Kanye Omari West (pron-en?k??nje?; born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper (Rapping), singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Zs album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul (Soul music) songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing 70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk (folk music), alternative (alternative rock), electronica, synth-pop, and classical music.

He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation (Graduation (album)) in 2007, and his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008. His first three albums (and his fourth to a lesser extent) have received numerous awards and critical acclaim. All have been very commercially successful, with 808s & Heartbreak becoming his third consecutive #1 album in the U.S. upon release. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music. Wests mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear which has appeared on the covers of three of his four albums as well as various single covers and music videos.

About.com ranked Kanye West #8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list. On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the years #1 "Hottest MC in the Game."