The Evolution of Kanye West

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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)
Kanye West - Yeezy's normally unshakeable confidence was broken when his world was turned upside down by the death of his mother, Dondra West, who passed after complications from cosmetic surgery. He paid a touching tribute to the woman he credited with his success by dedicating a performance of his hit "Hey Mama" to Dondra during the Glow in the Dark concert tour following her death. (Photo: MJ Kim/Getty Images)The Evolution of Kanye West - Reeling after the death of his mother and his split from fiancée Alexis Phifer, Kanye camped in Hawaii to record his fourth album, 808s and Heartbreak. The album was a huge left turn for Kanye, veering toward electronica and techno, and featuring mostly Auto-Tuned singing. Fans and critics were torn, but the album was hugely influential (we're looking at you, Drake). (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)

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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)

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