Kanye: the facts
Over the years he’s adopted (or been given) various monikers including Konman, Ye, the Louis Vuitton Don and even Martin Louis the King Jnr.
He’s one of the biggest selling digital artists of all time, having shifted somewhere in the region of a whopping 30,242,000 paid-for downloads. At the last count, Rihanna is number one, in case you were wondering.
West runs his own record label, GOOD (which stands for Getting Out Our Dreams) Music that has the likes of John Legend, Kid Cudi and Common on its roster.
The name Kanye actually means the only one in Swahili. His middle name is Omari.
In 2002 West was involved in a car crash that meant he had to have a metal plate put in his chin. While still in hospital he requested an electronic drum machine so that he could continue composing.
His debut single ‘Through The Wire’ was so-called because during recording he had to sing with a wire brace around his jaw as a result of his aforementioned car accident.
After the success of his debut album, College Dropout, he’s rumoured to have bought himself an 18th Century aquarium with around 30 koi fish in it. There’s supposedly a cherub-shaped gold fountain resting on a marble base right in the centre of it.
It’s rumoured he once said his favourite band were Scottish arty indie popsters Franz Ferdinand!
He once worked as a telemarketer selling credit card insurance.
West is putting a signed and worn pair of his Nike Air Yeezy II sneakers up for auction to raise funds for the RE/CREATE New York, charity which is helping with the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief. An original non-signed, non-worn version went for US$90,000. Bidding starts on January 24.
The teddy bear that often adorns his albums, videos and single is a mascot that goes by the name of Dropout Bear.
He’s produced hit records for the likes of Jay-Z, Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys among many others.
Kanye on Twitter
‘I specifically ordered persian rugs with cherub imagery!!! What do I have to do to get a simple persian rug with cherub imagery uuuuugh’
‘Ima make a book of my tweets.. tweetbook’
‘You can’t look at a glass half full or empty if it’s overflowing’
‘Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on.’
‘Classical music is tight yo’
‘I hate when I’m on a flight and I wake up with a water bottle next to me like, now I gotta be responsible for this bottle’
‘Some people have really big foreheads. Not in a bad way.’
‘Do you know where to find marble conference tables? I’m looking to have a conference… not until I get the table though’
Kanye: the film
• Cruel Summer (release date TBC) was written and produced by West. It was exclusively shot in Doha, Qatar, although West also considered using the UAE as the location.
• Loosely based on Arabic folklore, it tells the tale of a car thief who falls in love with an Arabian princess. The thief is set a number of challenges by the Princess’ father that he must complete before they can be together.
• Kanye West starred in it along with Sarah A., the first Qatari female to star in a movie. Sarah was an intern at the Doha Film Institute. Although she wants to focus on a producing career, she accepted the role as it offered such a unique experience.
• Also starring in the move is Kid Kudi, Ali Suliman and Razane Jammal, a Lebanese actress.
• The movie premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2012, where it was shown across seven screens with each showing a different camera angle on the action – a new concept in movie production.
• A custom pyramid-shaped screening pavilion was constructed for the film’s premiere, where the seven screens were spread out around the floor, ceiling and sides of the space as well as at the front.
Kanye in the UAE
• Kanye West first performed in the UAE in 2007 and also in 2010 on the first night of the Yasalam after-race concerts on Yas Island for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
• He told his followers on Twitter: ‘Stage in Abu Dhabi… Craze!’
• While in the UAE, he also had the chance to experience what he calls, ‘Abu Dhabi hobbies,’ including,’ sky diving, dune buggies and vintage jewellery and the fastest rollercoaster.’
Ticket info
Tickets start with general admission at Dhs295, fan pit at Dhs595 and VIP standing (21+) at Dhs695. Platinum tables (21+) of ten people are available at Dhs10,000. Buy now at www.thinkflash.ae or 800FLASH (35274).
