Kanye Omari West, who legally changed his name to Ye, was born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Chicago. He emerged in the mid‑1990s as a in‑demand producer for Roc-A-Fella and high-profile artists like Jay-Z, before launching his solo career with the critically acclaimed debut The College Dropout in 2004.
He progressed with iconic albums such as Late Registration, Graduation, 808s & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and Yeezus, confirming his status as a visionary in modern hip-hop. Collaborative projects including Watch the Throne, Kids See Ghosts, and the Vultures series with Ty Dolla Sign cemented his legacy. In 2025 he released the experimental visual album Bully and teased another album titled In a Perfect World, accompanied by the single “WW3.”
Besides music, Kanye founded the Yeezy fashion brand, working with Adidas, Gap, and Louis Vuitton. However, following controversial antisemitic statements, all major partnerships were terminated, dramatically reducing his net worth. With over 160 million records sold and more than 24 Grammy wins, he remains one of the most awarded artists ever.
Despite his artistic success, Ye has faced waves of controversy in recent years—from antisemitic and pronazi remarks to lawsuits alleging sexual assault and emotional abuse by former assistants. His ex-assistant is now reportedly in hiding for her safety amid the court process. He also sparked backlash after attacking Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s young children online, prompting discussions of legal action.
Still active and controversial, Ye remains a polarizing figure of extraordinary influence. His upcoming album, In a Perfect World, and the single “WW3” continue to generate attention ahead of its planned September 2025 release.
