Rapper turns tragedy into triumph

By Monte Hailey
Staff Writer

Producer/Rap artist Kanye West, 26, is truly what we would call a blessing to the rap industry. In October of 2002, West who was driving back to his hotel late one night after a Los Angeles recording session, was involved in a devastating, near fatal car accident. West sustained injuries that left his jaw fractured in three places.

Although this accident proved to be tragic, due to his remarkable recovery, West was able to use his accident to spark a rap career. Weeks after the accident, West recorded what is now his debut single “Through the Wire” with his jaw still literally shut and gained a remarkable fan base. The song focused on his true emotions from the accident and what it took for him to make it in the music industry.

Before the Chicago native started rapping, he was a producer who made a name for himself by producing hits for big time rappers such as Jay- Z’s “Izzo” (H.O.V.A.),” “Girls Girls Girls,” “The Takeover,” “03 Bonnie & Clyde,” Beanie Sigel’s “The Truth,” Scarface’s “Guess Who’s Back,” Talib Kweli’s “Get By,” and many others. West is definitely one of the most aspiring, new producers to take the game by storm and emerge as one of the best producers in the industry.

West’s ability to rap and put songs together was discovered by Roca-fella Records co-founder Damon Dash who heard a demo of West’s solo songs in 2002. The young producer immediately joined the label’s roster of artists.

West’s album is now in stores and entitled “College Dropout.” The title is inspired by West, who dropped out of college just after finishing one year. West explains the meaning of the album’s title as just saying, set your own goals in life. Don t let anyone dictate to you what you need to do or be.

The album includes songs that involve personal experience as well as truisms of everyday life. A successful selling album is truly what West plans on having but the question is, will he be able to show the world he can make the transition from producer to rapper? The answer lies in his debut album “College Dropout."