History of Kanye West in Timeline
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, recognized as one of hip-hop's most prominent figures and greatest rappers. His music is known for its stylistic diversity and impact on opening doors for rappers outside the gangster rap mold. Ye is also known for his controversial public persona and polarizing cultural and political commentary.
June 8, 1977: Kanye West Born
On June 8, 1977, Kanye Omari West, later known as Ye, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer.
1978: Hip Hop Since 1978 Founded
In 1978, Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua founded the management-production company Hip Hop Since 1978.
1986: "Move Your Body" Release
In 1986, Marshall Jefferson released his house track "Move Your Body", which would later become the subject of a copyright infringement claim against Kanye West for unauthorized sampling in the song "Flowers".
1997: Attends American Academy of Art
In 1997, Kanye West received a scholarship to attend Chicago's American Academy of Art and began taking painting classes.
1998: Inspiration from Roseland NYC Live
In 1998, Kanye West was inspired by the live album Roseland NYC Live by Portishead. This album led him to incorporate string arrangements into his hip-hop production.
1998: Signs with Hip Hop Since 1978
In 1998, Kanye West was the first producer signed to the management-production company Hip Hop Since 1978, founded by Gee Roberson and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua.
1999: "My Life" Production for Foxy Brown
In 1999, Kanye West produced "My Life" on Foxy Brown's second studio album Chyna Doll.
2000: Begins Producing for Roc-A-Fella Records
In 2000, Kanye West began producing for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records as an in-house producer.
2001: Contributions to Jay-Z's The Blueprint
In 2001, Kanye West revitalized Jay-Z's career with extensive contributions to his album The Blueprint.
December 2002: Release of "Get Well Soon..." and Announcement of "The College Dropout"
In December 2002, Kanye West released his debut mixtape Get Well Soon... and announced that he was working on an album titled The College Dropout.
2002: The College Dropout Named Best Album of the 2000s
In 2002, Entertainment Weekly named The College Dropout by Kanye West the best album of the 2000s.
2002: Relationship with Alexis Phifer Begins
In 2002, Kanye West started an on-and-off relationship with designer Alexis Phifer, marking the beginning of a long-term connection.
2002: Car Accident
In 2002, Kanye West was involved in a car accident which damaged his right frontal lobe.
August 2003: Postponement of The College Dropout Release
In August 2003, the initial release date for Kanye West's album, The College Dropout, was postponed.
2003: "Slow Jamz" Number One Hit
In 2003, Kanye West's single "Slow Jamz" became his first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song featured Twista and Jamie Foxx.
February 2004: Release of The College Dropout
In February 2004, Kanye West released his album The College Dropout, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. His debut single, "Through the Wire" peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and his second single "Slow Jamz" became his first No. 1 hit.
2004: Release of The College Dropout
In 2004, Kanye West released his debut studio album, The College Dropout, which received widespread acclaim.
2005: Success of Late Registration
By the end of 2005, Kanye West's album Late Registration had sold over 2.3 million units in the United States. It was considered a successful major album release during a period of declining CD sales.
2005: Release of Late Registration and Gold Digger
In 2005, Kanye West released his second album, Late Registration, which became his first US Billboard 200 number-one album. Also in 2005, his single "Gold Digger" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
2005: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2005, Time magazine named Kanye West one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2005: Hurricane Katrina Criticism
In a 2005 speech, Kanye West criticized the media and government's response to Hurricane Katrina, stating "George Bush doesn't care about black people" on live television.
August 2006: Engagement to Alexis Phifer
In August 2006, Kanye West became engaged to designer Alexis Phifer, marking a significant step in their relationship.
November 7, 2006: Public Apology for MTV Europe Music Awards Outburst
On November 7, 2006, Kanye West publicly apologized for his outburst at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards during his performance as a support act for U2's Vertigo concert in Brisbane.
December 2006: Evel Knievel Lawsuit
In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement of his name and likeness in West's video for "Touch the Sky", citing a "vulgar and offensive" video. Knievel claimed that West damaged his reputation and sought monetary damages and an injunction to stop distribution of the video.
