YE [JEɪ] (born June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia as Kanye Omari West [Kɑːnjeɪ Oʊmɑri Wɛst]) is an American rapper, singer, music producer and fashion designer. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His career began as a local music producer for hip-hop artists in Chicago and later in New York with music productions for the rapper Jay-Z, at his successful album The Blueprint he significantly involved. Also with the singer John Legend and the Rapper Common, both standing in his record label Good Music under contract, West worked closely together. Since the end of 2003, he published his own singles and albums, on which he usually appears as a rapper and producer equally in appearance. West is considered one of the formative musicians of hip-hop and pop music of the 21st century. Influenced by a variety of music genres, it was largely involved in the commercial departure of the hip-hop of Gangsta-Rap to more emotional, often sung content. With over 60 million soundtracks and downloads sold in th...