Kanye West Biography Timeline

Biography Timeline Of Kanye Omari West

June 8, 1977 - Early Life

Most biographies and reference works state that West was born on this date

Mid-1990s - Musical Career

He began his early production career, creating beats primarily for burgeoning local artists

1998 - Gee Roberson

West was the first person signed by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshuato

2000 - The Big Break

He began to produce for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records

October 23, 2002 - Shattered Jaw

While driving home from a California recording studio, he fell asleep at the wheel causing a head-on collision.

August, 2003 - The Delay

West's perfectionism led The College Dropout to have its release postponed three times from its initial date.

February, 2004 - Official Release

The College Dropout was eventually issued by Roc-A-Fella in February 2004

September 2005 - Controversial Incident

Kanye said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." at a NBC broadcast A Concert for Hurricane Relief

January 2006 - Rolling Stone

West raised further controversy when he posed on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a crown of thorns.

November 2007 - Death of His Mother

Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving abdominoplasty and breast reduction.

2008 - 4th Album

West announced his fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak, at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards

2009 - MTV Video Music Awards

During the ceremony, West crashed the stage and grabbed the microphone from Taylor Swift.

August 2011 - Collaborative Album

West released the collaborative album Watch the Throne with Jay-Z in August 2011

June 18, 2013 - Yeezus Release

Yeezus, West's sixth album, was released June 18, 2013, to rave reviews from critics.

June 2013 - FIrst Child

West and television personality Kim Kardashian announced the birth of their first child

December 2013 - Adidas Collaboration

Adidas announced the beginning of their official apparel collaboration with West, to be premiered the following year.

December 13, 2016 - Donald Trump

West met with President-elect Trump. According to West, "I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues.

October 11, 2018 -  Music Modernization Act.

West visited the Oval Office for a meeting with President Trump. He and several other musicians watched Trump sign the Music Modernization Act.

July 4, 2020 - Presidential Campaign

West announced on Twitter that he would be running in the 2020 presidential election.