2006: Father Opens Good Water Store and Café
In 2006, Kanye West's father, Ray West, opened the Good Water Store and Café in Lexington Park, Maryland, with startup capital from his son.
September 2007: Spoofs Incident on Saturday Night Live
In September 2007, Kanye West spoofed his 2006 outburst at the MTV Europe Music Awards on the 33rd-season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
September 2007: Release of Graduation
In September 2007, Kanye West's third studio album, Graduation, was released, debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
November 2007: Death of Donda West and End of Engagement
In November 2007, Kanye West's mother, Donda West, passed away, and his engagement to Alexis Phifer ended, profoundly affecting him.
November 2007: Settlement of Evel Knievel Lawsuit
In November 2007, days before his death, Robert "Evel" Knievel amicably settled his lawsuit with Kanye West after being visited by West and deeming him "a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."
2007: Rolling Stone Album Inclusion: Graduation
In 2007, Kanye West released his album Graduation. Later Rolling Stone included Graduation in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
2007: "Stronger" Number One Hit
In 2007, Kanye West's single "Stronger" became his third number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
November 2008: Release of 808s & Heartbreak
In November 2008, Kanye West's fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak, was released, featuring the singles "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless."
2008: Spotify's First Ten Years
From 2008, in Spotify's first ten years, Kanye West was the sixth most streamed artist, and the fourth fastest artist to reach one billion streams.
2008: End of Engagement with Alexis Phifer
In 2008, Kanye West and Alexis Phifer ended their 18-month engagement, with Phifer stating they split amicably and remained friends.
2008: Grammy Nominations and Album of the Year Nominations
In 2008, Kanye West became the first solo artist to have his first three albums receive nominations for Album of the Year at the Grammys.
2008: Glow in the Dark Tour
In 2008, Kanye West embarked on his Glow in the Dark Tour.
2008: Rolling Stone Album Inclusion: 808s & Heartbreak
In 2008, Kanye West released his album 808s & Heartbreak. Later Rolling Stone included 808s & Heartbreak in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
2008: Declared Himself a Voice and Connector by God
In a 2008 interview with The Fader, Kanye West stated that "I'm like a vessel, and God has chosen me to be the voice and the connector", illustrating a strong sense of divine purpose.
2009: MTV Video Music Awards Incident
During the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead, leading to widespread criticism.
2009: Belief in God, Rejection of Religion
In a 2009 interview with Bossip, Kanye West stated that he believed in God, but at the time felt that he "would never go into a religion", showing a personal approach to faith.
November 2010: Release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
In November 2010, Kanye West's fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, was released to widespread critical acclaim.
November 2010: Seeming Recant of Apologies
In a November 2010 interview, Kanye West seemed to recant his past apologies for his actions at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, describing the act as "selfless".
December 2010: End of GOOD Fridays Program
Kanye West's GOOD Fridays free music program, which offered a free download of previously unreleased songs each Friday, concluded in December 2010.
2010: Split with Amber Rose
In 2010, Kanye West and model Amber Rose ended their relationship. Following the split, West made controversial comments about needing "30 showers" before dating Kim Kardashian, and Rose claimed she was "bullied" and "slut-shamed" by West.
2010: Apology for Bush Comment
In 2010, Kanye West apologized for his 2005 comment about George Bush, stating he "didn't have the grounds to call [Bush] a racist."
2010: Rolling Stone Album Inclusion: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
In 2010, Kanye West released his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Later Rolling Stone included My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
August 2011: Watch the Throne Album Release
In August 2011, Kanye West and Jay-Z released their collaborative album "Watch the Throne". The album's digital release preceded its physical release by several weeks, successfully avoiding leaks, and "Watch the Throne" became one of the few major albums to do so.
October 2011: Watch the Throne Tour Kickoff
In October 2011, Kanye West and Jay-Z launched the "Watch the Throne Tour", a co-headlining tour that supported their collaborative album. The tour commenced in October 2011.
