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| Donda West, Kanye's mom passed away on November 10, 2007 |
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Donda West, the mother of Kanye West and
former chairwoman of Chicago State
University's English department, passed away
Saturday from undisclosed causes, according
to a spokesman for the family. She was 58.
According to multiple sources, West was in
Los Angeles and her death may have been the
result of complications from a surgical
procedure; more specific information was
unavailable at press time.
Although widely known as the mother of Kanye,
Dr. West was a noted scholar and an active
college professor for 31 years; she left the
profession in 2004 to assist with Kanye's
career, according to her biography on the Web
site of the Kanye West Foundation, an
educational nonprofit of which she was chair.
She was also chief executive of West Brands,
the parent company of her son's businesses.
She began her teaching career in the early
1970s at Brown College in Atlanta and began
working at Chicago State University in 1980,
according to the site; she was also a
Fulbright Scholar, among other awards. Dr.
West raised Kanye in the Chicago area along
with her husband, from whom she separated
when Kanye was 3.
She also recently published a book dedicated
to her son titled "Raising Kanye: Life
Lessons From the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star."
The book and subsequent interviews have left
little question about the source of Kanye's
outspoken nature.
The importance and influence Dr. West had in
her son's life is profound. When Kanye
appeared on MTV News' "You Hear It First" in
2003, one of his first rhymes was about his
mother — he dropped to his knees during the
performance to get his point across. Those
rhymes later turned up in a full-blown
dedication to her, Late Registration's "Hey
Mama."
"Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you/
'Cause I'm so proud of you/ Let me tell you
what I'm about to do ... I appreciate what
you allowed for me, I just want you to be
proud of me."
Kanye has dropped references to his mom on
all of his albums.
Kanye's love for his mom was undoubtedly
reciprocated tenfold, not only did Dr. West
act as in part as a co-manager, she was also
his biggest cheerleader, appearing at many
events throughout his career. At the Video
Music Awards in September, she was in Kanye's
suite at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas,
joining in the party and wearing the white
shades celebrating his show. She also
attended his 30th birthday party in New York
last summer and his appearance on "The Oprah
Winfrey Show."
A spokesman for Kanye West released this
brief statement when contacted by MTV News.
"The family respectfully asks for privacy
during this time of grief."
Tags : donda west kanye hey mama mom mother died passed away surgery complications sad condolences |
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