing the [[Roland TR-808]] [[drum machine]], the [[Auto-Tune]] vocal processor, and [[Software synthesizer|virtual synthesis]] technology.<ref name="Hodgson61">Hodgson (2010), p. 61.</ref> The album's music features austere production and elements such as droning synthesizers, dense drums, lengthy [[string instrument|strings]], and somber piano,<ref name="Kellman2">Kellman, Andy. [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1450186|pure_url=yes}} Review: ''808s & Heartbreak'']. [[AllMusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]]. Retrieved August 7, 2009.</ref> and drew comparisons to the work of 1980s [[post-punk]] and [[new wave]] groups;<ref name="Kellman2"/> West would confess an affinity with artists such as [[Joy Division]],<ref>[http://www.timeout.com/london/music/kanye-west-yeezus-album-review ''Timeout'']</ref> [[Gary Numan]], [[TJ Swan]] and [[Boy George]],<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/arts/music/25kany.html| accessdate = August 7, 2009 | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Jon | last=Caramanica | title=Kanye West, Flaunting Pain Instead of Flash | date=November 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Minimal/> and later described ''808s'' as "the first black new wave album."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html?_r=0 ''NYT'']</ref> Maintaining a "[[minimalism|minimal]] but functional" approach towards the album's studio production,<ref name=Minimal>{{Cite web |title= MTV News RAW: Kanye West | url = http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/320022/im-just-getting-more-polished.jhtml#id=1599789 |publisher=MTV |accessdate=November 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Kanye West Focuses On Melodies On 'Minimal But Functional' 808s & Heartbreak | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599782/20081119/west_kanye.jhtml | publisher=MTV | date=November 19, 2008 | accessdate=November 23, 2008}}</ref> West explored the electronic feel produced by his explicitly Auto-Tuned vocals and manipulated the sounds created by the 808, modulating its [[pitch (music)|pitch]] to produce a distorted, electronic sound;<ref name=OMGoes>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/30/kanye-west-new-album-heartbreak |title=OM Goes On the Road With Kanye West and His New Album ''Heartbreak'' |accessdate=February 21, 2009 |author=Bainbridge, Luke |date=November 30, 2008 |work=[[The Observer]] | location=London| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090213061524/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/30/kanye-west-new-album-heartbreak| archivedate= February 13, 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> he then sought to juxtapose mechanical sounds with the traditional sounds of [[taiko drum]]s and [[choir monk]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Video: Kanye West Visits Conan O'Brien |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/11/26/video-kanye-west-visits-conan-obrien/ |publisher=Rap Up. Devin Lazerine |accessdate=November 26, 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217115243/http://www.rap-up.com/2008/11/26/video-kanye-west-visits-conan-obrien/| archivedate= December 17, 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' journalist Matthew Trammell asserted that the record was ahead of its time and wrote in a 2012 article, "Now that popular music has finally caught up to it, ''808s & Heartbreak'' has revealed itself to be Kanye's most vulnerable work, and perhaps his most brilliant."<ref name="Trammell"/>

=== 2017–2019: ''Ye'' and the Wyoming Sessions ===

West recorded his fifth album, ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' (2010), with a wide range of collaborators. It has been noted by writers for its [[maximalism|maximalist]] aesthetic and its incorporation of elements from West's previous four albums.<ref name="Kellman"/><ref name="Levinson">Vozick-Levinson, Simon (November 12, 2010). [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20442911,00.html Review: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'']. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on 2010-11-12.</ref><ref name="Dombal">Dombal, Ryan (November 21, 2010). [http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14880-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy/ Review: ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'']. ''[[Pitchfork Media]]''. Retrieved on 2010-11-21.</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Simon Vozick-Levinson noted that such elements "all recur at various points", namely "the luxurious [[soul music|soul]] of 2004's ''The College Dropout'', the symphonic pomp of ''Late Registration'', the gloss of 2007's ''Graduation'', and the emotionally exhausted [[electro music|electro]] of 2008's ''808s & Heartbreak''."<ref name="Levinson"/> [[AllMusic]]'s Andy Kellman views it as the "culmination" of those albums, while noting that "it does not merely draw characteristics from each one of them. The 13 tracks ... sometimes fuse them together simultaneously. Consequently, the sonic and emotional layers are often difficult to pry apart and enumerate".<ref>Kellman, Andy (November 21, 2010). Review: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2010-11-21.</ref> Kellman emphasized the track "[[All of the Lights]]" as most representative of the album's "contrasting elements and maniacal extravagance."<ref name="Kellman"/> Robert Christgau, writing for ''[[MSN Music]]'', commented that the music eschews the "grace" of ''The College Dropout'' and ''Late Registration'' for "grandiosity" and "sonic luxuries."<ref>Christgau, Robert (November 30, 2010). Consumer Guide: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. MSN Music. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30.</ref>

{{Main|Ye (album)|Kids See Ghosts (album)}}

===Recent work===

{{See also|Daytona (album)|Nasir (album)|K.T.S.E.}}

[[File:Kanye Live Yeezus Tour.jpg|thumb|right|190px|West performing on 2013's Yeezus Tour.]]

Describing his sixth studio album ''[[Yeezus]]'' (2013) as "a protest to music,"<ref>{{cite web|last1=Britton|first1=Luke Morgn|title=Kanye West says his new album is '80 per cent done' and will be released as a surprise|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/83031|website=NME|accessdate=2 March 2015}}</ref> West embraced an abrasive style that incorporated a variety of unconventional influences. Music critic [[Greg Kot]] described it as "a hostile, abrasive and intentionally off-putting" album that combines "the worlds of" 1980s [[Acid house|acid-house]] and contemporary [[Drill (music genre)|Chicago drill music]], 1990s [[industrial music]], and the "[[Experimental hip hop|avant-rap]]" of [[Saul Williams]], [[Death Grips]] and [[Odd Future]].<ref name="chicagotribune" /> The album also incorporates elements of [[trap music]],<ref name="atlantic">{{cite web | url=http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/06/the-shocking-poignance-of-kanye-wests-i-yeezus-i/276919/| title=The Shocking Poignance of Kanye West's ''Yeezus''| work=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=Hayley Romer| date=June 18, 2013 | accessdate=June 19, 2013 | author=Kornhaber, Spencer}}</ref> as well as [[dancehall]], [[punk music|punk]], and [[Electro (music)|electro]].<ref name="atlantic"/><ref>{{cite journal|author=Aaron, Charles|date=June 15, 2013|url=http://www.spin.com/articles/kanye-west-yeezus-first-review/|title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus': Our Impulsive Reviews|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=New York|accessdate=June 24, 2013|display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/kanye-west-yeezus,99105/|title=Kanye West: Yeezus|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[Onion, Inc.]]|first=Evan|last=Rytlewski|date=2013-06-17|accessdate=2013-07-09}}</ref> Inspired by the [[minimalism|minimalist design]] of [[Le Corbusier]]<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html?_r=0 NYT interview]</ref> and primarily [[Electronic music|electronic]] in nature, the album features distorted [[drum machine]]s and "[[synthesizers]] that sound like they're malfunctioning, low-resolution samplers that add a pixelated digital aura to the most analog sounds."<ref name="esquire">{{cite news | url=http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/kanye-west-yeezus| title=The Chaos of Kanye West's ''Yeezus''| work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |date=June 18, 2013 | accessdate=June 19, 2013 | author=Raymer, Miles}}</ref> To this end, the album incorporates glitches reminiscent of [[Skip (audio playback)|CD skips]] or corrupted MP3's, and [[Auto-Tune]]d vocals are modulated to a point in which they are difficult to decipher.<ref name="esquire"/> It also continues West's practice of eclectic samples: he employs a sample of Nina Simone's "[[Strange Fruit]]," an obscure [[Hindi]] sample on "[[I Am a God]]", and a sample of 1970s [[Hungarian rock]] group [[Omega (band)|Omega]] on "New Slaves". "On Sight" interpolates a melody from "Sermon (He'll Give Us What We Really Need)" by the Holy Name of Mary Choral Family.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news | url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/11/kanye-west-yeezus-last-minute| title=Kanye West still working on Yeezus even though it's due out next week | work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=The Guardian News and Media |location=London | date=June 11, 2013 | accessdate=June 11, 2013 | author=Michaels, Sean}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the album a "brilliant, obsessive-compulsive career auto-correct".<ref name="RS">{{cite journal | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/yeezus-20130614 | title=Review: Kanye West, 'Yeezus' | work=Rolling Stone | location=New York | date=June 14, 2013 | accessdate=June 14, 2013 | author=Dolan, Jon}}</ref>

It was reported in May 2017 that West was recording new music in [[Jackson Hole, Wyoming]], with a wide range of collaborators.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Is Reportedly Busy Creating His Next Album ... On a Mountain|date=May 9, 2017|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/05/09/kanye-west-next-album/|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420202857/https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/05/09/kanye-west-next-album/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Everything We Know So Far About Kanye West's New Album|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-new-album-details-release-date/|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115341/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-new-album-details-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, West announced plans to write a philosophy book entitled ''Break the Simulation'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Romano|first1=Nick|title=Kanye West says he's writing a philosophy book called Break the Simulation|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=April 14, 2018|url=https://ew.com/books/2018/04/14/kanye-west-book-philosophy-break-the-simulation/|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135909/http://ew.com/books/2018/04/14/kanye-west-book-philosophy-break-the-simulation/|url-status=live}}</ref> later clarifying that he was sharing the book "in real time" on Twitter and began posting content that was likened to "[[life coaching]]".<ref name="Kanyelifecoach">{{cite news|last1=Raspers France|first1=Lisa|title=Kanye West is life coaching on Twitter|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/19/entertainment/kanye-west-twitter/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=April 19, 2018|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420003305/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/19/entertainment/kanye-west-twitter/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, he also announced two new albums, a solo album and self-titled collaboration with Kid Cudi under the name [[Kids See Ghosts]], both of which would be released in June.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Strauss|first1=Matthew|title=Kanye Announces 2 New Albums, Including Kid Cudi Collaboration|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-announces-new-album-release-date/|website=Pitchfork|date=April 19, 2018|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419215045/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-announces-new-album-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, he revealed he would produce upcoming albums by GOOD Music label-mates [[Pusha T]] and [[Teyana Taylor]], as well as [[Nas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-says-hes-producing-nas-new-album|title=Kanye Says He's Producing Nas' New Album|date=April 23, 2018|last=Wicks|first=Amanda|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=April 23, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423042727/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-says-hes-producing-nas-new-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, West released the non-album singles "[[Lift Yourself]]" and "[[Ye vs. the People]]", in which he and [[T.I.]] discussed West's support of Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wicks |first1=Amanda |last2=Blais-Billie |first2=Braudie |title=Kanye West Drops New Song "Ye vs. the People" With T.I.: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-premieres-new-song-ye-vs-the-people-with-ti/ |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=June 7, 2018 |date=April 28, 2018 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428182336/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-premieres-new-song-ye-vs-the-people-with-ti/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Released in 2016 after several years of delays, West's seventh album ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' was noted for its "raw, occasionally even intentionally messy, composition" in distinction to West's previous albums.{{sfn|Vain|2016}} ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that "this is a messy album that feels like it was made that way on purpose, after the laser-sharp intensity of ''Yeezus''," stating that "It's designed to sound like a work in progress." Carl Wilson of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' characterized the album as creating "strange links between Kanye's many iterations—[[soul music|soul]]-sample enthusiast, heartbroken [[Auto-Tune]] crooner, hedonistic avant-pop composer, [[industrial rap|industrial-rap]] shit-talker," suggesting that "the point is that in the context of all this sonic landscaping, in West's kamikaze, mood-swinging way, ''Pablo'' now seems undeniably (not half-assedly, as I'd been about to conclude) like an album of struggle." He also noted the album's use of [[auto-tune]], [[a cappella]], as well as bass and percussion lines "that are only the tail-end decay of some lost starting place, some vanished rhythmic Eden."{{sfn|Wilson|2016}} West initially characterized the release as "a gospel album." [[Greg Kot]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' wrote in his review of ''The Life of Pablo'', "West's version of gospel touches on some of those sonic cues — heavy organ, soaring choirs — but seems more preoccupied with gospel text and the notion of redemption."{{sfn|Kot|2016}}

Pusha T's ''[[Daytona (album)|Daytona]]'', "the first project out of Wyoming", was released in May to critical acclaim, although the album's artwork—a photograph of deceased singer [[Whitney Houston]]'s bathroom that West paid $85,000 to license—attracted some controversy.<ref name="Recording">{{cite tweet |user=kanyewest |number=999777955894050816 |url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/999777955894050816 |title=Daytona is the first project out of Wyoming. I'm really proud of what we put together. We've spent a year and a half digging for samples and writing. I really appreciate the overwhelmingly positive response that we've been receiving. 🙏🙏🙏 x|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-debuts-new-album-ye-in-wyoming-listen/|title=Kanye West Unveils New Album YE {{!}} Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=June 2018|language=en|access-date=June 1, 2018|archive-date=June 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602011928/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-debuts-new-album-ye-in-wyoming-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, West released his eighth studio album, ''[[Ye (album)|Ye]]''. West has suggested that he scrapped the original recordings of the album and re-recorded it within a month.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Skelton|first1=Erik|title=Kanye West Says He Completely Redid His Album After TMZ|url=https://pigeonsandplanes.com/news/2018/06/kanye-west-i-completely-redid-the-album-after-tmz|website=[[Pigeons & Planes]]|access-date=June 7, 2018|date=June 3, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605223749/https://pigeonsandplanes.com/news/2018/06/kanye-west-i-completely-redid-the-album-after-tmz|url-status=live}}</ref> The week after, West released a collaborative album with Kid Cudi, titled ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'', named after their group of the same name. West also completed production work on Nas' ''[[Nasir (album)|Nasir]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8461315/hip-hop-community-reacts-to-nas-new-kanye-west-produced-album-nasir|title=The Hip-Hop Community Reacts to Nas' New Kanye West-Produced Album|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219130644/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8461315/hip-hop-community-reacts-to-nas-new-kanye-west-produced-album-nasir|url-status=live}}</ref> and Teyana Taylor's ''[[K.T.S.E.]]'', which were released in June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-teyana-taylors-kanye-produced-new-album-ktse/|title=Listen to Teyana Taylor's Kanye-Produced New Album K.T.S.E.|website=Pitchfork|date=June 23, 2018|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2019|last1=Blais-Billie|first1=Braudie|last2=Strauss|first2=Matthew|archive-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219130640/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-teyana-taylors-kanye-produced-new-album-ktse/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other ventures==

In September, West announced his ninth studio album ''[[Yandhi]]'' to be released by the end of the month and a collaborative album with fellow Chicagoan rapper Chance the Rapper titled ''Good Ass Job''. That same month, West announced that he would be changing his stage name to "Ye".<ref name="The Guardian 29 September 2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/29/hear-ye-kanye-west-announces-name-change-ahead-of-snl|title=Hear Ye: Kanye West announces name change ahead of SNL|date=September 29, 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=September 29, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413204952/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/29/hear-ye-kanye-west-announces-name-change-ahead-of-snl|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Yandhi'' was originally set for release in September 2018 but was postponed multiple times.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blais-Billie|first=Braudie|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-postpones-release-of-new-album-yandhi-again/|title=Kanye Postpones Release of New Album Yandhi Again|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=November 12, 2018|accessdate=December 28, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228084717/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-postpones-release-of-new-album-yandhi-again/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, West pulled out of headlining that year's Coachella festival after negotiations broke down due to discord regarding stage design.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Snapes|first1=Laura|title=Kanye West ruled out of Coachella after he demands a new stage|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/14/kanye-west-coachella-festival-custom-stage|website=The Guardian|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118210217/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/14/kanye-west-coachella-festival-custom-stage|archive-date=January 18, 2019|date=January 14, 2019}}</ref> In July, it was reported that songs from West's unreleased album ''Yandhi'' were leaked online.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/07/kanye-west-yandhi-leak/|title=Songs From Kanye West's 'Yandhi' Have Apparently Leaked|date=July 18, 2019|website=Spin|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511013238/https://www.spin.com/2019/07/kanye-west-yandhi-leak/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Kim Kardashian announced that West's next album would be titled ''[[Jesus Is King]]'', effectively scrapping ''Yandhi''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-announces-new-album-jesus-king-next-month-check-tracklist-2543368|title=Kanye West confirms release date of new album 'Jesus Is King'|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=September 22, 2020|work=NME|first=Will|last=Richards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921203156/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-announces-new-album-jesus-king-next-month-check-tracklist-2543368|archive-date=September 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-says-new-album-jesus-is-king-is-out-this-week/|title=Kanye West Says New Album Jesus Is King Is Out This Week|website=Pitchfork|date=October 21, 2019|language=en|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021060603/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-says-new-album-jesus-is-king-is-out-this-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> By October, the entire unfinished album was available for a short time on streaming services Spotify and Tidal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/10/kanye-west-yandhi-album-spotify-leak|title=Kanye West's 'YANDHI' Album "Leaks" on Spotify and TIDAL (UPDATE)|website=HypeBeast|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111203102/https://hypebeast.com/2019/10/kanye-west-yandhi-album-spotify-leak|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fashion===

[[File:K. West (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|170px|West in 2007.]]

Early in his career, West made clear his interest in fashion and desire to work in the clothing design industry.<ref name="amg"/><ref name="NewYorkTimes"/> In September 2005, West announced that he would release his Pastelle Clothing line in spring 2006, claiming "Now that I have a Grammy under my belt and ''Late Registration'' is finished, I am ready to launch my clothing line next spring."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspxid=1171|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131853/http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1171|archivedate=September 29, 2007|title=Stuff Style Icon of the Year |accessdate=June 7, 2007|work=Stuff (magazine)}}</ref> The line was developed over the following four years – with multiple pieces teased by West himself – before the line was ultimately cancelled in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mdudu |first=Naomi |url=http://www.thefashpack.net/perfectionist-kanye-wests-pastelle-line-cancelled/|title=Perfectionist Kanye West's Pastelle Line Cancelled?|publisher=The FashPack |date=October 9, 2009 |accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tharpe |first=Frazier |url=http://www.complex.com/style/2011/09/what-couldve-been-a-history-of-kanyes-defunct-pastelle-line |title=What Could've Been: A History of Kanye's Defunct Pastelle Line|work=Complex Magazine |date=October 11, 2011 |accessdate=January 14, 2013}}</ref> In 2009, West collaborated with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] to release his own shoe, the [[Nike Air Yeezy|Air Yeezys]], with a second version released in 2012. In January 2009, West introduced his first shoe line designed for [[Louis Vuitton]] during Paris Fashion Week. The line was released in summer 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hypebeast.com/2009/3/kanye-west-x-louis-vuitton-sneakers-for-june-2009 |title=Kanye West x Louis Vuitton Sneakers for June 2009|publisher=Hypebeast |date=March 5, 2011 |accessdate=February 2, 2013}}</ref> West has additionally designed shoewear for [[A Bathing Ape|Bape]] and Italian shoemaker [[Giuseppe Zanotti]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hislop |first=Rachel |url=http://globalgrind.com/style/kanye-west-complete-history-shoe-designs-photos |title=Renaissance Man: Kanye West's Complete History Of Shoe Designs|publisher=Global Grind |date=September 26, 2012 |accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref>

=== 2019–2022: ''Jesus Is King'', ''Donda'', and ''Donda 2'' ===

On October 1, 2011, Kanye West premiered his women's fashion label, DW Kanye West<ref name="TIFDb">[http://ifdb.co/fashion/kanye_west_-_womens_springsummer_2012_rtw_show/1291 Kanye West – Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear show – The Internet Fashion Database] Retrieved and verified on October 2, 2011</ref> at Paris Fashion Week. He received support from DSquared2 duo Dean and Dan Caten, Olivier Theyskens, Jeremy Scott, Azzedine Alaïa, and the Olsen twins, who were also in attendance during his show. His debut fashion show received mixed-to-negative reviews,<ref>{{cite web|last=Odell|first=Amy|url=http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/10/what_kanye_west_got_right_and.html|title=What Kanye West Got Right and Wrong With His First Paris Fashion Week Show – The Cut |work=New York|date=August 17, 2011|accessdate=October 5, 2011}}</ref> ranging from reserved observations by Style.com<ref>{{cite web|author=post a comment &rsaquo; |url=http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012RTW-KWEST |title=Kanye West Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review |publisher=Style.com |date=October 1, 2011 |accessdate=October 5, 2011}}</ref> to excoriating commentary by [[The Wall Street Journal]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Binkley |first=Christina |url=http://blogs.wsj.com/runway/2011/10/01/good-thing-kanye-west-has-a-day-job/|title=Kanye West Shows Debut Collection at Paris Fashion Week – Heard on the Runway – WSJ |work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 1, 2011 |accessdate=October 5, 2011}}</ref> [[The New York Times]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson |first=Eric |url=http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/kanye-west-show-shrouded-in-silence-creates-a-scene/|title=Kanye West Show, Shrouded in Silence, Creates a Scene |publisher=Runway.blogs.nytimes.com |date=October 1, 2011 |accessdate=October 5, 2011}}</ref> the [[International Herald Tribune]], Elleuk.com, [[The Daily Telegraph]], [[Harper's Bazaar]] and many others.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/03/kanye-west-fashion-designer-paris?newsfeed=true |title=Here's proof that Kanye can't cut it on the catwalk |work=The Guardian |date= October 3, 2011|accessdate=October 5, 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/critics-go-over-the-top-as-kanyes-fashion-is-a-flop/story-e6frf96x-1226158397731|title=Critics go over the top as Kanye's fashion is a flop |work=Herald Sun |location=Australia |accessdate=October 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/03/kanyes-paris-fashion-week-debut-gets-mixed-reviews/|title=Kanye's Paris Fashion Week debut gets mixed reviews – The Marquee Blog – CNN.com Blogs|publisher=CNN|accessdate=October 5, 2011|date=October 3, 2011}}</ref> On March 6, 2012, West premiered a second fashion line at Paris Fashion Week.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson |first=Julee |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/kanye-west-fall-2012-fashion-show_n_1325769.html |title=Kanye West Debuts Fall 2012 Collection During Paris Fashion Week |work= The Huffington Post|date=March 7, 2012 |accessdate=February 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Leitch |first=Luke |url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9126626/Paris-Fashion-Week-Kanye-West-autumnwinter-2012.html |title=Paris Fashion Week: Kanye West autumn/winter 2012|publisher=Telegraph (UK) |date=March 6, 2012 |accessdate=February 2, 2013 |location=London}}</ref> The line's reception was markedly improved from the previous presentation, with a number of critics heralding West for his "much improved" sophomore effort.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frank |first=Alex |url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/03/07/kanye-west-at-paris-fashion-week-round-ii-the-reviews/ |title=Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week Round II: The Reviews|publisher=The Fader |date=March 7, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref>

{{Main|Jesus Is King|Donda|Donda 2}}

On January 6, 2019, West started his weekly "[[Sunday Service (group)|Sunday Service]]" events, which included soul variations of both West's and others' songs and were attended by multiple celebrities, including the Kardashians, [[Charlie Wilson (singer)|Charlie Wilson]], and Kid Cudi.<ref name="Hearst Magazine Media, Inc.">{{cite web |last1=Penrose |first1=Nerisha |title=Everything You Need to Know About Kanye West's Sunday Services |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26962861/kanye-west-sunday-services-location-videos-attendees/ |website=Elle |access-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032616/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26962861/kanye-west-sunday-services-location-videos-attendees/ |url-status=live }}</ref> West previewed a new song, "[[Water (Kanye West song)|Water]]" at his "Sunday Service" orchestration performance at Coachella 2019,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/entertainment/kanye-west-new-song-water/index.html|title=Kanye West debuts new song 'Water' during Sunday Service at Coachella|last=Vera|first=Amir|publisher=CNN|date=April 21, 2019|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032617/https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/entertainment/kanye-west-new-song-water/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which was later revealed to feature on his upcoming album ''[[Jesus Is King]]'';<ref name="track">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/new-kanye-west-album-jesus-is-king-878415/|title=Kim Kardashian Teases Track List for New Kanye West Album 'Jesus Is King'|date=August 29, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|access-date=November 1, 2019|first=Charles|last=Holmes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914093002/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/new-kanye-west-album-jesus-is-king-878415/|archive-date=September 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> West released the album on October 25, 2019.<ref name="Ryan2019">{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Patrick |title=Review: Kanye West finds God (and Chick-fil-A) on frustrating new album 'Jesus is King' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/25/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-imax-film-album/4089656002/ |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |access-date=October 28, 2019 |language=en |quote="Jesus is King," the rapper's most clear-cut foray into Christian hip hop, was released midday Friday after multiple delays and tracklist changes. |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032629/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/25/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-imax-film-album/4089656002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It became the first to ever top the ''Billboard'' 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-makes-history-hot-christian-songs-hot-gospel-songs-charts-1253139|title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Makes History on Hot Christian Songs, Hot Gospel Songs Charts|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 7, 2019|language=en|access-date=November 28, 2019|archive-date=November 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107193947/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-makes-history-hot-christian-songs-hot-gospel-songs-charts-1253139|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 25, 2019, West and Sunday Service released ''[[Jesus Is Born]]'', containing 19 songs, including several re-workings of older West songs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/25/entertainment/kanye-west-jesus-is-born-trnd/index.html |title=Kanye West dropped a new album on Christmas and called it—what else?—'Jesus Is Born' |publisher=C.N.N. Entertainment |editor-last=Asmelash |editor-first=Leah |date=December 25, 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032632/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/25/entertainment/kanye-west-jesus-is-born-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

West released a single titled "[[Wash Us in the Blood]]" on June 30, 2020, featuring fellow American rapper and singer [[Travis Scott]], along with the music video, which was set to serve as the lead single from his tenth studio album ''[[Donda]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Welch|first=Will|url=https://www.gq.com/story/inside-kanye-west-vision-for-the-future-cover-may-2020|title=Inside Kanye West's Vision for the Future|website=GQ|date=April 16, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415223343/https://www.gq.com/story/inside-kanye-west-vision-for-the-future-cover-may-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in September 2020, West stated that he would not be releasing any further music until he is "done with [his] contract with Sony and Universal".<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West Says He Won't Release New Music Until Freed From Sony and Universal Contracts |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/kanye-west-not-releasing-new-music-until-freed-from-sony-universal-contracts |website=HypeBeast |date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032636/https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/kanye-west-not-releasing-new-music-until-freed-from-sony-universal-contracts |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 16, he released the single "[[Nah Nah Nah]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Remixes "Nah Nah Nah" With DaBaby & 2 Chainz|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-remixes-nah-nah-nah-with-dababy-and-2-chainz-new-song.1989328.html|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop|date=November 13, 2020|language=en|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113143332/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-remixes-nah-nah-nah-with-dababy-and-2-chainz-new-song.1989328.html|url-status=live}}</ref> West held several listening parties at [[Mercedes-Benz Stadium]] for his upcoming album ''Donda'' in the summer of 2021, where he had taken up temporary residence in one of the stadium's locker rooms, converting it into a recording studio to finish the recording.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Abubaker|first=Mustafa|date=July 23, 2021|title=We Still Don't Know What's on Kanye's Mind|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-donda-premiere-review-1201351/|access-date=July 27, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726150941/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-donda-premiere-review-1201351/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 26, 2021|title=Kanye West living in Atlanta stadium to work on new album|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-arts-and-entertainment-hip-hop-and-rap-kanye-west-adad6ab7856b767e49ee4bc847c42e42|access-date=July 27, 2021|publisher=Associated Press|language=en|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727034724/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-arts-and-entertainment-hip-hop-and-rap-kanye-west-adad6ab7856b767e49ee4bc847c42e42|url-status=live}}</ref> After multiple delays, ''Donda'' was released on August 29, 2021.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|title=Kanye West Finally Releases 'Donda' to Streaming Services|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-donda-streaming-services-1218346/|access-date=August 29, 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=August 29, 2021|language=en|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829153643/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-donda-streaming-services-1218346/|url-status=live}}</ref> West claimed the album was released early without his approval and alleged that Universal had altered the tracklist.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanye West: Donda released by Universal without my say, artist claims |publisher=BBC News |date=August 30, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58383576 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032704/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58383576 |url-status=live }}</ref> He released a deluxe edition of ''Donda'', including five new songs, to streaming services on November 14, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 16, 2021|title=Ye (Formerly Kanye West) Releases 'Donda' Deluxe Edition Featuring New Big Names|url=https://americansongwriter.com/ye-formerly-kanye-west-releases-donda-deluxe-edition-featuring-new-big-names/|access-date=November 22, 2021|website=American Songwriter|language=en-US|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524044633/https://americansongwriter.com/ye-formerly-kanye-west-releases-donda-deluxe-edition-featuring-new-big-names/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 20, days after ending their long-running feud,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|date=November 17, 2021|title=No More War? Drake and Kanye West Pose For Photographs|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-ye-reconcile-photographs-1234998304/|access-date=November 22, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032704/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-ye-reconcile-photographs-1234998304/|url-status=live}}</ref> West and rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] confirmed that they would stage the "Free [[Larry Hoover]]" benefit concert on December 9 at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Kanye West and Drake Confirm 'Free Larry Hoover' Benefit Concert|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-drake-free-larry-hoover-benefit-concert-1260723/|date=November 20, 2021|access-date=November 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032709/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-drake-free-larry-hoover-benefit-concert-1260723/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Yeezy boost 2015.jpg|210px|thumbnail|right|An advertisement for West's 2015 shoe collaboration with [[Adidas]], the Yeezy 350.]]

