Kanye Omari West was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of three, he moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois where he grew up and later attended Chicago State University. While attending school, he began producing for local artists and crafting his sound. However, West quickly became the “college dropout” we all know and love to begin the pursuit of his musical career. West received his big break when Jay-Z asked him to produce several tracks on his chart-topping album The Blueprint. Next he was able to begin laying the blueprint for his first major album, The College Dropout, which dropped in October of 2002, and became an instant sensation.  The first single, “Through the Wire” was inspired by a near fatal car crash and established West as a serious rapper, and according to many, a true rock star. Young Hollywood caught up with Kanye West, at last year’s Rolling Stone 40th Anniversary party where he discussed what it means to really rock out.  Since 2002 West has garnered nine Grammy’s, and kept his rock star status producing and collaborating with numerous artists like Jay-Z, John Legend, and Alicia Keys. Young Hollywood rocked out at the Rolling Stone party as West brought down the house with fellow superstars Jamie Foxx and T-Pain . In November of 2007 tragedy struck when West’s mother died. At the 2008 Grammy’s West performed an emotional tribute in memory of his mother. West recently wrapped up his ‘Glow in the Dark’ tour where he shared the stage every night with hip-hop and R&B sensations Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. proving in this business, there is nobody ‘stronger’!

Fun Facts:

• His favorite band is Franz Ferdinand
• Hid debut album CD booklet contains 'yearbook-style' photos of the entire "College Dropout" album staff, along with the high school superlatives underneath them. His was "most unlikely to succeed".
• His mother is a former English professor at Chicago State University

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