Music Bloodline

Kanye West

Never one to shy away from a risk, Kanye West was far and away the most adventurous mainstream rapper of the new millennium, changing his sound and style with each new album.

Biography

In the span of a few years, Kanye West went from hip-hop beatmaker to worldwide hitmaker, as his stellar production work for Jay-Z earned him a contract as a solo artist. Soon his beats were accompanied by his own witty raps on a number of critically and commercially successful releases. He showcased a dapper fashion sense that set him apart from most of his rap peers, and his confidence often came across as boastful or even egotistical, albeit amusingly. West became a superstar on his own terms, and his singularity is part of his appeal to a great many people, especially those who don't generally consider themselves rap listeners. ~ Jason Birchmeier