On December 3, 2013, [[Adidas]] officially confirmed a new shoe collaboration deal with West.<ref name="Little"/> After months of anticipation and rumors, West confirmed the release of the [[Adidas Yeezy]] Boosts. In 2015, West unveiled his Yeezy Season clothing line, premiering Season 1 in collaboration with Adidas early in the year.<ref>[http://www.racked.com/2015/9/8/9251093/yeezy-season-1-kanye-west-adidas-shopping-guide Racked]</ref> The line received positive critical reviews, with ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' observing "a protective toughness, a body-conscious severity that made the clothes more than a simple accessory."<ref name="vogue">{{cite web |url= http://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/kanye-west-adidas-originals |title= Yeezy Fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection |last1= Blanks |first1= Tim |date= February 12, 2015 |website= Vogue.com |publisher= [[Condé Nast]] |access-date= June 6, 2016}}</ref> The release of the Yeezy Boosts and the full Adidas collaboration was showcased in [[New York City]] on February 12, 2015, with free streaming to 50 cinemas in 13 countries around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/58323-kanye-west-to-live-stream-launch-of-adidas-yeezy-750-boost-in-theaters/ |title=Kanye West to Live Stream Launch of Adidas Yeezy 750 Boost in Theaters |work= [[Pitchfork Media]]|date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> An initial release of the Adidas Yeezy Boosts was limited to 9000 pairs to be available only in [[New York City]] via the Adidas smartphone app; the Adidas Yeezy Boosts were sold out within 10 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/2015/02/26/kanye-west-yeezy-750-boost-sneakers-restock-after-selling-out.html|title=Kanye West's Yeezy 750 Boost Sneakers Restock After Selling Out |publisher=BET|date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> The shoes released worldwide on February 28, 2015, were limited to select boutique stores and the Adidas UK stores. He followed with Season 2 later that year at [[New York Fashion Week]].<ref name="gq.com"/> On February 11, West premiered his Yeezy Season 3 clothing line at [[Madison Square Garden]] in conjunction with the previewing of his album ''[[The Life of Pablo]]''.<ref name="pitchfork.com"/>

On January 5, 2022, West was announced as one of the 2022 headliners of [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Brooks|first=Dave|title=Kanye West to Headline Coachella 2022, Considering Sunday Service|url=https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/coachella-2022-kanye-west-billie-eilish-headliners-1235015988/|date=January 5, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=August 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804080420/https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/coachella-2022-kanye-west-billie-eilish-headliners-1235015988/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month on January 15, West released the first single for his upcoming album ''[[Donda 2]]'', "[[Eazy (Kanye West & The Game song)|Eazy]]" featuring [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]],<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |title=Kanye West Calls Out Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson On New Track 'Eazy' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-the-game-eazy-drop-1284695/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220115082443/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-the-game-eazy-drop-1284695/ |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> to be executive produced by American rapper [[Future (rapper)|Future]].<ref name="ReleaseDate">{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Marcus|date=January 27, 2022|title=Kanye West shares ''Donda 2'' release date, Future is executive producer|url=https://ew.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-release-date-future-executive-producer/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=January 28, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127191544/https://ew.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-release-date-future-executive-producer/|url-status=live}}</ref> West hosted a listening event for the album at [[LoanDepot Park]] in Miami, Florida, on February 22.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=February 13, 2022|title=Kanye West Sets 'Donda 2' 2.22.22 Event in Miami. Kid Cudi Likely Won't Be There|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-donda-2-22222-event-miami-kid-cudi-beef-1299424/|access-date=February 16, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032725/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-donda-2-22222-event-miami-kid-cudi-beef-1299424/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April, shortly before Coachella, West pulled out as headlining act,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kanye-west-pulls-out-of-coachella-1235224072/|title=Kanye West Pulls Out of Coachella|work=Variety|first1=Jem|last1=Aswad|date=April 4, 2022|access-date=December 29, 2023|archive-date=August 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819010240/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kanye-west-pulls-out-of-coachella-1235224072/|url-status=live}}</ref> then proceeded to pull out of headlining [[Rolling Loud]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Peters|first=Mitchell|title=Kanye West Pulls Out of Rolling Loud Miami 2022 Headlining Set|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-cancels-rolling-loud-miami-2022-performance-1235115265/|date=July 17, 2022|access-date=July 17, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032727/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-cancels-rolling-loud-miami-2022-performance-1235115265/|url-status=live}}</ref> West and The Game performed the single on July 22, marking West's first performance in five months following the low profile he had been keeping since ''Donda 2'' remained unfinished.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=July 10, 2022 |title=Kanye West Returns to Stage to Deliver 'Eazy' at the Game's L.A. Show |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-returns-eazy-at-the-game-la-show-1380457/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032726/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-returns-eazy-at-the-game-la-show-1380457/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A day later, despite cancelling as headliner, he appeared at Rolling Loud during [[Lil Durk]]'s set.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-after-canceling-headlining-set-shows-up-at-rolling-loud-to-do-hot-shit-with-lil-durk/|title=Kanye West, After Canceling Headlining Set, Shows Up at Rolling Loud to Do "Hot Shit" With Lil Durk|work=Pitchfork|first=Allison|last=Hussey|date=July 23, 2022|access-date=December 29, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032733/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-after-canceling-headlining-set-shows-up-at-rolling-loud-to-do-hot-shit-with-lil-durk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Business ventures===

West founded the record label and production company [[GOOD Music]] in 2004, in conjunction with [[Sony BMG Music Entertainment|Sony BMG]], shortly after releasing his debut album, ''[[The College Dropout]]''. [[John Legend]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], and West were the label's inaugural artists.<ref name=Founded>{{cite web|title=G.O.O.D. Music is Founded by Kanye West|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-good-music/good-music-founded|work=The Complete History of G.O.O.D. Music|publisher=Complex.com|accessdate=3 December 2013|author=Benjamin Chesna|date=26 September 2012}}</ref> The label houses artists including West, [[Big Sean]], [[Pusha T]], [[Teyana Taylor]], [[Mos Def|Yasiin Bey / Mos Def]], [[D'banj]] and [[John Legend]], and producers including [[Hudson Mohawke]], [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]], [[Travis Scott (musician)|Travis Scott]], [[No I.D.]], [[Jeff Bhasker]], and S1. GOOD Music has released ten albums [[RIAA certification|certified gold]] or higher by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T the new president of GOOD Music.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Pusha T Named President of G.O.O.D. Music: Exclusive|url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6753076/pusha-t-president-good-music-exclusive|website = Billboard|accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>

In December 2022, after [[Views of Kanye West#Race and antisemitism|weeks of controversial antisemitic statements]], West released a new song "Someday We'll All Be Free" on his Instagram.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-someday-well-all-be-free-new-song-infowars-1234643524/|title=Kanye West Vents About the Consequences of His Actions on New Track|first1=Andre|last1=Gee|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032733/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-someday-well-all-be-free-new-song-infowars-1234643524/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2008, West revealed plans to open 10 [[Fatburger]] restaurants in the Chicago area; the first was set to open in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second followed in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although the process is being finalized. His company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to the chain in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West To Open Chain Of Fatburger Restaurants In Chicago|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/08/13/kanye-west-to-open-chain-of-fatburger-restaurants-in-chicago/|website=BallerStatus.com|date=August 2010}}</ref> Ultimately, in 2009, only two locations actually opened. In February 2011, West shut down the Fatburger located in [[Orland Park, Illinois|Orland Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/02/01/kanye_west_shuts_down_his_chicago_fatb|title=Kanye West Shuts Down His Chicago Fatburger Restaurant|publisher=Starpulse.com|date=February 1, 2011|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref> Later that year, the remaining Beverly location also was shuttered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pagesix.com/2011/06/10/cutting-the-fat/ |title=Cutting the Fat|work=New York Post}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: ''Vultures'' trilogy and ''Bully'' ===

[[File:GOOD Music.png|thumb|right|170px|The logo of West's [[GOOD Music]] imprint.]]

{{Main|Vultures 1|Vultures 2}}

On January 5, 2012, West announced his establishment of the creative content company [[DONDA]], named after his late mother Donda West.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/kanye-west-announces-creative-company-donda/|title=Kanye West Announces Creative Company DONDA|last=Osei|first=Anthony|date=January 5, 2012|publisher=''Complex Magazine''|accessdate=January 9, 2012}}</ref> In his announcement, West proclaimed that the company would "pick up where [[Steve Jobs]] left off"; DONDA would operate as "a design company which will galvanize amazing thinkers in a creative space to bounce their dreams and ideas" with the "goal to make products and experiences that people want and can afford."<ref name="vh1.com">Graham, Mark, [http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-01-05/kanye-wests-epic-1600-word-twitter-rant-the-complete-text-neatly-organized-for-your-reading-pleasure/ Kanye West's Epic 1600-word Twitter Rant: Neatly Organized for your Reading Pleasure], 5 January 2012, 'VH1', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref> West is notoriously secretive about the company's operations, maintaining neither an official website nor a social media presence.<ref>Hope, Clover, [http://www.vibe.com/2013/08/kanye-west-has-dream-inside-creative-agency-donda/ Kanye West has a Dream: Inside his Creative Agency DONDA], 19 August 2013, 'VIBE', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref><ref>Pasori, Cedar, [http://www.complex.com/style/2014/11/how-kanye-wests-creative-company-donda-is-making-its-own-brand-of-cool/ How Kanye West's Creative Company DONDA is making its own Brand of Cool], 3 November 2014, 'Complex Magazine', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref> In stating DONDA's creative philosophy, West articulated the need to "put creatives in a room together with like minds" in order to "simplify and aesthetically improve everything we see, taste, touch, and feel.".<ref name="vh1.com"/> Contemporary critics have noted the consistent [[minimalism|minimalistic]] aesthetic exhibited throughout DONDA creative projects.<ref>Sargent, Jordan, [http://www.spin.com/2013/11/kanye-west-2-chainz-pusha-t-big-sean-donda-minimalist-design-company/ DONDA: Kanye West Goes G.O.O.D. Trill Hunting with His Minimalist Design Company], 13 November 2013, 'Spin Magazine', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref><ref>Babcock, Gregory, [http://www.complex.com/style/2015/06/rich-wilkerson-jr-donda-book/ Kanye's Stylish Pastor Releases DONDA-Designed Book], 23 June 2015, 'Complex Magazine', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref><ref>Lewis, Brittany, [http://globalgrind.com/2014/11/03/donda-created-music-covers-photos-kanye-west-creative-house/ Every Music Cover Kanye West's Creative House DONDA Has Created So Far…], 3 November 2014, 'Global Grind', retrieved 4 August 2015.</ref>

[[File:YS Bologna 2024.jpg|thumb|¥$ listening party in [[Bologna, Italy]], for ''[[Vultures 1]]'' (2024)]]

On August 25, 2023, West was reported to be in the process of recording his eleventh studio album, with two sources close to him stating that the release of new music was "imminent".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melas |first=Chloe |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Ye plans to drop a new album |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/ye-plans-drop-new-album-rcna101889 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=NBC News |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119023619/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/ye-plans-drop-new-album-rcna101889 |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 13, [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] reported that West had finished recording a [[Vultures (Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign album)|collaborative studio album]] with [[Ty Dolla Sign]] and was in the process of shopping the album to distributors, adding that the album was originally intended for an official release that day but was ultimately pushed back for unknown reasons and expected to drop within the coming weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stutz |first=Colin |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Kanye West Is Shopping a New Album to Distributors |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-new-album-ty-dolla-sign-shopping-distributors/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128012339/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-new-album-ty-dolla-sign-shopping-distributors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The eponymous lead single for the album, "[[Vultures (song)|Vultures]]" featuring [[Bump J]], was released on November 22, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=November 22, 2023 |title=Lil Durk Seemingly Reacts To Being Cut From Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures' Single |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/lil-durk-kanye-west-vultures-removed-reaction |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122130556/https://hiphopdx.com/news/lil-durk-kanye-west-vultures-removed-reaction |url-status=live }}</ref>

Throughout late 2023 and early 2024, West and Ty Dolla $ign held several concerts previewing songs from the album. In a trailer for the album, West announced that ''Vultures'' would be released as a trilogy of albums, with each of the album's three volumes set to be released on February 9, March 6, and April 5, 2024. In January 2024, West co-signed [[4Batz]] and called him his favorite new artist.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kanye West Calls TikTok Sensation 4Batz His New Favorite Artist|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/kanye-west-tiktok-4batz-new-favorite-artist-1234846807/|access-date=February 16, 2024|website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=January 31, 2024 |language=en|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217041724/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/kanye-west-tiktok-4batz-new-favorite-artist-1234846807/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/758727-kanye-west-4batz-industry-plant-hip-hop-news|title=Kanye West Co-Signs 4batz Again And Prompts A Plethora Of "Industry Plant" Accusations|work=[[HotNewHipHop]]|last=Cole|first=Alexander|date=January 21, 2024|accessdate=February 20, 2024|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222190623/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/758727-kanye-west-4batz-industry-plant-hip-hop-news|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 8, 2024, West released the first volume's second single, "[[Talking / Once Again]]" featuring his eldest daughter North.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cummings-Grady |first=Mackenzie Cummings-Grady |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Kanye and North West Plus Ty Dolla Sign and His Daughter Come Together in 'Talking / Once Again' Video |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-north-west-talking-once-again-video/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=XXL Mag |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207231932/https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-north-west-talking-once-again-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign Release New Album Vultures 1 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-and-ty-dolla-sign-release-new-album-vultures-1/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211030525/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-and-ty-dolla-sign-release-new-album-vultures-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A day later, producer [[Erick Sermon]] revealed in an interview that West's upcoming eleventh studio album was titled ''Y3'', while also stating that he had contributed to the album in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cummings-Grady |first=Mackenzie |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Kanye West's Next Solo Album Is Called Y3, Erick Sermon Says |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-y3-album/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=XXL Mag |language=en |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210203053/https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-y3-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> West has since denied working on an album titled ''Y3''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-denies-y3-solo-album-dropping/|title=Kanye West Denies He Has a Solo Album Called Y3 Dropping|date=February 29, 2024|last=Coleman II|first=C. Vernon|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|access-date=August 10, 2024|archive-date=September 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929034936/https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-denies-y3-solo-album-dropping/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 30, 2015, it was announced that West is a co-owner, with various other music artists, in the [[music streaming]] service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]]. The service specialises in [[Lossless compression|lossless]] audio and high definition music videos. [[Jay Z]] acquired the parent company of Tidal, [[Aspiro]], in the first quarter of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/business/media/jay-z-buys-the-music-streaming-firm-aspiro.html|title=Jay Z Buys the Music Streaming Firm, Aspiro|work=The New York Times |date=March 13, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015|first=Ben|last=Sisario}}</ref> Including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, sixteen artist stakeholders (such as [[Rihanna]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Chris Martin]], [[Nicki Minaj]] and more) co-own Tidal, with the majority owning a 3% equity stake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509498/jay-z-tidal-launch-artist-stakeholders|title=It's Official: Jay Z's Historic Tidal Launches With 16 Artist Stakeholders|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Andrew|last=Flanagan|date=March 30, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref> The idea of having an all artist owned streaming service was created by those involved to adapt to the increased demand for streaming within the current music industry, and to rival other streaming services such as [[Spotify]], which have been criticised for their low payout of [[Royalties#Music royalties|royalties]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/how-much-money-musicians-out-4650474|title=How much money DO musicians get out of Spotify?|work=Daily Mirror|first=Frankie|last=Goodway|date=November 18, 2014|accessdate=April 30, 2015}}</ref> "The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value", stated Jay-Z on the release of Tidal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/business/media/jay-z-reveals-plans-for-tidal-a-streaming-music-service.html|title=Jay Z Reveals Plans for Tidal, a Streaming Music Service|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Sisario|date=March 30, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref>

On February 10, 2024, hours after West held a listening party at UBS Arena, the first volume of the ''Vultures'' trilogy, entitled ''[[Vultures 1]]'', was officially released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign Finally Release 'Vultures 1' Album |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-ign-finally-release-vultures-album-1235906767/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210154448/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-ign-finally-release-vultures-album-1235906767/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign Team Up for New Album 'Vultures 1': Stream It Now |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-1-album-stream-it-now-1235558698/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210213649/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-1-album-stream-it-now-1235558698/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming West's eleventh consecutive and Ty Dolla Sign's first number one album, respectively.<ref name=":02">{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=February 18, 2024 |title=Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-1-debuts-number-one-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235610342/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218201249/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-1-debuts-number-one-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235610342/ |archive-date=February 18, 2024 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Vultures 2]]'' released later that year on August 3.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Setaro |first1=Shawn |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures 2' is Finally Here |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-2-finally-here |website=HipHopDX |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816105531/https://hiphopdx.com/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-2-finally-here |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 28, during a concert in [[Haikou]], China at the [[Wuyuan River Stadium]], West announced his eleventh solo album ''Bully'', debuting the track "Beauty and the Beast".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-28 |title=Kanye West Announced His Next Solo Studio Album 'Bully' While In China |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kanye-west-announces-solo-album-bully/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929034910/https://uproxx.com/music/kanye-west-announces-solo-album-bully/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=2024-09-28 |title=Ye Announces New Album 'Bully,' Debuts Song 'Beauty and the Beast' at China Listening Event |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-bully-album-beauty-and-the-best-song-announcement-1235787962/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929034834/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-bully-album-beauty-and-the-best-song-announcement-1235787962/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 6, 2016, West announced the Yeezy Season 2 Zine and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 750 will be released to retailers on June 11.<ref name="New Shoes">{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-next-grey-gum-adidas-yeezy-boost-750-is-rumored-to-release-in-june-news.21927.html? |title=Yeezy boosts with glow in the dark sole will be released June 11th |last=Rooney |first=Kyle |date=June 6, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop |access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref> They are [[high-top]] shoes with a glow in the dark sole.<ref name="New Shoes"/>

===Philanthropy= Musical style ==

[[File:Kanye West at Revel Ovation Hall.jpg|thumb|upright|West performing in 2012]]

West, alongside his mother, founded the "Kanye West Foundation" in Chicago in 2003, tasked with a mission to battle dropout and illiteracy rates, while partnering with community organizations to provide underprivileged youth access to music education.<ref name="Mission Statement">{{cite web |url=http://www.kanyewestfoundation.org/the_foundation.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806210737/http://www.kanyewestfoundation.org/the_foundation.html|archivedate=August 6, 2008|title=About the Dr. Donda West Foundation|publisher=Kanye West Foundation website (archived) |year=2008 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref> In 2007, the West and the Foundation partnered with [[Strong American Schools]] as part of their "Ed in '08" campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last=Herszenhorn |first=David M.|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/education/25schools.html |title=Billionaires Start $60 Million Schools Effort

West's musical career is defined by frequent stylistic shifts and different musical approaches.<ref name="amg">{{cite web|year=2007|access-date=April 24, 2008|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p353484|title=Kanye West—Biography|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|publisher=Allmusic. All Media Guide|archive-date=February 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217223433/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p353484|url-status=live}}</ref> In the subsequent years since his debut, West has both musically and lyrically taken an increasingly [[Experimental music|experimental]] approach to crafting [[Progressive rap|progressive hip hop]] music while maintaining accessible [[Popular music|pop]] sensibilities.<ref name="Gates, Henry Louis, et al. 2010 705–713">{{cite book |last1=Gates|last2=Henry Louis|display-authors=etal|editor-last1=Bradley|editor-first1=Adam|editor-last2=DuBois|editor-first2=Andrew |title=The Anthology of Rap|url=https://archive.org/details/anthologyofrap00brad|url-access=registration|location=[[New Haven, Connecticut]]|publisher=[[Yale University Press]]|date=2010 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/anthologyofrap00brad/page/705 705–713]|chapter=Kanye West|isbn=9780300141900}}</ref><ref name="Caramanica">{{cite news|author=Caramanica, Jon|title=The Education of Kanye West|url=https://nytimes.com/2007/08/26/arts/music/26cara.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 26, 2007|access-date=September 17, 2007|archive-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114004037/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/arts/music/26cara.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rob Tannenbaum 2006 p. 49">Tannenbaum, Rob. "Playboy Interview: Kanye West." ''[[Playboy]]'' (March 2006), 49.</ref> Ed Ledsham of ''[[PopMatters]]'' said that "West's melding of multiple genres into the hip-hop fold is a complex act that challenges the dominant white notions of what constitutes true [[art music|'art' music]]."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ledsham|first=Ed|date=June 2, 2015|url=https://www.popmatters.com/194052-who-will-survive-in-america-kanye-wests-hybridization-of-hip-hop-2495523254.html|title=Who Will Survive in America? Kanye West's Hybridization of Hip-Hop|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428040758/https://www.popmatters.com/194052-who-will-survive-in-america-kanye-wests-hybridization-of-hip-hop-2495523254.html|url-status=live}}</ref> West's rhymes have been described as funny, provocative and articulate, capable of seamlessly segueing from shrewd commentary to comical [[Braggadocio (rap)|braggadocio]] to introspective sensitivity.<ref name="McCormick">{{cite web|author=McCormick, Neil|title=Kanye West: Hip hop's David Bowie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/10940931/Kanye-West-Hip-hops-David-Bowie.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/10940931/Kanye-West-Hip-hops-David-Bowie.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=July 2, 2014|access-date=July 12, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> West imparts that he strives to speak in an inclusive manner so groups from different racial and gender backgrounds can comprehend his lyrics, saying he desired to sound "just as ill as [[Jadakiss]] and just as understandable as [[Will Smith]]".<ref name=Vh1>VH1 staff (October 12, 2005). {{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1511372/10122005/west_kanye.jhtml |title=Kanye West: Greatness, Perfection, Gucci |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027222703/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1511372/10122005/west_kanye.jhtml |archive-date=October 27, 2005 }}. [[VH1]]. Viacom. Retrieved May 16, 2008.</ref> Early in his career, West pioneered a style of hip-hop production dubbed "chipmunk-soul",<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/the-college-dropout-19691231 |title=100 Best Debut Albums Ever |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 13, 2013 |access-date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325070201/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/the-college-dropout-19691231 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Cowie, Del">{{cite web | author=Cowie, Del | title=The Many Sides of Kanye West | url=http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=2325 | work=[[Exclaim!]] | date=February 27, 2004 | access-date=February 17, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050130180742/http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=2325 | archive-date=January 30, 2005}}</ref> a sampling technique involving the manipulation of tempo in order to [[Chopping (sampling technique)|chop]] and stretch [[Pitch (music)|pitched-up]] samples from vintage soul songs.<ref name="king">{{cite news|access-date=April 26, 2008|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-west-king-of-rap-403127.html|title=Kanye West: King of rap|work=The Independent|location=UK|date=September 22, 2007|author=Burrell, Ian|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930070532/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/kanye-west-king-of-rap-403127.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ryan">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2016/02/09/kanye-west-new-album/79814890/# |title=Is Kanye West the greatest artist of the 21st century? |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |work=USA Today |date=February 9, 2016 |access-date=February 10, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210162150/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2016/02/09/kanye-west-new-album/79814890/ |archive-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref>

|work=The New York Times |date=April 25, 2007 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://education-portal.com/articles/Kanye_West_to_Politicians%3A_Yo,_Education_is_Important.html |title=Kanye West to Politicians: Yo, Education Is Important

|publisher=Education Portal Stone |date=August 24, 2007 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref> As spokesman for the campaign, West appeared in a series of PSAs for the organization, and hosted an inaugural benefit concert in August of that year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Webb |first=Tracey |url=http://www.blackgivesback.com/2007/08/hip-hop-superstar-kanye-west-combats.html

|title=Hip Hop Superstar Kanye West Combats School Drop Out Rate Through Hip Hop Music |publisher=Black Gives Back |date=August 26, 2007 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref>

On his debut studio album, ''[[The College Dropout]]'' (2004), West formed the constitutive elements of his style, described as intricate hip-hop beats, topical subject matter, and clumsy rapping laced with inventive wordplay.<ref name="Gates, Henry Louis, et al. 2010 705–713" /><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html|title=Behind Kanye's Mask|date=June 16, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=June 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612210522/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/arts/music/kanye-west-talks-about-his-career-and-album-yeezus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The record saw West diverge from the then-dominant [[gangsta rap|gangster persona]] in hip hop in favor of more diverse, topical lyrical subjects,<ref name=ebony>Davis, Kimberly. [https://books.google.com/books?id=J9kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA93 "The Many Faces of Kanye West"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302210259/https://books.google.com/books?id=J9kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA93#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=March 2, 2024 }} (June 2004) ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]''.</ref> including higher education, materialism, [[self-consciousness]], [[minimum-wage]] labor, [[Institutional racism|institutional prejudice]], [[class struggle]], family, sexuality, his struggles in the music industry, and [[middle-class]] upbringing.<ref name="Love">Love, Josh. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/the-college-dropout.htm Review: ''The College Dropout''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915033648/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/the-college-dropout.htm |date=September 15, 2006 }}. [[Stylus Magazine]]. Retrieved on July 23, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2009912270315|title=Music of the decade|date=December 27, 2009|last=James|first=Jim|newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722204901/http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2009912270315|archive-date=July 22, 2012|access-date=June 17, 2011}} [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1928558221.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+27%2C+2009&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=I.3&desc=Music+of+the+decade Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107123558/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1928558221.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+27,+2009&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=I.3&desc=Music+of+the+decade |date=November 7, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Caramanica" /> Over time, West has explored a variety of [[music genre]]s, encompassing and taking inspiration from [[chamber pop]] on his second studio album, ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005),<ref name=Pilot /> [[arena rock]] and [[europop]] on his third album, ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007),<ref name=Greene>{{cite web|author=Greene, Jayson|title=Kanye West Graduation—Music Review|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/graduation.htm|work=[[Stylus Magazine]]|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=September 10, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929172650/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kanye-west/graduation.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref><ref name=Loop>{{cite web|author=Laws, Angel|title=Exclusive Interview W/ Kanye West|url=http://concreteloop.com/interviews-kanyewest|work=Concrete Loop|publisher=concreteloop.com|date=October 5, 2007|access-date=October 5, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006002519/http://concreteloop.com/interviews-kanyewest|archive-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref> [[Synthpop|synth]]-driven [[electropop]] on his fourth album, ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008),<ref>{{cite book|last=Graves|first=Kirk Walker|page=49|year=2014|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s_CHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|title=Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy|chapter=A (Very) Brief Aside Re: '808s & Heartbreak'|access-date=August 3, 2014|publisher=[[A&C Black]]|isbn=978-1-62356-542-8|archive-date=March 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302200328/https://books.google.com/books?id=s_CHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-kanye-west-808s-amp-heartbreakrocafellamercury-1038395.html|access-date=August 3, 2014|date=November 28, 2008|title=Album: Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak(Roc-a-Fella/Mercury)|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London|archive-date=December 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201073453/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-kanye-west-808s-amp-heartbreakrocafellamercury-1038395.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Acid house|acid-house]], [[Drill (music genre)|drill]], [[industrial hip hop|industrial rap]] and [[Trap music (hip hop)|trap]] on ''[[Yeezus]]'' (2013),<ref name="chicagotribune" /><ref name="atlantic">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/06/the-shocking-poignance-of-kanye-wests-i-yeezus-i/276919/|title=The Shocking Poignance of Kanye West's 'Yeezus'|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=June 19, 2013|author=Kornhaber, Spencer|archive-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618154714/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/06/the-shocking-poignance-of-kanye-wests-i-yeezus-i/276919/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gospel (music)|gospel]] and [[Christian hip hop|Christian rap]] on ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' (2016), ''[[Jesus is King]]'' (2019) and ''[[Donda]]'' (2021),<ref>{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|year=2016|issue=February 16|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-kanye-west-pablo-review-ent-0217-20160215-column.html|title=Kanye West's bewildering, frustrating 'Pablo'|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405173258/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-kanye-west-pablo-review-ent-0217-20160215-column.html|archive-date=April 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rs-wip">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-a-work-in-progress-892567/|title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Still Sounds Like a Work-in-Progress|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=October 2, 2019|first=Charles|last=Holmes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001125147/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-a-work-in-progress-892567/|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rs-detroit">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-detroit-892196/|title=Inside Kanye West's Album (and Film) Premiere in Detroit|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 2, 2019|first=Samuel J.|last=Robinson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001024556/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-detroit-892196/|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ConsequenceReview">{{Cite web|last=Shorter|first=Marcus|url=https://consequence.net/2021/08/donda-review-kanye-west-analysis/|title=Kanye West Channels His Vulnerability on Donda, Delivering His Best Album in Years|date=August 30, 2021|work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|access-date=August 30, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004008/https://consequence.net/2021/08/donda-review-kanye-west-analysis/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[psychedelic music]] on ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Christopher |title=Kids See Ghosts: Kids See Ghosts (album review) |url=https://www.popmatters.com/kids-see-ghosts-2579340354.html?rebelltitem=1 |website=[[PopMatters]] |date=June 20, 2018 |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715150327/https://www.popmatters.com/kids-see-ghosts-2579340354.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, following the death of West's mother, the foundation was rechristened "The Dr. Donda West Foundation." <ref name="Mission Statement" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/dr-donda-west-foundation |title=Dr. Donda West foundation|publisher=Look to the Stars |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref> The foundation ceased operations in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/business/20charity.html |title=Kanye West's Charity Closes|work=The New York Times |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref>

