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Kanye West

Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American record producer and rapper who rose to fame in the mid 2000s. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, and his third album Graduation in 2007. His first two albums received numerous awards (including six Grammys), critical acclaim, and commercial success. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music. West's mascot and trademark is a teddy bear, which has appeared on the covers of his three albums as well as the single cover for his song "Stronger".

In 2007, it was announced that West would be starring in a series directed by Larry Charles. He has been working on the pilot episode for the past two years with Larry Charles and Rick Rubin. He also had this to say on January 14: "I wouldn't do something as cliché as a reality show. At least give me the credit for being more creative than that. It's a situational half-hour comedy. It's fictional, and loosely based on my life." West recently collaborated with Japanese hip hop group Teriyaki Boyz to produce the single "I Still Love H.E.R.," a reference to Common's 1994 single "I Used to Love H.E.R.." It is rumored that West's introductory lines preceding his verse are a thinly-veiled jab at producer and rapper Danny!, who was mercilessly compared to West in the beginning of his career.

Further to this, during a radio appearance in early 2007, West, like many of his peers, recorded an impromptu freestyle to the popular song "Throw Some D's." West's version became extremely popular because of the different stance he took. The song that to all other rappers was about automobile rims, was used by West to comically refer to D-cup breasts. Because of the unexpected success of the song, West went on to make a video for the freestyle, in which he is seen playing his 'Old Ass Cousin.'

West was also featured in a new song called "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)." It was believed to be a single from his upcoming album, Graduation, because he is featured on the track, but Nike quickly explained that it was for the Nike Air Force 1's anniversary. It was meant only to be an exclusive track for the company.

On March 25, 2007, Kanye and his father Ray West supported World Water Day by having a "Walk for Water" rally.

After a two-year break, West has returned to being a fashion columnist in lifestyle magazine Complex.

On July 7, 2007 West performed with the British band The Police and John Mayer at the American leg of Live Earth.

West hosted the August 17 edition of British comedy-variety show The Friday Night Project.

In May 2007, Kanye West proposed to long-time model girlfriend Alexis Phifer.

In July 2007, West changed the release date of Graduation, his third album, from September 18, 2007, to the same release date as 50 Cent's album Curtis, September 11, 2007. This means that the albums will go head-to-head and compete for better sales against each other. 50 Cent later claimed that if Graduation were to sell more records than Curtis, he would stop releasing solo albums. However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments. The album has been certified double platinum. Guest appearances included T-Pain, Mos Def, & Lil Wayne.

“When I heard that thing about the debate, I thought that was the stupidest thing. When my albums drops and 50's album drops, you're gonna get a lot of good music at the same time. ”

Like its predecessors, West's "Graduation" contained extensive sampling of music by eclectic and often obscure artists, including "Champion," taking its hook from a snippet of Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne," and "The Glory," which uses as its foundation Laura Nyro's "Save the Country." Kanye West's song "Homecoming" features the same opening two lyrical lines as the famous hip hop song "I Used to Love H.E.R." by Common.

West performed at the 2007 V Festival, entertaining crowds at Hylands Park on Saturday, (August 18) and Weston Park on Sunday, (August 19). He performed his latest single Stronger, along with many of his classics: Diamonds From Sierra Leone, Through the Wire, All Falls Down and Jesus Walks. West also played tribute to some of his favorite artists, singing Amy Winehouse's "Rehab", The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony", and Timbaland's "The Way I Are".

On August 26, 2007, West appeared as himself on the HBO television show Entourage which he used as a platform to premier his new single "Good Life" during the end credits. In September 2007, West suggested that his race had to do with his being overlooked for opening the MTV Video Music Awards in favor of Britney Spears; he claimed, "Maybe my skin’s not right."

On September 9, 2007, West performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. On that night, he lost all 5 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 2 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 VMA's with it. He has also stated that Britney Spears hasn't had a hit in "a million years" and MTV exploited her for ratings. Since then, Kanye has said that he would have been less upset if Justin Timberlake or Fall Out Boy had opened.

In October 2007, Kanye West has stated that he has been working on Michael Jackson's forthcoming studio album.

On MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, West lost again to Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." but he didn't react, even after a member of the band wondered if something funny with Kanye would happen. Before the show, a footage of Kanye and Justice laughing together had been shown.

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