2011: "E.T." Number One Hit
In 2011, Kanye West was a featured artist on the song "E.T.", which became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
April 2012: Began Dating Kim Kardashian
In April 2012, Kanye West began dating Kim Kardashian, a reality television star, with whom he had been long-time friends.
September 2012: Donation to Barack Obama's Campaign
In September 2012, Kanye West donated $1,000 to Barack Obama's re-election campaign, demonstrating his support for the Democratic candidate.
2012: Graduation Named Best Album (2002-2012)
In 2012, Complex named Graduation by Kanye West the best album released between 2002 and 2012.
2012: Co-Directing Cruel Summer
In 2012, Kanye West co-directed the short film Cruel Summer with Alexandre Moors, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in a custom pyramid-shaped screening pavilion. The film was designed to complement the release of the compilation album of the same name later in 2012.
June 2013: Birth of North West
In June 2013, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian welcomed their first child, North West, into the world.
June 18, 2013: Yeezus Album Release
On June 18, 2013, Kanye West's sixth album, "Yeezus", was released and received rave reviews from critics. Despite being his sixth consecutive number one debut, it marked West's lowest solo opening week sales.
September 2013: Yeezus Tour Announcement
In September 2013, Kanye West announced his first solo tour in five years to support "Yeezus", with Kendrick Lamar as the supporting act. This tour was highly praised by critics.
October 2013: Engagement to Kim Kardashian
In October 2013, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian became engaged, marking a significant step in their relationship.
November 2013: Plans for new studio album
In November 2013, Kanye West announced he was beginning work on his next studio album, hoping to release it by mid-2014, with production by Rick Rubin and Q-Tip.
2013: Yeezus Critically Acclaimed Album
According to Metacritic, Yeezus by Kanye West was the most critically acclaimed album of 2013.
2013: Cameo in Anchorman 2
In 2013, Kanye West made a cameo appearance in the comedy film Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, portraying an MTV News representative during a fight scene.
2013: Rolling Stone Album Inclusion: Yeezus
In 2013, Kanye West released his album Yeezus. Later Rolling Stone included Yeezus in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
2013: Opposition to Abortion
In 2013, Kanye West voiced his opposition to abortion, citing his belief in the Sixth Commandment.
2013: Rant on Artistry
In a 2013 interview, Kanye West claimed that his artistry was comparable to William Shakespeare's, sparking discussions about his self-perception and public persona.
May 2014: Marriage to Kim Kardashian
In May 2014, Kanye West married Kim Kardashian at Fort di Belvedere in Florence, Italy, in a private ceremony.
October 2014: Donation to Democratic National Committee
In October 2014, Kanye West donated $15,000 to the Democratic National Committee, contributing financially to the Democratic party.
2014: Marriage to Kim Kardashian
In 2014, Kanye West married Kim Kardashian. They have four children together.
2014: Referred to Himself as Christian
In 2014, Kanye West referred to himself as a Christian during one of his concerts, publicly identifying with the Christian faith.
2014: NME's Most Influential Artist Ranking
In 2014, NME named Kanye West the third most influential artist in music.
2014: Sentenced to Probation for Paparazzo Altercation
In 2014, following an altercation with a paparazzo at the Los Angeles Airport, Kanye West was sentenced to two years' probation for misdemeanor battery. He was also required to attend 24 anger management sessions, perform 250 hours of community service, and pay restitution to the photographer.
March 2015: Album Title Change Announcement
In March 2015, Kanye West announced that his new album, initially announced as Yeezus II for a 2014 release, would be tentatively called So Help Me God instead.
April 2015: North West's Baptism in Jerusalem
In April 2015, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian traveled to Jerusalem to have their daughter, North, baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church at the Cathedral of St. James.
May 2015: Honorary Doctorate Award
In May 2015, Kanye West received an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for his contributions to music, fashion, and popular culture, marking a significant recognition of his artistic impact.
August 2015: Donation to Hillary Clinton's Campaign
In August 2015, Kanye West donated $2,700 to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, showing his support for the Democratic presidential candidate.