== Other ventures ==

Kanye West and friend, [[Rhymefest]], also founded "Donda's House, Inc". Got Bars is the Donda's House signature music/lyric composition and performance program. Participants are selected through an application and audition process. Got Bars is a free music writing program with the goal of helping at-risk Chicago youth. It is aimed at students between 15 and 24, and includes lessons on how to write and record music. Their curriculum is based on the teaching philosophy and pedagogy of Dr. Donda West with a focus on collaborative and experiential learning.<ref>{{cite news|last=Minsker |first=Evan Minsker. |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/51675-kanye-wests-dondas-house-launches-free-music-writing-program-for-chicago-youth/ |title=Kanye West's Donda's House Launches Free Music Writing Program for Chicago Youth|publisher=Pitchfork |date=July 28, 2013 |accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref>

=== Fashion ===

Early in his career, West made clear his interest in fashion and desire to work in the clothing design industry.<ref name="amg" /><ref name="NewYorkTimes" /> He launched his own clothing line in spring 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspxid=1171|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131853/http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1171|archive-date=September 29, 2007|title=Stuff Style Icon of the Year|access-date=June 7, 2007|work=[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]}}</ref> and developed it over the following four years before the line was ultimately cancelled in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mdudu|first=Naomi|url=http://www.thefashpack.net/perfectionist-kanye-wests-pastelle-line-cancelled/|title=Perfectionist Kanye West's Pastelle Line Cancelled?|publisher=The FashPack|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104184326/http://www.thefashpack.net/perfectionist-kanye-wests-pastelle-line-cancelled/|archive-date=November 4, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tharpe|first=Frazier|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2011/09/what-couldve-been-a-history-of-kanyes-defunct-pastelle-line|title=What Could've Been: A History of Kanye's Defunct Pastelle Line|work=Complex Magazine|date=October 11, 2011|access-date=January 14, 2013|archive-date=August 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827065926/http://www.complex.com/style/2011/09/what-couldve-been-a-history-of-kanyes-defunct-pastelle-line|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2007, West's first sneaker collaboration was released, a special-edition Bapesta from [[A Bathing Ape]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West x Bapesta FS-001 Low 'College Dropout' |url=https://www.kickgame.co.uk/products/kanye-west-x-bapesta-fs-001-low-college-dropout |website=Kick Game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327010336/https://www.kickgame.co.uk/products/kanye-west-x-bapesta-fs-001-low-college-dropout |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Kanye West Sneaker Collaboration That's Cooler Than Yeezys |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-bape-sneakers-collaboration |website=GQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227045241/https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-bape-sneakers-collaboration |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |date=January 5, 2007}}</ref> In 2009, West collaborated with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] to release his own shoe, the [[Nike Air Yeezy|Air Yeezys]], becoming the first non-athlete to be given a shoe deal with the company.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Facey |first1=Robert |title=A Complete History of Hip-Hop Sneaker Deals |url=https://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/05/a-complete-history-of-hip-hop-sneaker-deals/ |website=Complex |access-date=January 20, 2019 |date=May 7, 2012 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010852/https://www.complex.com/sneakers/2012/05/a-complete-history-of-hip-hop-sneaker-deals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2009, he introduced his first shoe line designed for [[Louis Vuitton]] during [[Paris Fashion Week]]. The line was released in summer 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hypebeast.com/2009/3/kanye-west-x-louis-vuitton-sneakers-for-june-2009|title=Kanye West x Louis Vuitton Sneakers for June 2009|publisher=Hypebeast|date=March 5, 2011|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106145819/https://hypebeast.com/2009/3/kanye-west-x-louis-vuitton-sneakers-for-june-2009|url-status=live}}</ref> West has additionally designed shoewear for Italian shoemaker [[Giuseppe Zanotti]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hislop|first=Rachel|url=http://globalgrind.com/style/kanye-west-complete-history-shoe-designs-photos|title=Renaissance Man: Kanye West's Complete History Of Shoe Designs|publisher=Global Grind|date=September 26, 2012|access-date=February 4, 2013|archive-date=November 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128063533/http://globalgrind.com/style/kanye-west-complete-history-shoe-designs-photos|url-status=live}}</ref>

West has additionally appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and has done community work for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief, the Kanye West Foundation, the [[Millions More Movement]], [[100 Black Men of America]], a [[Live Earth]] concert benefit, [[World Water Day]] rally and march, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] runs, and a MTV special helping young [[Iraq War]] veterans who struggle through debt and [[Posttraumatic stress disorder|PTSD]] a second chance after returning home.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stelter |first=Brian|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/arts/television/28mtv.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all |title=In 'Homecoming' MTV Focuses On Iraq Veterans |work=The New York Times|date=July 28, 2008|accessdate=April 3, 2011}}</ref>

In fall 2009, West moved to [[Rome]], where he interned at Italian fashion brand [[Fendi]], giving ideas for the men's collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sohh.com/kanye-west-reveals-global-escapes-i-moved-to-rome-after-i-left-japan-worked-at-fendi-for-4-months-under-cover|title=Kanye West's fashion journey|last=Cochrane|first=Lauren|work=The Guardian|date=August 13, 2011|access-date=June 9, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731120447/https://www.sohh.com/kanye-west-reveals-global-escapes-i-moved-to-rome-after-i-left-japan-worked-at-fendi-for-4-months-under-cover/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2011, West collaborated with [[M/M Paris]] for a series of silk scarves featuring artwork from ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West x M/M (Paris) Silk Scarves—A Closer Look|url=https://hypebeast.com/2011/5/kanye-west-x-mm-paris-silk-scarves-a-closer-look|website=Hypebeast|date=May 4, 2011|access-date=May 4, 2011|archive-date=March 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302031044/http://hypebeast.com/2011/5/kanye-west-x-mm-paris-silk-scarves-a-closer-look|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2011, West premiered his women's fashion label at Paris Fashion Week.<ref name="TIFDb">[https://web.archive.org/web/20111015193050/http://ifdb.co/fashion/kanye_west_-_womens_springsummer_2012_rtw_show/1291 Kanye West—Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear show—The Internet Fashion Database] Retrieved and verified on October 2, 2011</ref> His debut fashion show received mixed-to-negative reviews.<ref>{{cite web|last=Odell|first=Amy|url=https://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/10/what_kanye_west_got_right_and.html|title=What Kanye West Got Right and Wrong With His First Paris Fashion Week Show—The Cut|work=New York|date=August 17, 2011|access-date=October 5, 2011|archive-date=October 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004233358/http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/10/what_kanye_west_got_right_and.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2012, West premiered a second fashion line at Paris Fashion Week.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Julee|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/kanye-west-fall-2012-fashion-show_n_1325769.html|title=Kanye West Debuts Fall 2012 Collection During Paris Fashion Week|work=The Huffington Post|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2012|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307121554/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/kanye-west-fall-2012-fashion-show_n_1325769.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Leitch|first=Luke|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9126626/Paris-Fashion-Week-Kanye-West-autumnwinter-2012.html|title=Paris Fashion Week: Kanye West autumn/winter 2012|newspaper=Telegraph (UK)|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2013|location=London|archive-date=October 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005132102/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9126626/Paris-Fashion-Week-Kanye-West-autumnwinter-2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Critics deemed the sophomore effort "much improved" compared to his first show.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Frank|first=Alex|url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/03/07/kanye-west-at-paris-fashion-week-round-ii-the-reviews/|title=Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week Round II: The Reviews|magazine=The Fader|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035413/http://www.thefader.com/2012/03/07/kanye-west-at-paris-fashion-week-round-ii-the-reviews/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversies==

On December 3, 2013, [[Adidas]] officially confirmed a new shoe collaboration deal with West.<ref name="Little">{{cite news|last=Little|first=Lyneka|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/12/04/adidas-confirms-new-deal-with-kanye-west/|title=Adidas Confirms New Deal with Kanye West|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815205941/https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/12/04/adidas-confirms-new-deal-with-kanye-west/|url-status=live}}</ref> After months of anticipation and rumors, West confirmed the release of the [[Adidas Yeezy]] Boosts. In 2015, West unveiled a Yeezy clothing line, premiering in collaboration with Adidas early that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racked.com/2015/9/8/9251093/yeezy-season-1-kanye-west-adidas-shopping-guide|title=Yeezy Season 1: How to Shop Kanye West x Adidas [Updated]|first=Nicola|last=Fumo|date=September 8, 2015|work=racked.com|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035516/https://www.racked.com/2015/9/8/9251093/yeezy-season-1-kanye-west-adidas-shopping-guide|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2016, Adidas announced a new long-term contract with Kanye West that extended the Yeezy line to a number of stores, planning to sell sports performance products like basketball, football, and soccer,<ref name="newcontract">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/5-nba-players-who-should-be-wearing-adidas-yeezy-sneakers-on-the-court-news.22554.html?|title=Adidas announces long-term contract with Adidas Yeezys|last=Rooney|first=JKyle|date=June 29, 2016|website=Hotnewhiphop|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630155721/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/5-nba-players-who-should-be-wearing-adidas-yeezy-sneakers-on-the-court-news.22554.html|url-status=live}}</ref> although Adidas terminated the partnership with West in October 2022 due to his antisemitic remarks.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=October 25, 2022 |title=ADIDAS TERMINATES PARTNERSHIP WITH YE IMMEDIATELY |url=https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2022/adidas-terminates-partnership-ye-immediately/ |publisher=[[Adidas Group|adidas]] |location=Herzogenaurach |access-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231165327/https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2022/adidas-terminates-partnership-ye-immediately/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2021, West signed a 10-year deal linking Yeezy with [[Gap Inc.|GAP]] to create [[Yeezy Gap]], however, in September 2022, West announced that he was ending the deal.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'innocenzio |first=Anne |date=September 15, 2022 |title=Kanye West says he's splitting with Gap after 2 years |url=https://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news/kanye-west-says-he-s-splitting-with-gap-after-2-years-1.6070169 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=CP24 |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916195430/https://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news/kanye-west-says-he-s-splitting-with-gap-after-2-years-1.6070169 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===General media===

West has been an outspoken and controversial celebrity throughout his career, receiving both criticism and praise from many, including the mainstream media, other artists and entertainers, and two U.S. presidents.<ref name="amg"/><ref name="NewYorkTimes"/> On September 2, 2005, during a benefit concert for [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief on NBC, ''[[A Concert for Hurricane Relief]]'', West (a featured speaker) accused President [[George W. Bush]] of not "car[ing] about black people". When West was presenting alongside actor [[Mike Myers]], he deviated from the prepared script to criticize the media's portrayal of hurricane victims, saying:

<blockquote>I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, 'They're looting.' You see a white family, it says, 'They're looking for food.' And, you know, it's been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help—with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way—and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!</blockquote>

Myers spoke next and continued to read the script. Once it was West's turn to speak again, he said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." At this point, telethon producer Rick Kaplan cut off the microphone and then cut away to [[Chris Tucker]], who was unaware of the cut for a few seconds. Still, West's comment reached much of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=44415a2b-7481-45f8-91a3-630b0b5510de&entry=index |title=NBC KO's Kanye's Bush Bashing |last=Byrne |first=Bridget |work=E! News |publisher=[[E!]] |date=October 4, 2005 |accessdate=January 12, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html |title=Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC |author=Moraes, Lisa de |date=September 3, 2005 |work=The Washington Post |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>

=== Business ventures ===

Bush stated in an interview that the comment was "one of the most disgusting moments" of his presidency.<ref name="artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com"/> In November 2010, in a taped interview with [[Matt Lauer]] for the [[Today (NBC program)|''Today'' show]], West expressed regret for his criticism of Bush. "I would tell George Bush in my moment of frustration, I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist", he told Lauer. "I believe that in a situation of high emotion like that we as human beings don't always choose the right words." The following day, Bush reacted to the apology in a live interview with Lauer saying he appreciated the rapper's remorse. "I'm not a hater", Bush said. "I don't hate Kanye West. I was talking about an environment in which people were willing to say things that hurt. Nobody wants to be called a racist if in your heart you believe in equality of races."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.today.com/id/40108402/ |title=Bush reacts to apology from Kanye West |publisher=Today.com |date =November 11, 2011 |accessdate= November 28, 2013}}</ref>

Reactions were mixed, but some felt that West had no need to apologize. "It was not the particulars of your words that mattered, it was the essence of a feeling of the insensitivity towards our communities that many of us have felt for far too long", argued [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] co-founder [[Russell Simmons]].<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=February 9, 2011|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/dear-kanye-west_b_782932.html|title= Dear Kanye West... |work=The Huffington Post |location=USA|date=November 12, 2010|first=Russell|last=Simmons}}</ref> Bush himself was receptive to the apology, saying, "I appreciate that. It wasn't just Kanye West who was talking like that during Katrina, I cited him as an example, I cited others as an example as well. You know, I appreciate that."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=November 11, 2010|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b210484_george_w_bush_cares_about_kanye_wests.html|title= George W. Bush Cares About Kanye West's Apology|publisher=[[E!]]|date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>

West founded the record label and production company [[GOOD Music]] in 2004, in conjunction with [[Sony BMG Music Entertainment|Sony BMG]], shortly after releasing his debut album, ''[[The College Dropout]]''. West, alongside then-unknown [[Ohio]] singer [[John Legend]] and fellow Chicago rapper [[Common (rapper)|Common]] were the label's inaugural artists.<ref name=Founded>{{cite web|title=G.O.O.D. Music is Founded by Kanye West|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-good-music/good-music-founded|work=The Complete History of G.O.O.D. Music|publisher=Complex.com|access-date=December 3, 2013|last=Chesna|first=Benjamin|date=September 26, 2012|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807162618/https://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-good-music/good-music-founded|url-status=live}}</ref> The label houses artists including West, [[Big Sean]], Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, Yasiin Bey / Mos Def, [[D'banj]] and John Legend, and producers including [[Hudson Mohawke]], Q-Tip, [[Travis Scott (musician)|Travis Scott]], No I.D., [[Jeff Bhasker]], and S1. GOOD Music has released ten albums [[RIAA certification|certified gold]] or higher by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T the new president of GOOD Music.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Pusha T Named President of G.O.O.D. Music|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6753076/pusha-t-president-good-music-exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112001322/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6753076/pusha-t-president-good-music-exclusive?|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2013, West was widely rebuked by human rights groups for performing in [[Kazakhstan]] at the wedding of authoritarian President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]'s grandson. He traveled to Kazakhstan, which has one of the [[Human rights in Kazakhstan|poorest human rights records in the world]], as a personal guest of Nazarbayev.<ref name=Roth2Sept>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/blogs/artsbeat/2013/09/02/kanye-west-sings-at-kazakh-wedding/ |title=Kanye West Sings at Kazakh Wedding |work=The New York Times |date=September 2, 2013 |accessdate=October 17, 2015 |first=Andrew |last=Roth }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Other notable Western performers, including [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], have previously cancelled performances in the country over human rights concerns.<ref name=Blistein3Sept>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-performed-for-kazakh-strongmans-family-20130903|title=Kanye West Performed for Kazakh Strongman's Family|work=Rolling Stone|date=September 3, 2013|accessdate=October 14, 2015|first=Jon|last=Blistein}}</ref><ref name=Michaels2Sept/> West was reportedly paid US$3 million for his performance.<ref name=Michaels2Sept>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/02/kanye-west-gig-kazakhstan|title=Kanye West plays lucrative gig for controversial Kazakhstan president|date=September 2, 2013|accessdate=October 14, 2015|work=The Guardian|first=Sean|last=Michaels}}</ref> West had previously participated in cultural boycotts, joining [[Shakira]] and [[Rage Against The Machine]] in refusing to perform in [[Arizona]] after the 2010 implementation of stop and search laws directed against potential illegal aliens.<ref name=OSullivan12July>{{cite news|url=http://m.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/the-recent-rise-in-musical-boycotts|title=The recent rise in cultural boycotts|work=The National|date=July 12, 2011|accessdate=October 17, 2015|first=Feargus|last=O'Sullivan}}</ref>

In August 2008, West revealed plans to open 10 [[Fatburger]] restaurants in the Chicago area; the first was set to open in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second followed in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although the process is being finalized. His company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to the chain in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West To Open Chain of Fatburger Restaurants in Chicago|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/08/13/kanye-west-to-open-chain-of-fatburger-restaurants-in-chicago/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150204111514/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/08/13/kanye-west-to-open-chain-of-fatburger-restaurants-in-chicago/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2015|website=BallerStatus.com|date=August 2010}}</ref> Ultimately, in 2009, only two locations actually opened. In February 2011, West shut down the Fatburger located in [[Orland Park, Illinois|Orland Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/02/01/kanye_west_shuts_down_his_chicago_fatb|title=Kanye West Shuts Down His Chicago Fatburger Restaurant|publisher=Starpulse.com|date=February 1, 2011|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711135046/http://www.starpulse.com/kanye-west-shuts-down-his-chicago-fatburger-restaurant-1848033086.html|archive-date=July 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later in 2013, West launched a tirade on [[Twitter]] directed at talk show host [[Jimmy Kimmel]] after his [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] program ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' ran a sketch on September 25 involving two children re-enacting West's recent interview with [[Zane Lowe]] for [[BBC Radio 1]] in which he calls himself the biggest rock star on the planet. Kimmel reveals the following night that West called him to demand an apology shortly before taping.<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/kanye-west-jimmy-kimmel-bbc-spoof-article-1.1469246 "Kanye West goes after Jimmy Kimmel in Twitter rant over BBC interview spoof, late-night host responds: 'Right now we're at DefKanye Five'"], ''Daily News'' (New York), September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013</ref>

In January 2012, West announced his establishment of the creative content company [[Donda (company)|Donda]], named after his late mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/kanye-west-announces-creative-company-donda/|title=Kanye West Announces Creative Company DONDA|last=Osei|first=Anthony|date=January 5, 2012|magazine=Complex Magazine|access-date=January 9, 2012|archive-date=January 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108200345/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/kanye-west-announces-creative-company-donda|url-status=live}}</ref> In his announcement, West proclaimed that the company would "pick up where [[Steve Jobs]] left off"; Donda would operate as a "design company" with a goal to "make products and experiences that people want and can afford".<ref name="vh1.com">Graham, Mark, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140227074738/http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-01-05/kanye-wests-epic-1600-word-twitter-rant-the-complete-text-neatly-organized-for-your-reading-pleasure/ Kanye West's Epic 1600-word Twitter Rant: Neatly Organized for your Reading Pleasure], January 5, 2012, 'VH1', retrieved August 4, 2015.</ref> In stating Donda's creative philosophy, West articulated the need to "put creatives in a room together with like minds" in order to "simplify and aesthetically improve everything we see, taste, touch, and feel."<ref name="vh1.com" /> West is notoriously secretive about the company's operations, maintaining neither an official website nor a social media presence.<ref>Hope, Clover, [http://www.vibe.com/2013/08/kanye-west-has-dream-inside-creative-agency-donda/ Kanye West has a Dream: Inside his Creative Agency DONDA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207124828/http://www.vibe.com/2013/08/kanye-west-has-dream-inside-creative-agency-donda/ |date=February 7, 2016 }}, August 19, 2013, 'VIBE', retrieved August 4, 2015.</ref><ref>Pasori, Cedar, [http://www.complex.com/style/2014/11/how-kanye-wests-creative-company-donda-is-making-its-own-brand-of-cool/ How Kanye West's Creative Company DONDA is making its own Brand of Cool] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223034420/http://www.complex.com/style/2014/11/how-kanye-wests-creative-company-donda-is-making-its-own-brand-of-cool |date=December 23, 2015 }}, November 3, 2014, 'Complex Magazine', retrieved August 4, 2015.</ref> Contemporary critics have noted the consistent minimalistic aesthetic exhibited throughout Donda creative projects.<ref>Sargent, Jordan, [http://www.spin.com/2013/11/kanye-west-2-chainz-pusha-t-big-sean-donda-minimalist-design-company/ DONDA: Kanye West Goes G.O.O.D. Trill Hunting with His Minimalist Design Company] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820114429/https://www.spin.com/2013/11/kanye-west-2-chainz-pusha-t-big-sean-donda-minimalist-design-company/ |date=August 20, 2018 }}, November 13, 2013, 'Spin Magazine', retrieved August 4, 2015.</ref><ref>Babcock, Gregory, [http://www.complex.com/style/2015/06/rich-wilkerson-jr-donda-book/ Kanye's Stylish Pastor Releases DONDA-Designed Book] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309183431/http://www.complex.com/style/2015/06/rich-wilkerson-jr-donda-book |date=March 9, 2016 }}, June 23, 2015, 'Complex Magazine', retrieved August 4, 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Brittany|url=http://globalgrind.com/2014/11/03/donda-created-music-covers-photos-kanye-west-creative-house/|title=Every Music Cover Kanye West's Creative House DONDA Has Created So Far... (LIST)|date=November 3, 2014|work=Global Grind|access-date=December 29, 2023|archive-date=February 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212083517/http://globalgrind.com/2014/11/03/donda-created-music-covers-photos-kanye-west-creative-house/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During a November 26, 2013 radio interview, West explained why he believed that President Obama had problems pushing policies in Washington: "Man, let me tell you something about George Bush and oil money and Obama and no money. People want to say Obama can't make these moves or he's not executing. That's because he ain't got those connections. Black people don't have the same level of connections as Jewish people...We ain't Jewish. We don't got family that got money like that."<ref>[http://perezhilton.com/2013-12-05-kanye-west-anti-semite-anti-defamation-league-demand-apology#sthash.pSMJAneJ.dpuf Kanye West Guilty Of Anti-Semitism?! Anti-Defamation League Demands Apology For Latest Comments!] by [[Perez Hilton]], May 12, 2013</ref> In response to his comments, the [[Anti-Defamation League]] stated: "There it goes again, the age-old canard that Jews are all-powerful and control the levers of power in government."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/kanye-west-anti-semitism_n_4390590.html Kanye West's Week Includes Accusations Of Anti-Semitism, Weak Attendance At Kansas City Gig] by The Huffington Post, Matthew Jacobs, May 12, 2013</ref> On December 21, 2013, West backed off of the original comment and told a Chicago radio station that "I thought I was giving a compliment, but if anything it came off more ignorant. I don't know how being told you have money is an insult."<ref>{{cite news |last=JPost.com Staff |date=December 22, 2013 |title=Kanye West wants to take back 'ignorant compliment' about Jews |url=http://www.jpost.com/Arts-and-Culture/Arts/Kanye-West-wants-to-takes-back-ignorant-compliment-about-Jews-335795 |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |location=Jerusalem, Israel |publisher=Palestine Post Ltd. |accessdate=January 16, 2014 }}</ref>

West expressed interest in starting an architecture firm in May 2013, saying "I want to do product, I am a product person, not just clothing but water bottle design, architecture{{nbsp}}... I make music but I shouldn't be limited to one place of creativity"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/24/im-working-with-five-architects-at-a-time-kanye-west/|title='I'm working with five architects at a time'—Kanye West|date=September 24, 2013|work=Dezeen|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200716/https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/24/im-working-with-five-architects-at-a-time-kanye-west/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/07/kanye-west-announces-architecture-arm-to-his-company-yeezy-home|title=Kanye West announces architecture arm to his company Yeezy|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=May 7, 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000244/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/07/kanye-west-announces-architecture-arm-to-his-company-yeezy-home|url-status=live}}</ref> and then later in November 2013, delivering a [[manifesto]] on his architectural goals during a visit to [[Harvard Graduate School of Design]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.citylab.com/design/2013/11/kanye-west-goes-harvard-delivers-manifesto-architecture/7616/|title=Kanye West Goes to Harvard, Delivers Manifesto on Architecture|work=CityLab|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000131/https://www.citylab.com/design/2013/11/kanye-west-goes-harvard-delivers-manifesto-architecture/7616/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2018, West announced he was starting an architecture firm called Yeezy Home, which will act as an arm of his already successful Yeezy fashion label.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/07/kanye-west-announces-yeezy-home-architecture-arm/|title=Kanye West to launch architecture arm of Yeezy fashion label|date=May 7, 2018|work=Dezeen|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200755/https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/07/kanye-west-announces-yeezy-home-architecture-arm/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2018, the first Yeezy Home collaboration was announced by designer Jalil Peraza, teasing an affordable concrete [[prefabricated]] home as part of a [[social housing]] project.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.curbed.com/2018/5/7/17326702/kanye-west-yeezy-home-architecture-design|title=Is Kanye West's first architecture project an affordable concrete prefab?|work=Curbed|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201042/https://www.curbed.com/2018/5/7/17326702/kanye-west-yeezy-home-architecture-design|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2018/06/04/kanye-west-yeezy-home-architecture-social-housing-project-instagram/|title=Kanye West begins Yeezy Home architecture venture with social-housing project|date=June 4, 2018|work=Dezeen|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000120/https://www.dezeen.com/2018/06/04/kanye-west-yeezy-home-architecture-social-housing-project-instagram/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2016, West again became embroiled in controversy when he posted a tweet seemingly asserting [[Bill Cosby]]'s innocence in [[Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations|the wake of over 50 women making allegations of sexual assault directed at Cosby.]]<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/10/entertainment/kanye-west-bill-cosby-innocent-tweet/ CNN]</ref> That same month, West became embroiled in a short-lived social media altercation with rapper [[Wiz Khalifa]] on [[Twitter]] that eventually involved their mutual ex-partner, [[Amber Rose]], who protested to West's mention of her and Khalifa's child.<ref name="Kanye West response to Wiz Khalifa">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-takes-shots-at-wiz-khalifa-over-waves-comments-news.19829.html|title=Kanye West's response to Wiz Khalifa's waves comments|last=Schwartz|first=Danny|work=Hotnewhiphop|accessdate=February 9, 2016}}</ref> The feud involved allegations by Rose concerning her sexual relationship with West, and received significant media attention. As of February 2, 2016, West and Khalifa had reconciled.<ref name="Kanye West talks to Wiz Khalifa">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-and-wiz-khalifa-had-a-positive-conversation-yesterday-news.19940.html|title=Kanye West talks to Wiz Khalifa|last=Smith|first=Trevor|work=Hotnewhiphop|accessdate=February 9, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2015, it was announced that West is a co-owner, with various other music artists, in the [[music streaming]] service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]]. The service specialises in [[Lossless compression|lossless]] audio and high definition music videos. Jay-Z acquired the parent company of Tidal, [[Aspiro]], in the first quarter of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/business/media/jay-z-buys-the-music-streaming-firm-aspiro.html|title=Jay Z Buys the Music Streaming Firm, Aspiro|work=The New York Times|date=March 13, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|first=Ben|last=Sisario|archive-date=September 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908091219/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/business/media/jay-z-buys-the-music-streaming-firm-aspiro.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sixteen artist stakeholders including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Madonna, [[Chris Martin]], [[Nicki Minaj]] co-own Tidal, with the majority owning a 3% equity stake.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509498/jay-z-tidal-launch-artist-stakeholders|title=It's Official: Jay Z's Historic Tidal Launches With 16 Artist Stakeholders|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Andrew|last=Flanagan|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402032038/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509498/jay-z-tidal-launch-artist-stakeholders|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, in direct response to bans he received on Twitter and Instagram stemming from his antisemitic comments,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wagner |first1=Kurt |last2=Bhashin |first2=Kim |title=Ye Says He Bought Parler Because Instagram, Twitter Penalized Him |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-17/ye-says-parler-purchase-prompted-by-instagram-twitter-penalties |date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017190731/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-17/ye-says-parler-purchase-prompted-by-instagram-twitter-penalties |url-status=live }}</ref> West reached an [[agreement in principle]] to acquire the [[alt-tech]] social network [[Parler]] for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |title=Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, agrees to buy conservative social media platform Parler, company says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/kanye-west-is-buying-conservative-social-media-platform-parler-company-says.html |date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |language=en |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119085751/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/kanye-west-is-buying-conservative-social-media-platform-parler-company-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Coster |first1=Helen |last2=Datta |first2=Tiyashi |last3=Balu |first3=Nivedita |title=Kanye West agrees to buy social media app Parler |language=en |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/parler-be-acquired-by-kanye-west-2022-10-17/ |date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017222740/https://www.reuters.com/technology/parler-be-acquired-by-kanye-west-2022-10-17/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Parler and West mutually agreed to terminate the proposed deal in mid-November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/tech/kanye-parler-deal-termination/index.html|title=Kanye West is no longer acquiring Parler, company says|first=Brian|last=Fung|work=CNN Business|date=December 1, 2022|access-date=December 2, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201224143/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/tech/kanye-parler-deal-termination/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

