Kanye West is a well-known American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and fashion designer from Chicago. Kanye West started as a hip-hop beatmaker and soon became a worldwide hitmaker. His work as a producer for artists such as Jay-Z led to a major-label recording contract. This contract led Kanye to have a successful solo career that resulted in a string of chart-topping, multi-platinum albums and nearly two-dozen Grammy Awards.