December 2015: Birth of Saint West
In December 2015, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian celebrated the birth of their second child, Saint West.
2015: Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
In 2015, Kanye West became the third rap act to win the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
2015: Protests Against Pan American Games Performance
In 2015, Kanye West's scheduled performance at the Pan American Games' closing ceremony sparked protests, with a petition to cancel his appearance receiving 54,000 signatures.
2015: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People Again
In 2015, Time magazine once again named Kanye West one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2015: Civil Lawsuit Settlement
In 2015, a separate civil lawsuit brought by a paparazzo against Kanye West, resulting from an altercation, was settled a week before it was due for trial.
January 2016: Swish Album Announcement and New Song Releases
In January 2016, Kanye West announced that his album "Swish" would be released on February 11. Also in January, he released new songs "Real Friends" and a snippet of "No More Parties in LA" with Kendrick Lamar.
January 26, 2016: Swish Album Renamed to Waves
On January 26, 2016, Kanye West announced that he had renamed his upcoming album from "Swish" to "Waves".
February 14, 2016: The Life of Pablo Exclusive Release on Tidal
On February 14, 2016, following a performance on Saturday Night Live, Kanye West exclusively released "The Life of Pablo" on Tidal. West continued to modify tracks after the release, describing the work as a "living breathing changing creative expression".
February 2016: Turbo Grafx 16 Album Announcement
In February 2016, Kanye West announced on Twitter his plans to release another album in the summer of 2016, tentatively called "Turbo Grafx 16", referencing the 1990s video game console.
June 2016: Champions Single Release and Controversial Famous Video
In June 2016, Kanye West released "Champions", the lead single from the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter. Also in June, he released a controversial music video for "Famous" depicting wax figures of celebrities sleeping nude.
August 2016: Saint Pablo Tour Launch
In August 2016, Kanye West commenced the Saint Pablo Tour to promote "The Life of Pablo". The tour featured a distinctive mobile stage suspended from the ceiling.
November 19, 2016: Abrupt Concert Ending and Committal to UCLA Medical Center
On November 19, 2016, Kanye West abruptly ended a concert and was committed to the UCLA Medical Center due to hallucinations and paranoia. The episode was initially described as "temporary psychosis" caused by dehydration and sleep deprivation.
November 21, 2016: Cancellation of Saint Pablo Tour and Hospitalization
On November 21, 2016, Kanye West canceled the remaining 21 dates of the Saint Pablo Tour following a week of erratic behavior. Subsequently, he was admitted to UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric observation, staying hospitalized due to temporary psychosis from sleep deprivation and dehydration.
December 2016: Meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump
In December 2016, Kanye West met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago.
2016: "I Love Kanye" Song
In 2016, Kanye West released the song "I Love Kanye", which references internet memes about his self-love.
2016: Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
In 2016, Kanye West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, though the diagnosis wasn't made public until 2018. His addiction to opioids may have contributed to his nervous breakdown in 2016.
2016: Expungement of Conviction
In 2016, an appeal to have Kanye West's conviction for misdemeanor battery expunged from his criminal record was granted by a judge.
February 2017: Deletion of Pro-Trump Tweets
In February 2017, Kanye West deleted all his tweets about Donald Trump, reportedly disliking the new president's policies, particularly the travel ban.
May 2017: Recording New Music in Wyoming
In May 2017, it was reported that Kanye West was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, recording new music with a wide range of collaborators.
January 2018: Birth of Chicago West
In January 2018, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's third child, Chicago West, was born via surrogate.
April 2018: Book Announcement and New Album Plans
In April 2018, Kanye West announced plans to write a philosophy book entitled "Break the Simulation", and shared content on Twitter likened to "life coaching". He also announced two new albums, a solo album and a collaboration with Kid Cudi as Kids See Ghosts, set for release in June.
April 2018: Reiteration of Support for Donald Trump
In April 2018, Kanye West reiterated his support for Donald Trump, reaffirming his political stance.
June 2018: Releases and Production Work
In June 2018, Kanye West was involved in multiple releases, including his eighth studio album, "Ye", and a collaborative album with Kid Cudi titled "Kids See Ghosts". He also completed production work on Nas' "Nasir" and Teyana Taylor's "K.T.S.E.", marking a prolific month for the artist. West had suggested scrapping and re-recording 'Ye' within a month prior to release.
September 2018: Album Announcement and Name Change
In September 2018, Kanye West announced his ninth studio album "Yandhi", slated for release by the end of the month, along with a collaborative album with Chance the Rapper titled "Good Ass Job". West also announced plans to change his stage name to "Ye" in September 2018.
September 2018: Yeezy Headquarters Announcement
In September 2018, Kanye West announced plans to permanently move back to Chicago to establish his Yeezy company headquarters. However, this move did not occur.
September 2018: Announcing Half Beast, LLC
In September 2018, Kanye West announced the establishment of his film production company, named Half Beast, LLC.
October 2018: Donation to Amara Enyia's Mayoral Campaign
In October 2018, Kanye West donated to progressive Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia, supporting her political aspirations.
2018: Spotify Streaming Ranking
By 2018, Kanye West was the sixth most streamed artist on Spotify in its first ten years, and the fourth fastest to reach one billion streams.
2018: Feud with Drake over 'Lift Yourself'
In 2018, Kanye West became embroiled in a feud with Drake after using an instrumental Drake wanted for the song "Lift Yourself," which was considered trolling by journalists and fans.
2018: Opioid Addiction and Bipolar Disorder Discussion
In 2018, Kanye West revealed he had become addicted to opioids after being prescribed them following liposuction. He also mentioned his bipolar disorder diagnosis, which was revealed alongside his album "Ye".
2018: "Slavery Was a Choice" Controversy
In 2018, Kanye West stated that the 400-year enslavement of Africans "sounds like a choice," later clarifying his comments were about mental enslavement. He apologized for the remark that August.
2018: Allusion to Name Change
Kanye West had alluded to wishing to change his name since 2018 and had used Ye as a nickname for several years prior, stating in a 2018 interview that he believed "ye" (/jiː/) was the most commonly used word in the Bible.
January 6, 2019: Launch of Sunday Service Events
On January 6, 2019, Kanye West initiated his weekly "Sunday Service" events, featuring soul variations of his and others' songs. These events attracted multiple celebrities and marked a new direction in his artistic expression.
January 2019: Coachella Pull-Out
In January 2019, Kanye West withdrew from headlining that year's Coachella festival due to disagreements over stage design.
May 2019: Birth of Psalm West
In May 2019, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's fourth child, Psalm West, was born via surrogate.
September 2019: Kim Kardashian on Kanye's Religious Evolution
In September 2019, Kim Kardashian stated that Kanye West had an "amazing evolution of being born again and being saved by Christ,", reflecting a change in his religious beliefs.
October 2019: Kanye West's Testimony of Religious Conversion
In October 2019, Kanye West said that he was driven crazy by serving "multiple gods" and that he "didn't even know what it meant to be saved", now expressing his love for Jesus Christ and Christianity.
October 25, 2019: Jesus Is King Album Release
On October 25, 2019, Kanye West released his album "Jesus Is King". It achieved unprecedented success by topping the Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums, and Top Gospel Albums simultaneously.
November 2019: Intention to Run in 2024
At an event in November 2019, Kanye West stated his intention to run for president again in the 2024 election, humorously suggesting he would 'walk' instead of 'run' due to job creation.
December 25, 2019: Jesus Is Born Album Release
On December 25, 2019, Kanye West and Sunday Service released "Jesus Is Born", featuring 19 songs with re-worked versions of older West tracks.
2019: Reacceptance of Bipolar Diagnosis
In 2019, Kanye West reportedly accepted his bipolar disorder diagnosis again, after previously suggesting it was a misdiagnosis.
June 30, 2020: Wash Us in the Blood Single Release
On June 30, 2020, Kanye West released "Wash Us in the Blood" featuring Travis Scott, along with its music video, intended as the lead single for his tenth studio album, "Donda".