West's 2016 single "Famous" was met with scrutiny for a controversial lyrical reference to Taylor Swift: "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/Why?/I made that bitch famous!"<ref name="p4k"/><ref name="Kreps">{{cite web|last=Kreps |first=Daniel |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-defends-controversial-taylor-swift-famous-lyric-20160212 |title=Kanye West Defends Controversial Taylor Swift 'Famous' Lyric |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2016-02-12 |accessdate=2016-04-16}}</ref><ref name="Evan Minsker">{{cite web|author=Evan Minsker |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/63491-kanye-on-taylor-swift-controversy-its-actually-something-taylor-came-up-with/ |title=Kanye on Taylor Swift Controversy: "It's Actually Something Taylor Came Up With" |publisher=Pitchfork |date=2016-02-11 |accessdate=2016-04-16}}</ref><ref name="Renner">{{cite web|last=Renner |first=Eric |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/11/kanye-west-taylor-swift-controversy |title=Kanye West addresses Taylor Swift controversy |website=EW.com |date=2016-04-11 |accessdate=2016-04-16}}</ref><ref name="Chris Payne">{{cite web|author=Chris Payne |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6874893/kanye-west-taylor-swift-lyric-defend-twitter |title=Kanye West Defends Controversial Taylor Swift Lyric in Twitter Spree |publisher=Billboard |date= |accessdate=2016-04-16}}</ref><ref name="Mark Molloy">{{cite web|author=Mark Molloy |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/taylor-swift-does-not-approve-of-misogynistic-kanye-west-lyrics/ |title=Kanye West defends controversial lyrics about Taylor Swift in Twitter rant |website=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2016-02-12 |accessdate=2016-04-16}}</ref> After West claimed to have obtained Swift's approval over the criticized lyric, Swift denied the claim, criticizing West and denouncing the lyric as "misogynistic" in a statement.<ref name="Renner"/><ref name="Chris Payne"/><ref name="Mark Molloy"/> Several months later, West's wife [[Kim Kardashian]] released a video allegedly capturing a conversation between Swift and West in which Swift appears to approve the lyric, seemingly validating West's claim.<ref name="p4k">{{cite web|last1=Yoo|first1=Noah|title=Kim Kardashian Leaks Video Confirming Taylor Swift Signed Off on Kanye's Infamous "Famous" Line|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/66880-kim-kardashian-reveals-taylor-swift-signed-off-on-kanyes-infamous-famous-line/|website=[[Pitchfork Media]]|accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="vox">{{cite web|last1=Abad-Santos|first1=Alex|title=Kim Kardashian's Taylor Swift-Kanye West Snapchat story, explained|url=http://www.vox.com/2016/7/18/12210858/kim-kardashian-taylor-swift-snapchat-kanye-west|website=[[Vox (magazine)|Vox]]|accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="verge">{{cite web|last1=Jamieson Cox and Matthew Davis|title=Kim Kardashian used Snapchat to prove Taylor Swift was lying about Kanye West's Famous|url=http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/17/12210852/kim-kardashian-snapchat-taylor-swift-kanye-west-famous|website=[[The Verge]]|accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref>

===Award showsPhilanthropy ===

In 2004, West had his first of a number of public incidents during his attendance at music award events. At the [[American Music Awards of 2004]], West stormed out of the auditorium after losing Best New Artist to country singer [[Gretchen Wilson]]. He later commented, "I felt like I was definitely robbed [...] I was the best new artist this year."<ref name="http"/> After the 2006 Grammy nominations were released, West said he would "really have a problem" if he did not win the Album of the Year, saying, "I don't care what I do, I don't care how much I stunt – you can never take away from the amount of work I put into it. I don't want to hear all of that [[political correctness|politically correct]] stuff."<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 26, 2008|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=2120|title=Kanye Has His Sights on Best Album |work=San Francisco Chronicle | date=December 9, 2005}}</ref> On November 2, 2006, when his "Touch the Sky" failed to win Best Video at the [[MTV Europe Music Awards]], West went onto the stage as the award was being presented to [[Justice (band)|Justice]] and [[Simian (band)|Simian]] for "[[We Are Your Friends (song)|We Are Your Friends]]" and argued that he should have won the award instead.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227304,00.html|title=Kanye West Unleashes Tirade After Losing at MTV Europe Music Awards|publisher=Fox News Channel | date=November 3, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603120826/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/02112006/emas_shocker_kanye_stage_invasion|archivedate=June 3, 2007|title=EMAs Shocker: Kanye Stage Invasion!|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=MTV}}</ref> Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. On November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly during his performance as support act for [[U2]] for their Vertigo concert in [[Brisbane]].<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov03/0,4670,MTVAwardsKanye,00.html|title=Kanye West Upset at MTV Video Award Loss |publisher=Fox News Channel|first=Jan M.|last=Olsen|date=November 3, 2006}}</ref> He later spoofed the incident on the 33rd season premiere of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in September 2007.<ref name="snlarchives">{{cite web|url=http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?2007092913|title=SNL Archives {{!}} Episodes {{!}} September 29, 2007 #13|work=SNL Archives|last=Navaroli|first=Joel|date=September 29, 2007|accessdate=January 10, 2015}}</ref>

West, alongside his mother, founded the Kanye West Foundation in Chicago in 2003, tasked with a mission to battle dropout and illiteracy rates, while partnering with community organizations to provide underprivileged youth access to music education.<ref name="Mission Statement">{{cite web|url=http://www.kanyewestfoundation.org/the_foundation.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806210737/http://www.kanyewestfoundation.org/the_foundation.html|archive-date=August 6, 2008|title=About the Dr. Donda West Foundation|publisher=Kanye West Foundation website (archived)|year=2008|access-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref> In 2007, West and the Foundation partnered with [[Strong American Schools]] as part of their "Ed in '08" campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last=Herszenhorn|first=David M.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/education/25schools.html|title=Billionaires Start $60 Million Schools Effort|work=The New York Times|date=April 25, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530090527/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/education/25schools.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://education-portal.com/articles/Kanye_West_to_Politicians%3A_Yo,_Education_is_Important.html|title=Kanye West to Politicians: Yo, Education Is Important|publisher=Education Portal Stone|date=August 24, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=July 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708120106/http://education-portal.com/articles/Kanye_West_to_Politicians%3A_Yo,_Education_is_Important.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As spokesman for the campaign, West appeared in a series of PSAs for the organization, and hosted an inaugural benefit concert in August of that year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Webb|first=Tracey|url=http://www.blackgivesback.com/2007/08/hip-hop-superstar-kanye-west-combats.html|title=Hip Hop Superstar Kanye West Combats School Drop Out Rate Through Hip Hop Music|publisher=Black Gives Back|date=August 26, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116164634/http://www.blackgivesback.com/2007/08/hip-hop-superstar-kanye-west-combats.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, following the death of West's mother, the foundation was rechristened The Dr. Donda West Foundation.<ref name="Mission Statement" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/dr-donda-west-foundation|title=Dr. Donda West foundation|publisher=Look to the Stars|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=March 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312044444/http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/dr-donda-west-foundation|url-status=live}}</ref> The foundation ceased operations in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Steven J.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/business/20charity.html|title=Kanye West's Charity Closes|work=The New York Times|date=April 19, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035409/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/business/20charity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Kanye West and friend [[Rhymefest]] founded Donda's House, Inc., a program aimed at helping at-risk Chicago youth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan Minsker.|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51675-kanye-wests-dondas-house-launches-free-music-writing-program-for-chicago-youth/|title=Kanye West's Donda's House Launches Free Music Writing Program for Chicago Youth|website=Pitchfork|date=July 28, 2013|access-date=March 11, 2016|archive-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312071653/http://pitchfork.com/news/51675-kanye-wests-dondas-house-launches-free-music-writing-program-for-chicago-youth/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 9, 2007, West suggested that his [[race (classification of human beings)|race]] had something to do with his being overlooked for opening the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]] (VMAs) in favor of [[Britney Spears]]; he claimed, "Maybe my skin's not right."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424051758/http://www.britneyspy.com/2007/09/09/kanye-west-jealous-of-britney-opening-the-vmas/|archivedate=April 24, 2008|title=Kanye West Jealous Of Britney Opening The VMAs|publisher=Britney Spy}}</ref> West was performing at the event; that night, he lost all five awards that he was nominated for, including Best Male Artist and Video of the Year. After the show, he was visibly upset that he had lost at the VMAs two years in a row, stating that he would not come back to MTV ever again. He also appeared on several radio stations saying that when he made the song "Stronger" that it was his dream to open the VMAs with it. He has also stated that Spears has not had a hit in a long period of time and that MTV exploited her for ratings.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569313/20070910/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West Loses It Again, Says He'll 'Never Return To MTV': Report|publisher=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>

[[File:Kanye-West-grabs-the-mic-2009-vma.jpg|left|thumb|250px|West taking the microphone from Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.]]

West has contributed to hurricane relief in 2005 by participating in a [[Hurricane Katrina]] benefit concert after the storm had ravaged black communities in [[New Orleans]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/redeye-kanye-west-katrina-telethon-george-bush-black-people-20150902-htmlstory.html|title=10 years ago today, Kanye West said, 'George Bush doesn't care about black people'|date=September 2, 2015|last=Terry|first=Josh|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210830043610/https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/redeye-kanye-west-katrina-telethon-george-bush-black-people-20150902-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2012 when he performed at a [[12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief|Hurricane Sandy benefit concert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/arts/music/at-concert-for-sandy-relief-big-names-find-the-right-tone.html|title=Wave After Wave of the Right Tunes|date=December 13, 2012|last=Pareles|first=Jon|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211211831/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/arts/music/at-concert-for-sandy-relief-big-names-find-the-right-tone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, West donated $10&nbsp;million towards the completion of the [[Roden Crater]] by American artist [[James Turrell]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/15/kanye-west-donates-10-million-for-james-turrell-art-installation|title=Kanye West donates $10m for James Turrell art installation|work=The Guardian|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-date=January 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121011023/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/15/kanye-west-donates-10-million-for-james-turrell-art-installation|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, in the wake of the [[murder of George Floyd]] and the [[George Floyd protests|following protests]], he donated $2{{nbsp}}million between the family of Floyd and other victims of [[police brutality]], [[Murder of Ahmaud Arbery|Ahmaud Arbery]] and [[Shooting of Breonna Taylor|Breonna Taylor]]. The donation funded legal fees for Arbery and Taylor's families, as well as establishing a [[529 plan]] to fully cover [[college tuition]] for Floyd's daughter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Melas|first=Chloe|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/04/entertainment/kanye-west-two-million-dollar-donation/index.html|title=Kanye West donates $2 million, pays college tuition for George Floyd's daughter|publisher=CNN|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606005541/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/04/entertainment/kanye-west-two-million-dollar-donation/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 13, 2009, during the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]] while [[Taylor Swift]] was accepting her award for Best Female Video for "[[You Belong with Me]]", West [[Kanye West MTV Video Music Awards controversy|went on stage and grabbed the microphone]] to proclaim that [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]]'s video for "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]", nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". He was subsequently removed from the remainder of the show for his actions.<ref name="Cnn.com"/><ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|title=Kanye West Storms the VMAs Stage During Taylor Swift's Speech|date=September 13, 2009|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-storms-the-vmas-stage-during-taylor-swifts-speech-20090913?rand=84857}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vozick |first=Simon |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/13/kanye-west-taylor-swift/ |title=Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMAs moment: What was he thinking? by Simon Vozick-Levinson |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 13, 2009 |accessdate=September 5, 2010}}</ref> When Beyoncé later won the award for Best Video of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", she called Swift up on stage so that she could finish her acceptance speech.<ref name=rollingstone.com/> West was criticized by various celebrities for the outburst,<ref name=Cnn.com/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/|title=2009 MTV Video Music Awards – Best Female Video|publisher=MTV|accessdate=September 15, 2009}}</ref><ref name="latfallout">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-kanye-fallout15-2009sep15,0,4346169.story|title=Kanye West expresses Swift regret on blog and 'The Jay Leno Show'|date=September 15, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 15, 2009 | first1=Todd | last1=Martens | first2=Yvonne | last2=Villarreal}}</ref><ref name="MTV">{{cite web|title=Adam Lambert, Donald Trump, Joe Jackson Slam Kanye West's VMA Stunt|publisher=MTV|date=September 13, 2009|accessdate=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621475/.../swift__taylor.jhtml}}</ref> and by President [[Barack Obama]], who called West a "jackass".<ref name="BBCquote">{{cite news|title=Obama calls Kanye West a jackass|publisher=BBC News |date=September 16, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8258330.stm}}</ref><ref name="politico.com">{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Gavin|title=Obama calls Kanye 'jackass'|publisher=[[The Politico]]|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0909/did_obama_call_kanye_a_jackass.html}}</ref><ref name="people.com">{{cite web|title=Audio: President Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=http://www.people.com/package/article/0,,20302940_20304704,00.html}}</ref><ref name="www.foxnews.com">{{cite news|title=Obama Calls Kanye West a 'Jackass'|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-west-jackass/}}</ref> In addition, West's VMA disruption sparked a large influx of Internet photo [[meme]]s with blogs, forums and "tweets" with the "Let you finish" photo-jokes.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=October 3, 2009|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/16/kanye-wests-vma-interruption-photos/|title= Kanye West's VMA Interruption Gives Birth To Internet Photo Meme |publisher=MTV|date=September 16, 2009|author=Anderson, Kyle}}</ref> He posted a Tweet soon after the event where he stated, "Everybody wanna booooo me but I'm a fan of real pop culture... I'm not crazy y'all, I'm just real."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=June 5, 2013|url=http://au.eonline.com/news/143965/kanye-west-steals-taylor-swift-s-thunder-but-not-for-long|title=Kanye West Steals Taylor Swift's Thunder...but Not for Long: Report|publisher=ENews}}</ref> He then posted two apologies for the outburst on his personal blog; one on the night of the incident, and the other the following day, when he also apologized during an appearance on ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]''.<ref name=latfallout/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6833664.ece |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Kanye West spoils the show at MTV awards |last=Booth |first=Jenny |work=The Times |accessdate=September 14, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> After Swift appeared on ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'' two days after the outburst, partly to discuss the matter, West called her to apologize personally. Swift said she accepted his apology.<ref name="MTV.com">{{cite web|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|title=Taylor Swift Tells 'The View' Kanye West Hasn't Contacted Her. The country star discusses her reaction to the VMA incident.|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=MTV|accessdate=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621550/2009915/swift__taylor.jhtml}}</ref><ref name="nypost.com">{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift visits 'The View,' accepts Kanye apology |work=New York Post |date=May 15, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2009 |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/tvblogs/taylor_swift_visits_the_view_accepts_iW7OOuj6BQpLe1oX8TVFNM |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090923003506/http://www.nypost.com:80/p/blogs/tvblogs/taylor_swift_visits_the_view_accepts_iW7OOuj6BQpLe1oX8TVFNM |archivedate=September 23, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web|title=Kanye calls Taylor Swift after 'View' appearance|work=[[Associated Press]]/[[MSNBC]]|date=September 15, 2009|accessdate=September 16, 2009|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32861800/ns/entertainment-music/}}</ref>

=== Acting and filmmaking ===

In September 2010, West wrote a series of apologetic [[Twitter|tweet]]s addressed to Swift including "Beyonce didn't need that. MTV didn't need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn't want or need that" and concluding with "I'm sorry Taylor." He also revealed he had written a song for Swift and if she did not accept the song, he would perform it himself.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Writes Song In Honor of Taylor Swift|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20015747-10391698.html|author=Devon Thomas|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=September 7, 2010|accessdate=September 7, 2010}}</ref> However, on November 8, 2010, in an interview with a Minnesota radio station, he seemed to recant his past apologies by attempting to describe the act at the 2009 awards show as "selfless" and downgrade the perception of disrespect it created.<ref>{{cite news|title=VIDEO: Kanye West Backtracks On Taylor Swift Apology|url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/video-kanye-west-backtracks-taylor-swift-apology}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Backtracks On Taylor Swift Apology|url=http://dimewars.com/Blog/ViewBlogArticle.aspx?vn=Kanye+West+Backtracks+On+Taylor+Swift+Apology&BlogID=487b238f-9fac-4228-b9ba-7c29bdfe8528}}</ref> In ''"''Famous," a track from his 2016 album ''The Life of Pablo'', West implies that this incident led to Swift's stardom, rapping, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/ Why? I made that bitch famous."<ref>{{Cite web|title = I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous / God damn / I made that bitch famous|url = http://genius.com/8659237|website = Genius|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref> After some media backlash about the reference,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Twitter Moments: Kanye makes an enemy of Taylor Swift fans|url = https://twitter.com/i/moments/697918422244458496|website = Twitter|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref> West posted on Twitter "I did not diss Taylor Swift and I've never dissed her...First thing is I'm an artist and as an artist I will express how I feel with no censorship."<ref>{{Cite web|title = KANYE WEST on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/698145869720371200|website = Twitter|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = KANYE WEST on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/698146073190252545|website = Twitter|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref> He continued by adding that he had asked both Swift and his wife, Kim Kardashian, for permission to publish the line.<ref>{{Cite web|title = KANYE WEST on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/698146205688320000|website = Twitter|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = KANYE WEST on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/698146344242958336|website = Twitter|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref>

West made [[cameo appearances]] as himself in the films ''[[State Property 2]]'' (2005) and ''[[The Love Guru]]'' (2008),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rabin|first1=Nathan|title=State Property 2|url=https://film.avclub.com/state-property-2-1798208620|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=January 17, 2018|date=August 16, 2005|archive-date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117190401/https://film.avclub.com/state-property-2-1798208620|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MTV Comedy Lover">{{cite web|last1=Newman|first1=Jason|title=High Five: Kanye West, Comedy Lover|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2694262/hive-five-kanye-west-comedy-lover/|publisher=MTV|access-date=January 17, 2018|date=August 29, 2011|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407015510/http://www.mtv.com/news/2694262/hive-five-kanye-west-comedy-lover/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in an episode of the television show ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sundermann|first1=Eric|title=The Kanye West Scene in 'Entourage' Is One of the Greatest Moments in Television History|url=https://noisey.vice.com/da/article/rb8j83/the-kanye-west-entourage-scene-rules|website=[[Noisey]]|publisher=[[Vice Media]]|access-date=January 17, 2018|date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105327/https://noisey.vice.com/da/article/rb8j83/the-kanye-west-entourage-scene-rules|url-status=live}}</ref> West provided the voice for "Kenny West", a rapper, in the animated sitcom ''[[The Cleveland Show]]''.<ref name="MTV Comedy Lover" /> In 2009, he starred in the [[Spike Jonze]]-directed short film ''[[We Were Once a Fairytale]]'' (2009), playing himself acting belligerently while drunk in a nightclub.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Itzkoff|first1=Dave|title=Spike Jonze Explains His Kanye West Mini-Movie, 'We Were Once a Fairytale'|url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/spike-jonze-explains-his-kanye-west-mini-movie-we-were-once-a-fairytale/|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 17, 2018|date=October 22, 2009|archive-date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131745/https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/spike-jonze-explains-his-kanye-west-mini-movie-we-were-once-a-fairytale/|url-status=live}}</ref> West wrote, directed, and starred in the musical short film ''[[Runaway (2010 film)|Runaway]]'' (2010), which heavily features music from ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy''.<ref name="BillboardPremiere" /> The film depicts a relationship between a man, played by West, and a half-woman, half-[[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] creature.<ref name="vulture">{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/vulture_talks_to_selita_ebanks.html|title=Vulture Talks to Selita Ebanks, the Star of Kanye's Movie|date=October 19, 2010|first=Amos|last=Barshad|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022131326/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/vulture_talks_to_selita_ebanks.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 8, 2015, at the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|57th Annual Grammy Awards]], West walked on stage as [[Beck]] was accepting his award for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and then walked off stage, leaving the audience to think he was joking . After the awards show, West stated in an interview that he was not joking and that "Beck needs to respect artistry, he should have given his award to Beyoncé".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stern|first1=Marlow|title=Kanye West Blasts Beck's Album of the Year Grammys Win: 'Beck Needs To Respect Artistry'|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/09/kanye-west-blasts-beck-s-album-of-the-year-grammys-win-beck-needs-to-respect-artistry.html|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=February 9, 2015}}</ref> On February 26, 2015, he publicly apologized to Beck on Twitter.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=February 28, 2015|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/02/kanye-west-apologizes-beck-bruno-mars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kanye-west-apologizes-beck-bruno-mars|title=Kanye West Apologizes to Beck and Bruno Mars |publisher=XXL Magazine|first=Emmanuel|last=C.M.|date=February 26, 2015}}</ref>

In 2012, West co-directed another short film, along with [[Alexandre Moors]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/6snush/kanye-west-cruel-summer-cinema|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530230147/https://www.mtv.com/news/6snush/kanye-west-cruel-summer-cinema|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2024|title=Kanye West's Custom-Built {{'}}''Cruel Summer''{{'}} Cinema: Take A Look Inside!|date=May 30, 2012|last=Montgomery|first=James|website=MTV|access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> titled ''[[Cruel Summer (film)|Cruel Summer]]'', which premiered at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]] in a custom pyramid-shaped screening pavilion featuring seven screens constructed for the film. The film was meant to tie in with the compilation album [[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|of the same name]] to be released later that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/kanye-west-cruel-summer-cannes-2012.html|title=Kanye Screens ''Cruel Summer'' for Cannes, Kim, and an Approving Jay-Z|date=May 24, 2012|last=Yuan|first=Jada|website=Vulture|access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-date=September 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929034835/https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/kanye-west-cruel-summer-cannes-2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref> West made a cameo appearance in the comedy ''[[Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues]]'' (2013) as a [[MTV News]] representative in the film's fight scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/iircyd/kanye-west-anchorman-2-comedian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530230147/https://www.mtv.com/news/iircyd/kanye-west-anchorman-2-comedian|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2024|title=Kanye The Comedian? {{'}}''Anchorman 2''{{'}} Director Opens Up About Cameo|date=December 18, 2013|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin P.|website=MTV|access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> In September 2018, West announced the starting of a film production company named Half Beast, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/kanye-west-is-launching-a-new-company-find-out-what-hes-doing-next/ar-BBNpLBp|title=Kanye West is launching a new company: Find out what he's doing next|website=MSN|language=en-US|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105259/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/kanye-west-is-launching-a-new-company-find-out-what-hes-doing-next/ar-BBNpLBp|url-status=live}}</ref> A documentary shot over 21 years featuring footage of West's early days in Chicago through the death of his mother to his presidential run was announced to debut in 2021. Titled ''[[Jeen-Yuhs]]'', it was acquired by [[Netflix]] for $30 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/kanye-west-documentary-reportedly-sold-netflix-30-million|title=Kanye West Documentary Reportedly Sold to Netflix for $30 Million|first=Brenton|last=Blanchet|date=April 7, 2021|publisher=Complex|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918173351/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/kanye-west-documentary-reportedly-sold-netflix-30-million|url-status=live}}</ref> and released in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-mckinney/kanye-west-jeen-yuhs-documentary-part-1-revelations|title=10 Big Revelations From Part 1 of Kanye West's {{'}}''Jeen-Yuhs''{{'}} Documentary|date=February 16, 2022|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|website=Complex|access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-date=May 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530230148/https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-mckinney/kanye-west-jeen-yuhs-documentary-part-1-revelations|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 30, 2015, West was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the [[MTV Video Music Award]]s. In his acceptance speech, he stated, "Y'all might be thinking right now, 'I wonder did he smoke something before he came out here?' And the answer is: 'Yes, I rolled up a little something. I knocked the edge off.'"<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=November 2, 2015|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/170958_kanye_west_during_his_vma_video_vanguard_acceptance_speech/|title=Kanye West Admits He's High and Announces Candidacy for President During VMA Vanguard Acceptance Speech|publisher=ET|first=Alex|last=Ungerman|date=August 30, 2015}}</ref> At the end of his speech, he announced, "I have decided in 2020 to run for president."<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West rants at VMAs: I have decided to 'run for president' |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/08/30/kanye-west-rants-at-vmas-have-decided-to-run-for-president/ |website= Fox News |date= August 2015 |accessdate= August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|accessdate=November 2, 2015|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/08/kanye-west-gives-extraordinary-vmas-speech-says-hell-run-for-president-in-2020/|title=Kanye West gives extraordinary VMAs speech, says he'll run for president in 2020 |publisher=Consequence of Sound|first=Michelle|last=Geslani|date=August 30, 2015}}</ref>

=== Presidential campaigns ===

===Petitions===

{{Main|Kanye West U.S. presidential campaigns}}

Music fans have turned to [[Change.org]] around the globe to try and block West's participation at various events. The largest unsuccessful petition has been to the [[Glastonbury Festival 2015]] with 133,000+ voters stating they would prefer a rock band to headline.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/3939146/kanye-west-glastonbury-stage-invasion/|title=Kanye West Glastonbury Stage Crashed By British Comedian Simon Brodkin|author=Dan Stubbs / NME|work=TIME.com|accessdate=July 21, 2015|date=June 28, 2015}}</ref>

On July 20, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2015/07/20/petition-reaches-50000-to-stop-kanye-west-from-closing-out-the-pan-american-games/|title=Petition Reaches 50,000 To Stop Kanye West From Closing Out The Pan American Games|work=radio.com|accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> within five days of West's announcement as the headlining artist of the closing ceremonies<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kanye-west-to-play-pan-am-games-closing-ceremonies-1.3152764|title=Kanye West to play Pan Am Games closing ceremonies|date=July 15, 2015|work=cbc.ca|accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> of the [[2015 Pan American Games]], Change.org user XYZ collected over 50,000 signatures for West's removal as headliner,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/86979|title=NME News 50,000 people sign petition to stop Kanye West from playing Pan Am Games closing ceremony - NME.COM|author=NME.COM|work=NME.COM|accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> on the grounds that the headlining artist should be Canadian. In his Pan American Games Closing Ceremony performance, close to the end of his performance, West closed the show by tossing his faulty microphone in the air and walked off stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/kanye-tosses-faulty-mic-at-pan-am-closing-ceremony-walks-off-stage-1.2488951|title=Kanye tosses faulty mic at Pan Am closing ceremony, walks off stage|work=CTVNews}}</ref>

