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Kanye West (born June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American music producer and rapper from Chicago, Illinois.

Previously best known for producing hit singles for Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, and Ludacris, Kanye himself worked on a solo album for a long period of time, having the release pushed back time and time again. A tragic car crash in October 2002 left his jaw fractured in three places. With his mouth still wired shut and only weeks after having an encounter with death, Kanye West began recording "Through The Wire," reliving his near-fatal accident. "Through The Wire" would eventually become his lead single off The College Dropout in 2004, released on Roc-a-Fella Records. The album received almost universal acclaim for its balance of mainstream commercial appeal and conscious (at times verging on Afrocentric) lyrics.

The College Dropout reached #1 on Billboard magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart, and reached #2 on the Billboard 200 - it has also peaked at #12 (so far) on the UK album chart, where it has spent several months in the Top 20 at the time of writing (18th July 2004). "Through The Wire" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, and its successor "All Falls Down", which features R&B singer Syleena Johnson, peaked at #7. The third single from the album, the inspirational quasi-epic "Jesus Walks", is currently at #14 on the Hot 100, and still climbing; all three singles have made the Top 10 on the R&B/hip-hop charts as well as the Hot Rap Tracks survey. In the UK, "Through The Wire" peaked at #9 on the official singles sales chart, "All Falls Down" peaked at #10, and "Jesus Walks" peaked at #16. He has also collaborated with Twista on a couple of his songs, including "Slow Jamz" (also featuring Jamie Foxx) which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. He also appears on Brandy's single, "Talk About Our Love". His other collaborations with other artists include Dilated Peoples and Mariah Carey.

In 2004, Kanye West received ten Grammy Award nominations, making him the most nominated artist of 2004. He received two nominations in the Album of the Year category, one for The College Dropout, and one for his work on Alicia Keys's album The Diary of Alicia Keys. His work with pop icon Janet Jackson also earned a nomination for her platinum-certifed single I Want You, produced by West, was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

His complete Grammy nominations included:

• Album of the Year for The Diary Of Alicia Keys (as a producer)
• Album of the Year for The College Dropout
• Song of the Year for Jesus Walks
• Best New Artist
• Best R&B Song for You Don't Know My Name (as a songwriter)
• Best Rap Solo Performance for Through The Wire
• Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for All Falls Down
• Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for Slow Jamz
• Best Rap Song for Jesus Walks
• Best Rap Album for The College Dropout

Plus Janet Jackson's "I Want You" produced by West nominated in Best Female Recording (R&B).

Billboard Chart positions, by song

• All Falls Down, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and tracks, #4
• All Falls Down, Hot Rap Tracks, #2
• All Falls Down, Rhythmic Top 40, #7
• All Falls Down, Hot 100, #7
• All Falls Down, Top 40 Mainstream, #22
• All Falls Down, Top 40 Tracks, #12
• Jesus Walks, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks, #2
• Jesus Walks, Hot Rap Tracks, #3
• Jesus Walks, Rhytmic Top 40, #16
• Jesus Walks, Hot 100, #11
• Through the Wire, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and tracks, #8
• Through the Wire, Hot Rap Tracks, #4
• Through the Wire, Rhythmic Top 40, #10
• Through the Wire, Hot 100, #15
• Through the Wire, Top 40 Mainstream, #32
• Through the Wire, Top 40 Tracks, #25
• The New Workout Plan, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, #60

• 1977 births
• Rappers