July 4, 2020: Presidential Election Announcement
On July 4, 2020, Kanye West announced via Twitter his intention to run in the 2020 presidential election.
July 15, 2020: Filing with the Federal Election Commission
On July 15, 2020, official paperwork was filed with the Federal Election Commission for Kanye West, under the "BDY" Party affiliation.
July 2020: Divorce Possibility Acknowledged
In July 2020, Kanye West acknowledged the possibility of Kim Kardashian ending their marriage due to his anti-abortion views. He also wrote on Twitter about attempting to divorce Kardashian and claimed the Kardashian family was trying to "lock him up".
July 2020: Statements on Taxes and Foreign Policy
In July 2020, Kanye West admitted to Forbes that he lacked knowledge on issues such as taxes and foreign policy.
July 2020: Abortion Consideration Revelation
In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally, Kanye West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy but has since adopted anti-abortion views.
September 2020: Stance on Music Release
In September 2020, Kanye West declared that he would not release any more music until he fulfilled his contract with Sony and Universal.
November 4, 2020: Presidential Concession
On November 4, 2020, Kanye West conceded the presidential election via Twitter after receiving 66,365 votes across 12 states, averaging 0.32%.
2020: Independent Presidential Campaign
In 2020, Kanye West ran an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign.
2020: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums List
In 2020, Rolling Stone included Kanye West's first six solo studio albums on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
January 4, 2021: Report of Pressuring Election Worker
According to Reuters, on January 4, 2021, a publicist linked to Kanye West pressured a Georgia election worker to falsely confess to election tampering to support Trump's claims.
January 2021: Divorce Discussions Reported
In January 2021, CNN reported that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were discussing divorce, indicating a serious consideration of ending their marriage.
August 2021: Filing for Name Change
In August 2021, Kanye West applied to court to legally change his name from "Kanye Omari West" to "Ye", citing "personal reasons".
August 29, 2021: Donda Album Release
After multiple delays and listening parties, Kanye West's album "Donda" was released on August 29, 2021. West claimed it was released early without his approval and that Universal altered the tracklist.
October 2021: Selling Wyoming Ranch
In October 2021, Kanye West began the process of selling his Wyoming ranch, marking a shift in his living and business arrangements.
October 2021: Name Change Granted
In October 2021, Kanye West's request to legally change his name to "Ye" was granted by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.
November 14, 2021: Donda Deluxe Edition Release
On November 14, 2021, Kanye West released a deluxe edition of "Donda" with five new songs to streaming services, adding to the album's evolving form.
December 2021: Report on Undisclosed Campaign Payments
In December 2021, The Daily Beast reported that Kanye West's presidential campaign received millions in services from a secret network of Republican operatives without proper reporting, allegedly concealing a connection.
2021: Malibu Mansion Purchase
In 2021, Kanye West purchased a Malibu mansion for $57.3 million, marking a significant real estate investment.
2021: Peak Net Worth of $1.8 Billion
In 2021, Kanye West's net worth reached as high as $1.8 billion, establishing him as one of the wealthiest musical artists.
2021: Announcement of Jeen-Yuhs Documentary
In 2021, it was announced that a documentary titled Jeen-Yuhs, which was filmed over 21 years and covered Kanye West's early life in Chicago, the death of his mother, and his presidential run, would debut. Netflix acquired the documentary for $30 million.
January 5, 2022: Coachella Headliner Announcement
On January 5, 2022, Kanye West was announced as one of the headliners for the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
January 2022: Dating Julia Fox and Public Outbursts
In January 2022, Julia Fox confirmed she was dating Kanye West. During this time, West publicly stated he wanted his "family back" and lashed out at Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend, Pete Davidson, leading to criticism and his removal as a performer from the 64th Annual Grammy Awards due to "concerning online behavior".
June 29, 2022: Copyright Infringement Complaint Filed
On June 29, 2022, a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York alleging copyright infringement due to unauthorized use of a sample on the song "Flowers". The complaint claimed that Kanye West sampled Marshall Jefferson's 1986 house track "Move Your Body" without permission or compensation.