==Personal== life2020 ====

[[File:Kanye West North Charleston Rally, July 2020.jpg|thumb|West at his first campaign rally in [[North Charleston, South Carolina]], on July 19, 2020]]

On July 4, 2020, West announced on Twitter that he would be running in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seipel |first=Brooke |date=July 4, 2020 |title=Kanye tweets he's running for president |language=en |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/505893-kanye-tweets-hes-running-for-president |access-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120205450/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/505893-kanye-tweets-hes-running-for-president |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Drury |first=Sharareh |date=July 4, 2020 |title=Kanye West Announces 2020 Presidential Run |language=en |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-announces-2020-presidential-run-1301846 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705060424/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-announces-2020-presidential-run-1301846 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 7, West was interviewed by ''Forbes'' about his presidential run, where he announced that his running mate would be Wyoming preacher Michelle Tidball, and that he would run as an [[independent politician|independent]] under the "Birthday Party", explaining his decision of why he chose the name, saying, "Because when we win, it's everybody's 'birthday'."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lane |first1=Randall |title=Kanye West Says He's Done With Trump—Opens Up About White House Bid, Damaging Biden And Everything In Between |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/#44bd292447aa |access-date=July 8, 2020 |work=Forbes |date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708062958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/#44bd292447aa |url-status=live }}</ref> West also said he no longer supported Trump because he "hid in [a] bunker" during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="France">{{cite news|last=France|first=Lisa Respers|date=July 8, 2020|title=Kanye West says he no longer supports Trump and that he had coronavirus|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/entertainment/kanye-trump-coronavirus-forbes/index.html|access-date=July 8, 2020|publisher=CNN|archive-date=July 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714174654/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/entertainment/kanye-trump-coronavirus-forbes/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Continuing, he said, "You know? Obama's special. Trump's special. We say Kanye West is special. America needs special people that lead. [[Bill Clinton]]? Special. [[Joe Biden]]'s not special."<ref name="France" />

===Relationships===

[[File:Kim Kardashian 2, 2012.jpg|thumb|140px|West's wife [[Kim Kardashian]], pictured in September 2012]]

West began an [[on-and-off relationship]] with designer Alexis Phifer in 2002, and they became engaged in August 2006. The pair ended their 18-month engagement in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585980/20080421/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West's Ex-Fiancee Alexis Phifer Talks About Breakup|date=April 21, 2008|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref> West subsequently dated model [[Amber Rose]] from 2008 until the summer of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Confirms Amber Rose Split|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/kanye-west/234050-kanye-west-confirms-amber-rose-split|work=[[MTV UK]]|accessdate=December 31, 2012|date=August 13, 2010}}</ref> West began dating reality star and longtime friend<ref>{{cite web|title=Khloe Kardashian: I Told Kim Kardashian To Date Kanye West "For Years!"|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/khloe-kardashian-i-told-kim-kardashian-to-date-kanye-west-for-years-201376|work=[[Us Weekly]]|accessdate=June 7, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|first=Brittany|last=Galla}}</ref> [[Kim Kardashian]] in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Garibaldi |first=Christina|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1688065/kim-kardashian-oprah-kanye-west-dating.jhtml |title=Kim Kardashian Explains Why It Took 'So Long' To Date Kanye West |publisher=MTV|date=June 21, 2012|accessdate=August 12, 2012}}</ref> West and Kardashian became engaged in October 2013,<ref>{{cite news|last=CNN Staff|title=Kimye forever: Kim Kardashian, Kanye West get engaged|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/22/showbiz/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-engaged/|work=October 22, 2013|publisher=CNN|accessdate=October 22, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/472716/kim-kardashian-is-engaged-to-kanye-west.com|publisher=E!|title=Kim Kardashian Is Engaged to Kanye West!|first=Natalie|last=Finn|date=October 21, 2013|accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref> and married on May 24, 2014 at [[Belvedere (fort)|Fort di Belvedere]] in [[Florence|Florence, Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-married-wedding-florence-italy|work=People|title=It's Official: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Are Married|last=Corriston|first=Michelle|date=May 24, 2014|accessdate=May 24, 2014}}</ref> Their private ceremony was subject to widespread mainstream coverage, with West taking issue with the couple's portrayal in the media.<ref>Lee, Christina. [http://www.idolator.com/7520141/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-wedding-speech "Kanye West Blasts Media Coverage Of Kim Kardashian In Wedding Speech."] ''[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]''. 28 May 2014.</ref> They have two children: daughter North "Nori" West (born June 15, 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20709548,00.html|title=Kim Kardashian Is a Mom!|date=June 15, 2013|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|accessdate=June 15, 2013|first=Dahvi|last=Shira}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20711076,00.html|title=Kim Kardashian's Baby Name: Finally Revealed!|date=June 20, 2013|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|accessdate=June 21, 2013|first1=Jennifer|last1=Garcia|first2=Rennie|last2=Dyball}}</ref> and son Saint West (born December 5, 2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4139432/kim-kardashian-west-kanye-west-saint-west/|title=The Long History Behind Kim and Kanye's New Baby's Name|accessdate=December 8, 2015|date=December 7, 2015|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|first=Ashley|last=Ross}}</ref> In April 2015, West and Kardashian traveled to Jerusalem to have North baptized in the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] at the [[Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem|Cathedral of St. James]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfmynews2.com/media/cinematic/video/25739887/kim-kardashian-in-jerusalem-for-daughters-baptism/|title=Kim Kardashian in Jerusalem for Daughter's Baptism|publisher=wfmynews2.com|accessdate=May 12, 2015}}</ref> The couple's high status and respective careers have resulted in their relationship becoming subject to heavy media coverage; ''[[The New York Times]]'' referred to their marriage as "a historic blizzard of celebrity."<ref>Caramanica, Jon. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/t-magazine/kanye-west-adidas-yeezy-fashion-interview.html?_r=0 "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Kanye West."] ''[[New York Times]]''. 10 April 2015.</ref>

Various political pundits speculated that West's presidential run was a publicity stunt to promote his latest music releases.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rolli |first1=Bryan |title=Kanye West's 2020 Presidential Run Is Just His Latest Outrageous Promotional Stunt |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/07/05/kanye-west-2020-presidential-run-promotional-stunt/#79c654b74a9d |access-date=July 8, 2020 |issue=July 5, 2020 |work=Forbes |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719023633/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/07/05/kanye-west-2020-presidential-run-promotional-stunt/#79c654b74a9d |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024|reason=See [[WP:FORBESCON]]}} On July 15, 2020, official paperwork was filed with the [[Federal Election Commission]] for West, under the "BDY" Party affiliation<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=July 15, 2020 |title=A 'Kanye 2020' Committee Just Filed With the FEC, But Is It Legit? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-2020-fec-1029361/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818025733/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-2020-fec-1029361/ |url-status=live }}</ref> amid claims that he was preparing to drop out.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 15, 2020|title=Kanye West has reportedly dropped out of the presidential race|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-has-reportedly-dropped-out-of-the-presidential-race-2707866|access-date=July 15, 2020|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715053629/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-has-reportedly-dropped-out-of-the-presidential-race-2707866|url-status=live}}</ref> West held his first rally that weekend, on July 19.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Kanye West launches unconventional 2020 campaign |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53467658 |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720010206/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53467658 |url-status=live }}</ref> West aligned himself with the philosophy of a [[consistent life ethic]], a tenet of [[Christian democracy]].<ref name="PCR2020">{{cite web |title=Kanye West picks 'biblical life coach' as presidential running mate |url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/kanye-west-picks-biblical-life-coach-as-presidential-running-mate2 |publisher=[[Premier Christian Radio]] |access-date=August 31, 2020 |language=en |date=July 10, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812180559/https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/kanye-west-picks-biblical-life-coach-as-presidential-running-mate2 |url-status=live }}</ref> His platform advocated for the creation of a [[culture of life]], endorsing [[Stewardship (theology)|environmental stewardship]], supporting the arts, buttressing [[faith-based organization]]s, restoring [[school prayer]], providing for a strong national defense, and [[America First (policy)|"America First" diplomacy]].<ref name="Kornhaber2020">{{cite web |last1=Kornhaber |first1=Spencer |title=Kanye West, Political Pawn |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/08/how-kanye-west-became-political-pawn/615256/ |publisher=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=en |date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123224432/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/08/how-kanye-west-became-political-pawn/615256/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2020, West told ''Forbes'' that he is ignorant on issues such as taxes and foreign policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/|title=Kanye West Says He's Done With Trump—Opens Up About White House Bid, Damaging Biden And Everything In Between|first=Randall|last=Lane|website=Forbes|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708062958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Mother's death===

On November 10, 2007, at approximately 7:35 pm, paramedics responding to an emergency call transported West's mother, Donda West, to the nearby Centinela Freeman Hospital in [[Marina del Rey, California]]. She was unresponsive in the emergency room, and after resuscitation attempts, doctors pronounced her dead at approximately 8:30 pm,<ref name="mswest">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/12/911-responded-in-donda-west-case/|title=Fire Dept. Called to Donda West's Home|publisher=[[TMZ (website)|TMZ.com]]}}</ref> at age 58.<ref name=peoplejanuary2008 /> The [[Los Angeles County]] coroner's office said in January 2008 that West had died of heart disease while suffering "multiple post-operative factors" after [[plastic surgery]]. She had undergone [[liposuction]] and [[breast reduction]].<ref name=peoplejanuary2008>{{cite news | url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20170370,00.html | title = Donda West Died of Heart Disease after Surgery | first= Alondra | last= Hernandez | work = [[People (magazine)|People]] | date= January 10, 2008 | accessdate = August 22, 2013}}</ref> [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]] plastic surgeon Andre Aboolian had refused to do the surgery because West had a health condition that placed her at risk for a heart attack.<ref name="mswest"/> Aboolian referred her to an [[internist]] to investigate her cardiac issue.<ref name="mswest"/> She never met with the doctor recommended by Aboolian and had the procedures performed by a third doctor, [[Jan Adams]].<ref name="mswest"/>

[[File:Donda West.jpg|Donda West in August 2007|thumb|left|upright]]

Adams sent condolences to Donda West's family but declined to publicly discuss the procedure, citing [[Medical confidentiality|confidentiality]]. West's family, through celebrity attorney Ed McPherson, filed complaints with the Medical Board against Adams and Aboolian for violating patient confidentiality following her death.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159928,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn|title=Donda West's Doctor Expresses 'Condolences'|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> Adams had previously been under scrutiny by the medical board.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/13/west.surgeon/index.html#cnnSTCText|title= Donda West's surgeon faced malpractice suits, records show |publisher=CNN | date=November 13, 2007}}</ref><ref name="focus mom">{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20159824,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn|title=Focus of Kanye West Mom's Death Shifts to Doctor|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> He appeared on ''[[Larry King Live]]'' on November 20, 2007, but left before speaking. Two months later, he appeared again, with his attorney, stating he was there to "defend himself". He said that the recently released [[autopsy]] results "spoke for themselves".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580109/20080123/winehouse_amy.jhtml|title=Amy Winehouse's Alleged Crack Video Under Investigation; Plus Pink, Paris Hilton, 'American Idol' & More, In For The Record |publisher=MTV}}</ref> The final coroner's report January 10, 2008, concluded that Donda West died of "[[coronary artery disease]] and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and [[mammoplasty]]".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579429/20080110/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Donda West, Kanye's Mother, Died Of Heart Attack: Coroner's Report|publisher=MTV News}}</ref>

West conceded on Twitter on November 4, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title='Welp': Kanye West admits defeat while teasing 2024 run|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/welp-kanye-west-admits-defeat-while-teasing-2024-run|access-date=November 6, 2020|website=The Washington Examiner|first=Anthony|last=Leonardi|language=en|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105110135/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/welp-kanye-west-admits-defeat-while-teasing-2024-run|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carras |first=Christi |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Well, one thing is certain: Kanye West will not be elected president |language=en-US |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-11-04/election-2020-kanye-west-votes-president |access-date=November 5, 2020}}</ref> He received 66,365 votes in the 12 states he had ballot access in, receiving an average of 0.32%. Reported write-in votes gave West an additional 3,931 votes across 5 states. In addition, the ''[[Roque De La Fuente]] / Kanye West'' ticket won 60,160 votes [[2020 United States presidential election in California|in California]] (0.34%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2020presgeresults.pdf|title=OFFICIAL 2020 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS|publisher=FEC |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> According to ''[[Reuters]]'', on January 4, 2021, a Kanye West-linked publicist pressured a Georgia election worker to confess to bogus charges of election tampering to assist [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|Trump's claims of election interference]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Szep|first1=Jason|last2=So|first2=Linda|date=December 10, 2021|title=Kanye West publicist pressed Georgia election worker to confess to bogus fraud charges|language=en|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/kanye-west-publicist-pressed-georgia-election-worker-confess-bogus-fraud-charges-2021-12-10/|access-date=December 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Olding|first=Barbie Latza Nadeau, Rachel|date=December 10, 2021|title=Of Course Trump's Jan. 6 Plot Now Involves Kanye's Henchwoman|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trevian-kutti-kanye-publicist-urged-georgia-election-worker-ruby-freeman-to-confess-to-fraud-says-reuters|access-date=December 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jenkins|first=Cameron|date=December 10, 2021|title=Publicist linked to Kanye West pushed election worker to confess to Trump's fraud claims: Reuters|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/585368-publicist-linked-to-kanye-west-pushed-election-worker-to|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en}}</ref> In December 2021, ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' reported that West's presidential campaign received millions of dollars in services from a secret network of Republican operatives, payments to which the committee did not report. According to campaign finance experts, this was done to conceal a connection.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sollenberger|first1=Roger|last2=Bredderman|first2=William|date=December 17, 2021|title=Kanye West's 'Independent' Campaign Was Secretly Run by GOP Elites|language=en|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/kanye-wests-independent-campaign-was-secretly-run-by-gop-elites|access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McLaughlin|first=Kelly|date=December 17, 2021|title=Kanye West's presidential campaign was run by GOP operatives who were trying to re-elect Trump, investigation finds|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kanye-west-presidential-campaign-gop-operatives-investigation-finds-2021-12|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=[[Business Insider]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

The funeral and burial for Donda West was held in [[Oklahoma City]] on November 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=1501135&objectid=10477686|title=Kanye West's tearful goodbye at mother's funeral|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=November 22, 2007}}</ref> West played his first concert following the funeral at [[The O2 Arena|The O2]] in London on November 22. He dedicated a performance of "[[Hey Mama (Kanye West song)|Hey Mama]]", as well as a cover of [[Journey (band)|Journey's]] "[[Don't Stop Believin']]", to his mother, and did so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427090443/http://www.usmagazine.com/kanye_west_at_second_show_since_mothers_death_he_had_a_powerful_energy_inside_him|archivedate=April 27, 2008|title=Video: Kanye West Dedicates Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" to His Mom |work=[[Us Weekly]]}}</ref>

==== 2024 ====

At a December 2008 press conference in [[New Zealand]], West spoke about his mother's death for the first time. "It was like losing an arm and a leg and trying to walk through that", he told reporters.<ref>"[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8186 HipHopDX.com Kanye West Speaks Candidly About Mother, Religion, Rap]". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved December 2, 2008.</ref>

West stated his intention to run for president again in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]], saying at a November 2019 event, "When I run for president in 2024, we would've created so many jobs that I'm not going to run, I'm going to walk." He was met with laughter from the audience.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2019/11/08/kanye-west-says-hes-running-president-2024/2527854001/ |title=Kanye West on joining 2024 presidential race: 'I'm not going to run, I'm going to walk' |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> In response to a request for additional information from the [[Federal Election Commission]] regarding the creation of a [[presidential exploratory committee]], West's representatives emphasized that he "has not decided whether to become a candidate for president in the 2024 election" and refused to file additional paperwork with the commission.<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Tyler|date=May 19, 2021|title=Kanye West 'has not decided' if he'll run for president again in 2024|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-not-decided-run-president-2024|access-date=January 6, 2022|publisher=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> West officially launched his presidential campaign in November 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63754702 | title=Kanye West announces 2024 presidential bid|work=BBC News|first=Mark|last=Savage|date=November 25, 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> West claimed to have asked former president Donald Trump to be his running mate; according to West, Trump was "caught [...] off-guard" by the request and warned him of losing if he decided to run.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=November 25, 2022 |title=Kanye West announces 2024 presidential bid amid far-right ties |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/25/kanye-west-presidential-run-2024 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kanye West announces he's running for president |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/kanye-west-announced-running-president/story?id=71614805 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> In October 2023, an attorney for West said that he "is not a candidate for office in 2024".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-not-running-president-2024-1235450094/|title=Kanye West Not Running For President in 2024|date=October 20, 2023|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Views==

California governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] signed the "Donda West Law", legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623902/arnold-schwarzenegger-signs-donda-west-plastic-surgery-law.jhtml|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Signs Donda West Plastic Surgery Law|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=October 15, 2009}}</ref>

{{Main|Views of Kanye West}}

{{Wikinews|Rapper Kanye West denounces Bush response, American media at hurricane relief telethon}}

West has been an outspoken and controversial celebrity throughout his career, receiving criticism from the mainstream media, industry colleagues and entertainers, and three U.S. presidents.<ref name="amg" /><ref name="NewYorkTimes" /> In a 2005 speech, West criticized both the media and the government's racial disparities in their response to [[Hurricane Katrina]], stating on live television "[[George W. Bush|George Bush]] doesn't care about black people".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moraes |first=Lisa |date=September 3, 2005 |title=Kanye West's Torrent of Criticism, Live on NBC |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html |access-date=December 2, 2022}}</ref> He apologized for the comment in 2010, saying he "didn't have the grounds to call [Bush] a racist" and later stated in regard to the remark that he "was programmed to think from a victimized mentality".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/kanye-west-george-bush-racist-2005-victim-mentality/|title=Kanye West Explains Calling George W. Bush Racist in 2005: 'I Was Caught Up in a Victim Mentality'|date=October 11, 2018|last=McAffee|first=Tierney|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> West voiced his [[opposition to abortion]] in 2013, citing his belief in the [[Thou shalt not kill|Sixth Commandment]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Kanye West Claimed Democrats Make Black People Kill Their Children |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmj5b8/kanye-west-interview-big-boy-democrats-abortion-and-plan-b|first=Susan|last=Rinkunas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215155700/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmj5b8/kanye-west-interview-big-boy-democrats-abortion-and-plan-b |archive-date=December 15, 2019|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=July 5, 2020 |magazine=Vice}}</ref> and in 2022 deemed abortion "genocide and population control" of black people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-10-24/kanye-west-lex-fridman-antisemitism-podcast|title=Kanye West assails Jews, abortion in new interview with Lex Fridman|date=October 25, 2022|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> He has stated that [[Slavery in the United States|the 400-year enslavement of Africans]] "sounds like a choice",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/01/kanye-west-on-slavery-for-400-years-that-sounds-like-a-choice|title=Kanye West on slavery: 'For 400 years? That sounds like a choice'|work=[[The Guardian]]|first1=Benjamin|last1=Lee|first2=Ben|last2=Beaumont-Thomas|date=May 2, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> before elaborating that his comment was in reference to mental enslavement and argued for [[free thought]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/01/entertainment/kanye-west-slavery-choice-trnd/index.html|title=Kanye West just said 400 years of slavery was a choice|first=Harmeet|last=Kaur|date=May 2018|publisher=CNN}}</ref> He later apologized for the comment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/music/kanye-west-apologizes-slavery-comment-cries-over-bipolar-disorder|title=Kanye West Apologizes for Saying 'Slavery Was a Choice' in Tearful Interview|work=People|first=Robyn|last=Merrett|date=August 29, 2018|access-date=August 30, 2018}}</ref>

===Legal issues===

In December 2006, [[Evel Knievel|Robert "Evel" Knievel]] sued West for trademark infringement in West's video for "[[Touch the Sky (Kanye West song)|Touch the Sky]]". Knievel took issue with a "sexually charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and attempts flying a rocket over a canyon. The suit claimed infringement on Knievel's trademarked name and likeness. Knievel also claimed that the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damaged his reputation. The suit sought monetary damages and an injunction to stop distribution of the video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1212061evel1.html|title=Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West|accessdate=June 7, 2007|publisher=[[The Smoking Gun]]}}</ref> West's attorneys argued that the music video amounted to satire and therefore was covered under the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]. Just days before his death in November 2007, Knievel amicably settled the suit after being paid a visit from West, saying, "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."<ref>{{cite news|title=Evel Knievel, Kanye West settle lawsuit| url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-27-kanye-knievel_N.htm|work=USA Today | date=November 27, 2007 | accessdate=November 27, 2007}}</ref>

In late 2022, West made a series of [[antisemitic]] statements,<ref name="cnbc" /> resulting in the termination of his collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships with ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', [[Universal Music Group]], [[Creative Artists Agency|CAA]], [[Balenciaga]], [[Gap Inc.|Gap]], and [[Adidas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=UMG Confirms Termination of Kanye West Relationship – Gap Removes Yeezy Products From Stores |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/10/25/umg-gap-remove-yeezy-products-from-stores/ |access-date=October 25, 2022 |publisher=[[Digital Music News]]|first=Ashley|last=King|date=October 25, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Adidas cuts ties with Ye over antisemitic remarks that caused an uproar |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1131285970/adidas-ye-kanye-west-antisemitic|date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |publisher=[[NPR]]|first=Bobby|last=Allyn}}</ref> West was widely condemned after appearing at a dinner hosted by [[Donald Trump]] at [[Mar-a-Lago]] beside [[Nick Fuentes]], a [[white nationalist]].<ref name="cnbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/02/biden-condemns-antisemitism-after-ye-praises-hitler-post-trump-dinner.html|title=Biden condemns antisemitism as Ye praises Hitler days after dinner with Trump, white nationalist Fuentes|date=December 2, 2022|last=Kinery|first=Emma|work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=December 6, 2022}}</ref> In a subsequent December appearance on [[Alex Jones]]'s ''[[InfoWars]]'', West praised [[Adolf Hitler]], [[denied the Holocaust]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adragna |first1=Anthony |last2=Olander |first2=Olivia |title='A deranged Anti-semite': GOP outraged at Ye's latest horror show |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/01/ye-antisemitism-republicans-hitler-00071695 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |work=[[Politico]] |date=December 1, 2022}}</ref> and identified himself as a [[Nazi]].<ref name="timesofisraelnazi">{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Kanye West praises Hitler, calls himself a Nazi in unhinged interview |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/doubling-down-on-antisemitism-kanye-west-praises-hitler-in-unhinged-interview/ |access-date=December 3, 2022 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="vanityfairnazi">{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/12/kanye-west-alex-jones-donald-trump-hitler|title=Kanye West, Donald Trump's Dining Companion, Tells Alex Jones, "I'm a Nazi," Lists Things He Loves About Hitler|date=December 1, 2022|last=Levin|first=Bess|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|access-date=February 14, 2023}}</ref> After the interview, West used his Twitter account to post a picture of a [[swastika]] entangled in a [[Star of David]], and his account was terminated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohammed |first1=Leyla |title=Kanye West Leaked Messages Showing Elon Musk Told Him He'd 'Gone Too Far' Before Suspending His Twitter Account For Promoting His Presidential Campaign With A Swastika |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/kanye-west-suspended-twitter-swastika-elon-musk |access-date=December 22, 2022 |work=Buzzfeed News |date=December 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West suspended from Twitter after posting swastika inside the Star of David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/02/kanye-west-suspended-from-twitter-after-posting-swastika-inside-the-star-of-david |work=The Guardian|first=Dan|last=Milmo|date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 2, 2022}}</ref> In July 2023, Twitter reversed the ban, citing assurances from West that he would not post harmful content.<ref name="Busby 2023 c026">{{cite web | last=Busby | first=Mattha | title=Elon Musk reinstates Kanye West's Twitter account after ban | website=The Guardian | date=July 30, 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/30/elon-musk-reinstates-kanye-west-twitter-account-after-ban | access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera 2023 n578">{{cite web | title=Twitter, now called X, reinstates Kanye West account | website=Al Jazeera | date=July 30, 2023 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/30/x-formerly-known-as-twitter-reinstates-kanye-west-account | access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> According to a 2023 report published by the [[Anti-Defamation League]], West's antisemitic rhetoric has caused several instances of hate-speech vandalism, harassment, and violence across the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kanye-west-anti-semitic-rhetoric-assaults-vandalism-1234678236/|title=Report: Kanye's Anti-Semitic Rhetoric Led to Assaults, Vandalism|date=February 13, 2023|last=Dickinson|first=Tim|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, weeks before the release of his upcoming album, West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/ye-kanye-antisemitism-apology-40450fa8868c660d954b672d5dfbcc3a|title=The rapper Ye, who has a long history of making antisemitic comments, issues an apology in Hebrew|date=December 26, 2023|last=Sherman|first=Maria|website=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/26/kanye-west-apologises-to-jewish-community-for-2022-antisemitic-remarks|title=Kanye West apologises to Jewish community for 2022 antisemitic remarks|work=The Guardian|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|date=December 26, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-apology-jewish-community-antisemitic-comments-1234936039/|title=Kanye Suddenly Decides His Hitler Talk Was Bad|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Emily|last=Zemler|date=December 26, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, he said "[s]ome of the stuff I was saying was true"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-admits-he-was-two-months-from-going-bankrupt-after-adidas-deal-termination-3587469|title=Kanye West admits he was "two months from going bankrupt" after Adidas deal termination|date=February 14, 2024|last=Rigotti|first=Alex|website=[[NME]]|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> and that Black people cannot be antisemitic because they "are Jew".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/02/19/kanye-west-ty-dolla-vultures-billboard-chart/|title={{'}}''Vultures''{{'}} charts at No. 1 on Billboard despite Ye's antisemitic rants|date=February 19, 2024|last=Chery|first=Samantha|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>

On September 11, 2008, West and his road manager/bodyguard Don "Don C." Crowley were arrested at [[Los Angeles International Airport]] and booked on charges of felony vandalism after an altercation with the [[paparazzi]] in which West and Crowley broke the photographers' cameras.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/11/kanye.west.arrested/index.html|title=Kanye West arrested after skirmish at airport|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=CNN |accessdate=March 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/arrests/kanye-west-bodyguard-arrested-at-los-angeles-international-airport_article_11207|title=Kanye West, Bodyguard Arrested At LAX|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=Access Hollywood|accessdate=March 19, 2009}}</ref> West was later released from the [[Los Angeles Police Department#Pacific Division|Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division]] station in [[Culver City]] on $20,000 bail bond. On September 26, 2008, the [[Los Angeles County District Attorney|Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office]] said it would not file felony counts against West over the incident. Instead the case file was forwarded to the city attorney's office, which charged West with one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of [[grand theft]] and one count of battery and his manager with three counts of each on March 18, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7639307.stm|title=West escapes charge over scuffle|date=September 27, 2008|publisher=BBC News |accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref> West's and Crowley's arraignment was delayed from an original date of April 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609170/20090414/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West's Arraignment In Paparazzi Case Delayed|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=April 14, 2009|publisher=MTV News|accessdate=September 18, 2009}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

West was arrested again on November 14, 2008 at the Hilton hotel near [[Gateshead]] after another scuffle involving a photographer outside the famous Tup Tup Palace nightclub in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. He was later released "with no further action", according to a police spokesperson.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599323/20081114/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West Arrested After Alleged Tussle With Photographer, Then Cleared|date=November 14, 2008|accessdate=November 14, 2008}}</ref>

West has been one of the [[List of music artists by net worth|wealthiest musical artists]]; his net worth was as high as $1.8 billion in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldsmith |first1=Jill |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Tyler Perry, Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Hit Forbes Billionaires List For First Time; Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk Are No. 1 & 2 For 2021 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/tyler-perry-kim-kardashian-kanye-west-forbes-billionaires-list-jeff-bezos-elon-musk-1234728825/ |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2022, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated his net worth to have dropped to $400 million in large part due to [[Adidas]]'s termination of their partnership following a series of public antisemitic statements.<ref name="Voytko">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2022/10/25/billionaire-no-more-kanye-wests-anti-semitism-obliterates-his-net-worth-as-adidas-cuts-ties/?sh=1c1ef5f517e7 |title=Billionaire No More: Kanye West's Anti-Semitism Obliterates His Net Worth As Adidas Cuts Ties |website=[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]] |first=Lisette |last=Voytko |date=October 25, 2022 |accessdate=October 25, 2022}}</ref>

