The Evolution of Kanye West

Don't miss G.O.O.D. Music tonight on 106!

The Evolution of Kanye West - After dropping a handful of acclaimed mixtapes, Kanye finally dropped his debut album, The College Dropout, in 2004. Packed with hits including the groundbreaking "Jesus Walks" and Kanye's first No. 1, "Slow Jamz," the album sold over 3 million copies and won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)
The Evolution of Kanye West - Soon after becoming a star in his own right, Yeezy also became a record exec. In 2004, his G.O.O.D. Music imprint launched the career of superstar singer John Legend. A year later, the label resurrected the flagging fortunes of Common by releasing the classic, Kanye-produced Be.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The Evolution of Kanye West - Kanye went big on his sophomore album, the 2005 classic Late Registration. Working with acclaimed pop-rock producer Jon Brion, Kanye expanded past his chipmunk soul signature sound with lusher live instrumentation and epic bridges, crescendos and breakdowns. Behind hits like "Gold Digger" and "Touch the Sky," the album was Kanye's first to hit No. 1.    (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)
The Evolution of Kanye West - Even back then, Yeezy was already known for his outspoken rants in his interviews and onstage and for veering off script at award shows. But no one expected Kanye to speak out like he did at a telethon benefitting victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, just days after Late Registration dropped. But Kanye summed up the feelings of many appalled Americans when he said, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people" on the air. (Photo: Courtesy NBC)Kanye Meets Murakami - Yeezy tapped Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami to design the surreal, anime-inspired cover for his 2007 album Graduation. (Photo: Def Jam)

Next Gallery

Black Stars Who Slayed at the 97th Academy Awards

14 Photos

10 / 21

The Evolution of Kanye West - Soon after becoming a star in his own right, Yeezy also became a record exec. In 2004, his GOOD Music imprint launched the career of superstar singer John Legend, and a year later, the label resurrected the flagging fortunes of Common by releasing the classic, Kanye-produced Be.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT