A revealing biography of Kanye West explores the artist—and the man.

A revealing biography of Kanye West explores the artist—and the man. Kanye West is a star. His music has jumped from sensation to staple in the rap industry, while his personality, his philosophies, and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in regularly place him at the center of controversy. Kanye West: A Biography traces the star's life from his birth through the present day to paint a detailed picture of the artist and the man. Raised by a single mother who was an English professor in Chicago, West admits he came from "the wrong side of the mall" rather than the wrong side of the tracks. His name, his style, and the way he conducts his business are unique. His thoughtful reflections in interviews reveal a complex man few have taken the time to understand. This biography looks at that multifaceted star, exploring his career as singer and producer, but also looking at the forces that prepared him to chase his dreams—and chase off anyone who stood in his way.

"Written for general readers in high school and up and illustrated with B&W photos, this biography of West describes his early life, his education, his personal and professional influences, and his struggles and accomplishments, including an MTV award in 2008 as the #1 MC. Reference features include a timeline, an annotated list of awards and songs, and a bibliography of magazine stories, books, newspaper and news service articles, web publications, radio interviews, TV and internet broadcasts, and public relations web sites. While emphasis is on facts, the books in the series are intended to be entertaining." - Reference & Research Book News