=== Name change ===

On July 19, 2013, West was leaving LAX as he was surrounded by dozens of [[paparazzi]]. West became increasingly agitated as a photographer, Daniel Ramos, continued to ask him why people were not allowed to speak in his presence. West then says, "I told you don't talk to me, right? You trying to get me in trouble so I steal off on you and have to pay you like $250,000 and shit." Then he allegedly charged the man and grabbed him and his camera. The incident captured by [[TMZ]], took place for a few seconds before a female voice can be heard telling West to stop. West then released the man, and his camera, and drove away from the scene. Medics were later called to the scene on behalf of the photographer who was grabbed. It was reported West could be charged with felony attempted robbery behind the matter.<ref>Coleman, C. Vernon (July 13, 2013). [http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/kanye-west-attacks-paparazzi-outside-lax-might-face-attempted-robbery-charges/ "Kanye West Attacks Paparazzi Outside LAX, Might Face Attempted Robbery Charges"]. ''XXL''.</ref> However, the charges were reduced to misdemeanor criminal battery and attempted grand theft.<ref>Steiner, B.J. (September 13, 2013). [http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/kanye-west-charged-lax-paparazzi-attack/ "Kanye West Charged In LAX Paparazzi Attack"]. ''XXL''.</ref> In March 2014, West was sentenced to serve two years' probation for the misdemeanor battery conviction and required to attend 24 anger management sessions, perform 250 hours of community service and pay restitution to Ramos.<ref>{{cite news | last = Duke | first = Alan | title = Kanye West gets probation in paparazzi attack | publisher = CNN | date = March 17, 2014 | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/17/showbiz/kanye-west-plea-deal/ | accessdate = March 17, 2015}}</ref>

In August 2021, West applied to court to have his legal name changed from "Kanye Omari West" to "Ye", [[Mononym|with no middle or last name]];<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Tapp|first=Tom|date=October 18, 2021|title=Kanye West Officially Changes His Name To "Ye," With Judge's Approval Today|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/kanye-changes-name-ye-1234857751/|access-date=October 18, 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|language=en-US}}</ref> he cited "personal reasons" for the change.<ref name="NameChangeUSAToday">{{cite web|last=Henderson|first=Cydney|title=It's official: Kanye West legally changes name to Ye for 'personal reasons,' reports say|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/18/kanye-west-changes-name-ye-personal-reasons/8512169002/|date=October 18, 2021|access-date=October 19, 2021|website=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The request was granted by [[Michelle Williams Court]], a [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] judge, in October 2021.<ref name=":3" />

West had alluded to wishing to change his name since 2018 and had used Ye as a nickname for several years prior,<ref name="NameChangeUSAToday" /> stating in a 2018 interview that he believed "[[Ye (pronoun)|ye]]" ({{IPAc-en|j|iː}}) was the most commonly used word in the Bible:{{efn|In the [[King James Version|King James Bible]], the most commonly used translation of the Christian Bible in the United States, the word that appears the most is not "ye", but rather "Lord" (not counting indefinite articles).<ref>{{cite web|last=Desborough|first=Jenny|title=Why Has Kanye West Changed His Name? Meaning Behind Ye Explained|url=https://www.newsweek.com/why-has-kanye-west-changed-his-name-ye-meaning-explained-1640228|date=October 19, 2021|access-date=October 20, 2021|website=[[Newsweek]]|language=en-US}}</ref>}} "In the Bible it means 'you'. So, I'm you. I'm us. It's us. It went from being [[Kanye (name)|Kanye]], which means the only one, to just Ye."<ref name="NameChangeIndy">{{cite news |last=Aubrey |first=Elizabeth |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Kanye West officially changes his name to 'Ye' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-name-change-ye-real-b1940681.html8512169002/ |url-access=registration |access-date=October 19, 2021 |website=[[The Independent (UK)|The Independent]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Religious beliefs===

After the success of his song "[[Jesus Walks]]" from the album ''[[The College Dropout]]'', West was questioned on his beliefs and said, "I will say that I'm spiritual. I have accepted Jesus as my Savior. And I will say that I fall short every day."<ref>{{cite news|last=OGUNNAIKE |first=LOLA |title=A Trinity of Videos for One Religious Rap|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/arts/a-trinity-of-videos-for-one-religious-rap.html?scp=1&sq=|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 23, 2004|accessdate= March 24, 2015}}</ref> In a 2008 interview with ''[[The Fader]]'', West stated that "I'm like a vessel, and God has chosen me to be the voice and the connector."<ref name="vulturejesus">{{cite web|last1=Lyons|first1=Margaret|title=Does Kanye West Think He's God? Or Has He Given Up on God?|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/does-kanye-west-really-think-hes-god.html|website=[[Vulture magazine|Vulture]]|accessdate=1 May 2016}}</ref>

=== Relationships and family ===

In a 2009 interview with online magazine [[Bossip]], West clarified that he believed in God, but "would never go into a religion," explaining that "I feel like religion is more about separation and judgment than bringing people together and understanding. That's all I'm about."<ref name="bossip">{{cite web|last1=Staff |title=Exclusive* [Pt. 1] Kanye Discusses Religion |url=http://bossip.com/76535/exclusive-pt-1-kanye-religion-is-like-branding/ |website=[[Bossip]] |accessdate=1 May 2016 |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211144515/http://bossip.com/76535/exclusive-pt-1-kanye-religion-is-like-branding/ |archivedate=February 11, 2009 }}</ref> More recently, in September 2014, West referred to himself as a Christian during one of his concerts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Boom|first=Daniel|title='I'm a married Christian man with a family': Kanye West gets personal on stage and says 'wheelchair rant' was misunderstood|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2756424/Kanye-West-demands-audience-mother-f-stand-time-lets-wheelchair-bound-fans-hook.html |work=[[Daily Mail]]|date=September 15, 2014|accessdate=January 7, 2015|location=London}}</ref>

====Kim Kardashian====

In April 2012, West began dating reality television star [[Kim Kardashian]], with whom he had already been long-time friends.<ref>{{cite web|title=Khloe Kardashian: I Told Kim Kardashian To Date Kanye West "For Years!"|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/khloe-kardashian-i-told-kim-kardashian-to-date-kanye-west-for-years-201376|work=[[Us Weekly]]|access-date=June 7, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|first=Brittany|last=Galla}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Garibaldi|first=Christina|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1688065/kim-kardashian-oprah-kanye-west-dating.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624203411/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1688065/kim-kardashian-oprah-kanye-west-dating.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2012|title=Kim Kardashian Explains Why It Took 'So Long' To Date Kanye West|publisher=MTV|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref> West and Kardashian became engaged in October 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kimye forever: Kim Kardashian, Kanye West get engaged|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/22/showbiz/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-engaged/|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/472716/kim-kardashian-is-engaged-to-kanye-west.com|publisher=E!|title=Kim Kardashian Is Engaged to Kanye West!|first=Natalie|last=Finn|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> and married at [[Belvedere (fort)|Fort di Belvedere]] in [[Florence]] in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-married-wedding-florence-italy|work=People|title=It's Official: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Are Married|last=Corriston|first=Michelle|date=May 24, 2014|access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref> Their private ceremony was subject to widespread mainstream coverage, with which West took issue.<ref>Lee, Christina. [http://www.idolator.com/7520141/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-wedding-speech "Kanye West Blasts Media Coverage Of Kim Kardashian In Wedding Speech."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107155602/http://www.idolator.com/7520141/kanye-west-kim-kardashian-wedding-speech |date=January 7, 2020 }} ''[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]''. May 28, 2014.</ref> The couple's high-profile status and respective careers have resulted in their relationship becoming subject to heavy media coverage; ''The New York Times'' referred to their marriage as "a historic blizzard of celebrity".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/t-magazine/kanye-west-adidas-yeezy-fashion-interview.html?_r=0|title=The Agony and the Ecstasy of Kanye West.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 10, 2015|last=Caramanica|first=Jon}}</ref>

West and Kardashian have four children: [[North West (musician)|North West]] (born June 2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20709548,00.html|title=Kim Kardashian Is a Mom!|date=June 15, 2013|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=June 15, 2013|first=Dahvi|last=Shira}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20711076,00.html|title=Kim Kardashian's Baby Name: Finally Revealed!|date=June 20, 2013|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=June 21, 2013|first1=Jennifer|last1=Garcia|first2=Rennie|last2=Dyball}}</ref> Saint West (born December 2015),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4139432/kim-kardashian-west-kanye-west-saint-west/|title=The Long History Behind Kim and Kanye's New Baby's Name|access-date=December 8, 2015|date=December 7, 2015|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|first=Ashley|last=Ross}}</ref> Chicago West (born via [[surrogate pregnancy|surrogate]] in January 2018),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/chicago-west-baby-name-kanye-hometown|title=Kim Kardashian's Third Child Is Named After Kanye West's Hometown|work=Travel + Leisure|access-date=January 22, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Juneau|first1=Jen|title=Kanye and Kim Kardashian West Welcome a Daughter|url=http://people.com/babies/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-welcome-daughter/|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=January 16, 2018|date=January 16, 2018}}</ref> and Psalm West (born via surrogate in May 2019).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/parents/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-welcome-son/|title='He's Here!' Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Welcome Son: 'He's Perfect'|magazine=People|first=Jen|last=Juneau|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bloom |first1=Madison |title=Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Reveal Fourth Child's Name |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-and-kim-kardashian-reveal-fourth-childs-name/ |website=Pitchfork |date=May 17, 2019 |access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref> In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally of his, West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kardashian's first pregnancy but has since taken anti-abortion views.<ref name=Henderson>{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Cydney |title=Kim Kardashian West officially files for divorce from Kanye West after almost 7 years of marriage |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/02/19/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-head-divorce-after-almost-7-years/6556476002/ |access-date=February 21, 2021 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> In April 2015, West and Kardashian traveled to [[Jerusalem]] to have North baptized in the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] at the [[Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem|Cathedral of St. James]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/news/166186_kim_kardashian_posts_pics_of_north_west_baptism_on_her_second_birthday|title=Kim Kardashian Shares North West's Baptism Pics on Daughter's Birthday |website=ET Online|first=Jackie|last=Willis|date=June 15, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/kim-kardashian-baptises-north-west-on-trip-to-the-middle-east-20150414-1mkfpb.html|title=Kim Kardashian baptises North West on trip to the Middle East|first=Mary|last=Ward|date=April 13, 2015|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

==Legacy and influence==

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|quote=Mr. West has had the most [[sui generis]] hip-hop career of the last decade. No rapper has embodied hip-hop's often contradictory impulses of narcissism and social good quite as he has, and no producer has celebrated the lush and the ornate quite as he has. He has spent most of his career in additive mode, figuring out how to make music that's majestic and thought-provoking and grand-scaled. And he's also widened the genre's gates, whether for [[middle-class]] values or [[fashion design|high-fashion]] and [[high-art]] dreams.

|source=—Jon Caramanica, ''[[The New York Times]]''<ref name="NewYorkTimes"/>

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In September 2018, West announced that he would be permanently moving back to Chicago to establish his Yeezy company headquarters there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-kanye-west-moving-chicago-20180918-story.html|title=Kanye West to local high schoolers: 'I'm Moving Back to Chicago'|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|first=Morgan|last=Greene|date=September 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/969526/kanye-west-says-he-s-moving-back-to-chicago-permanently|title=Kanye West Says He's Moving Back to Chicago Permanently|publisher=E Online!|first=Jess|last=Cohen|date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> This did not actually occur, and West instead went on to purchase two ranches near [[Cody, Wyoming]], where he recorded his eighth solo studio album, ''Ye''. Kardashian resides with their children in a home that the now-divorced couple owns in California,<ref name=Melas>{{cite news |last1=Melas |first1=Chloe |title=Kim Kardashian and Kanye West discussing divorce |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/entertainment/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-divorce-marriage/index.html|date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=CNN}}</ref> whereas West moved into a home across the street to continue to be near their children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/why-kanye-west-bought-house-across-kim-kardashian-nothing-keeps-me-from-my-children/|title=Kanye West on Why He Bought House Across from Kim Kardashian: 'Nothing Is Gonna Keep Me from My Children'|work=People|last1=Wenger|first1=Stephanie|last2=Charles|first2=Marissa}}</ref> In October 2021, West began the process of selling his Wyoming ranch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/kanye-era-comes-to-end-in-cody/article_04a7982e-6a1f-5c85-bcf1-81cfac04b7de.html|title=Kanye era comes to end in Cody|work=Casper Star Tribune|date=November 2, 2021|last=Wolfson|first=Leo|archive-date=January 4, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104032354/https://trib.com/news/state-regional/kanye-era-comes-to-end-in-cody/article_04a7982e-6a1f-5c85-bcf1-81cfac04b7de.html}}</ref>

West is among the most critically acclaimed artists of the twenty-first century, receiving praise from music critics, fans, fellow musicians, artists, and wider cultural figures for his work.<ref name="westhoff"/><ref name="hypetrak.com"/> [[AllMusic]] editor Jason Birchmeier writes of his impact, "As his career progressed throughout the early 21st century, West shattered certain stereotypes about rappers, becoming a superstar on his own terms without adapting his appearance, his rhetoric, or his music to fit any one musical mold."<ref name="amg"/> Jon Caramanica of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that West has been "a frequent lightning rod for controversy, a bombastic figure who can count rankling two presidents among his achievements."<ref name="NewYorkTimes"/> [[Village Voice Media]] senior editor Ben Westhoff dubbed him the greatest hip hop artist of all time, writing that "he's made the best albums and changed the game the most, and his music is the most likely to endure,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Westhoff|first=Ben|date=February 20, 2013|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2013/02/kanye_west_is_the_goat.php|title=Sorry, But Kanye Is the GOAT|work= [[The Village Voice|The Village Voice Blogs]]|publisher=[[Village Voice Media]]|accessdate=March 3, 2013}}</ref> while ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' called him the 21st century's "most important artist of any art form, of any genre."<ref name="complex">{{cite web|last1=Bry|first1=Dave|title=Kanye West Is the Most Important Artist of the 21st Century|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/kanye-west-is-the-most-important-artist-of-the-21st-century|website=[[Complex Magazine]]|accessdate=26 June 2016}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[The Guardian]]'' compared West to the late [[David Bowie]] within the "modern mainstream", arguing that "there is nobody else who can sell as many records as West does [...] while remaining so resolutely experimental and capable of stirring things up culturally and politically."<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jan/19/kanye-west-david-bowie-covers-album | title= Kanye West wants to cover David Bowie – and there is no one more fitting | work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Joe | last=Muggs | date=January 19, 2016 | accessdate=February 15, 2016}}</ref>

In July 2020, West acknowledged the possibility of Kardashian ending their marriage due to his adoption of anti-abortion views. Later that month, West wrote on Twitter that he had been attempting to divorce Kardashian. He also wrote that the [[Kardashian family]] was attempting "to lock [him] up".<ref name=Henderson/> In January 2021, [[CNN]] reported that the couple were discussing divorce.<ref name=Melas/> A month later, Kardashian filed for divorce,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kim-kardashian-files-divorce-kanye-west-n1258382?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma|title=Kim Kardashian files for divorce from Kanye West|date=February 19, 2021|access-date=February 19, 2021|publisher=[[NBC News]]|first=Diana|last=Dasarth}}</ref> with the couple citing "irreconcilable differences", agreeing to joint custody of their children, and declining spousal support from each other.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kim Kardashian and Kanye West agree joint custody after divorce |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56718074 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=April 13, 2021}}</ref> The divorce settlement was finalized in November 2022, and West was ordered to pay $200,000 in monthly child support and be responsible for half of the children's medical, educational, and security expenses.<ref name=finalized>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/kim-kardashian-and-kanye-west-finalize-divorce/|title=Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Finalize Divorce, Rapper Must Pay $200K Per Month in Child Support|first=Stephanie|last=Wenger|publisher=People|date=November 29, 2022|accessdate=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

''Rolling Stone'' credited West with transforming hip hop's mainstream, "establishing a style of introspective yet glossy rap [...]", and called him "as interesting and complicated a pop star as the 2000s produced—a rapper who mastered, upped and moved beyond the hip-hop game, a producer who created a signature sound and then abandoned it to his imitators, a flashy, free-spending sybarite with insightful things to say about college, [[culture]] and [[economics]], an egomaniac with more than enough artistic firepower to back it up."<ref name="RSguide">{{cite journal|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/albumguide |title=Kanye West: Album Guide |journal=Rolling Stone |publisher=Jann S. Wenner |accessdate=August 5, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20111205044352/http://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/artists/kanye-west/albumguide |archivedate=December 5, 2011 }}</ref> West's middle-class background, flamboyant fashion sense and outspokenness have set him apart from other rappers.<ref name="amg"/><ref name="NewYorkTimes"/> Early in his career, he was among the first rappers to publicly criticize the preponderance of [[homophobia]] in [[hip hop]].<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/2247128/kanye-west-mtv-interview-2005-sway-homophobia/ MTV]</ref> The [[Graduation (album)#Release and promotion|sales competition]] between rapper 50 Cent's ''Curtis'' and West's ''Graduation'' altered the direction of hip hop and helped pave the way for new rappers who did not follow the [[hardcore hip hop|hardcore]]-[[gangsta rap|gangster]] mold.<ref name="XXL"/> Rosie Swash of ''The Guardian'' viewed the sales competition as a historical moment in hip-hop, because it "highlighted the diverging facets of hip-hop in the last decade; the former was gangsta rap for the noughties, while West was the thinking man's alternative."<ref>Swash, Rosie (June 13, 2011). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/13/kanye-vs-50-cent Kanye v 50 Cent]. ''The Guardian''. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved August 9, 2011.</ref> West's 2008 album ''808s & Heartbreak'' polarized both listeners and critics upon its release, but was commercially successful and impacted hip hop and pop stylistically,<ref name="amg"/> as it laid the groundwork for a new wave of artists who generally eschewed typical rap braggadocio for intimate subject matter and introspection, including [[Frank Ocean]], [[The Weeknd]], [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[Future (rapper)|Future]], [[Kid Cudi]], [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]], [[Lil Durk]], [[Chief Keef]], and [[Soulja Boy]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sterling|first=Scott|url=http://www.scpr.org/blogs/newmedia/2011/11/18/3830/live-review-frank-ocean-reveals-softer-side-odd-fu/|title=Concert review: Frank Ocean reveals the softer side of Odd Future|publisher=[[KPCC|89.3 KPCC]]. Southern California Public Radio|date=November 18, 2011|accessdate=March 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://pitchfork.com/features/overtones/9725-the-coldest-story-ever-told-the-influence-of-kanye-wests-808s-heartbreak/ P4k]</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Barli|first=Nick Huff|url=http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/29/childish-gambino-aka-donald-glover-talks-kanye-west-nas-kendrick-lamar/|title=Childish Gambino AKA Donald Glover talks Kanye West, Nas, Kendrick Lamar|publisher=hardknock.tv|date=November 29, 2011|accessdate=December 1, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Paine">{{cite web|last=Paine|first=Jake|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/editorials/id.1261/title.parkbench-studies-is-808s-heartbreak-our-chronic|title=Parkbench Studies: Is 808's & Heartbreak Our Chronic?|publisher=HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group|date=November 12, 2011|accessdate=March 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>Rabin, Nathan. [http://www.avclub.com/articles/drake-thank-me-later,42125/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=feeds&utm_source=channel_music Review: ''Thank Me Later'']. ''The A.V. Club''. Retrieved June 15, 2010.</ref> According to Ben Detrick of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' magazine, West effectively led a new wave of artists, including Kid Cudi, [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Kidz in the Hall]], and Drake, who lacked the interest or ability to rap about gunplay or [[drug-dealing]].<ref name="XXL">{{cite journal | author=Detrick, Ben|authorlink=XXL (magazine) |title=Reality Check |journal= [[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=2007-2010-07 |page=114}}</ref> In 2013, Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of ''[[Spin Magazine|Spin]]'' described West as fronting a "new [[art-pop]] era" in contemporary music, in which musicians draw widely on the visual arts as a signifier of both creative exploration and extravagant wealth.<ref name="spinpa">{{cite web|last1=Shepherd|first1=Julianne Escobedo|title=Pop for Art's Sake Goes Varoom!|url=http://www.spin.com/featured/lady-gaga-art-pop-spin-november-cover-story/|website=[[Spin Magazine]]|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>

====Other relationships====

A substantial number of artists and other figures have professed admiration for West's work, including hip hop artists [[Rakim]],<ref name="theatlantic">{{cite web|title=Kanye West, American Mozart|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/american-mozart/308931/|website=[[The Atlantic]]|accessdate=26 June 2016}}</ref> [[RZA]] of [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Chuck D]] of [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]],<ref>[http://www.bet.com/news/music/2015/07/01/chuck-d-talks-release-of-newest-album.html BET]</ref> and [[DJ Premier]] of [[Gang Starr]].<ref name="RZArs"/><ref>[http://noisey.vice.com/blog/dj-premier-interview-2014 ''Noisey'']</ref> [[Experimental rock]] pioneer and [[Velvet Underground]] founder [[Lou Reed]] said of West that "the guy really, really, ''really'' is talented. He's really trying to raise the bar. No one's near doing what he's doing, it's not even on the same planet."<ref name="rs">{{cite web|last1=Coulehan|first1=Erin|title=Lou Reed Reviews Kanye West's 'Yeezus'|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lou-reed-reviews-kanye-wests-yeezus-20130702|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref> Musicians such as [[Paul McCartney]]<ref>[http://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartney-kanye-west-explained/ UCR]</ref> and [[Prince (artist)|Prince]]<ref>[http://www.factmag.com/2015/09/04/prince-praises-kendrick-lamar-kanye-west-and-jill-scott-in-rare-interview/ Fact]</ref> have also commended West's work. Famed [[Tesla Motors]] CEO and inventor [[Elon Musk]] complimented West in a piece for ''[[Time Magazine]]'''s [[Time 100|100 most influential people]] list, writing that:

West began an [[On-again, off-again relationship|on-and-off relationship]] with the designer Alexis Phifer in 2002, and they became engaged in August 2006. They ended their 18-month engagement in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585980/20080421/west_kanye.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423102506/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585980/20080421/west_kanye.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 23, 2008|title=Kanye West's Ex-Fiancee Alexis Phifer Talks About Breakup|date=April 21, 2008|publisher=MTV News|access-date=September 18, 2009}}</ref> Phifer stated that the pair had split amicably and remained friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/tsrnkt/kanye-wests-ex-fiancee-alexis-phifer-talks-about-breakup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124220702/https://www.mtv.com/news/tsrnkt/kanye-wests-ex-fiancee-alexis-phifer-talks-about-breakup|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2023|title=Kanye West's Ex-Fiancee Alexis Phifer Talks About Breakup|date=April 21, 2008|website=[[MTV News]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref> West dated model [[Amber Rose]] from 2008 until mid-2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West Confirms Amber Rose Split|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/kanye-west/234050-kanye-west-confirms-amber-rose-split|work=[[MTV UK]]|access-date=December 31, 2012|date=August 13, 2010|archive-date=May 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526093736/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/kanye-west/234050-kanye-west-confirms-amber-rose-split|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview following their split, West stated that he had to take "30 showers" before committing to his next relationship with Kim Kardashian.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/amber-rose-apologizes-kim-kardashian-2015-tweet-kanye-west-1235019759/|title=Amber Rose Expresses Regret Over Dissing Kim Kardashian in 2015 Tweet About Kanye West: 'Learn From My Mistakes'|date=January 17, 2022|last=Peters|first=Mitchell|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref> In response, Rose stated that she had been "[[Bullying|bullied]]" and "[[Slut-shaming|slut-shamed]]" by West throughout their relationship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/amber-rose-kanye-west-ex-relationship-bullied-no-jumper-b1230978.html|title=Amber Rose says Kanye West has 'bullied' her for 10 years: 'Just move on with your life'|date=October 22, 2022|last=Ritschel|first=Chelsea|website=[[The Independent]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref>

<blockquote>"Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list. The dude doesn't believe in false modesty, and he shouldn't [...] He fought for his place in the cultural pantheon with a purpose. In his debut album, over a decade ago, Kanye issued what amounted to a social critique and a call to arms (with a beat): "We rappers is role models: we rap, we don't think." But Kanye does think. Constantly. About everything. And he wants everybody else to do the same: to engage, question, push boundaries. Now that he's a pop-culture juggernaut, he has the platform to achieve just that. He's not afraid of being judged or ridiculed in the process. Kanye's been playing the long game all along, and we're only just beginning to see why."<ref>[http://www.inc.com/business-insider/elon-musk-explains-the-genius-of-kanye-west.html Inc]</ref></blockquote>

In January 2022, actress [[Julia Fox]] confirmed in an ''[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]'' essay that she was dating West.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 6, 2022 |first=Glenn |last=Garner|title=Kanye West and Julia Fox Confirm Their Romance and Share Intimate Photos of Lavish Second Date|url=https://people.com/music/julia-fox-kanye-west-and-julia-fox-confirm-their-romance-share-intimate-photos-date/|access-date=January 7, 2022|website=People|language=en}}</ref> West continued to say that he wanted his "family back" and publicly lashed out at Kardashian's new boyfriend, comedian [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/02/kanye-west-goes-on-civil-war-themed-meme-rampage-against-kid-cudi-billie-eilish-and-pete-davidson-then-deletes-everything |title=Kanye West Goes on Civil War-Themed Meme Rampage Against Kid Cudi, Billie Eilish, and Pete Davidson, Then Deletes Everything |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=February 13, 2022|last=Hoffman|first=Jordan}}</ref> His treatment of Davidson and Kardashian has been described by commentators as harassment and abusive; the [[64th Annual Grammy Awards]] dropped him as a performer in response to his "concerning online behavior".<ref>{{cite news|access-date=March 22, 2022|title=What's going on with Ye — and why does it matter?|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/20/1087783771/whats-going-on-with-ye-and-why-does-it-matter|newspaper=NPR.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=March 22, 2022|title=Kanye West barred from Grammys over 'concerning online behavior'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/19/kanye-west-grammys-performance-barred-online-behavior|date=March 19, 2022|website=The Guardian|first=Edward|last=Helmore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Jenna|last1=Ryu|access-date=March 22, 2022|title=Kanye West's behavior is 'triggering' for those who have been in Kim Kardashian's shoes|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/03/04/kanye-west-pete-davidson-video-instagram-fans/9357924002/|website=USA Today}}</ref> Less than two months after confirming their relationship, Fox said that she and West had split up but remained on good terms.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 14, 2022 |first=Benjamin |last=VanHoose|title=Julia Fox Splits from Kanye West After Whirlwind Romance: 'I Have Love for Him But I Wasn't in Love'|url=https://people.com/movies/julia-fox-splits-from-kanye-west-after-whirlwind-romance-i-have-love-for-him-but-i-wasnt-in-love/|access-date=February 15, 2022|website=People|language=en}}</ref> She later said that she dated West purely to "give people something to talk about" during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Soteriou|first=Stephanie|title=Julia Fox Has Revealed The Bizarre Reason Why She And Kanye West Were So Public With Their Whirlwind Romance Before Their Split|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniesoteriou/julia-fox-kanye-west-service-celebrity-pandemic|date=February 16, 2022|access-date=February 17, 2022|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en}}</ref> and to "get him off Kim's case".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Rebecca |title=Julia Fox said she dated Kanye West so he would leave ex-wife Kim Kardashian alone |url=https://www.insider.com/julia-fox-dated-kanye-west-leave-kim-kardashian-alone-2022-11 |date=November 21, 2022 |access-date=November 21, 2022|website=[[Business Insider|Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Drake, [[Nicki Minaj]] and [[Casey Veggies]] have acknowledged being influenced directly by West.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612262/drake-kanye-west-shaped-lot-what-i-do.jhtml|title=Drake Says Kanye West Is 'The Most Influential Person' On His Sound|publisher=MTV News|date=May 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Banks |first=Thembi |url=http://www.essence.com/2010/12/03/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-criticism-image-success/ |title=Exclusive: Nicki Minaj on Image, Criticism and Success |work=Essence|date=December 3, 2010 |accessdate=February 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16384/title.casey-veggies-speaks-on-influences-names-kanye-west-nas|title=Casey Veggies Speaks On Influences, Names Kanye West & Nas|publisher=HipHopDX|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> Non-rap artists such as English singer-songwriters [[Adele]] and [[Lily Allen]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adele.tv/blog/160/i-m-very-excited-nervous-eager-anxious-but-chuffed-to-announce-my-new-album |title= Adele: I'm very excited, nervous, eager, anxious but chuffed to announce my new album! |last1=Adkins |first1= Adele |date= November 1, 2010 |publisher=Adele.tv. [[XL Recordings]]|accessdate=April 24, 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110424094802/http://www.adele.tv/blog/160/i-m-very-excited-nervous-eager-anxious-but-chuffed-to-announce-my-new-album| archivedate= April 24, 2011 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nme.com/news/lily-allen/77326 NME]</ref> [[New Zealand]] artist [[Lorde]],<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6304100/lorde-billboard-cover-story Billboard]</ref> English rock band [[Arctic Monkeys]],<ref>[http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/007478.html k-punk]</ref> [[Sergio Pizzorno]] of English rock band [[Kasabian]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/87320/kasabian-our-new-albums-influenced-by-nirvana-+-kanye-west|title=Kasabian: 'Our new album's influenced by Nirvana + Kanye West' |author=Andrew Trendell|publisher=gigwise.com}}</ref> and the American indie rock bands [[MGMT]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Chino|last=Moreno|url=http://www.nme.com/news/mgmt/49400|title=MGMT's new album influenced by Lady Gaga and Kanye West|date=January 25, 2010|publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}</ref> and [[Yeah Yeah Yeahs]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Insanul|last=Ahmed|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/even-the-yeah-yeah-yeahs-love-kanye-west|title=Even The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Love Kanye West|date=April 4, 2013|publisher=''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' |accessdate=March 23, 2016}}</ref> have cited West as an influence. [[Experimental music|Experimental]] and [[Electronic music|electronic]] artists such as [[James Blake (musician)|James Blake]]<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wants-james-blake-for-next-album-20140221 ''Rolling Stone'']</ref> [[Daniel Lopatin]],<ref>[http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/17341/1/oneohtrix-point-never]</ref> and [[Tim Hecker]]<ref>[http://pitchfork.com/news/62672-tim-hecker-announces-new-album-love-streams/ P4k]</ref> have also cited West's work as an inspiration.