July 2022: Lawsuit by David Casavant Archive
In July 2022, Kanye West was sued for $416,000 by the fashion rental company the David Casavant Archive for failing to make payments on and return 13 rented pieces.
October 2022: Decline in Net Worth
In October 2022, Forbes estimated Kanye West's net worth had dropped to $400 million, largely due to Adidas terminating their partnership following antisemitic statements.
November 2022: Antisemitic Statements and Dinner with Nick Fuentes
In November 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation after making antisemitic statements and appearing at a dinner hosted by Donald Trump with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. He faced termination of collaborations and partnerships with various companies.
November 2022: Official Launch of Presidential Campaign
In November 2022, Kanye West officially launched his presidential campaign. He also claimed to have asked Donald Trump to be his running mate.
November 2022: Divorce Finalization
In November 2022, the divorce settlement between Kanye West and Kim Kardashian was finalized. West was ordered to pay $200,000 in monthly child support and cover half of the children's medical, educational, and security expenses.
December 2022: Suggestion of Autism Diagnosis
In December 2022, Kanye West suggested that he might be autistic.
December 2022: New Song Release After Controversies
In December 2022, following weeks of controversial antisemitic statements, Kanye West released a new song, "Someday We'll All Be Free", on his Instagram.
2022: Controversy for Antisemitic Views
From 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation and lost sponsors/partnerships for expressing antisemitic views and sympathizing with Nazi ideology.
2022: Abortion as 'Genocide'
In 2022, Kanye West described abortion as "genocide and population control" of black people.
2022: Release of Jeen-Yuhs on Netflix
In 2022, the documentary Jeen-Yuhs, acquired by Netflix, was released. It covers Kanye West's life from his early days in Chicago through significant events like his mother's death and his presidential run.
January 2023: Informal Marriage to Bianca Censori
In January 2023, it was reported that Kanye West had informally married Bianca Censori, who works for his Yeezy brand, in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills. The ceremony had no legal standing.
July 2023: Twitter Account Restoration
In July 2023, Twitter reinstated Kanye West's account after he provided assurances that he would not post harmful content.
August 25, 2023: Recording Eleventh Studio Album
On August 25, 2023, it was reported that Kanye West was recording his eleventh studio album, with sources indicating new music was "imminent".
October 2023: West 'is not a candidate for office in 2024'
In October 2023, an attorney representing Kanye West stated that he "is not a candidate for office in 2024".
November 22, 2023: Vultures Single Release
On November 22, 2023, Kanye West released "Vultures" featuring Bump J. This served as the lead single for his collaborative studio album with Ty Dolla Sign.
December 2023: Apology for Antisemitic Remarks
In December 2023, Kanye West issued a written apology on Instagram for his past antisemitic remarks weeks before his album's release. He also said that some of the stuff he was saying was true.
2023: Formal Diagnosis of Brain Damage
In 2023, Kanye West received a formal diagnosis that his right frontal lobe was damaged during his 2002 car accident. According to West, the oversight of the brain injury contributed to his struggles with mental illness in the following decades.
January 2024: Titanium Prosthodontics Installation
In January 2024, dentist Thomas Connelly installed titanium prosthodontics for Kanye West.
March 2024: Declaration of God Status
During an interview in March 2024, Kanye West revealed he has "issues with Jesus" after missed prayers, before declaring himself as God.
June 29, 2024: Travel to Moscow for Gosha Rubchinskiy's Birthday
On June 29, 2024, Kanye West traveled to Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, resulting in criticism and being labeled an "enemy of Ukraine" by a Ukrainian politician due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
August 2024: Milo Yiannopoulos' Affidavit
In August 2024, Kanye West's former Chief of Staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, stated in an affidavit that West was addicted to nitrous oxide and alleged details of the addiction with Thomas Connelly.
2024: Damon Dash's Statement on West's Actions
In 2024, Damon Dash commented on Kanye West's actions, stating that West 'pulls triggers' and engages in 'one publicity stunt after another'.
