Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar

Donda West · Karen Hunter

May 2007 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The mother of rap superstar Kanye West shares her experiences on being a single mother raising a celebrity.

As the mother of hip-hop superstar Kanye West, Donda West has watched her son grow from a brilliant baby boy with all the intimations of fame and fortune to one of the hottest rappers on the music scene. And she has every right to be proud: she raised her son with strong moral values, teaching him right from wrong and helping him become the man he is today. In Raising Kanye, Donda not only pays homage to her famous son but reflects on all the things she learned about being his mother along the way.

Featuring never-before-seen photos and compelling personal anecdotes, Donda's powerful and inspiring memoir reveals everything from the difficulties she faced as a single mother in the African American community to her later experiences as Kanye's manager as he rose to superstardom. Speaking frankly about her son's reputation as a "Mama's Boy," and his memorable public outbursts about gay rights and President George W. Bush, Donda supports her son without exception, and here she shares the invaluable wisdom she has taken away from each experience—passion, tolerance, patience, and above all, always telling the truth. Ultimately, she not only expresses what her famously talented son has meant to her but what he has meant to music and an entire generation.

Ratings and reviews

This book was really good Dr. West. I couldnt put it down even though at times you were redundant but overall very good. I wish the ending was better and that you didnt talk about Oprah, cause shes just like bush she only cares about being accepted by whites. But I loved your book and i love Kanye we are alike in a lot of ways, i wish that i had a mother like you who was patient and who listened though, but very good for you and congratulations, R.I.P.

Its really sad That shes not here to enjoy her grandkids.l know that shes Very proud of him

I didnt read it but Kanye is just another a hole. Even Obama said it.

About the author

Donda West previously served as the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University.

Karen Hunter is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, a celebrated radio talk-show host, and coauthor of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Confessions of a Video Vixen, On the Down Low, and Wendy’s Got the Heat. She is also an assistant professor in the Film & Media Department at Hunter College.

Kanye West is an American rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. He was born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago. He is known as one of the world’s best-selling music artists and has won twenty-two Grammy Awards.