In January 2023, it was reported that West had informally married Australian architect [[Bianca Censori]], who works for West's Yeezy brand, in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/01/kanye-west-married-bianca-censori-yeezy-designer-architect-kim-kardashian-divorce|title=WEDDING BELLS Kanye West Reportedly Marries Yeezy Designer Bianca Censori|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=January 13, 2023|last=Kirkpatrick|first=Emily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crock |first=Mary |title=Should Australia let Kanye West in? |url=http://theconversation.com/should-australia-let-kanye-west-in-198498 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=The Conversation |date=January 25, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The ceremony had no legal standing; the couple did not file for a marriage license.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porterfield |first=Carlie |title=Kanye West Reportedly Married Again—What To Know About Bianca Censori |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2023/01/13/kanye-west-reportedly-married-again---what-to-know-about-bianca-censori/?sh=2da4e4ec4575 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> In response to West's subsequent trips to Australia to visit Censori's family, Australian Minister for Education [[Jason Clare]] commented that West may be denied a [[travel visa|visa]] due to his recent antisemitic remarks. The [[Executive Council of Australian Jewry]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/australian-minister-says-kanye-west-could-be-denied-entry-2023-01-25/|title=Australian minister says Kanye West could be denied entry|date=January 25, 2023|last=Jackson|first=Lewis|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref> and the [[Anti-Defamation Commission]] further argued against granting West entry.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-should-be-denied-entry-into-australia-civil-rights-group-says-1235203506/|title=Kanye West Should Be Refused Entry Into Australia, Country's Anti-Defamation Commission Says|date=January 23, 2023|last=Dalley|first=Hannah|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Accolades==

{{Main article|List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West}}

West's first six solo studio albums, all of which have gone [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]], have received numerous awards and critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 24, 2008|url=http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&ts=kanye+west|title=Kanye West|publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> ''Yeezus'', his sixth solo album, became his fifth consecutive No. 1 album in the U.S. upon release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-12-11/billboard-200|date=December 11, 2010|title=''Billboard'' 200 |work=Billboard}}</ref> West has had six songs exceed 3 million in digital sales as of December 2012, with "[[Gold Digger (Kanye West song)|Gold Digger]]" selling 3,086,000, "[[Stronger (Kanye West song)|Stronger]]" selling 4,402,000, "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]"<ref name="PM">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/column/160872-american-pop-matters-ron-thompson-the-illustrated-man-unsung/|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=August 2, 2012|title='American Pop'... Matters: Ron Thompson, the Illustrated Man Unsung|author=J.C. Maçek III}}</ref> selling 3,742,000, "[[E.T. (song)|E.T.]]" selling over 4,000,000, "[[Love Lockdown]]" selling over 3,000,000,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74363/week-ending-may-8-2011-songs-rolling-in-the-dough/;_ylt=A0SO0pM6ScxNTs4AZBQPwiUv|title=Week Ending May 8, 2011. Songs: Rolling In The Dough – Yahoo!! Chart Watch|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=May 11, 2011|accessdate=May 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74385/week-ending-july-3-2011-songs-sons-of-a-legend/;_ylt=AiiLt2CITScuJC_I4Ps6KHAPwiUv |title=Week Ending July 3, 2011. Songs: Sons Of A Legend – Chart Watch |publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=July 6, 2011|accessdate=July 17, 2011}}</ref> and "[[Niggas in Paris]]" selling over 3,000,000,<ref>{{cite web|last=Watson |first=Andrew |url=http://theversed.com/2012/12/20/jay-z-and-kanye-wests-nggas-in-paris-goes-triple-platinum-and-no-church-in-the-wild-goes-gold/|title=Jay-Z And Kanye West's 'N*ggas In Paris' Goes Triple Platinum, And 'No Church In The Wild' Goes Gold

|publisher=The Versed |date=December 20, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="music.yahoo.com">{{cite web|last=Grein |first=Paul |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-nov-4-2012-songs-power-voice-222837557.html;_ylt=AjSmdxsqCXcK0oV.RJUw_GQPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYTZnZmZkBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3 |title=Week Ending Nov. 4, 2012. Songs: The Power Of "The Voice" &#124; Chart Watch (NEW) – Yahoo!! Music |publisher=Yahoo! Music |date=November 7, 2012 |accessdate=May 3, 2013}}</ref> placing him third in overall digital sales of the past decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/digital-songs-artists?year=2009|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|title=Top Digital Artists of the Decade|accessdate=May 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74378/week-ending-june-22-2011-bad-teenage-dreams/;_ylt=AiiLt2CITScuJC_I4Ps6KHAPwiUv |title=Week Ending June 19, 2011. Bad Teenage Dreams – Chart Watch |publisher=Yahoo! Music |date=June 22, 2011 |accessdate=July 17, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013093140/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74378/week-ending-june-22-2011-bad-teenage-dreams/;_ylt=AiiLt2CITScuJC_I4Ps6KHAPwiUv |archivedate=October 13, 2011 }}</ref> He has sold over 30 million digital songs in the United States making him one of the best-selling digital artists of all-time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ross |first=Dalton |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/01/06/rihanna-digital-download-record/ |title=Rihanna crowned best-selling digital artist &#124; ''Entertainment Weekly''|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 6, 2012|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Kanye West I'm sorry, that was just my opinion.jpg|200px|thumb|left|West speaks after receiving an honorary doctorate from [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago|SAIC]]]]

=== Legal problems ===

As of 2013, West has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the [[Grammy Award records#Most Grammys won|most awarded artists of all-time]].<ref name="Kyles"/> [[About.com]] ranked Kanye West No. 8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Producers_8.htm |title=Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers|first1=Henry |last1=Adaso| first2=Ivan |last2=Rott |first3=Renato |last3=P. |last4=Bhaskar |first4=S |last5= Henry |first5=A. |publisher=[[About.com]]|page=8|accessdate=July 17, 2011}}</ref> On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the year's No. 1 "[[MTV's Annual Hottest MC List|Hottest MC in the Game]]."<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587618/20080516/west_kanye.jhtml |title='Hottest MCs In The Game': No.1 Kanye West |publisher=MTV |date=May 16, 2008 |accessdate=July 18, 2009}}</ref> On December 17, 2010, Kanye West was voted as the MTV Man of the Year by MTV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/607312/man-of-the-year-kanye-west.jhtml#id=1654060|title=Kanye west voted as the man of the year.|author=Clem Rusty|date=December 19, 2010}}</ref> ''Billboard'' ranked Kanye West No. 3 on their list of Top 10 Producers of the Decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/12/topic/topic/news/billboards-top-10-producers-of-the-decade/|title=Top Producers of the decade.|date=May 21, 2011}}</ref> West ties with [[Bob Dylan]] for having topped the annual [[Pazz & Jop]] critic poll the most number of times ever, with four number-one albums each.<ref name="McManus">{{cite web |author=McManus, Brian|title=For the Fourth Time in Six Albums, Kanye West Takes the Top Pazz & Jop Prize|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2014/01/kanye_west_yeezus_pazz_and_jop_best_album.php|work=[[The Village Voice]]|date=January 15, 2014 |accessdate=January 15, 2014}}</ref> West has also been included twice in the [[Time 100]] annual lists of the most influential people in the world as well as being listed in a number of ''[[Forbes]]'' annual lists.<ref name="Forbes Profile: Kanye West"/>

He has been accused of the extensive use of uncleared samples in his music, leading to numerous lawsuits.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Donahue |first=Bill |date=2024-08-08 |title=How Many Times Has Ye Been Sued Over Sampling? Here's Every Lawsuit |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/kanye-west-ye-sampling-lawsuits-full-list/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2006, [[Evel Knievel|Robert "Evel" Knievel]] sued the rapper for trademark infringement of his name and likeness in West's video for "[[Touch the Sky (Kanye West song)|Touch the Sky]]". Knievel took issue with the "vulgar and offensive" and "sexually charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" that Knievel claimed damaged his reputation. The suit sought monetary damages and an injunction to stop distribution of the video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1212061evel1.html|title=Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West|access-date=June 7, 2007|website=[[The Smoking Gun]]}}</ref> West's attorneys argued that the music video amounted to satire and therefore was covered under the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]. Days before his death in November 2007, Knievel amicably settled the suit after being paid a visit by West, saying, "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511011738/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-27-kanye-knievel_N.htm|archive-date=May 11, 2022|title=Evel Knievel, Kanye West settle lawsuit|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-27-kanye-knievel_N.htm|work=USA Today|date=November 27, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, after an altercation with a paparazzo at the [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles Airport]], West was sentenced to serve two years' probation for a misdemeanor battery conviction, and was required to attend 24 anger management sessions, perform 250 hours of community service, and pay restitution to the photographer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Duke|first=Alan|title=Kanye West gets probation in paparazzi attack|publisher=CNN|date=March 17, 2014|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/17/showbiz/kanye-west-plea-deal/|access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> A separate civil lawsuit brought by the paparazzo was settled in 2015, a week before it was due for trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/07/kanye-west-settles-lawsuit-paparazzo|title=Kanye West settles lawsuit with paparazzo over 2013 LA airport attack|date=April 7, 2015|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref> According to [[TMZ]], an appeal to have West's conviction [[expunged]] from his criminal record was granted by a judge in 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-charge-paparazzi-cleared-from-record-7350471/|title=Kanye West's Charge in Paparazzi Scuffle Cleared From Record: Report|date=May 2, 2016|last=Stutz|first=Colin|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-has-clean-criminal-record-after-judge-erases-beating-conviction|title=Kanye West has clean criminal record after judge erases beating conviction|date=December 4, 2016|website=[[Fox News]]|access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref>

In its 2012 list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]], ''Rolling Stone'' included three of West's albums—''The College Dropout'' at number 298,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-19691231 |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Kanye West, 'The College Dropout' |journal=Rolling Stone |publisher=Jann S. Wenner |year=2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120712045925/http://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-19691231 |archivedate=July 12, 2012 }}</ref> ''Late Registration'' at number 118,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-late-registration-19691231 |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Kanye West, 'Late Registration' |journal=Rolling Stone |publisher=Jann S. Wenner |year=2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120712042547/http://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-late-registration-19691231 |archivedate=July 12, 2012 }}</ref> and ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' at number 353.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-19691231 |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Kanye West, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' |journal=Rolling Stone |publisher=Jann S. Wenner |year=2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120712045320/http://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/kanye-west-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-19691231 |archivedate=July 12, 2012 }}</ref>

On June 29, 2022, a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York claiming copyright infringement due to unauthorized use of a sample on the song "Flowers". The complaint claims that West sampled Marshall Jefferson's 1986 house track "[[Move Your Body (Marshall Jefferson song)|Move Your Body]]" without gaining permission or providing compensation.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Eggertsen|first=Chris|title=Ye Sued Over Sample Used on 'Donda 2' Track 'Flowers'|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-sued-donda-2-sample-marshall-jefferson/|date=June 29, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In July 2022, West was sued for $416,000 by the fashion rental company the [[The David Casavant Archive|David Casavant Archive]]. The lawsuit claimed that West had failed to make payments on and return 13 rented pieces.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West sued for not returning 13 'rare pieces' to fashion rental company |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/426743-kanye-west-sued-for-not-returning-13-rare-pieces-to-fashion-rental-company |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Geo.tv |language=en}}</ref>

West was sued for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract by a former assistant in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Madarang |first1=Charisma |title=Kanye West's Ex-Assistant Accuses Him of Sexual Harassment, Masturbating in Front of Her |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-assistant-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination-lawsuit-1235032484/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |agency=Rolling Stone}}</ref> West denied the allegation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-dismisses-sexual-harassment-allegations-against-him-as-baseless-announces-plans-to-countersue-for-sexual-coercion-3762636|title=Kanye West dismisses sexual harassment allegations against him as "baseless", announces plans to countersue for "sexual coercion"|date=June 5, 2024|last=Rigotti|first=Alex|website=[[NME]]|access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>

The ''Pitchfork'' online music publication ranked ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' as the world's best album of the decade "so far"—between 2010 and 2014—on August 19, 2014, while ''Yeezus'' was ranked in the eighth position of a list of 100 albums. During the same week, the song "Runaway" (featuring Pusha T) was ranked in the third position in the publication's list of the 200 "best tracks" released since 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author1=tom mann|title=And Pitchfork says the best album of the decade is....|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/40342/And-Pitchfork-says-the-best-album-of-the-decade-is|website=Faster Louder|publisher=Faster Louder Pty Ltd|accessdate=August 29, 2014|date=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Sarah Smith|title=And Pitchfork says the bestsong of the decade is....|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/40329/And-Pitchfork-says-the-best-song-of-the-decade-is|website=Faster Louder|publisher=Faster Louder Pty Ltd|accessdate=August 29, 2014|date=August 18, 2014}}</ref>

=== Religious beliefs ===

After the success of his song "[[Jesus Walks]]" from the album ''[[The College Dropout]]'', West was asked about his beliefs and said, "I will say that I'm spiritual. I have accepted Jesus as my Savior. And I will say that I fall short every day."<ref>{{cite news|last=Ogunnaike|first=Lola|title=A Trinity of Videos for One Religious Rap|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/arts/a-trinity-of-videos-for-one-religious-rap.html?scp=1&sq=|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 23, 2004|access-date=March 24, 2015}}</ref> In a 2008 interview with ''[[The Fader]]'', West stated that "I'm like a vessel, and God has chosen me to be the voice and the connector".<ref name="vulturejesus">{{cite web|last1=Lyons|first1=Margaret|title=Does Kanye West Think He's God? Or Has He Given Up on God?|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/06/does-kanye-west-really-think-hes-god.html|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2016}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with online magazine [[Bossip]], West stated that he believed in God, but at the time felt that he "would never go into a religion".<ref name="bossip">{{cite web |title=Kanye Discusses Religion |url=http://bossip.com/76535/exclusive-pt-1-kanye-religion-is-like-branding/ |website=[[Bossip]] |access-date=May 1, 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211144515/http://bossip.com/76535/exclusive-pt-1-kanye-religion-is-like-branding/|archive-date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2014, West referred to himself as a [[Christianity|Christian]] during one of his concerts.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Gabby|last1=Bess|title=Kanye West Proclaims: "I'm a Married, Christian Man!"|url=http://www.papermag.com/kanye-west-proclaims-im-a-married-christian-man-1427407473.html|website=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|date=September 16, 2014|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> Kim Kardashian stated in September 2019: "He has had an amazing evolution of being [[born again]] and being saved by Christ."<ref name="Conner2019">{{cite web |last1=Conner |first1=Paul |title=Kanye West quits secular music, says he'll make only gospel music: report |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kanye-west-no-more-secular-music-only-gospel |publisher=[[Fox Business]] |access-date=October 28, 2019 |language=en |date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> In October 2019, West said with respect to his past, "When I was trying to serve multiple gods it drove me crazy" in reference to the "god of ego, god of money, god of pride, the god of fame",<ref name="Gibson2019">{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Charity |title=Kanye West drops album 'Jesus is King' on streaming services |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/kanye-west-drops-album-jesus-is-king-on-streaming-services.html |work=[[The Christian Post]] |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> and that "I didn't even know what it meant to be saved" and that now "I love Jesus Christ. I love Christianity."<ref name="Schaffstall" />

===Politics===

{{See also|Views of Kanye West}}

In September 2012, West donated $1,000 to [[Barack Obama]]'s [[Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign|re-election campaign]], and in August 2015 he donated $2,700 to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign|2016 campaign]]. He also donated $15,000 to the [[Democratic National Committee]] in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Kanye+West&two_year_transaction_period=2020&two_year_transaction_period=2018&two_year_transaction_period=2016&two_year_transaction_period=2014&two_year_transaction_period=2012&two_year_transaction_period=2010&two_year_transaction_period=2008&two_year_transaction_period=2006&two_year_transaction_period=2004&two_year_transaction_period=2002&two_year_transaction_period=2000&two_year_transaction_period=1998&two_year_transaction_period=1996&two_year_transaction_period=1994&two_year_transaction_period=1992&two_year_transaction_period=1990&two_year_transaction_period=1988&two_year_transaction_period=1986&min_date=01%2F01%2F1968&max_date=12%2F31%2F2020|title=Individual contributions

|publisher=[[Federal Elections Commission]]|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/11/18/kanye-west-donated-to-hillary-clinton-democratic-party|title=Kanye West Donated Over $2,000 To Hillary Clinton's Campaign In 2015|publisher=The Fader|author=Dandridge-Lemco, Ben|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref> In December 2016, West met with [[President-elect of the United States|President-elect]] Donald Trump to discuss bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and [[Gun violence in Chicago|violence in Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lawler|first1=Kelly|title=Kanye West visits Trump Tower|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/12/13/kanye-west-trump-tower-donald-trump/95368076/|access-date=December 13, 2016|work=USA Today|date=December 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Says He Discussed 'Multicultural Issues' With Trump|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kanye-west-meets-donald-trump-york/story?id=44162912|access-date=December 14, 2016|publisher=ABC News|date=December 13, 2016}}</ref> West subsequently stated he would have voted for Trump had he voted.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West: I didn't vote but if I did, 'I would have voted for Trump'|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/entertainment/kanye-west-donald-trump-trnd/|access-date=December 13, 2016|work=USA Today|date=November 18, 2016}}</ref> In February 2017, however, West deleted all his tweets about Trump in purported dislike of the new president's policies, particularly the [[Executive Order 13769|travel ban]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/02/06/kanye_west_has_deleted_his_tweets_about_donald_trump.html|title=Kanye West Has Deleted His Pro-Trump Tweets|last=Canfield|first=David|magazine=Slate|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> West reiterated his support for Donald Trump in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2018/04/ebro-darden-says-kanye-west-told-him-he-loves-donald-trump|title=Kanye West to Hot 97's Ebro: 'I Love Donald Trump'|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> In October 2018, West donated to [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] Chicago mayoral candidate [[Amara Enyia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/kanye-west-donates-dollar73k-to-progressive-chicago-mayoral-candidate-amara-enyia/ar-BBONUT9|title=Kanye West Donates $73K to Progressive Chicago Mayoral Candidate Amara Enyia|website=MSN |language=en-US|access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref>

On 29 June 2024, he arrived in [[Moscow]], Russia to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer [[Gosha Rubchinskiy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Did Kanye West visit Russia? Here's what we know |url=https://www.salon.com/2024/07/01/did-kanye-west-visit-russia-heres-what-we-know/ |work=Salon |date=July 1, 2024}}</ref> West was labeled an "enemy of Ukraine" after his trip to Moscow.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanye West Labeled "Enemy Of Ukraine" Following Moscow Visit Amid Ongoing War |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/kanye-west-enemy-ukraine-moscow-visit-ongoing-war-1234891156/ |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>

=== Mental health ===

On November 19, 2016, West abruptly ended a concert<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2016/11/kanye-west-says-jay-z-has-hitmen-please-dont-send-them-at-my-head/|title=Kanye West says Jay Z has hitmen: "Please don't send them at my head"|date=November 20, 2016|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref> before being committed at the recommendation of authorities to the [[UCLA Medical Center]] with hallucinations and paranoia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-kanye-west-police-20161123-story.html|title=Authorities spent 2 hours persuading West to be hospitalized, sources say|last=Winton|first=Richard|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 24, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2016}}</ref> While the episode was first described as one of "temporary psychosis" caused by dehydration and sleep deprivation, West's mental state was abnormal enough for his 21 cancelled concerts to be covered by his insurance policy.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/kanye-west-remain-hospital/|title=Kanye West Will Remain in the Hospital for Now|last=Weinstein|first=Max|magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=November 24, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2016}}</ref> He was reportedly paranoid and depressed throughout the hospitalization,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kanye-west-paranoid-depressed-amid-hospitalization-report-w452420|title=Kanye West Is Paranoid and Depressed as He Remains Hospitalized: Report|last=Hautman|first=Nicholas|work=[[Us Weekly]]|date=November 26, 2015|access-date=November 27, 2016}}</ref> but remained formally undiagnosed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.etonline.com/news/203716_kanye_west_remains_hospitalized_and_undiagnosed_kim_kardashian_supportive/ |title=Kanye West Still Hospitalized and Undiagnosed, Kim Kardashian Remains 'by His Side 24/7' |last=Bueno |first=Antoinette |work=[[Entertainment Tonight]] |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref> Some have speculated that the [[Kim Kardashian#Paris robbery|Paris robbery of his wife]] may have triggered the paranoia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/exclusive-kanye-west-suffered-paranoia-before-hospitalization-was-unsettled-by-kim-kardashian-robbery/ar-AAkRPq8?ocid=ansmsnnews11 |title=Kanye West Suffered 'Paranoia' Before Hospitalization, Was 'Unsettled' by Kim Kardashian Robbery |last=Schillaci |first=Sophie |work=[[Entertainment Tonight]] |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=November 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201080359/http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/exclusive-kanye-west-suffered-paranoia-before-hospitalization-was-unsettled-by-kim-kardashian-robbery/ar-AAkRPq8?ocid=ansmsnnews11 |archive-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref> On November 30, West was released from the hospital.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/30/entertainment/kanye-west-released-from-hospital/|title=Kanye West released from the hospital|last=Melas|first=Chloe|work=[[CNN]]|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref>

In his song "FML" and his featured verse on [[Vic Mensa]]'s song "U Mad", he refers to using the antidepressant medication [[Lexapro]], and in his unreleased song "I Feel Like That", he mentions feeling many common symptoms of depression and anxiety.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ryan |last=Bassil|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/yvwbv7/one-of-the-most-powerful-kanye-west-songs-is-one-youve-probably-not-heard|title=One of the Most Powerful Kanye West Songs is One You've Probably Not Heard|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=October 20, 2016}}</ref> In a 2018 interview, West said that he had become addicted to [[opioid]]s when they were prescribed to him after [[liposuction]]. The addiction may have contributed to his nervous breakdown in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1994280/kanye-tells-tmz-he-got-liposuction/video/ |title=Kanye Tells TMZ He Got Addicted To Opioids After Liposuction |last=Claymore |first=Gabriela Tully |date=May 1, 2018 |work=Stereogum |access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> In addition to his opioid addiction,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kanye West sounds off on slavery, his opioid addiction and Trump |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-people-kanye-west-idUKKBN1I24JE/}}</ref> West has stated that he has had addictions to alcohol,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Kanye West says he was a 'functioning alcoholic' and drank vodka in the morning |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-alcoholic-addiction-vodka-trump-interview-a9467531.html |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> sex,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Kanye West: 'I'm the greatest artist of all time' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-50178788 |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref> and pornography.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ogunnaike |first=Lola |date=February 9, 2006 |title=The Passion of Kanye West |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-passion-of-kanye-west-71551/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Roundtree |first1=Matt Sullivan, Cheyenne |last2=Sullivan |first2=Matt |last3=Roundtree |first3=Cheyenne |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Kanye West Used Porn, Bullying, 'Mind Games' to Control Staff |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-yeezy-porn-bullying-kim-kardashian-1234635221/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> West said that he often has [[suicidal ideation]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/26/entertainment/kanye-west-new-york-times-interview/index.html|title=Kanye West: 'I've thought about killing myself all the time'|first=Lisa |last=Respers France|website=[[CNN]]|date=June 26, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> West was diagnosed with [[bipolar disorder]] in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2020 |title=Kim Kardashian West Is Right. We Need To Confront The Stigma Around Bipolar Disorder |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/bipolar-disorder-kanye-west |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=[[British Vogue]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> though his diagnosis was not made public until his 2018 album ''Ye.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millard |first=Anna |title=Kanye West Opens Up About Being Bipolar & Mental Health In The U.S. |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/06/200784/kanye-west-bipolar-diagnosis-ye |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=r[[Refinery29.com]] |language=en}}</ref> He told [[President Donald J Trump|President Donald Trump]] that it was a [[Medical error|misdiagnosis]].<ref>{{Cite web |first=Abby|last=Haglage|title=Kanye West says he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder: 'I had sleep deprivation' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/kanye-west-says-misdiagnosed-bipolar-disorder-sleep-deprivation-000405518.html |date=October 11, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=[[Yahoo!]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He had reportedly accepted the diagnosis again by 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2019 |title=The Awakening of Kim Kardashian West |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/kim-kardashian-west-cover-may-2019 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Helen|last=Murphy|date=May 28, 2019|title=Kanye West Gets Candid About His Bipolar Diagnosis, Says at One Point He Had to Be Handcuffed |url=https://people.com/music/kanye-west-opens-up-about-bipolar-diagnosis-episode-handcuffed/ |work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> but again suggested that it had been a misdiagnosis in 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Kanye West Claims '50% of Black People' Die Due to Abortion, Blames 'Jewish Record Labels' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-false-abortion-claims-jewish-record-labels-1235160708/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2022, he suggested that he may be [[Autism spectrum|autistic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/kanye-west-says-hes-not-bipolar-but-might-be-slightly-autistic/news-story/26fa43a462aff5874baddf7e4a641897 |title=Kanye West says he's not 'bipolar' but might be 'slightly autistic' |date=December 13, 2022 |work=News.com.au |first=Belinda |last=Palmada}}</ref>

In August 2024, West's former Chief of Staff [[Milo Yiannopoulos]] stated in an affidavit filed to the [[California Department of Consumer Affairs|California Dental Board]] that West was addicted to [[Recreational use of nitrous oxide|nitrous oxide]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lavine |first=Owen |date=2024-08-08 |title=Celebrity Dentist Got Kanye Hooked on Laughing Gas, Milo Yiannopoulos Claims |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/milo-yiannopoulos-celebrity-dentist-gave-ye-brain-damage |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=The Daily Beast |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=William Cowen |first=Trace |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Who Is the Muscular Celebrity Dentist Accused of Getting Ye 'Hooked' on Laughing Gas? |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/tracewilliamcowen/kanye-celeb-dentist-laughing-gas |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> He alleged that dentist [[Thomas Connelly (dentist)|Thomas Connelly]], who installed permanent titanium prosthodontics for West in January 2024, had moved into West's apartment building and was charging him $50,000 a month to supply the drugs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=2024-08-08 |title=Kanye West's Ex-Chief Of Staff Alleges The Rapper Is Addicted To Nitrous Oxide |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/kanye-west-chief-of-staff-nitrous-oxide-1234903939/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Norton |first=Taylor |date=2024-08-15 |title=Exposed: Kanye West's Former Staffer Unveils Texts in Which Rapper Requests Recreational Nitrous Gas From Celebrity Dentist |url=https://okmagazine.com/p/kanye-west-staffer-texts-requests-recreational-nitrous-gas-dentist/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=[[OK!|OK Magazine]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Musical impact ==

