Kanye West, legally known as Ye since 2021, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur born on June 8, 1977, in Atlanta and raised in Chicago.[1][2][4] He rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, crafting hits like Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" album tracks and songs for Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Beyoncé with his signature "chipmunk soul" style using sped-up soul samples.[1][2][4] West transitioned to a solo rap career with his 2004 debut album *The College Dropout*, which topped charts and won Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and songs like "Jesus Walks."[1][2][3] He followed with critically acclaimed releases including *Late Registration* (2005), *Graduation* (2007), *808s & Heartbreak* (2008), *My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy* (2010), *Yeezus* (2013), *The Life of Pablo* (2016), and *Ye* (2018), plus collaborations like *Watch the Throne* with Jay-Z.[1][2][4] Five singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: "Gold Digger," "Stronger," "E.T.," "Slow Jamz," and "Carnival."[1] He has sold over 160 million records worldwide, tying Jay-Z for the most Grammy wins by a hip-hop artist at 24, including Album of the Year nods for his first three albums.[1][3][4] Beyond music, West founded GOOD Music label and the Donda creative company, and launched the influential Yeezy fashion line, debuting collections like YEEZY Season 5 in 2017.[1][2][4] He gained notoriety for public statements, such as his 2005 Hurricane Katrina comment that President George W. Bush "doesn't care about Black people."[2] Named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2005 and 2015, West remains a polarizing cultural figure for his innovative genre shifts, outspokenness, and ventures in fashion and business.[1][3] As of late 2025, he continues influencing hip-hop and popular culture through his extensive catalog and entrepreneurial pursuits.[1][4]