2024: Sale of Malibu Mansion
In 2024, Kanye West sold his Malibu mansion for $21 million after deconstructing it to its "bare structure", resulting in a significant financial loss.
2024: Multiple Lawsuits Filed
In 2024, Kanye West was sued three times. The first lawsuit, filed by a former security guard in April, accused him of racial discrimination. The second, filed by a former assistant in June, accused him of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract. The third, filed by a former model in November, accused him of sexual assault and strangulation.
2024: "Carnival" Number One Hit
In 2024, Kanye West's single "Carnival" became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2024: Announcement of 'In Whose Name?' Documentary
In 2024, it was announced that a documentary titled In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros with a billion-dollar budget and filmed over six years, was slated for release.
2024: Future Presidential Run
Kanye West expressed his intention to run for president again in the 2024 presidential election at an event in November 2019.
February 2025: Love for Hitler and Swastika T-Shirt Sales
In February 2025, Kanye West professed his love for Hitler on Twitter and purchased local advertising during Super Bowl LIX, directing viewers to his website where he sold a swastika T-shirt.
February 2025: Professional Autism Diagnosis
In February 2025, Kanye West stated that he had received a professional diagnosis of autism.
April 2025: Claim of Bianca Censori Leaving and Reconciliation
In April 2025, Kanye West claimed in the song "Bianca" that Bianca Censori had left him following his controversial Twitter comments. However, later that month, he shared a photo showing that they were still together.
April 2025: Incestuous Relationship Revelation
In April 2025, Kanye West publicly disclosed that he had an incestuous relationship with a male cousin during their childhood. He mentioned the relationship started when they attempted to reenact what they saw in gay pornography magazines that West had discovered in his mother's closet and that he performed oral sex on his cousin until he was 14, when he ended the relationship.
May 2025: Lawsuit Against Thomas Connelly
In May 2025, Kanye West and Censori sued dentist Thomas Connelly for medical malpractice and professional negligence, alleging that Connelly's actions led to increased confusion, mood instability, anxiety, and depression for West.
May 2025: Renouncing Antisemitism and Social Media Tirades
In May 2025, Rolling Stone reported that Kanye West's social media tirades turned him into "a cultural and business pariah". That month, West renounced antisemitism, though the sincerity of his renouncement was questioned.
July 2025: Former Assistant Amended Lawsuit
In July 2025, a former assistant amended a lawsuit against Kanye West to include accusations of stalking, sexual battery, sex trafficking, and false imprisonment.
September 19, 2025: Release of "In Whose Name?" Documentary
On September 19, 2025, the documentary film In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, was released.
2025: Insults to Hip-Hop Artists
During rants in 2025, Kanye West insulted numerous hip-hop artists including Drake, Future, Iggy Azalea, Jay-Z, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott.
2025: Loss of Sponsors and Partnerships
In 2025, Kanye West continued to face the consequences of his antisemitic views, including the loss of sponsors and partnerships.
2025: Effort to Change Social Media Handles
In 2025, Ye made an effort to change his social media handles from @kanyewest to @ye. However, the public still generally referred to him using his birth name, "[w]hether for SEO reasons, force of habit, animosity, or intentional suppression".
2025: West's Explanation in 'In Whose Name?'
In the 2025 documentary 'In Whose Name?', Kanye West attributed his controversial statements and actions to his bipolar disorder, describing them as performance art.
January 2026: Apology in The Wall Street Journal
In January 2026, Kanye West published an open letter in The Wall Street Journal, apologizing for his past antisemitic remarks and behavior, which he attributed to manic episodes and refusal to accept his bipolar disorder diagnosis.
February 2026: Malibu Mansion Renovation Trial
In late February 2026, Kanye West and Bianca Censori are scheduled to testify in trial related to West's Malibu mansion renovation. The trial, which began on February 24, involves a lawsuit filed by Tony Saxon, a construction worker, who alleges unpaid wages and dangerous working conditions.
2026: Official Apology
In 2026, Kanye West issued an official apology for his antisemitic views.
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