West is among the most critically acclaimed popular music artists of the 21st century, earning praise from music critics, industry peers, and cultural figures.<ref name="The Perfectionism of Kanye West">{{cite web|author=Bisnoff, Jason|date=November 19, 2018|title=The Perfectionism of Kanye West|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbisnoff/2018/11/19/the-perfectionism-of-kanye-west/|access-date=November 25, 2018|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref name="The enigma of Kanye West—and how the world's biggest pop star ended up being its most reviled, too">{{cite news|last=Westhoff|first=Ben|date=June 25, 2015|title=The enigma of Kanye West—and how the world's biggest pop star ended up being its most reviled, too|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/25/kanye-west-glastonbury-festival-2015-worlds-biggest-pop-star|access-date=February 13, 2016}}</ref> In 2014, ''[[NME]]'' named him the third most influential artist in music.<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine|title=NME's 100 Most Influential Artists: 50—1|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/nme-s-100-most-influential-artists-50-1-1411863|magazine=NME|access-date=June 30, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' senior editor Alex Gale declared West "absolutely one of the best, and you could make the argument for the best artist of the 21st century."<ref name="Ryan" /> Sharing similar sentiments, Dave Bry of ''[[Complex Magazine]]'' called West the twenty-first century's "most important artist of any art form, of any genre."<ref name="complex">{{cite web|last1=Bry|first1=Dave|title=Kanye West Is the Most Important Artist of the 21st Century|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/kanye-west-is-the-most-important-artist-of-the-21st-century|website=[[Complex Magazine]]|access-date=June 26, 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]]'' writer [[David Samuels (writer)|David Samuels]] commented, "Kanye's power resides in his wild creativity and expressiveness, his mastery of form, and his deep and uncompromising attachment to a self-made aesthetic that he expresses through means that are entirely of the moment: rap music, [[Music download|digital downloads]], fashion, Twitter, blogs, [[live streaming]] video."<ref name="theatlantic">{{cite web|title=Kanye West, American Mozart|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/american-mozart/308931/|website=[[The Atlantic]]|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=June 26, 2016}}</ref> Joe Muggs of ''[[The Guardian]]'' argued that "there is nobody else who can sell as many records as West does [...] while remaining so resolutely experimental and capable of stirring things up culturally and politically."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jan/19/kanye-west-david-bowie-covers-album|title=Kanye West wants to cover David Bowie—and there is no one more fitting|work=The Guardian|location=London|first=Joe|last=Muggs|date=January 19, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2016}}</ref>

''[[Rolling Stone]]'' credited West with transforming hip-hop's mainstream, "establishing a style of introspective yet glossy rap" while deeming him "a producer who created a signature sound and then abandoned it to his imitators, a flashy, free-spending sybarite with insightful things to say about college, culture, and economics, an egomaniac with more than enough artistic firepower to back it up."<ref name="RSguide">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/albumguide|title=Kanye West: Album Guide|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205044352/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kanye-west/albumguide|archive-date=December 5, 2011}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Highsnobiety]]'', Shahzaib Hussain stated that West's first three albums "cemented his role as a [[progressive rap]] progenitor".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hussain|first=Shahzaib|date=November 23, 2008|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-808s-heartbreak-10th-anniversary/|title=Renegade Man: The Legacy of Kanye West's '808s & Heartbreak'|website=[[Highsnobiety]]|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> ''[[AllMusic]]'' editor Jason Birchmeier described West as "[shattering] certain stereotypes about rappers, becoming a superstar on his own terms without adapting his appearance, his rhetoric, or his music to fit any one musical mold".<ref name="amg" /> Lawrence Burney of ''[[Noisey]]'' has credited West with the commercial decline of the [[gangsta rap]] genre that once dominated mainstream hip-hop.<ref name="Burney">{{cite news |author=Burney, Lawrence|title=Kanye West's 'Graduation' Gave Birth to Rap's First Real Rock Star|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/nee8bk/kanye-wests-graduation-gave-birth-to-raps-first-real-rock-star|work=[[Noisey]] |publisher=[[Vice Media]]|date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref> The release of [[Graduation (album)|his third studio album]] has been described as a turning point in the music industry,<ref>{{cite web |author=Callahan-Bever, Noah |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/09/the-day-kanye-west-killed-gangsta-rap |title=The Day Kanye West Killed Gangsta Rap |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219210754/http://www.complex.com/music/2015/09/the-day-kanye-west-killed-gangsta-rap |archive-date=February 19, 2016}}</ref> and is considered to have helped pave the way for new rappers who did not follow the [[hardcore hip hop|hardcore]]-[[gangsta rap|gangster]] mold to find wider mainstream acceptance.<ref name="Lamarre">{{cite magazine |author=Lamarre, Carl|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7957970/kanye-west-graduation-10-year-anniversary-vic-mensa-kyle| title=Vic Mensa, KYLE, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie & More Reflect on Their Fondest Memories of Kanye's 'Graduation' Album|magazine=Billboard|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-10.php|title=Consumer Guide|work=[[MSN Music]]|date=October 2007|access-date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104031415/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-10.php|archive-date=November 4, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Theisen, Adam">{{cite news|author=Theisen, Adam|title=Rap's Latest Heavyweight Championship|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/arts/02adam-theisen-kanye-west-kendrick-lamar19|work=[[The Michigan Daily]]|publisher=The Michigan Daily|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=May 8, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713031219/http://www.michigandaily.com/arts/02adam-theisen-kanye-west-kendrick-lamar19|archive-date=July 13, 2015}}</ref>

Hip-hop artists like [[Drake (musician)|Drake]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612262/drake-kanye-west-shaped-lot-what-i-do.jhtml|title=Drake Says Kanye West Is 'The Most Influential Person' On His Sound|publisher=MTV News|date=May 28, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131001203439/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612262/drake-kanye-west-shaped-lot-what-i-do.jhtml#selection-2549.108-2549.127|archive-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> [[Nicki Minaj]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Banks |first=Thembi |url=http://www.essence.com/2010/12/03/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-criticism-image-success/ |title=Nicki Minaj on Image, Criticism, and Success|work=Essence|date=December 3, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> [[Travis Scott]],<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1, 2018 |title=Op-Ed {{!}} How Did Travis Scott Become One of Music's Most Divisive Artists? |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/travis-scott-divisive-artist/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=Highsnobiety |language=en}}</ref> [[Playboi Carti]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=F |first=Matt |date=2017-06-27 |title=Playboi Carti Talks Influences, Advice For Aspiring Rappers |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/476793-playboi-carti-talks-influences-advice-for-aspiring-rappers-in-new-interview-news |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref> [[Lil Uzi Vert]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Diep |first1=Eric |title=Next Wave: Meet Lil Uzi Vert, the Next Phenom in Rap |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/next-wave-meet-lil-uzi-vert-the-next-phenom-in-rap |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602032044/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/next-wave-meet-lil-uzi-vert-the-next-phenom-in-rap |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Chance the Rapper]]<ref>{{cite web |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Chance The Rapper Discusses Kanye West Influence With Stretch & Bobbito |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/chance-the-rapper-discusses-kanye-west-influence-with-stretch-and-bobbito-news.36082.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref> have acknowledged being influenced by West. Several other artists and music groups of various genres have named West as an influence on their work.{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Musical artists and groups naming West as an influence:

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

*[[Casey Veggies]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16384/title.casey-veggies-speaks-on-influences-names-kanye-west-nas|title=Casey Veggies Speaks on Influences, Names Kanye West & Nas|magazine=HipHopDX|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref>

*[[Adele]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adele.tv/blog/160/i-m-very-excited-nervous-eager-anxious-but-chuffed-to-announce-my-new-album|title=Adele: I'm very excited, nervous, eager, anxious but chuffed to announce my new album!|last1=Adkins|first1=Adele|date=November 1, 2010|publisher=Adele.tv. [[XL Recordings]]|access-date=April 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424094802/http://www.adele.tv/blog/160/i-m-very-excited-nervous-eager-anxious-but-chuffed-to-announce-my-new-album|archive-date=April 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*[[Lily Allen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/lily-allen/77326|title=Lily Allen: 'Kanye West amused by 'Sheezus' album title'|date=May 15, 2014|work=NME|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Daniel Caesar]]<ref name="Green">{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/get-to-know-daniel-caesar-the-toronto-born-artist-baring-his-soul-on-gospel-tinged-rnb|title=Get to know Daniel Caesar, the artist baring his soul on gospel-tinged r'n'b|website=Mixmag}}</ref>

*[[Lorde]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6304100/lorde-billboard-cover-story|title=Billboard Cover: Lorde on Her 'Hero' Kanye West, the 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack and Hype-Proofing Her Career|magazine=Billboard|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Rosalía (singer)|Rosalía]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Rosalía Levels Up as a Global Pop Superstar |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/rosalia-levels-up-as-a-global-pop-superstar |access-date=April 8, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US}}</ref>

*[[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Pais|title=Honesty is the best policy for rising star Halsey|url=http://www.redeyechicago.com/music/redeye-halsey-interview-20150320-story.html|work=[[RedEye]]|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Arctic Monkeys]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/007478.html|title=k-punk: Their own musical hero|work=abstractdynamics.org|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Kasabian]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/87320/kasabian-our-new-albums-influenced-by-nirvana-+-kanye-west|title=Kasabian: 'Our new album's influenced by Nirvana + Kanye West'|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|publisher=gigwise.com}}</ref>

*[[MGMT]]<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Chino|last=Moreno|url=https://www.nme.com/news/mgmt/49400|title=MGMT's new album influenced by Lady Gaga and Kanye West|date=January 25, 2010|magazine=[[NME]]|access-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref>

*[[Yeah Yeah Yeahs]]<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Insanul|last=Ahmed|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/even-the-yeah-yeah-yeahs-love-kanye-west|title=Even The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Love Kanye West|date=April 4, 2013|magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|access-date=March 23, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Fall Out Boy]]<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/fall-out-boy-new-album-interview-extreme-politics-donald-trump-2061897| last=Trendell| first=Andrew| title=Fall Out Boy discuss 'extreme' new single 'Young And Menace' and their 'political' new album 'M A N I A'| magazine=[[NME]]| date=April 28, 2017| access-date=June 16, 2018}}</ref>

*[[James Blake (musician)|James Blake]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wants-james-blake-for-next-album-20140221|title=Kanye Wants James Blake for Next Album|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413022435/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wants-james-blake-for-next-album-20140221|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*[[Daniel Lopatin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/17341/1/oneohtrix-point-never|title=Oneohtrix Point Never|last=Dazed|date=September 25, 2013|work=dazeddigital.com|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Tim Hecker]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/62672-tim-hecker-announces-new-album-love-streams/|title=Tim Hecker Announces New Album Love Streams |work=Pitchfork |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Rakim]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rakim Speaks On Kanye West's Influence On Hip-Hop |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/rakim-speaks-on-kanye-wests-influence-in-hip-hop |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref>

*[[John Legend]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2021 |title=John Legend details Kanye West's influence in popularizing his stage name |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/john_legend_details_kanye_wests_influence_in_popularizing_his_stage_name/s1_13132_34245608 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Yardbarker |language=en}}</ref>

}} <!--End columns-list -->

}} <!--End note -->

== Awards and achievements ==

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Kanye West}}

West is the fourth-[[List of highest-certified music artists in the United States#Top 50 certified music artists (digital singles)|highest certified artist in the U.S.]] by digital singles (69&nbsp;million).<ref name="Top Artists (Digital Singles)">{{cite web|title=Top Artists (Digital Singles)|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=TAS#search_section|access-date=November 22, 2019|publisher=RIAA}}</ref> He had the most [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] digital song certifications by a male artist in the 2000s (19),<ref name="RIAA Tallies The Decade's Top Gold & Platinum Award Winners">{{cite web|date=February 17, 2010|title=RIAA Tallies The Decade's Top Gold & Platinum Award Winners|url=http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=C91C40E1-A65A-0F81-EBB3-8FE3B7C0ECEA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221175541/http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=C91C40E1-A65A-0F81-EBB3-8FE3B7C0ECEA|archive-date=February 21, 2010|access-date=November 23, 2019|publisher=RIAA}}</ref> and was the fourth best-selling digital songs artist of the 2000s in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |title=2009 U.S. Music Purchases up 2.1% over 2008; Music Sales Exceed 1.5 Billion for Second Consecutive Year |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100106007077/en/2009-U.S.-Music-Purchases-2.1-2008-Music |website=Business Wire |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> In [[Spotify]]'s first ten years from 2008 to 2018, West was the sixth most streamed artist, and the fourth fastest artist to reach one billion streams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrating a Decade of Discovery on Spotify |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2018-10-10/celebrating-a-decade-of-discovery-on-spotify/ |website=Spotify |access-date=November 23, 2019 |date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> West has the joint-most consecutive studio album to debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (9).<ref>{{cite web |author1=Elizabeth Wolfe and Braden Goyette |title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' just became his ninth consecutive No. 1 album, tying Eminem's record |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/03/entertainment/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-billboard-number-1-trnd/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 23, 2019 |date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> He ranked third on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s 2000s decade-end list of top producers<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Decade End Charts—Hot 100 Producers |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/chart_display.jsp?&f=Hot+100+Producers&g=Decade-end+Producers |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213153733/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/chart_display.jsp?&f=Hot+100+Producers&g=Decade-end+Producers |archive-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref> and has topped the annual [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll the joint-most times (four albums) with [[Bob Dylan]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=McManus |first1=Brian |title=For the Fourth Time in Six Albums, Kanye West Takes the Top Pazz & Jop Prize |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/for-the-fourth-time-in-six-albums-kanye-west-takes-the-top-pazz-and-jop-prize-6640110 |website=Village Voice |access-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211013232/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/for-the-fourth-time-in-six-albums-kanye-west-takes-the-top-pazz-and-jop-prize-6640110 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |date=January 15, 2014}}</ref>

West has been nominated for 75 [[Grammys]], out of which he has won 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/rappers-most-grammy-nominations-never-won/|title=These Rappers Have The Most Grammy Nominations But Never Won|date=April 3, 2022|last=Coleman II|first=C. Vernon|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|access-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> He has been the most nominated act at five ceremonies,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanye West Leads Grammy Nominees|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65368/kanye-west-leads-grammy-nominees|access-date=December 7, 2004|magazine=Billboard}}<br />{{cite news|title=Mariah Carey, Kanye West, John Legend Lead Grammy Nominees|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1517699/mariah-carey-kanye-west-john-legend-lead-grammy-nominees/|access-date=December 8, 2004|publisher=MTV|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027224100/http://www.mtv.com/news/1517699/mariah-carey-kanye-west-john-legend-lead-grammy-nominees/|url-status=dead}}<br />{{cite news|title=Kanye West Leads 50th GRAMMY Nominees|url=https://www.grammy.com/recording-academy/news/kanye-west-leads-50th-grammy-nominees|access-date=May 15, 2017|publisher=Grammy}}<br />{{cite news|title=Grammys 2011: Kanye, Adele, Foo Fighters Lead Nominations|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/grammys-2011-kanye-adele-foo-fighters-lead-nominations/story?id=15062166|access-date=December 1, 2011|publisher=ABC News}}<br />{{cite news|title=Frank Ocean, fun. Lead 2013 Grammy Nominations With Album of the Year Nods|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/12/frank-ocean-fun-2013-grammy-nominations/|access-date=December 6, 2012|publisher=Spin}}</ref> and has received the fourth-most wins overall in the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beyoncé to U2: The top 4 GRAMMY winners of the 2000s|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/beyoncé-u2-top-4-grammy-winners-2000s|website=Grammy|access-date=November 13, 2017}}</ref> In 2008, West became the first solo artist to have his first three albums receive nominations for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=Daniel |title=Will Lady Gaga ('A Star is Born') win her first Album of the Year Grammy on her 4th try? |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/lady-gaga-a-star-is-born-grammys-album-of-the-year-news/ |website=Goldderby |access-date=November 23, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019}}</ref> West has won a [[Webby Award]] for Artist of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|title=Artist of the Year—Kanye West|url=http://webbyawards.com:80/winners/2016/special-achievement/artist-of-the-year/kanye-west/|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120180244/http://webbyawards.com/winners/2016/special-achievement/artist-of-the-year/kanye-west/|archive-date=November 20, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> an Accessories Council Excellence Award for being a stylemaker,<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 ACE Awards Presented By The Accessories Council—Red Carpet |url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Kanye+West/2010+ACE+Awards+Presented+Accessories+Council/TyUHWms6pZB |website=Zimbio |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=October 31, 2010}}</ref> International Man of the Year at the ''[[GQ]] Awards'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West Named International Man of the Year at GQ Awards |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2007/09/kanye-west-named-international-man-of-the-year-at-gq-awards/ |website=XXL |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=September 4, 2007}}</ref> a [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]] for ''The Life of Pablo Album'' Experience,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanye West—The Life Of Pablo Album Experience |url=https://clios.com/music/winner/integrated-campaign/kanye-west/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-album-experience-31291 |website=Clios |access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref> and an honour by [[The Recording Academy]].<ref>{{cite web |date=October 11, 2007 |title=The Recording Academy Honors 2007 |url=http://www.unratedmagazine.com/articles/Archive/2007/NARAS_071111.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126033444/https://www.unratedmagazine.com/articles/Archive/2007/NARAS_071111.cfm |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |access-date=November 26, 2019 |website=Unrated Magazine}}</ref> West is one of eight acts to have won the [[Billboard Music Award#Artist Achievement Award|Billboard Artist Achievement Award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Who Has Won the Artist Achievement Award? |url=https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/2016/04/won-artist-achievement-award/ |website=Billboard Music Awards |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=April 12, 2016 |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126023622/https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/2016/04/won-artist-achievement-award/ |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite magazine |title=West To Receive Billboard Artist Achievement Award |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60642/west-to-receive-billboard-artist-achievement-award |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=November 17, 2005 }}</ref> In 2015, he became the third rap act to win the [[Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award]].<ref name=":2">{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Missy Elliott to Become First Female Rapper to Receive MTV's Video Vanguard Award |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8527170/missy-elliott-video-vanguard-first-female-rapper |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 27, 2019 |date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>

West's first six solo studio albums were included on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s 2020 list of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name="Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2020 edition">{{cite magazine|date=September 22, 2020|title=Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2020 edition|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923210922/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|archive-date=September 23, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named ''[[The College Dropout]]'' the best album of the 2000s,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/10-best-albums-decade/|title=10 Best Albums of Decade|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 3, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162359/http://ew.com/gallery/10-best-albums-decade|archive-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Complex Magazine|Complex]]'' named ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' the best album released between 2002 and 2012,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Best Albums of the Complex Decade |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/the-100-best-albums-of-the-complex-era/kanye-west-graduation |website=Complex |access-date=November 1, 2019 |date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' was named by ''Rolling Stone'' as one of the 40 most groundbreaking albums of all time,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/most-groundbreaking-albums-of-all-time |title=The 40 Most Groundbreaking Albums Of All Times |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=August 23, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521051406/http://www.rollingstone.com/most-groundbreaking-albums-of-all-time |archive-date=May 21, 2017 }}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' named ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' the best album of the 2010s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.avclub.com/the-50-best-albums-of-the-2010s-1839776060|title=The 50 Best of the 2010s|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=November 21, 2019 |date=November 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120012449/https://music.avclub.com/the-50-best-albums-of-the-2010s-1839776060 |archive-date=November 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Yeezus]]'' was the most critically acclaimed album of 2013 according to [[Metacritic]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dietz |first1=Jason |title=Critics Pick Best Albums of 2013 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-ten-albums-of-2013 |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=December 4, 2013 |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123055052/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-ten-albums-of-2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' was the first album to top the ''Billboard'' 200, go platinum in the U.S., and go gold in the UK, via streaming alone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yoo |first1=Noah |title=Kanye's Life of Pablo Becomes First Streaming-Only Album to Go Platinum |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67861-kanyes-life-of-pablo-becomes-first-streaming-only-album-to-go-platinum/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=April 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye West's The Life of Pablo becomes the UK's first album to be certified Gold on streams only |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo-becomes-the-uks-first-album-to-be-certified-gold-on-streams-only__20640/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>

==Discography==

{{Main|Kanye articleWest albums discography|Kanye West singles discography|List of songs recorded by Kanye West|Kanye West production discography}}

<!-- Per [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians/Article guidelines]], The discography section of the musician's primary article should "provide a summary of the musician's major works.". -->

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;'''Studio albums'''

{{div col}}

* ''[[The College Dropout]]'' (2004)

* ''[[Late Registration]]'' (2005)

Line 335 ⟶ 341:

* ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008)

* ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' (2010)

* ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' <small>(with [[Jay Z|JAY-Z]])</small> (2011)

* ''[[Yeezus]]'' (2013)

* ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' (2016)

* ''[[Ye (album)|Ye]]'' (2018)

* ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' (2019)

* ''[[Donda]]'' (2021)

* ''Bully'' (TBA)

{{div col end}}

'''Collaborative albums'''

==Videography==

* ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011) (with [[Jay-Z]])

* ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'' (2018) (with [[Kid Cudi]], as [[Kids See Ghosts]])

* ''[[Vultures 1]]'' (2024) (with [[Ty Dolla Sign]], as [[¥$]])

* ''[[Vultures 2]]'' (2024) (with [[Ty Dolla Sign]], as [[¥$]])

* ''Vultures 3'' (2024) (with [[Ty Dolla Sign]], as [[¥$]])

'''Compilation albums'''

* ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'' (2012) (with [[GOOD Music]])

'''Demo albums'''

* ''[[Donda 2]]'' (2022)

{{col-end}}

== Videography ==

{{Main|Kanye West videography}}

* ''[[The College Dropout Video Anthology]]'' (2004)

* ''[[Late Orchestration]]'' (2006)

* ''[[VH1 Storytellers (Kanye West album)|VH1 Storytellers]]'' (2010)

* ''[[Runaway (2010 film)|Runaway]]'' (2010)

* ''[[Jesus Is King (film)|Jesus Is King]]'' (2019)

* ''[[Jeen-Yuhs]]'' (2022)

== Tours ==

{{Main|List of Kanye West live performances}}

* Touch The Sky Tour (2005)

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

'''Headlining tours'''

* School Spirit Tour (2004)

* [[Touch the Sky Tour]] (2005–2006)

* [[Glow in the Dark Tour]] (2008)

* [[Watch the Throne Tour]] (with Jay-Z) (2011–2012)

* [[Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West and Lady Gaga|Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West and Lady Gaga (Cancelled)]] (2009–10)

* [[WatchThe the ThroneYeezus Tour]] (With [[Jay Z|JAY-Z]]) (2011–122013–2014)

* [[The Yeezus Tour]] (2013–14)

* [[Saint Pablo Tour]] (2016)

{{col-2}}

'''Supporting tours'''

* [[Truth Tour]] (with [[Usher (musician)|Usher]]) (2004)

* [[Vertigo Tour]] (with [[U2]]) (2005–2006)

* [[A Bigger Bang (concert tour)|A Bigger Bang]] (with [[The Rolling Stones]]) (2006)

{{col-end}}

==Filmography Books ==

* ''Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar'' (2007)

* ''Thank You and You're Welcome'' (2009)

===Film===

* ''Through the Wire: Lyrics & Illuminations'' (2009)

{| class="wikitable sortable"

* ''[[Glow in the Dark (book)|Glow in the Dark]]'' (2009)

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

|-

|2004

|''[[Fade to Black (2004 film)|Fade to Black]]''

|Himself

|

|-

|2005

|''[[Dave Chappelle's Block Party]]''

|Himself

|Guest performance

|-

|2005

|''[[State Property 2]]''

|Himself

|[[Cameo appearance]]

|-

|2008

|''[[The Love Guru]]''

|Himself

|Cameo appearance

|-

|2009

|''[[We Were Once a Fairytale]]''

|Himself

|[[Short film]], directed by [[Spike Jonze]]

|-

|2010

|''[[Runaway (2010 film)|Runaway]]''

|Griffin

|Short film, also director and writer

|-

| 2012

|''[[Cruel Summer (film)|Cruel Summer]]''

|Ibrahim

|Short film, also director, producer and writer

|-

| 2013

|''[[Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues]]''

|[[J.J. Jackson (media personality)|J.J. Jackson]] of MTV News

|Uncredited cameo

|-

|}

===Television= See also ==

* [[Album era]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"

* [[Black conservatism in the United States]]

! Year

* [[List of people with bipolar disorder]]

! Title

* [[List of Christian hip hop artists]]

! Role

! Notes

|-

| 2007

|''[[Entourage (TV series)|Entourage]]''

|Himself

|Season 4, Episode 11

|-

| 2010–2012

|''[[The Cleveland Show]]''

|Kenny West ([[Voice acting|voice]])

|5 episodes

|-

| 2012–present

|''[[Keeping Up with the Kardashians]]''

|Himself

|

|-

| 2015

|''[[I Am Cait]]''

|Himself

|Episode: "Meeting Cait"

|}

==Bibliography Notes ==

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

*''Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar'' (2007)

*''Thank You and You're Welcome'' (2009)

*''Through the Wire: Lyrics & Illuminations'' (2009)

*''[[Glow in the Dark (book)|Glow in the Dark]]'' (2009)

==See alsoReferences ==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

*{{portal-inline|Kanye West}}

== Further reading ==

==References==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150504222524/http://oxford.tab.co.uk/2015/03/02/kanye-oxford-yeezox-highlights/ Kanye in Oxford: The #YeezOx highlights]. Retrieved April 27, 2015.

'''Notes'''

{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==

* [http://oxford.tab.co.uk/2015/03/02/kanye-oxford-yeezox-highlights/ Kanye in Oxford: The #YeezOx highlights]. Retrieved April 27, 2015

==External links==

{{Commons category|Kanye West}}

{{commons}}

{{Wikiquote|Kanye West}}

* {{Twitter|kanyewest}} <!--exception to WP:ELOFFICIAL per prose-->

* {{official website}}

* {{AllmusicAllMusic|class=artist|id=p353484|label=Kanye West}}

* {{IMDb name|id=1577190|name=Kanye West}}

* {{Discogs artist}}

* {{C-SPAN|107046}}

{{CongLinks|fec=P00016741}}

{{Kanye West}}

{{Kanye West songs}}

{{Navboxes

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|list =

{{Kanye West}}

{{American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist}}

{{BET Award for Best Collaboration}}

{{BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist}}

{{BET Award for Best New Artist}}

{{BET Award for Video of the Year}}

{{Brit International Male}}

{{ConsecuenceOfSoundArtistBand}}

{{Glamour Awards Man of the Year}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Song}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}

{{Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award}}

{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Hip-Hop}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist}}

}}

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{{Def Jam}}

{{GOOD Music}}

{{Kim Kardashian}}

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<!--Religious and LGBT categories are not to be used on biographies of living people unless they self-identify with the label and it is relevant to their public lives-->

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Kanye}}<!--Religious and LGBT categories are not to be used on biographies of living people unless they self-identify with the label and it is relevant to their public lives.-->

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[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]

[[Category:Hip hop activists]]

[[Category:Illinois Independents]]

[[Category:Kardashian family]]

[[Category:Kim Kardashian]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Midwest hip hop musicians]]

[[Category:MTV Europe Music Award winners]]

[[Category:NME Awards winners]]

[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]

[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]

[[Category:RappersPeople fromstripped Chicago,of Illinoishonorary degrees]]

[[Category:People with bipolar disorder]]

[[Category:Philanthropists from Illinois]]

[[Category:Pop rappers]]

[[Category:Progressive rap musicians]]

[[Category:Race-related controversies in music]]

[[Category:Rappers from Atlanta]]

[[Category:Rappers from Chicago]]

[[Category:Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state)]]

[[Category:Record producers from Illinois]]

[[Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists]]

[[Category:Shoe designers]]

[[Category:SongwritersSinger-songwriters from IllinoisGeorgia (U.S. state)]]

[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Illinois]]

[[Category:Singers from Chicago]]

[[Category:Singers with disabilities]]

[[Category:Twitter controversies]]

[[Category:World Music Awards winners]]

[[Category:Wyoming Independents]]